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
Get the Bought The Farmmug. US Military term (ca. 1960s-1990s) used by "line" types (fleet, aviation crew & flightline, special forces, infantry) to refer with contempt to HQ and staff (non-operations) personnel, especially bureaucratic types who push petty regulations as a way to harrass others. Also used as mildly derisive term by aviation types to refer to crewmembers temporarily removed from flying and assigned "desk" (non-flying) duties for administrative or disciplinary purposes.
What asswipe desk jockey came up with the idea of prohibiting bags (flightsuits) and cammies in the NCO Club for lunch? Guess those clerks didn't want all those grubby SOBs who work for a living spoiling the view...
by Speedstan May 19, 2008
Get the desk jockeymug. US military (specifically Air Force military transport) jargon ca. 1970s-1980s, referring to an operation or undertaking involving an unnecessarily large number of people, most of them contributing nothing or actually impeding progress. Typically used to refer to flightline operations where military brass felt it necessary to make their presence felt and impede the normal duties/operations of the aircrew, offering "advice" or "assistance" that was neither requested nor needed.
"We got gear up and flaps up out of Norton (Air Force Base) on time, no sweat, but Travis was a major goat-rope and a half. We had three times as many Base Ops types and ground-pounders in the cargo compartment as crewmembers, and the only reason they finally got the hell out of the way is that they didn't want to buy a crew delay."
by speedstan May 04, 2008
Get the Goat-ropemug. noun: railroad acronym for "Flashing Rear End Device", the "black box" attached to the rear of most freight trains in the US since the 1980's, replacing the caboose.
Officially known as an End of Train Device (EOT), this is attached to the rear coupler and air brake line of the last car on the train. The device incorporates a pressure sensor and a radio to transmit brake line air pressure back to the lead locomotive, and a flashing red light to serve as a warning marker to other trains at night.
Also referred to in less complimentary terms as a "Fucking Rear End Device", due to the fact that early versions were heavy, cumbersome to handle, and not known to be especially reliable.
Officially known as an End of Train Device (EOT), this is attached to the rear coupler and air brake line of the last car on the train. The device incorporates a pressure sensor and a radio to transmit brake line air pressure back to the lead locomotive, and a flashing red light to serve as a warning marker to other trains at night.
Also referred to in less complimentary terms as a "Fucking Rear End Device", due to the fact that early versions were heavy, cumbersome to handle, and not known to be especially reliable.
"FRED is telling us we have no air. Either we broke the train in two (uncoupled cars or broke a coupler knuckle, which would disconnect an air line) or somebody closed an angle cock (valve that supplies air pressure to individual car brakes)."
by speedstan March 01, 2010
Get the FREDmug. verb: to carry a load by hand, usually referring to an unusually heavy or unwieldy load, and/or an abnormally long distance, that would not be expected of sane, rational, people. Term is military/aviation in origin.
"Amtrak was running 3 hours late, so there were no taxis at the station when we got into town. We had to hump our bags 6 blocks through 'da hood to get to the hotel. Not my idea of a party."
by speedstan February 23, 2010
Get the humpmug. The reasoning process (or lack of it) that causes ghetto folk to screw up their lives, due to their general ignorance and poor or non-existent judgment skills. Ghetto logic usually manifests itself in a series of successively worse decisions that often turn small problems into progressively larger ones, often to the point where solving the problem is beyond the control of anyone. Ghetto person then blames society/police/white folks/whatever for problems.
Ghetto Logic Example #1: Unmarried girl gets pregnant by accident, babydaddy runs off. Girl tries to catch a man to take care of her and her baby by getting pregnant again. Repeat process...
Example #2: Ghetto driver gets traffic ticket, but does not pay it or show up for court. Small fine becomes bigger fine, and arrest warrant is issued for Failure To Appear. Fine is not paid, driver keeps on driving, practicing same behavior that got him/her ticket in the first place. Police try to pull over driver again. Driver fails to yield, leads police on 100 MPH police chase, hits and kills innocent person. $50 infraction becomes no-bail felony manslaughter charge.
Example #2: Ghetto driver gets traffic ticket, but does not pay it or show up for court. Small fine becomes bigger fine, and arrest warrant is issued for Failure To Appear. Fine is not paid, driver keeps on driving, practicing same behavior that got him/her ticket in the first place. Police try to pull over driver again. Driver fails to yield, leads police on 100 MPH police chase, hits and kills innocent person. $50 infraction becomes no-bail felony manslaughter charge.
by speedstan February 23, 2010
Get the ghetto logicmug. A large, heavy, prominent object that can be used as a weapon for self-defense purposes under circumstances where conventional weapons are prohibited or impractical. An "attitude adjuster" is considered to have served its intended purpose if the mere display of the object is enough to keep potential antagonists at bay. Term is of 1970's-1980's vintage and commonly used by military, law enforcement, and railroaders in urban areas.
"I always keep a three-cell Mag-Lite under the seat when I drive downtown after dark. It's a good attitude adjuster to keep the locals from harassing me..."
by speedstan February 23, 2010
Get the attitude adjustermug.