Demob

/ˈdiːmɒb/ verb

Definition

To discharge or release someone, especially a soldier, from military service and return them to civilian life.

Etymology

British military slang, short for 'demobilize'. Originated in World War II as servicemen's informal speech, combining 'de-' (remove) + 'mob' (from mobilize). Became standard in British English.

Kelly Says

British soldiers in WWII basically invented this word to speed up the long word 'demobilize,' and it stuck around so much that it's now in official dictionaries—military slang has power!

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