Skip to main content

100 mile an hour tape

Army slang for what civilians commonly call duct tape. The actual army name for it is olive drab green reinforcement tape which is what you would need to call it if you were to order it from the army supply store (GSA).

The story goes that during WWII the army asked Johnson & Johnson to develop a seal that would keep moisture out of their ammo cans. J&J answered with OD green reinforcement tape. It is said that the tape was so effective at keeping moisture out that water would bead off it like "water off a duck's back" earning it the name "duck tape". Duck tape would end up having multiple uses in the military, though; with supply short during WWII, duck tape became the military's answer to fixing equipment in the field. Seeing how effective, efficient, and versatile a roll the tape played in the military, J&J marketed the tape to civilians as a fix all. The tape became known as "duct tape", but I'm not sure if this is because the most common usage was to hold ducts together or because civilians misheard the name.

Throughout the history of the military, supply was always an issue, and in the event that GI's didn't have the proper tools to fix something they would use duck tape. As a fix all, duck tape was so effective that it was said it could hold a jeep together travelling at 100 mph, hence the common army name "100 mile an hour tape." Ask anyone from the army what it is and they'll tell you.

100 mile an hour tape is a part of army (military) lifestyle so much that it is actually documented for usage in SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). From personal experience, I can tell you that it is used per procedure for preparing slingload operations (operations where a helicopter carries something beneath it) and to cover shiny objects and reduce noise (rattling) when on patrols.
Soldier 1: Tie down that flap on the trailer before we lose another gas can.
Soldier 2: Can't, the tie down strap is broke. We still haven't gotten a replacement.
Soldier 1: Figures. Just get some 100 mile an hour tape and do the best you can.
by goopup May 28, 2006
mugGet the 100 mile an hour tape mug.

Duct Tape

The holiest of all man-made materials. can be easily used by the smallest of children and has the adhesive power to make ANYTHING work brand new.
"QUICK this man's arm has fallen off, get me the duct tape!"
by Yacin June 11, 2003
mugGet the Duct Tape mug.

typed

Buy me I typed bottle of enchanting!
by #Leonardo The Vinci September 30, 2019
mugGet the typed mug.

taper

A device used to stretch piercings. It is small on one end and gradually increases in size until it reaches the proper gauge.
When going from a 4G to a 2G, I used an acrylic taper and some lubricating oil.
by Denis Baldwin February 3, 2004
mugGet the taper mug.

mix tape

A selection of audio recordings taken from various musical groups and placed on one media (cassette, cd, mp3 playlist). It is often given as gift to friends and used in the courting rituals of teenagers.
"Hey, you're pretty... so I made you a mix tape."
by Tori Beth June 9, 2005
mugGet the mix tape mug.

tapped

I wouldn't fuck with that kid he's tapped
by K-Slay June 16, 2007
mugGet the tapped mug.

tapesty

A word Endorphous uses to describe something that has a pleasing flavour. Usually applies to Ducks and Sings.
My worbd, those ducks look tapesty.
by Cwips February 12, 2004
mugGet the tapesty mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email