General
barracks rat
What does barracks rat mean?
A service member who stays in the barracks during liberty instead of going out into town.
"He's a total barracks rat — never leaves on the weekend."
Origin
US military slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a barracks rat?
A service member who stays holed up in the barracks during their time off instead of going out into town on liberty.
Is being a barracks rat a bad thing?
It's usually light teasing rather than a serious insult — it points at someone who rarely leaves base, whether from choice, saving money, or having nowhere to go.
Where does the term barracks rat come from?
It's US military slang, likening someone who never leaves their quarters to a rat holed up in one place.
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