The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MARINE CORPS

HUMP IT- MEANS YOU CARRY YOUR OWN GEAR, "YOU HUMP IT". WAS ALSO
USED TO MEAN THAT YOU HAD TO WALK SOMEWHERE. MOST FREQUENTLY THAT
SOMETHING HAD TO BE CARRIED, "HUMP A MORTAR", "HUMP A RADIO".
OPPOSED TO THIS WAS, "THE GUN WILL RIDE", OR "THAT GUY WILL RIDE".
USUALLY IF ANYTHING WAS GOING TO GET THERE, YOURSELF INCLUDED, THEN
IT HAD TO BE HUMPED.
PROBABLY HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THAT YOU HAD TO HUNCH OVER TO CARRY
WHATEVER IT WAS ON YOUR BACK.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 09-26-1972