earbanger

ear +‎ banger

earbanger (plural earbangers)

1. (US, military, slang, derogatory) An obsequious member of the military who attempts to curry favor with superiors.

   Coordinate terms: asskisser, bootlicker

   • 1981, The Marine Corps Gazette:

     He also knows that he has a tendency towards being overweight and watches his diet carefully, and he can tell you everything there is to know about every man in his platoon. Yet, more than once, I've read him off for being partial to a couple of obvious earbangers, and the simplest problem can make him indecisive.

   • 2020, Eric Hammel, Til The Last Bugle Call, page 28:

     In fact, the platoon sergeant was very smart, but he was loath to show it off, especially in front of superiors, who were prone to label even junior staff noncoms who talked to them too much as “earbangers,” a blunt, unflattering nautical term for ass kisser.