1940s Wartime Slang

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Discover the colorful language born from World War II and the home front

1.
In WWII slang, what was a 'foxhole'?
A
A small pit dug for shelter from enemy fire
B
A soldier's uniform pocket
C
A secret meeting place
D
A type of military formation
2.
What did 'SNAFU' stand for in 1940s military slang?
A
Soldiers Need Ammunition For Unity
B
Send Nurses And Food Urgently
C
Strategic Naval Attack Formation Underway
D
Situation Normal: All Fouled Up
3.
In 1940s slang, what were 'ack-ack' guns?
A
Early rocket launchers
B
Water pistols used in training
C
Anti-aircraft guns
D
Machine guns
4.
What was a 'Dear John letter' during WWII?
A
A letter from a general
B
A letter from a woman breaking up with a soldier
C
A letter of recommendation
D
An official draft notice
5.
In wartime slang, what did 'buying the farm' mean?
A
Being killed in action
B
Retiring from service
C
Getting a promotion
D
Being discharged
6.
What was 'Kilroy' in 1940s culture?
A
A popular graffiti figure ('Kilroy was here')
B
A military code name
C
A type of ration
D
A brand of cigarettes
7.
In 1940s slang, what was a 'wolf' on the home front?
A
A German soldier
B
A man who aggressively pursued women
C
A war profiteer
D
A black market dealer
8.
What did 'Rosie the Riveter' represent in the 1940s?
A
A fictional spy
B
A military nurse
C
A popular song
D
Women working in wartime factories
9.
In WWII slang, what was 'flak'?
A
A type of uniform
B
Anti-aircraft fire or criticism
C
Camouflage netting
D
A military medal
10.
What were 'Victory Gardens' in the 1940s?
A
Parks dedicated to war heroes
B
Military cemeteries
C
Flower arrangements for soldiers
D
Home vegetable gardens to supplement rationed food
11.
In 1940s slang, what did 'hubba hubba' express?
A
Military marching rhythm
B
A greeting between soldiers
C
Enthusiastic approval, especially of an attractive person
D
Confusion
12.
What was a 'zoot suit' in the 1940s?
A
A waterproof overcoat
B
A type of flight suit
C
A military dress uniform
D
A suit with high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and long coat
13.
In wartime slang, what did 'GI' stand for?
A
Great Infantry
B
General Infantry
C
Government Issue
D
Ground Intelligence
14.
What was 'spam' in the context of 1940s military life?
A
Secret coded messages
B
A type of punishment
C
Unwanted mail
D
Canned precooked meat served widely to troops
15.
In 1940s slang, what were 'bobby soxers'?
A
Female boxers
B
Women who knitted socks for soldiers
C
Teenage girls known for wearing ankle socks and swooning over singers
D
Female police officers

Answer Key

Question 1

A. A small pit dug for shelter from enemy fire

Question 2

D. Situation Normal: All Fouled Up

Question 3

C. Anti-aircraft guns

Question 4

B. A letter from a woman breaking up with a soldier

Question 5

A. Being killed in action

Question 6

A. A popular graffiti figure ('Kilroy was here')

Question 7

B. A man who aggressively pursued women

Question 8

D. Women working in wartime factories

Question 9

B. Anti-aircraft fire or criticism

Question 10

D. Home vegetable gardens to supplement rationed food

Question 11

C. Enthusiastic approval, especially of an attractive person

Question 12

D. A suit with high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and long coat

Question 13

C. Government Issue

Question 14

D. Canned precooked meat served widely to troops

Question 15

C. Teenage girls known for wearing ankle socks and swooning over singers

Find more free puzzles and brain games at www.SeniorBrainGames.org