I've noticed that a number of forum members (and some on the Steel Soldiers web site) often place the phrase "Hoo-Ah!" in their messages. After pondering the meaning of these two utterly nonsense syllables, I have come to the conclusion that they are used as a motivational tool among ground-pounding military men. It gives them a sense of power and a feeling of solidarity and comeradeship with others of their ilk.
This serendipitous revelation caused me to realize the we Air Force types have a similar expression. We say "Wheeeeeee!"
l've also noticed that the RAF motto is similar to yours.
"PER ARDUA AD ITER"
It's
"PER ARDUA AD ASTER" <please excuse my spelling>
Also I've always used HOO RAH.
J.B.
JB: The RAF motto is "Per Ardua Ad Astra," meaning "through effort to the stars." I used to see that over the main gate every morning, when I reported to duty at RAF Uxbridge.
I sorta swiped it and changed it to "Per Ardua Ad Iter," meaning "through effort to the highway." I thought it was fitting, considering the state my truck is in.
And, a very short page on the Navy's use of Hooyah: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooyah Also mentioned is that this one seems to be gaining use by Air Force units...
Very informative. Actually, I was just jerkin' you ground-pounders around a bit with my original post. "Wheeee!"
(PS: I must admit that I particularly like the "Head Up Ass" explanation. It seems to be the most logical. I think we all know a few "HUA" types, don't we?)
Lifer wrote:(PS: I must admit that I particularly like the "Head Up Ass" explanation. It seems to be the most logical. I think we all know a few "HUA" types, don't we?)
Much easier than saying "Caput capitis Sursum puga pyga." (Appologies to all - my Latin is as good as my Wolof.)
You can trust your mother, but you can't trust your ground.
My father was stationed about twenty miles from Uxbridge
at Henlow. His version was "Per Ardua ad asbestos"
translated (roughly) to " F*** you I'm fireproof ".
P.S. My Dad is 87
J.B.
I love your dad's version of the RAF motto! Hehehehe!
In case your dad wants to know, RAF Henlow isn't there any more. It is just one of many RAF bases that lived for a very short time, being decommissioned shortly after the end of WWII. It fulfilled its mission honorably, though, and I'm sure that many Brits were glad it was there. (Except for the ones with teen-age daughters, anyway. )