General
shavetail
What does shavetail mean?
An inexperienced second lieutenant in the Army.
"Break in the shavetail before he gives a real order."
Origin
U.S. Army; from the practice of shaving the tails of newly broken-in Army mules to mark them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a "shavetail"?
It is Army slang for an inexperienced second lieutenant, the most junior commissioned officer.
Where does the term come from?
It comes from the practice of shaving the tails of newly broken-in Army mules to mark them as green, applied jokingly to new lieutenants.
Is it an insult?
It is mildly teasing, highlighting inexperience rather than being a harsh insult.
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