ploddledygook n.— «Such terms are among a long list of needless police jargon—or “ploddledygook”—which should be ditched, according to the Plain English Campaign.» —“Do You Speak Ploddledygook? The Police Force Jargon...
freshman retiree n.— «Last July, after more than 20 years of service—a period in which the family moved 15 times, lived in four countries and endured three deployments—Todd, 44, and Julie, 40, retired from the Air Force.…Last August...
cable dog n.— «Strapped into a six-point climbing harness, each Airman had to climb up the metal tower and at the 50-foot platform had to lean back and hang from the harness.…Some of the “cable dogs” as they are called...
diamond n.— «First sergeants are required to be at least a master sergeant to wear a diamond on their sleeve, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “diamonds.” However, technical sergeants may be selected to hold the...
bright work n.— «Hill’s job on this piece of aviation history was a tricky procedure called “bright work,” shining the naked aluminum on the underside of Air Force One’s fuselage. “We polished it. Then we put a coat of...
Bent Spear n.— «At least five U.S. Air Force commanders are facing criminal charges for allowing armed nuclear cruise missiles to be flown across America.…The incident sparked a so-called “Bent Spear” nuclear alert, one...