What does GI stand for in GI Joe?

Answer 1

The G.I. in "GI Joe" stands for Ground Infantry. The original action figure was an infantry soldier. Not galvanized iron or government issue.

In contrast to the answer from Mattel customer service agent Sheryda, below, "G.I." was readily visible on American issued WWI canteens - it stands for galvanized iron. Over time the association stuck and became so commonplace that its use made its way even to the Orient and, obviously, the toy market.

Chandler

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From Mattel:

Thank you for contacting MattelShop.com.

I was able to do some research and have confirmed that "G.I." stands for

"Government Issued".

Additionally, you may also contact our Consumer Relations at

866-624-9128 and/or go to service.mattel.com.

Again, thank you for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Sheryda Cohen

The Customer Service Team

www.shop.mattel.com 1-888-7Mattel (762-8835)

Answer 2

A GI Joe is a doll for boys. They call it an "action figure" because boys don't play with dolls. Apparently Vietnamese prostitutes called soldiers "GI Joe" (I know Korean prostitutes did this--saw lots of them, got called GI Joe by lots of them, never hired one...) because of this toy. Old war story time: in 1984 and 1985, when I was stationed in Korea, it was legal for soldiers to hire prostitutes because prostitution was completely legal in Korea. (There was even an office in the Ministry of Health to deal with prostitutes.) Every so often, one of them would ask me, "GI Joe you buy me drinkie?" I would tell them no but "when Joe comes in, I'll be sure to send him to you." They didn't like that very much. But apparently the doll was Joseph someone-or-other until he enlisted, and then he became GI Joe.

Answer 3

goverment issue