Tag: Nuclear weapon

  • Broken Metaphors

    John Travolta vehicle “Broken Arrow” has made colorful DoD slang pertaining to nuclear weapon “whoopsies” popular . Here’s an official version, and here’s how I understand them. With examples, of course.

    Nucflash
    Detonation or unauthorized launch of a nuclear weapon that might start a war
    What Captain Kong did in “Dr. Strangelove

    Broken Arrow
    Like Nucflash, but without war starting and stuff
    What Jack Bower did in a “24” episode

    Empty Quiver
    Nuclear weapon stolen or misplaced
    What evil Scientologist John Travolta did in “Broken Arrow” (ironic, I know)

    Rogue Spear
    Empty Quiver is confirmed
    Again evil Scientologist , blah blah.

    Bent Spear
    Major accident where a nuke gets dropped, damaged or even burned, but does not detonate
    Something like this

    Dull Sword
    Guard asleep, weapon duct taped to the plane, etc. Business as usual
    Hiring people who did this, snapped a photo and posted it on the web.

    Faded Giant
    Nuclear power plant meltdown
    What Homer Simpson did in numerous episodes of “The Simpsons

    With capitalism being what it is, makes the best of a somber situation. In case of Broken Arrow you can always order some flowers from Broken Arrow Florists.