Doughboy

/ˈdoʊbɔɪ/ noun

Definition

An American soldier, especially one who fought in World War I in Europe.

Etymology

Origin uncertain but popular theory: 19th-century soldiers fried dough cakes as food, or 'dough' referred to an infantryman's pale appearance. First commonly used during the Spanish-American War (1898) and solidified during WWI.

Kelly Says

The nickname 'doughboy' became so famous during WWI that German soldiers called American troops 'Doughboys' with respect and a bit of fear. It's one of the few slang terms that went international and defined an entire generation of warriors.

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