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Isn't 'Walt' a military term, therefore if you accuse someone of being a walt and you've never served, you are in fact a walt yourself? :lol:

Blackstuff wrote:Isn't 'Walt' a military term, therefore if you accuse someone of being a walt and you've never served, you are in fact a walt yourself? :lol:

I think that, like a great many terms in our language, "walt" in this context has its origins in military slang or terminology. However, Thurber's original Walter Mitty saw himself variously as, if I remember, a naval commander, a consultant surgeon, a brilliant pistol shot on trial for murder, a spy or secret agent, and a soldier facing a firing squad. So there are grounds for applying the term to anyone who usurps the reputation of others to increase his own estimate of his standing in the eyes of others. To be fair to Thurber's character, Mitty's "walting" all took place in his own mind -he did not express his fantasies outwardly, hence the story's title "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". Thus the use of the term in its current shades of meaning in regard to Mitty would be excessive. smile2

Blackstuff wrote:Isn't 'Walt' a military term, therefore if you accuse someone of being a walt and you've never served, you are in fact a walt yourself? :lol:

A fair point well made. :goodjob:

If you can't produce a record of service, but bang on as "one who was there", then you're a walt.....

Sim G wrote:If you can't produce a record of service, but bang on as "one who was there", then you're a walt.....

Then I'm a "Walt" as I haven't seen my red book in years and couldn't tell you where it is or if indeed I still have it. The last time I saw it was when I applied for the State job I retired from. Saying that though the State probably has a copy of it as they took copies of all my documents at the time.

Blu

Figuratively Blu, figuratively....

But, do you know where your gongs are?

I only ever came across one real walt who wasn't outed quickly. No one suspected him. Claimed he was a member of 3 Para, had wings tattooed on his arm with his blood group and all sorts. Looked the part as well and still into his fizz. Said little about his "service", but when he mentioned his Bn and his service in the Province whilst I was there, my interest piqued. Turned out we "joined" up at around the same time in the mid 80's..... "What's your service number, it must be close to mine. It's 24580XXX..."

"Err, don't know, err forgot it..."

Really, something as simple as that.

SimG, yeah I still have my medals with name, rank, number and PARA on the bottom rim. My Army number was/is 24313xxx. I remember during basic, before we were allowed out of camp for the first time we had to be able to repeat or number both forwards and backwards before they would let us go out. I also still have a few letters from my dear wife, or should say she does with my name rank and number on them. I suppose all in all if I had to I could prove my service.

Blu

My last four numbers has always been my PIN. Thought about changing it to protect my credit card from wifey....... but I'd forget it!

Sim G wrote:My last four numbers has always been my PIN. Thought about changing it to protect my credit card from wifey....... but I'd forget it!

:lol: My wife knows mine, however she doesn't know my Prison Service number.

Sim G wrote:My last four numbers has always been my PIN. Thought about changing it to protect my credit card from wifey....... but I'd forget it!

Exact same here, pin number is my last four, I tried changing it once but kept forgetting it.

Blu