2006-09-08 07:06:44 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
explain in laymen's terms
2006-09-08 07:12:07 · update #1
It means that any objection you have against the war, you should tell the Marines who are first in and first out to get their bums blown off. The ones who are seeing the fit hit the shan first-hand.
2006-09-08 07:10:54 · answer #1 · answered by mindrizzle 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The phrase "Tell it to the Marines" is part of Royal Navy heritage, which was passed to the United States Marine Corps. There are two historical definitions of “Tell it to the Marines.” Modern definitions apply for the USMC as opposed to the Royal Marines.
The first is from a British naval fiction “The Post Captain” or “The Wooden Walls Well Manned,” in which a Captain, bored of a tall tale, exclaimed, “You may tell that to the Marines, but I'll be damned if the Sailors will believe it!” It reflected the contempt of the Royal Marines held by the sailors and British society at large at the time.
Basically, it is an idiom that states, “Don’t think I’m stupid, that’s bullsh*t!”
The second definition is also from a novel in which experienced officer of the Maritime Regiment (Royal Marines of that time) was called up to verify the existence of flying fish for the King. This version was created by a novelist who was once a Royal Marine during the 1900s.
In essence, it meant that Marines had been there, done that.
The modern definitions of “Tell it to the Marines” are still the same: 1) I don’t give a damn since it ain’t as bad as what the Marines been through (it is similar to the Marines been there, done that version) and 2) That’s bullcrap! (FDR said it in response to the Japanese claiming victory during WWII). The phrase has also been used for recruitment in both WWI and WWII. At the time, the connotation is that the Marines were so gullible that they would believe anything but the WWI recruitment poster changed the connotation to Marines would react with anger to the word of bad things going on to the point that they will do something about it.
2006-09-08 09:40:33 · answer #2 · answered by nerdyjohn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means that the Marines will defend those cannot defend themselves. From WW1 recruiting poster originally, but revived in recent (2013) Marine television ads. Those who attack the defenseless will face Marines.
Semper Fi
2015-06-04 05:47:32 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This comes from a WWI recruiting poster where the title of a newspaper reads"Huns kill women and children" This aroused anger of the American public and those that wanted to do something about enlisted in the corps to make a difference. The marines were sent in to stop the slaughter, cause we are the best America has to offer and we are feared around the world. Another good one is "no finer friend, no worse Foe" this is my interpretation of it...
2006-09-08 07:22:06 · answer #4 · answered by barryusmc716 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It means go up to one of America's proudest and tell them that whatever you just said and see what they do. Especially if it is anti-war, anti-support, or anti-American..... they really don't like it. They are the first in and usually last out, they never leave a man behind and they take every hit upon a marine brother as a hit to themselves and they each take every single death of every marine to heart.
2006-09-08 07:34:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you have a debate over whether or not to send our fighting men and women into battle, tell your points to the Marines and see how they would respond.
in otherwords if you are going to wonder whether or not we should be there, ask those who are the ones going. the ones who are laying they very lives on the line. find out if they think the situation warrants our being there. DONT ask some snotnosed kid who thinks its popular to sling ant-war slogans about and who has NEVER EVER served his country in a selfless way.
2006-09-08 09:10:54 · answer #6 · answered by CG-23 Sailor 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It simply meant at, if you have a beef, 'tell it to the Marines." For sure, they'll listen and understand your problem, and even give you step by strep solutions to your proble. In a pig's eye, they will! More than likely you'll "get the back a me hand and the heal a me boot."
2006-09-08 07:21:47 · answer #7 · answered by briang731/ bvincent 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It means if you have a problem tell it to the Marines and they will fix it.
2006-09-08 08:18:19 · answer #8 · answered by Curt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that they are tough, and wouldn't give a toss, a bit like saying talk to the hand lol.
2006-09-08 07:13:02 · answer #9 · answered by Lyn I 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
an expression of disbelief, the marines being regarded by sailors as credulous.
2006-09-08 07:12:07 · answer #10 · answered by Me 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋