The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MARINE CORPS

MICKEY MOUSE-ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH "SPIT AND POLISH", YOUR
PERSONAL GEAR, PERSONAL APPEARANCE. A COMMON WIDELY APPLIED TERM
REFERRING TO THE POSTER BOARD SOLDIER; NEAT, PROPER AND TRIM.
READY TO PASS INSPECTION, A REAL PAIN IN THE ASS, LOT OF HOGWASH,
SOMETHING WITH NO PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN THE FIELD. ANY UNNECES-
SARY WORK, GIVEN TO KEEP BUSY. NEVER USED IN REGARDS TO CLEANING
YOUR RIFLE BECAUSE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON THAT OUT IN THE FIELD.

James Callow comment: BY 1978 "MICKEY MOUSE" WAS BEING USED ON CAMPUS
AND ELSEWHERE TO CHARACTERIZE THINGS AS CHEAP,
LOW-GRADE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 09-26-1972