noun General Slang

Rainbow

RAYN-boh · noun · slang

A brand-new recruit still in civilian clothes.

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Definitions

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A recruit newly arrived at basic training, still wearing colorful civilian clothing before being issued uniforms.

“The rainbows shuffled off the bus in their street clothes.”
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Rainbow In A Sentence

The rainbows shuffled off the bus in their street clothes.

Origin & Usage

U.S. military basic-training slang.

People Also Ask

What is a 'rainbow' in basic training?

It is a brand-new recruit who has just arrived and is still wearing colorful civilian clothes before being issued a uniform.

Why are they called rainbows?

Because the mix of bright civilian outfits looks like a rainbow next to the uniform sea of military-issued clothing.

How long does someone stay a 'rainbow'?

Only until they are issued uniforms and squared away — the term applies to those first arrival moments in street clothes.

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