dead check
v. phr.— «Once reaching the caves, Boada teamed up with Sgt. Robert R. Campbell, a squad leader, and began searching the different caves with the other Marines. This was when Marines heard Lance Cpl. Nicholas C. Kirven identify a dead body. He called out and Cpl. Richard P. Schoener came down to provide security for a dead check.» —“Marine recalls Silver Star actions” in Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay Department of Defense U.S. Marine Corps News Feb. 10, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
The winner in the “Vile Puns” category of the 2021 Bulwer-Lytton Contest involves a hoagie shop and a tiny pimento-stuffed object in a long, cheesy sandwich. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Vile Puns” Here’s another entry that I...
Manuel in Fort Worth, Texas, wonders about a phrase he’s heard from his dad and brothers: Cut me a husk meaning “Give me a break.” The term evolved from slang used by U.S. Marines serving in Vietnam, and HUS, the configuration for the Sikorsky UH...