General
mae west
What does mae west mean?
The standard RAF inflatable life-jacket worn by aircrew over the North Sea and Channel. Once inflated by CO2 cartridge, it pushed the chest out into a shape that no airman who'd seen a Mae West film could fail to recognise.
"Don't forget your Mae West — it's a long swim home if you ditch."
Origin
RAF, late 1930s. Named after the American actress Mae West, famously busty — because the inflated yellow life-jacket gave the wearer a similar silhouette. The star herself reportedly enjoyed the tribute.
Frequently asked questions
Did Mae West know?
Yes — and loved it. She said being slang for a life-jacket was the only way she'd ever made it into the dictionary.
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