Aidman

/ˈeɪd.mən/ noun

Definition

A military medical assistant or medic who provides first aid to wounded soldiers in the field.

Etymology

From 'aid' + 'man'; emerged as military terminology during modern warfare when armies needed specialized personnel for battlefield medicine.

Kelly Says

The role of aidman became crucial in WWI and WWII, and these medics faced impossible choices—the rules of war technically protected them, but they were often targeted, making them heroes of a tragic kind.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Military medics historically labeled 'aidman' reflects male-default military language; women served in medical roles but were rendered linguistically invisible until late 20th-century updates.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'medical aide,' 'combat medic,' or 'field medic' for inclusive, role-focused terminology.

Inclusive Alternatives

["medical aide","combat medic","field medic","paramedic"]

Empowerment Note

Women have served as military medics since WWI; the term 'aidman' obscured their essential contributions to casualty care and field medicine.

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