GI Joe is one of the most familiar characters in the world of Americana, but the initials “GI” are somewhat perplexing. What does “GI” mean, and why do we use it as a term for soldiers? Much like the fog of war, the answer isn’t clear, but there are some reputable theories as to its origin.
Despite an oft-repeated claim, “GI” doesn’t stand for “general infantry.” Language expert Hugh Rawson claims the initialism originally had to do with items made from galvanized iron that were in an army’s inventory (e.g., buckets, cans, pipes, etc.). In this context, the earliest known use of “GI” dates to 1906.
A few years later, during World War I, “GI” underwent an etymological evolution. Many took it to mean “general issue” or “government issue,” referring to the toiletries, clothes, and weapons issued to soldiers. According to WordOrigins.org, one theory for this change is the idea that soldiers may have seen “GI” (meaning “galvanized iron”) printed on certain items in the inventory, and assumed it meant “government issue.” They then applied the initialism to any military-supplied items, and the descriptor acquired its new meaning.
The use of “GI” as slang for a soldier only goes back to 1935, arguably implying that the men were also part of a military production line. According to a 1946 article, “GI” was initially somewhat derogatory, suggesting “a man who was GI was crude or uncouth.” In time, “GI” shed that inherent derogatory connotation, becoming a more general slang term for soldiers.
More from our network
Word Smarts is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
