Every branch of the military has its own secret language. Soldiers have theirs, Sailors have theirs, and Marines practically have a dictionary of their own. But the Air Force? They’ve got a slang that’s equal parts clever, sarcastic, and downright hilarious. Some terms sound nothing like what they actually mean, while others are so on the nose you can’t help but laugh.

Here’s a crash course in the insider lingo that only Airmen truly understand:

Rainbow Flights

Before recruits get their official uniforms (known as “slicksleeves”) in boot camp, they shuffle around in civilian clothes. Marching in formation with every color of the mall on display, they look like a walking rainbow—hence the name.

Pull Chocks

Airplanes use chocks (wedges) to stay put on the ground. Pulling them means it’s

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