General
squaddie
What does squaddie mean?
A British Army rank-and-file soldier — the generic word for a serving squaddie, whatever cap badge. Used by squaddies about themselves and by the British public in general. Carries the whole bundle: lads on the piss in garrison towns, professionalism on tour, dark humor about all of it.
"You can spot the squaddies on a Friday night in Aldershot from about a mile off."
Origin
British forces slang from the mid-20th century — from 'squad,' the basic unit of soldiers drilled together. Originally meant a recruit; broadened to mean any ordinary serving soldier.
Frequently asked questions
What does "squaddie" mean?
It's a British term for an ordinary soldier in the Army.
How do you use "squaddie" in a sentence?
"He signed up as a squaddie straight out of school."
Is "squaddie" offensive?
No — it's an informal, everyday term for a rank-and-file British soldier, often used affectionately.
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