FACTBOX: Odin and goat among West Point slang

New cadets entering the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which educates and trains future Army officers, are given a glossary of cadet slang to ease the transition to cadet life. Here are some of the words from the glossary:

BEAST -- Cadet basic training

BOODLE -- Cake, candy, ice cream etc

GOAT -- A cadet near the bottom of the class

HOOAH -- Meaning "yes" or "I understand"

ODIN -- A Norse god to whom cadets appeal for rain before parades, inspection etc

PLEBE -- A freshman cadet

POOP -- Information to be memorized

SPAZ -- To make a gross error

SQUID -- One who attends the rival Naval Academy

2 PERCENT CLUB -- A cadet is in this club if they have the same girlfriend or boyfriend from day one through to graduation

(Compiled by Claudia Parsons in West Point, New York)