Antarctic Lingo
Bag Drag
This refers to bringing your bags to the MCC or
Movement Control Center at McMurdo to "Check In" for
your flight to South Pole or Field Camp or back to
Christchurch.
Beaker
The term for scientists here at the station
Boomerang
The act of having a flight from Christchurch to
McMurdo get turned around back to Christchurch due
to weather or another problem
Bumped
If a flight is too "heavy" or has too many people
manifested, passengers are "bumped" off from flight
Bunny Boots
The bright white rubber boots that are issued as part
of extreme cold weather gear
Crud
Refers to a cold or flu that often affects many at
McMurdo
Daisy Picking
A couple of times a year the station goes outside to
"pick" any trash and loose garbage around the station
DV Distinguished Visitor such as a congressman or
generals visiting the station
ECW gear
Extreme Cold Weather gear- The cloths for survival in
Antarctica. It is about 35 pounds for a typical issue.
Parka, wind pants, Polar fleece bibs and jacket, 2
pairs cotton long underwear, 6 pairs of heavy wool
socks, 1 pair of "bunny" boots, 1 pair of goggles, 2
pairs mittens, 2 pairs of gloves, Yahzoo cap, knit hat,
wind breaker jacket, and water bottle.
Freshies
A term for fresh fruits and vegetables, when they are
flown in from New Zealand
Happy Camper School
A slang term for snow school or snowcraft school. This
is a class that teaches survival skills in the snow.
It lasts 2 days and 1 night
Herbie
The term for a storm, wind and snow blows from the
south toward McMurdo
Hollywood Shower
A term for showering back home - here in Antarctica
for many years you were required to take Navy 2 minute
showers. Thus it seems luxurious to have what you might
consider a normal shower.
Kiwi
A term for a New Zealander
Mac Town(or The Rock)
Alternative terms for McMurdo Station
Manifest
A list of passengers to be flying on a plane
Medevac
Medical Evacuation. If anyone ever gets seriously hurt
and cannot be treated on the station, they are
"medevac'ed"
PG'd
Personally Qualified. A term for those who pass their
medical exams to come to Antarctica (also known as
medically cleared)
PSR
Point of Safe Return (like boomerang)
Weather Guesser
A term for Meteorologist
