ruptured duck
Low-Frequency, Historical SlangInformal, Historical, Colloquial (mainly U.S.)
Definition
Meaning
A slang term from World War II for the honorable discharge emblem (a brass eagle) worn by American servicemen; later extended to refer to the discharged servicemen themselves.
1. Informal nickname for the eagle-shaped lapel pin given to honorably discharged U.S. military personnel after WWII. 2. A veteran wearing this pin. 3. (Occasionally) Used metaphorically for something worn out, broken, or past its prime.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This term is frozen in a specific historical context (mid-1940s). Modern usage is rare, typically found in historical fiction, memoirs, or discussions of WWII. The humorous/irreverent 'ruptured' contrasts with the formality of an official discharge, embodying a soldier's perspective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American slang term. There is no direct British equivalent; British veterans of the era received different insignia (like the 'Returned from Active Service' badge).
Connotations
In AmE: nostalgic, historical, sometimes with a wry or affectionate tone. In BrE: not recognized or understood by most speakers.
Frequency
Essentially zero in BrE. In AmE, it is a historical term, known mainly to older generations, historians, and military enthusiasts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He showed me his [ruptured duck].They were called [ruptured ducks] after the war.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[as adjective] He felt like a ruptured duck at the new job (i.e., obsolete, out of place).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or military studies contexts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when specifically discussing WWII veterans.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable in British English.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable in British English.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable in British English.
American English
- He had that ruptured-duck look of a man just back from war.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandfather has a old pin from the war.
- After the war, soldiers received a special pin called the 'ruptured duck'.
- In his memoir, he wrote about finally getting his 'ruptured duck' and returning to civilian life.
- The term 'ruptured duck,' with its blend of irreverence and pride, encapsulates the complex emotions of WWII veterans transitioning home.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a veteran duck with a small bandage (ruptured), proudly wearing a tiny medal. The silly image helps remember the incongruous, slangy name for a serious military emblem.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN OBJECT OF HONOR IS A (HUMOROUSLY) DAMAGED ANIMAL (The formality of the eagle is 'ruptured' by informal, weary soldier slang).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a direct, word-for-word translation ('разорванная утка'). It is meaningless. Use descriptive translation: 'значок почётного увольнения' (honorable discharge badge). The term is a fixed cultural idiom.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to an actual injured bird.
- Using it in a modern military context.
- Capitalizing it as a formal title (it is slang).
Practice
Quiz
The term 'ruptured duck' is primarily associated with:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical slang term. Modern veterans might refer to a 'discharge pin' or similar, but 'ruptured duck' is specific to the WWII generation.
It was a slang term for the eagle design on the pin. Soldiers humorously compared the spread-eagle emblem to a duck, and 'ruptured' suggested being 'broken' from service.
Only if you are writing historically and explain the term. It is informal slang and should be placed in quotation marks on first use.
No, it was never an official name. The official name was the 'Honorable Service Lapel Button.' 'Ruptured duck' was the ubiquitous soldier's nickname for it.