General
soup sandwich
What does soup sandwich mean?
An insult, common in basic training, for an action, uniform, or task done inefficiently or improperly — as nonsensical as a sandwich made of soup.
"Square yourself away, troop — your uniform is a soup sandwich."
Origin
US military slang, especially in Basic Combat Training.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'soup sandwich' mean?
It describes something that's a mess — a task, uniform, or action done so sloppily it makes no sense, as absurd as trying to make a sandwich out of soup.
Where does 'soup sandwich' come from?
It's US military slang, heard especially in Basic Combat Training as a way to criticize a recruit's sloppy work.
How do you use 'soup sandwich'?
You apply it to a person or thing that's disorganized, e.g. 'Your uniform is a soup sandwich — square yourself away.'
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