phrase: refers to someone deceased in a military accident or operation. Phrase predates World War II, but came into common use at that time due to the large numbers of training casualties due inexperienced pilots/crewmembers trained in aircraft that are much less reliable than today. Common accidents in rural areas would result in aircraft crashing into barns, fields, or rural property, resulting in damages. The US Government would compensate the affected property owners with checks to pay for damages, or in some cases condemn land contaminated with undetonated/unlocated munitions/weapons, in effect "buying the farm".
"28 of us started out in my class in UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) but only 11 of us earned our wings. 13 washed out, 2 got held back, and Higgins and Baker bought the farm when they lost power on climb-out."
by speedstan February 24, 2010
Mrs Tiggywinkle? It's PC Bobs, here. I'm afraid I have some upsetting news. Your husband was crossing the M4 and, well I'm afraid he bought the farm. Squashed flatter than a witch's tit. He was.
We scraped Him up as best we could. He's in this bucket. I shouldn't look if I were you.
We scraped Him up as best we could. He's in this bucket. I shouldn't look if I were you.
by mockschmock December 12, 2006
1.To fail in the most complete way, without understanding how. This originates from the linux error code "EIEIO" which refers to an error which makes no sense, and cannot be repaired.
2.To die
2.To die
"Jet pilots say that when a jet crashes on a farm the farmer usually sues the government for damages done to his farm by the crash, and the amount demanded is always more than enough to pay off the mortgage and then buy the farm outright. Since this type of crash is nearly always fatal to the pilot, the pilot pays for the farm with his life, and has bought the farm."
With definition 1, the metaphor of buying the farm is often elaborated upon:
*dave makes a big mistake*
jeremy: You just bought the farm.
The minister of agriculture wishes to speak urgently with you.
With definition 1, the metaphor of buying the farm is often elaborated upon:
*dave makes a big mistake*
jeremy: You just bought the farm.
The minister of agriculture wishes to speak urgently with you.
by the ronnie January 23, 2007
As a Vietnam era fighter pilot, I have heard and used the expression “bought the farm” many times. To my understanding, it is not meant to be taken literally, as in paying off a mortgage. Instead, it is meant in jest, a little bit of black humor poking fun at the constant risk of being killed in an airplane crash.
"Bought” is used as follows: After breaking an expensive vase in a china shop, the proprietor says, “I am sorry sir, but I’m afraid you just bought it.” Bought or buy means doing something that has quick, negative, and irreversible consequences, in this case being killed.
I have heard three variations on “the farm.” First is a piece of land, a very small piece of land, used for raising daisies. This, of course, means a grave plot. The second is a piece of land where you are planted (buried) rather than a crop, again referring to a grave. The third variation, and my personal preference, is a piece of land where you plant yourself - usually at the bottom of the smoking hole made when your airplane crashed.
For people in harms way, the Grim Reaper is often a too frequent visitor. If “he” is taken too seriously, it may interfere with one’s duty. To reduce this problem, combatants since ancient armies first marched have found ways to make light of and mock “Old Scratch” and “the skinny guy with the scythe.”
"Bought” is used as follows: After breaking an expensive vase in a china shop, the proprietor says, “I am sorry sir, but I’m afraid you just bought it.” Bought or buy means doing something that has quick, negative, and irreversible consequences, in this case being killed.
I have heard three variations on “the farm.” First is a piece of land, a very small piece of land, used for raising daisies. This, of course, means a grave plot. The second is a piece of land where you are planted (buried) rather than a crop, again referring to a grave. The third variation, and my personal preference, is a piece of land where you plant yourself - usually at the bottom of the smoking hole made when your airplane crashed.
For people in harms way, the Grim Reaper is often a too frequent visitor. If “he” is taken too seriously, it may interfere with one’s duty. To reduce this problem, combatants since ancient armies first marched have found ways to make light of and mock “Old Scratch” and “the skinny guy with the scythe.”
Meaning of the expression, “Bought the farm.”
Steve was doing ACM practice and had a mid-air. Unfortunately, he bought the farm.
Steve was doing ACM practice and had a mid-air. Unfortunately, he bought the farm.
by rlltrash August 2, 2010
“bought the farm”
It comes from a 1950s-era Air Force term meaning “to crash” or “to be killed in action,” and refers to the desire of many wartime pilots to stop flying, return home, buy a farm, and live peaceably ever after.
It comes from a 1950s-era Air Force term meaning “to crash” or “to be killed in action,” and refers to the desire of many wartime pilots to stop flying, return home, buy a farm, and live peaceably ever after.
Where’s Josh?
Haven’t you heard? He bought the farm.
He got drunk and went out on his motorcycle … Poor guy bought the farm.
Haven’t you heard? He bought the farm.
He got drunk and went out on his motorcycle … Poor guy bought the farm.
by Barrymtl January 10, 2022