9 Hilarious Military Code Names You Won’t Believe Were Actually Used

Operation Argument

World War II plan for attacking German factories by air.

Or: The unpleasant exchange that occurred between the Americans and Germans after we bombed their factories, and which prompted Operation I’m Not Talking to You. Here are some words and phrases you had no idea originated in the military. 

Operation Brewer

World War II plan for operations in the Admiralty Islands.

Or: The operation to create a beachhead for the first Budweiser delivery truck in the Pacific Islands.

Operation Zipper

A World War II plan for an assault on Malaya.

Or: What the Colonel needs to be extracted from every time he dresses in the dark following Operation Brewer.

Operation Toenails

World War II operation to capture New Georgia.

Or: What results when all the cool Operation Code Names are taken. Here are some phrases we use all the time that actually make no sense.

Operation Larry

Gulf War Forward Assembly Area used by the 1st Armored Division.

Or: The guy who was brought in to come up with new Operation Code Names following Operation Toenails.

Operation Slapstick

World War II British Airborne landing at Taranto, Italy.

Or: What happened at Taranto, Italy, when Operation Larry was joined by Operation Moe and Operation Curly. Think that’s funny? You’ll get a kick out of our hilarious military jokes.

Operation Casanova

A World War II diversionary operation.

Or: Why that one soldier always stayed behind. Did you know that “casanova”—and these 14 other words—were inspired by real-life people? 

Operation Magneto

World War II code name for the Yalta conference between Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.

Or: The X-Men’s mortal enemy takes on the WW II Men. Learn about the surprising legacies of US presidents.

Operation Dracula

World War II plan for an attack on Rangoon, Burma.

Or: A military operation that by all accounts sucked. These are the things America’s troops wish you knew.