First Published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

From abort and azimuth to zero point and ZULU time, this is the comprehensive standardized dictionary of military and asso-ciated terminology compiled for general use by the United States government. It's nearly 800 pages of words, phrases, names, and acronyms that for many can seem like a foreign language. For the 1.3 million men and women on active duty with the U.S. military and the 1.1 million in the National Guard and Reserve forces, for government workers and contractors working the Department of Defense, it is a vital resource. For anyone with an interest in all things military, this is a fascinating read.

Perfect for the armchair linguist or the military historian, this is a comprehensive compilation of military lingo from Hannibal to Hanoi. Priest traces the evolution of each term or phrase as it moves from its point of origin to other branches of service and into foreign countries.

There are many books about the U.S. military that'll help you understand our culture, history, and traditions. This book isn't one of them. If you're enlisted, a lot of this book will sound familiar. Use it as motivation - a precious and scarce resource. If you're an officer, use this book to try to relate to your troops because they don't think you care about them. If you're thinking about enlisting or commissioning as an officer, this book will help you prepare, since the recruiters probably lied to you. If you're the loved one of a service member, this book will help you understand your well-dressed, military-trash loved one. We are so sorry. If you're looking to steal valor, this book will help you get any woman you want (below a 6), get free drinks at dive bars, and, of course, a free meal on Veteran's Day. You're welcome for our book and for our service.