What does 'Splib' mean?

Answer 1

The drill instructors in Marine Corps boot camp, specifically in San Diego, California, used this term in 1967 and maybe the rest of the 60s. It was not taken to mean anything derogatory. It was what it was. If there was a black marine and a white marine standing together, you would refer to the white as a "Chuck" and the black as a "Splib". Neither would take offense. Generally neither term was used very often because we were all commonly called: pukes, maggots, phux, bitches and any other foul, filthy term including the most racial, ethnic and sexual innuendo they could think of. It was designed to piss you off, get you angry, mess with your head and it worked. If you responded to thisharassment you were beaten and you were gone. If you wanted to be a Marine, you took it and kept silent. It worked. Once you graduated from boot camp, those same Drill Instructors who called you all these horrible names then called you only one - "Marine" and shook your hand.