gyrene

English

Etymology

Uncertain. First attested 1894 in a list of United States Naval Academy slang, where it remained in use at least until 1925. Widely adopted during the Second World War. Often stated to be a blend of GI +‎ marine, but early uses antedate both the widespread adoption of the term GI (c. 1910) and its use to denote individuals (c. late 1930s).[1]

Possibly related to Royal Navy slang gerine (“a marine”), though gyrene antedates it in print. gerine is sometimes given as a clipping of tangerine, in reference to the color of the tunics worn by the Royal Marine Light Infantry, but U.S. Marines' uniforms did not have such a color.[2]

Noun

gyrene (plural gyrenes)

  1. (informal) A member of the United States Marine Corps.

References
  1. Albert F. Moe (1962 October) “'Gyrene': A Lexicographical Stumbling Block”, in American Speech‎, volume 37, number 3, pages 176-188
  2. Albert F. Moe (1963 February) “1. Anent "Marine Corps Slang". 2. Addendum to "Gyrene"”, in American Speech‎, volume 38, number 1, pages 76-79

Anagrams
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