how do they determine the names of "the enemy" during war time?

Question

for example, "charlie" during the vietnam war or "jerry" for the germans during WWII. how do they decide on the names? is there any particular meaning behind it?

Answer 1

It's easier to kill another human being when you dehumanize them....its easier to kill a g**k than a Minh Yang who's got a wife and kid back home.... whatever term catches on and used by the grunts will work....

Answer 2

They called him Charlie or Victor Charles (from VC) or the nogs, or noggies or The Cong (from Viet Cong).

Jerry was a nickname given to World War II German soldiers, the German armed forces, or collectively the entirety of Nazi Germany. Although the nickname was originally created during World War I [1], it didn't find common use until WWII. Other nicknames used for the German soldiers in WWI and WWII were Fritz, Hun, Kraut, and Boche [2].

Jerry has analogues from different eras such as Tommy (British), Charlie (Vietnamese), and Ivan (Russian).

The name is likely an alteration of the word German. Some have claimed that the German WWI helmet, shaped like a chamber pot or jeroboam was the initial impetus for creation, though others ascribe this explanation to revisionist history.

Answer 3

Its not like a meeting held to decide. Everyone calls the enemy what they want, some names fit better than others and so they become the one most think of. The purpose of names is to make the enemy less human. We were raised not to kill and hurt people, so if you have a negative name for them they are less like you and me.

All the name listed were the ones used in polite society. In the service you hear the ones you wouldn't tell your mother.

Answer 4

VN also had gooks, slopes, and maybe dinks as well. At least some of the names dehumanize the enemy - which is useful if you want young, idealistic would be patriots to go out and fight and kill or die for you, while you watch the jets at pop another brewski.

Answer 5

Now it's Akmed or Mohammad or raghead. Personally I like the last one.

Answer 6

Whoever points a weapon at you...