To Oorah or Not to Oorah? (repost)

Leatherneck Magazine ^ | 29 Mar 01 | Ed Vasgerdsian

[gunnyg]

The term "grunt" is generally credited to Army origin, I think.

However, I, personally, recall that the line Marines were referring to themselves as "grunts" as early as the mid-'50s in 3dMarines at Camp Fuji, Japan.

Sometimes, just when ya think ya got something nailed down, somebody will recall something w/a date to go w/it. Dick Gaines

[theirjustdue]

"The term "grunt" is generally credited to Army origin, I think."

The term "grunt" had been in use, in the Corps, for a good many years by 63, so I'll defer to your expertise on that one Gunny. Seems to me I saw a link for old Corps slang on a website several years ago. I thought it might have been your site that I saw it on. I had a lot of sites bookmarked, but a nasty virus wiped out my computer and everything on it.

[hopefulpilgrim]

Sort of related:

I would like to know what the militia is shouting in "The Patiot" when Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) comes riding up with Old Glory to re-join them after his son's death. Can someone please translate this shout? (It sounds a little like "oorah" but I don't think that's it.)

[real saxophonist]

I don't know. 'Huzzah', maybe?

[jo6pac]

Funny article.

"Oorah" sounds dippy to me, but given the circumstances of the last eight years, we are fortunate "Hi, Ssssailor" isn't the required greeting.

[Eagle Eye]

I recall reading in the early eighties that 'oorah' came from the Rangers. I thought it was odd when I heard Marines using it a little bit after that time (mid-eighties).

If that's the case, they were using a wimpified version of what we had in infantry units in the 70's.

Today's modest "ooo-ra" is nothing like the uulation we had then. It was akin to a 'barbaric yawp' (Dead Poets Society) and came from the gut out the back of throat. Oh, yeah, I can still do it!

Done right, it brings a priapristic response to the true grunt.

[carpio]

priapristic ???

[takenoprisoner]

I believe 'oorah' comes from the gut of a Marine...were only a Marine can do it proper. Sort like atten 'hhhhut!' comes from the gut of say the DI! Or left shoulder 'arhhhms'! Or Mel Gibson portraying a former devil dog (check out his tatoo) in Payback after having his toes pummeled by a ballpeen hammer gives the ole devil dog response 'arrrrrrrgh!' to the pain inflicted once he is established the victor.

69-73 semper fi

[genefromjersey]

To be sure, lads and colleens, "Oorah" jest might've been an early Irish battle cry, as 'twere. As in: " Oorah , lads ! The blackguards have made off wi' our poteen ! "

[real saxophonist]

I think you got it. I couldn't think of a way to spell it phonetically. I bet someone here can provide sounds to properly demonstrate.

[gunnyg]

Don't think it was my site--but there are numerous Marines sites out there w/that sort of thing on them.

My sites are as follows:
Gunny G's Old Salt Marines Tavern - Sites and Forums

Dick Gaines

[firewalk]

BTTT

[gunnyg]

Here's a few more responses on oohrah bs , from GyG's Forums...

ClickHere!

Dick Gaines

[gunnyg]

Ever wonder why, despite numerous discussions like this one, nobody ever narrows down the source of oohrah?

Very gd simple! No source exists! oohrah is bs w/no source in USMC history at all. That's It!

-Dick Gaines

[d4now]

I was taught it meant Ooo..raw! Like in fresh meat. Or so said my (then) husband a former Marine sniper.

[elfman2]

Thanks for the heads up Gunny,

Oohrah was a standard boot camp call by 81. It was used some in the field, but saying it much in day to day conversation (or any other Marine term for that matter) made you look like a brainwashed boot/newbie.

The story I heard was that it was invented by a Recon and/or Seal team who used it to stay awake and fight off hypothermia while bobbing in a freezing ocean waiting to be picked up after a mission. Odds are that's total fiction, but that's how I heard it.

[Norb2569]

It is a direct result of lack of a$$-kickin' beginning in bootcamp, and the general dumbing down and feminization of the military!!--and subscribed to by only those boots of that persuasion!!!

Want a second opinion? OK, they're ugly MFs too!

Geeze-louise Dick, either you are a grumpy old fart, or you think the Corps is 226 years of tradition unhampered by progress. Which is it?

As for this Marine, I can still project a sound from my gut that reaches straight through the ears and down to the heart of any Marine within hearing distance

OORAH!!

Norb

[Snow Bunny]

BUMP to you my friend .

[gunnyg]

Yeah, better check yer skivvies, boot.

[razorback-bert]

Kinda fun to watch jarheads fighting amongest themselves.