Jarhead?

[Cpl.Parker]

Could someone please explain to me the origin of the name "Jarhead" used in referance to U.S. Marines?

Thanks
P

 

[Rezin]

Could someone please explain to me the origin of the name "Jarhead" used in referance to U.S. Marines?

Thanks
P

"High and Tight" haircut. Looks like a jar, with a lid (Marines often call thier cover a "lid")

 

[cbsbyte]

I believe it has to do with the high and tight hair cut makes there head look like a jar. Many soliders today shave their entire heads instead of having a High and tight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_and_tight

 

[Tierhog]

If I recall correctly, it refers to the old style cover (hat for you army types) that looked like the lid of a jam jar. Some Army units also wear the high and tight haircut.

http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/usmc_terms.htm states

Jarhead: For roughly 50 years, sailors had little luck in their effort to insult Marines by calling them Gyrenes. So, during World War II sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads. Presumably the high collar on the Marine Dress Blues uniform made a Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new moniker as a term of utmost respect.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Jarhead

As I understand it, the term started out as an insult used by Army or Navy personnel. Of course, the marines took the insult and made it their own--best thing to do with an insult IMHO.

Wisconsinites did the same thing with the derogatory "Cheesehead!" hurled at them by Illinoisians. Now there is a thriving industry in that state, making fake "wedge-of-cheese" hats.

 

[deadin]

I'd always heard that in boot camp they unscrewed the top of a boots head, poured out everything he knew and refilled it with "HOO RA"

SEMPER FI !!


Dean

 

[Berek]

It was the haircut. Because all Marines received the high-n-tite right out of boot, our heads look like upside-down jars. Hence, "Jarhead".

Berek

 

[1 old 0311]

Yes it did start as a insult. WE can call ourselves ' Jarheards ' but I am still not crazy about a movie with that name

Kevin
Semper Fi

 

[1911Tuner]

Jarheads

I'd always heard that in boot camp they unscrewed the top of a boots head, poured out everything he knew and refilled it with "HOO RA"

SEMPER FI !!


Dean

It's the High'n'Tight...but I like deadin's answer best of all.

 

[TrapperReady]

Wisconsinites did the same thing with the derogatory "Cheesehead!" hurled at them by Illinoisians.

Funny, but I've yet to hear of Illinoisians embrace the moniker "FIB".

 

[Zach S]

Yes it did start as a insult. WE can call ourselves ' Jarheards ' but I am still not crazy about a movie with that name

Kevin
Semper Fi

Well, if it makes you feel better, the movie is based on a book that pretty much shares the title. It was witten by a Marine.

eta: Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles

 

[scout26]

Deadin,

Do you know how many marine brains it take to fill up the jar ???

(Hint: It still ain't full yet....)

Or why they put Marines on Navy ships ????


GO ARMY !!!!!

 

[WT]

Out of courtesy and respect, 'jarhead' is not a term used by civilians who have never served in the military.

 

[Cpl.Parker]

From what I know "Jarhead" was used in WWII, now how about term "pogey bait" where does that come from?

P

 

[Greg L]

Pogey bait - I've heard the term plenty but never knew the meaning...

http://www.hmm-364.org/pogey-bait.html

There's an old story going around the Corps - has been for years - about the origin of the term "Pogey Bait".

The Marines in China before WW II were issued candy (Baby Ruths, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) as part of their their ration supplements. At the time, sugar and other assorted sweets were rare commodities in China and much in demand by the Chinese, so the troops found the candy useful for barter in town.

The Chinese word for prostitute, roughly translated, is "pogey". Thus, Marines being Marines, candy became "Pogey Bait".

 

[Justin]

Question answered, thread not gun related.

For further discussion, please feel free to start a thread over at APS