bird colonel

English

Etymology

From the insignia of rank, which bears a depiction of an eagle.

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Noun

bird colonel (plural bird colonels)

1. (US, slang, military) A member of the United States armed forces having the rank of full colonel, as distinct from a lieutenant colonel.
   • 1960 July 4, “Pink Is for Learning”, in Time:

     This month at 47, Colonel Polich retires after 20 years of service; as a reservist and an engineer, bird colonel is about the highest peacetime rank he can achieve.

Synonyms

• chicken colonel
• full bird colonel

See also

• iron eagle