Doughboys

Doughboys: The U.S. Soldiers’ name for themselves. The name was preferred by them in the war to the name with which first the British public greeted the Americans on arrival, “Sammies” (c.f. Uncle Sam), which was much disliked by the Americans themselves. That and another name “Teddies” (q.v.), was so disliked that, it is said, Major-General Sibert, commanding the first U.S. Division landing in Europe, publicly asked for suggestions for a name to correspond to the British “Tommy Atkins”; Doughboys was the result.

“Doughboys” was apparently first used among the Federal Soldiers about 1862, during the War of Secession, suggested by the large globular brass buttons of the uniform which had a fancied resemblance to dumplings or “Doughboys.” Another suggested derivation ante-dates the origin of the word to the Mexican Campaign of 1846-7, suggesting that it originated from the adobe huts in which the U.S. Infantry were usually quartered.[1]

References / notes

  1. Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.81.

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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