FUBAR
Encyclopedia
FUBAR is an acronym that commonly means "fuck
ed up beyond all recognition/any repair/all reason".
lists Yank, the Army Weekly
magazine (1944, 7 Jan. p. 8) as its earliest citation: "The FUBAR Squadron... FUBAR? It means 'Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.'"
Fuck
"Fuck" is an English word that is generally considered obscene which, in its most literal meaning, refers to the act of sexual intercourse. By extension it may be used to negatively characterize anything that can be dismissed, disdained, defiled, or destroyed."Fuck" can be used as a verb, adverb,...
ed up beyond all recognition/any repair/all reason".
Etymology and history
The Oxford English DictionaryOxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary , published by the Oxford University Press, is the self-styled premier dictionary of the English language. Two fully bound print editions of the OED have been published under its current name, in 1928 and 1989. The first edition was published in twelve volumes , and...
lists Yank, the Army Weekly
Yank, the Army Weekly
Yank, the Army Weekly was a weekly magazine published by the United States military during World War II. The idea for the magazine came from Egbert White, who had worked on Stars and Stripes during World War I. He proposed the idea to the Army in early 1942, and accepted a commission as Lieutenant...
magazine (1944, 7 Jan. p. 8) as its earliest citation: "The FUBAR Squadron... FUBAR? It means 'Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.'"
In computing and technology
- 1980, FUBAR appears in an apparent example of geek humorGeek humorGeek humor or geek humour, also known as nerd humor, is a form of comedy that relies on references to geek culture.-Definition:By the strictest definition, geek humor is a branch of humor that encompasses the interest ranges of individuals who are either known as geeks or consciously identify as...
, as the acronym for the Failed UniBus Address Register in the Digital Equipment CorporationDigital Equipment CorporationDigital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
VAX-11/780 UnibusUnibusThe Unibus was the earliest of several computer bus technologies used with PDP-11 and early VAX systems manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.-History:...
adapter (DW780). - In computer science, the variable names FOO and BARFoobarThe terms foobar /ˈfʊːbɑː/, fubar, or foo, bar, baz and qux are sometimes used as placeholder names in computer programming or computer-related documentation...
are frequently encountered. The origin of their names might be traced to FUBAR.
Film and Television
- 1944, in the U.S. Army animated shorts Three BrothersThree Brothers (short)Three Brothers is part of the Private Snafu series of animated shorts produced by Warner Bros. during World War II. Screened for troops in September 1944, the cartoon was directed by Friz Freleng and features the familiar voice of Mel Blanc.-Plot:...
(19441944 in filmThe year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
) and Private Snafu Presents Seaman Tarfu In The Navy (both directed by Friz FrelengFriz FrelengIsadore "Friz" Freleng was an animator, cartoonist, director, and producer best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros....
), characters are featured such as Fubar, a brother of Private SnafuPrivate SnafuPrivate Snafu is the title character of a series of black-and-white American instructional cartoon shorts produced between 1943 and 1945 during World War II. The character was created by director Frank Capra, chairman of the U.S. Army Air Force First Motion Picture Unit, and most were written by...
(Situation Normal, All Fucked Up), and Seaman Tarfu (Things Are Really Fucked Up or Totally and Royally Fucked Up). - 1989, in the film Tango & CashTango & CashTango & Cash is a 1989 American buddy cop film starring Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Jack Palance and Teri Hatcher. It was directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, although Albert Magnoli took over in the later stages of filming....
, Kurt RussellKurt RussellKurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters...
's character, Gabriel Cash, uses the phrase several times. - 1998, in the TV show Babylon 5Babylon 5Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, Jerry Doyle's character Micheal Garibaldi used the term to describe a mission that went in an unexpected direction. - 1998, in the film Saving Private RyanSaving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which depicts the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944....
, FUBAR is a term used many times by members of Captain John Miller's squad to describe the mission given to them by high command. The squad also kids a gullible translator into believing that it is actually a German term. - 2002, in the TV Show Dark Angel, the last episode, Freak Nation, Joshua made a phone call to Max saying "everything's gone sideways. It's-It's FUBAR".
- 2002, FUBAR (film): a mockumentaryMockumentaryA mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
by Michael DowseMichael DowseMichael Dowse is a Canadian film director.Born and raised in London, Ontario, he was trained as a film editor. His first full-length movie, FUBAR was shot on a digital camera with a tiny budget, but was selected by the Sundance Film Festival and screened on the prestigious midnight slot, which had...
. - 2007, in the TV Show DexterDexter (TV series)Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
(4th episode, 2nd season, See-through), the boat on which Sgt. Doakes shoots former Ranger Curtis Barnes is named S.S. FUBAR. - 2008, in Tropic ThunderTropic ThunderTropic Thunder is a 2008 American action satire comedy film written, produced, and directed by Ben Stiller, and starring Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., and Jack Black. The main plot revolves around a group of prima donna actors who are making a Vietnam War film...
(20082008 in filmThis is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
), Robert Downey Jr's character yells: "FUBAR!" - 2009, in The Men Who Stare at GoatsThe Men Who Stare at GoatsThe Men Who Stare at Goats is a book by Jon Ronson about the U.S. Army's exploration of New Age concepts and the potential military applications of the paranormal. The title refers to attempts to kill goats by staring at them...
(20092009 in filmThe year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
), One of the Contractors in the battle at the gas station yells "FUBAR" at the radio. - 2009, in Dear Lemon LimaDear Lemon LimaDear Lemon Lima is a 2009 family comedy feature film written and directed by Suzi Yoonessi. Based on her short film of the same name and developed with the support of Film Independent and its Filmmaker Labs, this film is about a 13-year-old half-Yup’ik girl navigating her way through first...
(20092009 in filmThe year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
), A phrase popular at the protagonist's Alaskan prep school.
Video games
- 1999, in Half-Life: Opposing ForceHalf-Life: Opposing ForceHalf-Life: Opposing Force is an expansion pack for Valve Software's science fiction first-person shooter video game Half-Life. The game was developed by Gearbox Software and Valve Corporation and published by Sierra Entertainment on November 1, 1999. Opposing Force is the first expansion for...
, misc. allied marines will sometimes say, "This mission is way beyond FUBAR!" when interacted with or at random. - 2005, in Quake 4Quake 4Quake 4 is the fourth title in the series of Quake first-person shooter computer games. The game was developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. Raven Software has collaborated with id Software, the creators and historical developers of preceding Quake games...
, Lt. Voss said "FUBAR" when Cpl. Kane and Med. Anderson saw the carrier intended to evacuate Rhino Squad overrun by enemy forces. - 2005, in Stubbs the Zombie in "Rebel Without a Pulse", Misc. soldiers will sometimes say, "So, this is what FUBAR means!"
- 2006, in Gears of WarGears of WarGears of War is a military science fiction third-person shooter video game developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios...
, Quote by Damon Baird: "Situation's FUBAR here" while he and Augustus Cole defend a different area of the Fenix estate than the player. Also quoted by Marcus Fenix whilst Jack (the robot) is opening a door. - 2007, in ARMA: Armed Assault, the main character uses FUBAR during the first few intros of the game.
- 2007, in CrysisCrysisCrysis is a science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek , published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, and released in November 2007. It is the first game of a trilogy. A separate game entitled Crysis Warhead was released on September 12, 2008, and follows similar...
, Prophet uses FUBAR after Jester's death. - 2008, in Left 4 DeadLeft 4 DeadLeft 4 Dead is a cooperative first-person shooter video game. It was developed by Turtle Rock Studios, which was purchased by Valve Corporation during development. The game uses Valve's proprietary Source engine, and is available for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and Mac OS X...
, Bill will use FUBAR if he has taken significant damage and is bleeding out. - 2010, in the Vietnam extension pack for the video game Battlefield: Bad Company 2Battlefield: Bad Company 2Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by the Swedish firm EA Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS and Mac OS X systems. It is a direct sequel to Battlefield: Bad Company and is part of the...
, when the player commits suicide (whether accidentally or intentionally), the game reads FUBAR on the top of the screen (much like the original, which read EPIC FAIL under the same circumstances). - 2011, in Operation Flashpoint: Red River, FUBAR is often used as a distress signal in combat.
- 2011, in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, spec-ops soldier say, "Man, this is so FUBAR!" when Jensen infiltrates FEMA facility in last mission before first boss fight.
- 2011, in Operation Flashpoint: Red RiverOperation Flashpoint: Red River-Reception & Sales:The game has received mixed reviews from critics. Strategy Informer thinks the game fills in a niche between fast-paced action games and hyper-realistic military simulators. VideoGamer.com says the campaign in Red River is of far higher quality than in its predecessor Dragon Rising...
, US marines say, "This shit is FUBAR!" if they are taking rounds or fire.
Music
- 2011, in Above The Law, by rap duo Royce Da 5'9 and EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
(Bad Meets EvilBad Meets EvilBad Meets Evil is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan that consists of rappers Royce da 5'9" and Eminem . They are best known for collaborating on a self-titled song that appeared on Eminem's major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP in 1999, their early association with Dr...
), Royce raps"Leave you FUBAR, Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition"
See also
- BOHICABOHICABOHICA is an acronym that stands for "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again". It is used colloquially to indicate that an adverse situation is about to repeat itself, and that acquiescence is the wisest course of action. It is commonly understood as a reference to being sodomized...
- List of government and military acronyms
- SNAFUSNAFUSNAFU is an acronym that stands for situation normal: all fucked up. It is sometimes bowdlerized to all fouled up or similar. In simple terms, it means that the normal situation is in a bad state, as it always is, therefore nothing unexpected. It is usually used in jest, or as a sign of frustration...
(aka SUSFU)
External links
- Acronym Finder's FUBAR entry
- Glossary of Military Terms & Slang from the Vietnam War
- World Wide Words, Quinion, MichaelMichael QuinionMichael Quinion is a British etymologist and writer. He runs the web site World Wide Words, devoted to linguistics. He graduated from Cambridge University, where he studied physical sciences after which he joined BBC radio as a studio manager.-Writer:...
, Acronyms for your Enjoyment.