Codetalkers: The Lingo of BC2

One of the great joys of language, aside from being able to insult someone in horrendously colorful ways, is the creation of slang. We take for granted that many of the words and phrases we use everyday had their origin with one person or a small group.

Sports have left us a particularly rich legacy, with terms like "slam dunk," "home run," and "bush league." Video games have a rich vernacular too. Many a "noob" (or n00b, if you like) have been "pwnd" by an "l33t" gamer's skill with mouse and keyboard or buttons and sticks.

When one plays a game long enough, they develop shorthand terminology for everyday objects, players, and situations in the game world. We're all familiar with "spawn," "campers" (and the unholy union of "spawncampers")

But when you play online with a particular group of friends, the verbiage gets even more specific... and strange. So here's a little primer for anyone who may stumble into a match in "Battlefield: Bad Company 2" with F0RCEFL0W and Co. and have no idea what the hell anyone is talking about.

1. Bush Wookie

Bush Wookies, like most online gamers,
are immobile and have poor personal hygiene

A particularly annoying player using the sniper class. The sniper's distinctive gillie suit gives him the appearance of a Wookie from "Star Wars." Bush Wookiees seldom contribute meaningfully to their teams' victory; they are more preoccupied with padding their kill/death ratio and score.

2. Double Rainbow

The act of killing two enemy team members simultaneously (recorded as a double kill). Triple Rainbow refers to a triple kill. A reference to a viral Internet video of a man expressing wonderment over the appearance of two rainbows at once, "Full-on double rainbow! All across the sky!"
 

Hornberger!

3. Hornberger
Named for a character on the NBC comedy "30 Rock" who shouts his own last name in exultation of an accomplishment. Used in-game to warn players that C4 explosives are about to be detonated. To Hornbergle is the act of detonating C4 charges, carried out by a Hornberglar (an act of Hornberglary).

4. Pussy Wagon

They see me rollin'. They hatin'.

A lightly-armored Russian jeep officially known as the Vodnik 4WD. Derided for its bus-like appearance and low popularity. It is not known to arouse women, so the nickname is used ironically. A reference to the infamous "Pussy Wagon" from the film "Kill Bill Vol. 1." I'll always have a soft, warm, moist spot in my heart for this... okay, I'll stop now.

5. Sea Monkey

A one-off reference made by rain213, referring to the patrol boat. For whatever reason, the name stuck, and I myself don't even think of them as "boats" anymore.

6. Goose

Nickname for the Carl Gustaf (pronounced "Gustav") rocket launcher, or M2CG. In BC2, the Carl G is a versatile weapon that, in the right hands, can wipe out both infantry and vehicles. Proficient users affectionately refer to their trusty launcher as "The Goose." To be killed by a rocket fired from a Goose is to be "Goosed." Seriously, the Goose is a beast. It'll snatch your life away like a piece of bread and shit all over your lawn.

7. Prisoner of Azkaban

A pun on the "Abakan" AN-94 assault rifle. While there are many assault weapons to choose from, the AN-94 has a unique two-round burst fire that gives the weapon incredible accuracy at medium-long range. The term was coined by HWTCMT GHOST, with whom I share an affinity for this weapon.

8. Heli-copter Ride

Ooh, ahh. That's how they always start.
Then there's jumping and screaming...

If someone asks you in a terrible German accent whether you want a Heli-copter Ride (most likely Voodoo d0lly), it would be wise to decline. At least if you value your life. If not, go for it! Either you'll trounce the enemy team from above and win the day, or you'll die in a fiery crash (if the chopper itself or the fall don't get you). In any case, you have to be a "Super Trooper" to survive this assignment.

9. Pumpkin Time

The time at which a player must leave the game and turn in for the night. Somehow, players make a conscious decision to attend to their own lives rather than stick it out on the battlefield all night. To think that their spouses, children, and careers are more important than online video games... well, it sickens me.

10. Watching Stories

"Where's east bay J?"
"Oh, he's watching his stories."
Translation: he's glued to the UAV station, raining down Hellfires on the enemy. The pun is visual in this case: the UAV station has the appearance of a TV set on stilts, with the operator peering at the shroud-covered screen. Pretty engrossing stuff; so much so that the enemy will start to get worried about you and stop by to check in... with his knife.