2007-11-09 12:03:27 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It is commonly thought that GI is an abbreviation of Government Issue. It actually comes from galvanized iron. 'GI' was stamped on everything the Army made from iron. During WWI it came to refer to everything the Army made, iron product or not, and eventually referred to the soldiers themselves.
Edit: As I stated before, it is NOT government issue. Here are some links. And Angel Wire, if you had read the article you posted as your source you would have seen this:
The term is often thought to be an initialism of Government Issue but the origin of the term is in fact galvanized iron
(another incorrect interpretation is General Infantry).
Government Issue and General Infantry are WRONG. 'General Issue' is a phrase that's not even in your "source".
2007-11-09 12:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Government Issue GI for short
2007-11-09 20:06:26 · answer #2 · answered by deejayspop 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Government Issue, WWII, slang. In WWI the uniform collected so much mud, they were called "Dough boys". In "Nam" you were called GI by civilians, but about everyone else called each other "Grunts". You got different names if you were in the bush long enough. From official like LRRP's to bushmen if you were out long enough. All our wars have slang. And most a disrespectful attitude under the surface for being there. Something I have noticed is not in this one. All I have really noticed is the term "Hillbilly Armor". That is a joke. You can't hang enough armor on anything to make it stop everything. You can strip it down and hang enough MG to cover every angle on mounts that work like a ball joint. And you can give the gunners permission to fire at anything slightly suspicious. It beats any kind of armor because no country in the world has made any kind that will stop everything.....Ever for thousands of years. Open aggressive tactic's always work against that kind of armor which is essentially defensive....
2007-11-09 20:33:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
They were called GI's which means "Government or General Issue", anyway that is what the legend says.
2007-11-09 20:06:47 · answer #4 · answered by Bubba 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
government issue is correct. When you first join the military, all uniform items and equipment are issued to you. Back in the day, the items would actually have a stamp, "GI "(government issue) to prevent the items from ending up on the black market.
2007-11-09 20:12:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I never knew what GI meant. Thank you.
Thank you to all of you who are Serving in the Armed Forces and thank you to your loved ones!
2007-11-09 20:20:15 · answer #6 · answered by beanhead1972((14HIM)) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As others stated it is Government Issue. A recruit is trained to follow orders and their own identity is second to the military. They are sent out to serve therefore they are to identify as an item representing their Country.
2007-11-09 20:30:54 · answer #7 · answered by Free Thinker 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's short for "General Issue". See the like for a nice history on the acronym.
2007-11-09 20:48:55 · answer #8 · answered by angel wired 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
GENERAL INFANTRY MAN!!!!!!
not "Government Issue" another Urban Myth.
2007-11-10 05:53:44 · answer #9 · answered by conranger1 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Going to guess it goes back to WWI and means General Infantry. Good question very interested to know.
2007-11-09 20:11:31 · answer #10 · answered by Mister2-15-2 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋