bug out
See also: bugout
English
Etymology
Attested 1950, popularized in the Korean War (1950–53) in such phrases as “bug-out fever” (rout) and “the big bug out” (November/December 1950 retreat) and entered civilian slang by mid 1950s.[1] Likely originated in World War II, perhaps based on 1930s cartoons featuring bugs fleeing an impending foot or boot.[2] Ultimately based on the rapid, disorderly flight of bugs when discovered, particularly their scattering if several are discovered at once, such as under a rock or can. Compare chicken out.
Verb
bug out (third-person singular simple present bugs out, present participle bugging out, simple past and past participle bugged out)
- (slang, intransitive) To leave (a place) hastily (originally military).
- It's time I bugged out of this town, it ain't safe no more.
- (slang, intransitive) to abandon someone without warning.
- I'm not gonna bug out on you, I promise.
- (slang, intransitive) miss school, play truant, play hooky.
- I go to Stockton High, but normally I bug out.
- (slang, transitive, of one's eyes) To cause to bulge.
- Kim Goodman holds the world record for bugging out her eyes.
- (slang, computing) To crash or glitch.
- My PC keeps bugging out and rebooting for no reason.
Derived terms
Synonyms
References
- “The term probably originated in World War II and came into wide use during the Korean War. By the mid-1950s it was also civilian slang.” Fighting Words: From War, Rebellion, and other Combative Capers by Christine Ammer (NTC Publishing Group, Chicago, Ill., 1989, 1999), page 44, quoted in The Phrase Finder, “Re: Bug out”, by ESC on April 23, 2004
- Re: "Luke the gook," "Gook" and "Bug out", KOREAN-WAR-L, by John R. Carpenter, 5 Aug 2002
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