![\"WTF\"](\"https:\/\/hcsblogdotorg.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/02\/wtf.jpg?w=620\")
<\/h2>\nIf you\u2019ve served in the military, live with a veteran, or work with one, you know that jargon is a part of their vocabulary. While some of their military slang or abbreviations are practical in the civilian world, others are perfect for everyday use. In fact, a number of these words or phrases are more clever and politically correct than certain civilian words or phrases.<\/p>\n
Here are seven phrases from military jargon that you can use to replace your everyday vernacular.<\/p>\n
1. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot<\/b><\/p>\n
In civilian vernacular, this translates to: \u201cWhat the fuck.\u201d<\/em> Except \u201cwhiskey tango foxtrot\u201d is a much more poignant and acceptable phrase for use both within the military and among civilians. If you\u2019re looking for a phrase to substitute expletives at home or in the workplace, whiskey tango foxtrot is the way to go. The phrase is also being popularized by the upcoming Paramount Pictures movie<\/a> of that name starring Tina Fey.<\/p>\n 2. Lima Charlie<\/b><\/p>\n Lima Charlie is typically used over the radio to denote that a message has been received. In the civilian world, this abbreviation can be used to affirm that you\u2019ve heard something and understand. Whether you employ it sarcastically or seriously, this is one phrase that you can hold on to when something comes over \u201cloud and clear\u201d<\/em> in your everyday life.<\/p>\n 3. FUBAR<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cFucked up beyond all recognition\u201d<\/em> is a military favorite. It originated in World War II and has already made its way into the civilian vernacular. So when something breaks beyond all measure of repair, you might say it\u2019s \u201cFUBAR\u201d if you\u2019re not in the right setting to drop an f-bomb. It\u2019s also been used to name a new and depraved card game modeled after Cards Against Humanity<\/a>.<\/p>\n 4. Pop Smoke<\/b><\/p>\n To \u201cpop smoke\u201d means to leave or retreat. In the field, it means \u201cyou throw out a smoke grenade and [a helicopter can] vector in on it for extraction from a hot area,\u201d Army Staff Sgt. Adam Dillon told Public Radio International<\/a>. Whenever you find yourself in a situation and are looking to get out, just tell your party it\u2019s time to \u201cpop smoke,\u201d and then get the hell outta there.<\/p>\n 5. Zero Dark Thirty<\/b><\/p>\n Essentially the crack of dawn, \u201cZero Dark Thirty\u201d implies a generally unpleasant hour of the morning.<\/em> It is also the title of \u00a0a popular movie<\/a> about the capture of Osama bin Laden. For those of you that like to get up before the sun, you can estimate your waking hour to be at \u201czero dark thirty.\u201d<\/p>\n 6. Got Your 6 \u00a0<\/b>If your body was a clock, 12 would be your front face, and 6 would be your backside. In combat operations, you literally need to have your back covered. In the civilian world, sometimes people like to know that you\u2019ve got their backs in a manner of moral support. Whether it\u2019s your family or your new coworkers, it\u2019s a sentiment that everyone can appreciate.<\/p>\n 7. Bravo Zulu<\/b><\/p>\n Bravo Zulu has a long history within the military. The term originated from the Allied Signals Book<\/a>. Signals are sent as letters and numbers, which when combined certain ways have specific meanings. The letter \u201cB\u201d indicates a \u201cdoing\u201d action and becomes a more specific instruction when paired with a second letter or number. \u201cBZ\u201d roughly translates to \u201cwell done.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> Regardless of its history though, it sounds much cooler than just saying \u201cgood job.\u201d<\/p>\n