What's a Jarhead ??
 

Excuse my ignorance,but in an upcoming series entitled " Jarheads " , on History Channel
does anyone know the origin of this expression ??

Semper Fi !!

jarhead= navy bell hop :D

USMC
 

I tought that a 'jarhead' is the term used to denote a member of the USMC.

I am not sure whether it is considered derogatory or not - just like when poeple call me a 'redneck' and expect to get a rise from me.

Just like Popeye says - "I yam what I yam".


Stewart

Stew,you're a fountain of information !!
 

Except it keeps spewing out.I know a jarhead is a marine,where does the expression originate,you Don Cherry red neck type guy ??:salute:

one reason people call them "jarheads" is due to there cover, in someways being blocked off the way it is looks like the top of a jar.

Re: USMC
 

I like this part...
He's short, balding, ornery and downright ugly by anyone's standards.

Reminds me of a friend of mine...

I resemble that remark - I blame Geoff for not having spell-check - you will notice that I went back and fixed too ( Popeye).


Stewart
Proud to be Portly

PS - you should have seen me and brother Bruce working our holes out over the wekend ... I was so busy trying to keep up with him I could not stop for lunch - what a slave driver ...

Army says ..
 

My USArmy pals tell me the Marine cover is screwed on - not unlike the top of a large ( MT ) jar - jarhead.

Both of these types of fellows are tougher than poor pudgy me, so I stand back and let them work it out amongst themselves:p


Stewart

Tax Our Softwood, but...
 

Do not slight Don Cherry. If telling the truth makes you a "red neck" then I am proud to keep my hair short. Don Cherry for Prime Minister ... even if he is a true blue Toronto Maple LEAFS fan.

FWIW...the term jarhead, referring mostly to the typical haircut of most grads of Parris Island, somehow got to be a derogatory term used by civilians. The haircut featured a smooth shaved back and sides leading to a fringe which was longer but not visible with a cover (headdress).

Within the Corps, it was acceptable to call each other "Jarhead", much like present day ethnic groups call each other by names which would land white guys up on charges.

But beware !!
 

Don't go down to the beach in Corronado,an island off San Diego,and yell out "Jarhead",especially after a few Coors tallboys,while wearing a Marine corp shop cap,which I still have.Actually my cousin in law bought it for me at the marine base.I forgot he was 82nd Airborne,and didn't like marines,who now also dislike me.In return for the cap,I had brought him a maroon Airborne Regiment t-shirt.When I was confronted by some marines,he was pointing at the Canadian airborne crest on the t-shirt,which finally saved both the beer and my life,to Larry's amusement.:drunk: