Belly-ache--to complain.
Black strap--liquid coffee.
Blind--sentenced by court-martial to forfeiture of pay without confinement.
Bob-Tail--a dishonorable discharge, or a discharge without honor; to be "bobtailed"--to be discharged or to be given a discharge without honor.
Bone--to study; to try; to cultivate.
Bone bootlick on--to cultivate the favor of.
Boots and Saddles--trumpet call.
Bootlick--to flatter.
Brig--guard-house.
Bow-legs--cavalrymen.
Buck-private--a term sometimes used in referring to a private.
Bucking for Orderly--giving clothing and accoutrements extra cleaning so as to compete for orderly.
Bunkie--a soldier who shares the shelter of a comrade.
Bust--to reduce a non-commissioned officer to the grade of a private.
Butcher--the company barber.
Canned Horse--canned beef.
Chief--name by which the chief musician of the band is usually called by the enlisted men.
Cit--a civilian.
Cits--civilian clothes.
C. O.--commanding officer.
Coffee Cooler--one who seeks easy details away from troops; one who is always looking for an easy job.
Cold-feet--fear, lack of courage (to have cold feet is to be afraid, to lack courage).
Commissaries--groceries.
Crawl--to admonish.
Dog-robber--name by which the enlisted men call a soldier who works for an officer. (An offensive term, the use of which generally results in trouble.)
Dough-boy--infantryman.
Dough-puncher--the baker.
Down the Pole--to drink, after having stopped.
Duff--any sweet edible.
Fatigue--extra work.
File--a number on the lineal list.
Fogy--ten percent increase in pay for each five years" service.
Found--to be found deficient or wanting in anything, especially an examination.
French leave--unauthorized absence. Absent on French leave--absent without authority.
Goat--junior officer in post, regiment, etc.
Goaty--awkward, ignorant.
Guard House Lawyer--a soldier with a smattering knowledge of regulations and military law; quite loquacious and liberal with advice and counsel to men in the Guard House or other trouble.
Hand-Shaker--a soldier who tries to win the favor of first sergeant or troop commander.
Hardtack--hardbread, biscuits.
Hash Mark--enlistment or service stripe, worn on sleeve.
Hike--a march; to hike; to march.
Hitch--a term for enlistment period.
Hive--to discover, to catch.
Hobo--the provost guard.
Holy Joe--the chaplain.
Hop--a dance.
How--form of salutation in drinking, meaning "Here"s to your health,"
"My regards," etc.
I. C.--condemned by an inspector.
Jaw-bone--credit (to get things on "jawbone," is to buy on credit).