This here's page 2 of Civil War Glossary and Slang. You'll recognize some terms
still in use today. Words like: "mealy-mouthed," "rigmarole," "smart aleck,"
and "yahoo." Let's not forget: "bogus," "by Jingo!" "hoity-toity," and "jackanapes." Page 3 of slang is complete.
 Glossary of Civil War Slang and Terms |
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|---|---|---|
| Mostly Union Terms | ||
| "Bumblebee" | Sound of Flying miniballs. | |
| "Grey Backs" | Derogatory slang for Rebels meaning lice. | |
| "Dog Collar" | Army issued cravat, usually thrown away. | |
| "Jonah" | Bad Luck. | |
| "Sardine Box" | "Cap Box." | |
| "Bread Bag" | Haversack. | |
| "40 Dead Men" | Cartridge box. | |
| "Patent Bureau" | Knapsack. | |
| "Sham Fight" | Mock Battle. | |
| "Fresh Fish" | Raw recruits. | |
| "Rio" | Coffee. | |
| "Hunkey Dorey" | Things are going great! | |
| "Tight" or "Wallpapered" | Drunk. | |
| "Bark Juice" "Tar Water" | Liquor; also "Kokum Stiff" "Old Red Eye" "O Be Joyful" | |
| "Lucifer" | Match. | |
| "French Leave" | Going AWOL. | |
| "Zu Zu" | Zouaves. | |
| "Arkansas Toothpick" | Knife. | |
| "PepperBox" | Pistol. | |
| "Sawbones" | Surgeon. | |
| "Quick Step" "Flux" | Diarrhea, also "Tennesse or Virginia Quick Step." | |
| "Shakes" | Malaria. | |
| "Greenbacks" "Rocks" "Spondulix" | Money. | |
| "Blowhard" | A big shot or braggart. | |
| "Hard Case" | Tough Guy. | |
| "Salt Horse" | Pickled beef. | |
| "Dog Robber" | Detailed cook from regular ranks. | |
| "Roast Beef" | Noon Meal. | |
| "Peas on a trencher" | Breakfast call. | |
| "Essence of Coffee" | Civil War form of instant coffee. | |
| "Jonah" | Bad Luck. | |
| "Long Sweetening" | Molasses | |
| "Chief cook and bottle washer" | Person capable of doing many things. | |
| "Take an image" | Have your picture taken. | |
| "Housewife" | Sewing kit. | |
| "Been through the mill" | Bad day; too busy a day. | |
| "Toeing the mark" | Doing the job. | |
| "Hard knocks" | A tough break. | |
| "Bully" | Yeah, or hurrah! | |
| "Bread basket" | Stomach. | |
| "Let 'er rip" | Go ahead and start. | |
| "Snug as a bug" | Very comfortable. | |
| "Artillery" | Camp kettles, stoves, posts, tubs, iron foundries. | |
| "Barrel shirt" | Barrel worn by thieves for punishment. | |
| "Duds" | Clothing. | |
| "Pumpkin rinds" | Grumpy term for lieutenants,from their shoulder straps. | |
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