pogey bait

The Marines in China before WW II were issued candy (Baby Ruths, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) as part of their their ration supplements. At the time, sugar and other assorted sweets were rare commodities in China and much in demand by the Chinese, so the troops found the candy useful for barter in town.

The Chinese word for prostitute, roughly translated, is "pogey". Thus, Marines being Marines, candy became "Pogey Bait".

Platoon leaders should control the use of pogey-bait and non-issue food.

pogey bait by Ninefingers October 22, 2003

pogey bait

Military: Any non-issued food or drink item. Popular items include ramen noodles, canned meat/fish, jerky, squirt cheese, etc.

That pogue's ruck is full of nothin' but pogey bait.

pogey bait by LF93 October 14, 2007

pogey bait

1. High calorie junk food

Look at that fat bastard, all he eats is pogie bait!

pogey bait by Bud E Love May 8, 2003

Pogey Bait

The tern comes from the word Poge which is used by military personnel to describe someone who is not infantry such as administration, clerical or supply. In the Marine Corps it is used to describe anyone not having an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of 03**. Example: 0311 is basic infantry. Pogey Bait is anything that does not fall under the typical field rations and used to describe something store bought. The term is used to suggest that store bought food might be used to lure Poges (admin or clerical personnel) away from their desk jobs and out into the field.

I'm heading to the PX to pick up some pogey bait for the field exercise this week.

Pogey Bait by Hotkarl63 September 15, 2009