G.I. Joe

English

Etymology

From G.I. (“government issue”) (explained at Wikipedia) and Joe as it functions in such terms as regular Joe, average Joe, Joe Average, and Joe Public.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

G.I. Joe (plural G.I. Joes)

  2. (slang) An American soldier; (loosely) any American servicemember.
    Most of the Dutch locals were glad to see G.I. Joe coming to town in 1944.
    • 1990 August 18, Karin Aguilar-San Juan, “The Boston Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Continues”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 6, page 9:
      Paul has been servicing Larry and presumably other U.S. military officers at Clark Airfield, and handing his savings over to his mother to help support the family. Now that "GI Joe's" tour of duty is coming to a close, Paul needs to find a new job.
  4. A fictional character based on an archetype of an American soldier fighting for righteous causes (e.g., freedom, liberty, rule of law), embodied in various comic books, toys, TV shows, and movies.
    A small boy was in the yard playing with a weather-beaten G.I. Joe doll.
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