Snafu

Table of contents

1 Etymology 2 Pronunciation 3 Acronym 4 Related Terms 5 Usage note

Etymology

The term was given to the military training cartoon character, Private Snafu, by Frank Capra in 1942. The stories were written by Theodor Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss), and Snafu's voice was done by Mel Blanc. It is not clear whether the term existed before that.

Pronunciation

• AHD : snä'foo͞
• IPA : /ˈsnɑːfuː/
• SAMPA : /"snAfu:/

Acronym

SNAFU

1. (Military slang): Situation normal, all fucked up! or Situation normal. All fouled up. (1943)

Related Terms

fubar

Usage note

Today when people use, it they usually mean SAFU ... when a major glitch or breakdown occurs