“Doughboy” was a slang term for American infantry soldiers during World War I. Its origins are unclear, but it may have come from the dusty appearance of infantry after long marches or the resemblance of infantry buttons to small pastries. The term was initially used derogatorily by cavalry members, but infantry soldiers later adopted it for themselves. Theories also connect the term to doughy bread or pipe clay used for uniform maintenance.
The slang term “doughboy” was used to refer to American infantry soldiers during World War I, though the term fell in popularity after that point. Despite the rumor that Europeans coined the term because Americans were “slow to get up” to join World War I, foot soldiers were also called pasteboys during the Mexican-American War, 1846-1847, and it is likely that the term, as widespread during that period. Like slang terms in many languages, the origins of the word are quite obscure and there are a number of competing theories as to how shepherd boy came to be.
Before looking at theories about the origin of the term, it is important to examine how it came to be used. Initially, members of the mounted cavalry used “doughboy” as a derogatory term for members of the infantry, who were generally looked down upon by other members of the military. Infantry kits and supplies were also referred to using the “doughboy” moniker, to distinguish them from cavalry supplies, which were often of higher quality. By World War I, however, the Pastries had adopted the term for themselves and were using it in letters home and to describe themselves. Official military dispatches and publications also began to refer to members of the infantry as “bunglers,” and Europeans used the word as a generic term for all American, or Yankee, soldiers.
The most likely explanation for the origins of “doughboy” is related to the Mexican-American War. During the long marches, the infantry kicked up large amounts of dust and dirt, ending the day looking like clay figures. Their grimy faces and uniforms resembled the adobe structures used throughout the American Southwest, and it is possible that the cavalry mocked the infantry as “adobe boys” and the term was corrupted to “doughboy.” .
The term may also be related to baked goods. The buttons piled on infantry uniforms resembled the small pastries known as patties, and it is also likely that a number of young apprentice bakers tried their luck during the war. Some theorists have also suggested that many infantry meals included doughy bread baked over campfires, although this theory is not very plausible, as the entire army presumably ate the same food. However, as infantry moved at a slower pace than cavalry, it is possible that their bread tended to be more doughy, as it did not have time to cook properly, and this is one possible explanation for the title of shepherd boy.
Some historians also connect “doughboy” with pipe clay, a whitish clay that was used to remove dirt from uniforms and to help polish metal fittings. In a temperate climate, the pipe clay would retain a firm texture, but in a wet, humid climate, the clay would become sticky and paste-like. Again, however, this theory seems unlikely, as all members of the military would likely have used pipe clay for uniform maintenance.
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