noun
General Slang
Shavetail
SHAYV-tayl · noun · slang
A new second lieutenant.
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Definitions
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An inexperienced second lieutenant in the Army.
“Break in the shavetail before he gives a real order.”
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Shavetail In A Sentence
Break in the shavetail before he gives a real order.
Origin & Usage
U.S. Army; from the practice of shaving the tails of newly broken-in Army mules to mark them.
Variants
shave-tail
People Also Ask
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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