Long Johns, Gremlins and Big Wheels

Question:

This week, we answer a question from Evelio in Colombia. He writes:

Why is a sort of men's underwear¹ called "long johns"? Thank you.

-- Evelio, Colombia

Answer:

Dear Evelio,

When I looked up the history of the term "long johns," I found it was first used in World War II by American soldiers. That got me thinking about other words and phrases² the soldiers invented.

Many words that we use today, or are considered slang³ terms, came from the soldiers in that war.

Long johns

World War II was fought in many areas, including Europe. Because parts of Europe get cold in winter, the U.S. military⁴ gave soldiers special under-clothing to help keep them warm. This under-clothing covered much of the body, even the arms and legs. The soldiers called it "long johns."

Boxing clothes

Long johns are believed to have been named after John L. Sullivan, a famous American boxer⁵ in the 19th century. Sullivan wore a similar-looking piece of clothing when he competed in boxing matches.

It is also worth noting that Americans sometimes call long johns "long underwear."

And, in parts of the U.S., people may use the term "long john" when they talk about a kind of baked sweet that looks like a bar. This treat might help you stay warm in cold weather, too.

Gremlins

Here is another term that was born in the military. When members of Britain's Royal Air Force did not know why a plane was experiencing problems, they claimed that a small imaginary⁶ creature was inside the aircraft⁷. They had a name for this creature: a gremlin. American soldiers began using the term gremlin during the war. On a television program in the 1960s, a man reported seeing one outside of the plane in which he was flying.

A gremlin's destroying the plane! You've got to believe me!

Today Americans use "gremlin" when talking about small magical⁸ creatures.

Big wheel

The U.S. military is one place where following orders is very important. Soldiers called someone a "Big Wheel" if that person had power over them. Today, we use this term when talking about someone who has the respect of others.

Here is an example of how to use it in a sentence:

My father's a pretty big wheel down at the factory.

Your questions

I hope that helps to answer your question, Evelio.

What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.

I'm Jill Robbins.

Words in This Story

slang – n. words that are more common in speech than writing and are often used by a particular group of people

boxer – n. someone who competes in the sport of boxing

bake – v. to cook by dry heat, usually on a hot surface

bar – n. a solid⁹ piece of something that is longer than it is wide

magic – n. a power that enables people to do very unusual things

1 underwear   

n.衫衣，内衣，贴身衣

参考例句：

• He had removed his underwear.他已脱去了内衣。
• They left off their woollen underwear when the weather got warm.天气转暖的时候，他们不再穿羊毛内衣。

2 phrases   

n.短语( phrase的名词复数 )；成语；说法；乐句

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 slang   

n.俚语，行话；vt.使用俚语，辱骂；vi.辱骂

参考例句：

• The phrase is labelled as slang in the dictionary.这个短语在这本字典里被注为俚语。
• Slang often goes in and out of fashion quickly.俚语往往很快风行起来又很快不再风行了。

4 military   

n.军队；adj.军事的，军人的，好战的

参考例句：

• The area has been declared a closed military zone.这个地区已宣布为军事禁区。
• The king was just the tool of the military government.国王只是军政府的一个傀儡。

5 boxer   

n.制箱者，拳击手

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。

6 imaginary   

adj.想象中的，假想的，虚构的，幻想的；虚数的

参考例句：

• All the characters in this book are imaginary.此书中的所有人物都是虚构的。
• The boy's fears were only imaginary.这小孩的恐惧只是一种想象。

7 aircraft   

n.飞机 (单复数同)

参考例句：

• Your seat is in the fore part of the aircraft.你的座位在飞机的前部。
• They have placed an order with us for three new aircraft.他们向我们订购了三架新飞机。

8 magical   

adj.魔术的，有魔力的，不可思议的

参考例句：

• I used to believe my mother had magical powers.我以前一直相信我母亲有奇妙的魔力。
• The effect of the medicine on the sick man was magical.药对病人的效力是不可思议的。

9 solid   

adj.固体的，结实的，可靠的，实心的；n.固体，实心；adv. 一致地

参考例句：

• Water may change from a liquid to a solid.水可以由液体变为固体。
• I know that James is a solid type of person.我知道詹姆斯是个可信赖的人。