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What was the Doughboy in World War 1?In: World War 1
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The term "doughboy" most commonly refers to American infantryment around WWI. By the time WWII began, infantrymen were called G.I.'s. There's evidence that the word doughboy was in use as far back as the mid-19th century around the Mexican border.
Some of the explanations given for the term: they refer to the dumpling-shaped buttons on the soldiers' jackets during WWI; they allude to the pipe clay -- resembling dough -- that was used to clean the white belts the soldiers wore. Some say the British and French forces used the term to ridicule the American soldiers who were soft, having just entered the war, some four years after Europe had already been in battle.
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The American troops stationed in England always seemed to have doughnuts from the USO, so their Brit counterparts started calling them Dough-Boys.
First answer by Englishangel. Last edit by Dianergr. Contributor trust: 204 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 22 [recommend question]
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