Dictionary definition of “bullets and beans”

bullets and beans

n.pl. the weapons, munitions, equipment, and supplies of a military; materiel. Subjects: English, Military

Editorial Note: See the cites for variations, which are usually alliterative.

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Citations: 1950 Washington Post (Nov. 19) “Korea Airlift Carried 100,000 Passengers” (in Feaf Combat Cargo Command, Japan) p. M2: The commander said the airlift carried more than 63,000 tons of bullets and beans and 100,00 passengers in that period. 1989 Charles W. Koburger The Cyrano Fleet (Mar. 7) p. 111: As far as the officers of the fleet went, they had still to be fully involved with the day-to-day running of their departments, and with their ships. Their problems revolved around “bullets, beans, and black oil.” 1994 Merrill B. Twining No Bended Knee (June 1) p. 40 @ (Mar. 30, 2004): General Vandegrift’s order was brief: “Take only that with is necessary to fight and live.” This meant bullets, beans, and blankets. 2001 John Bowe Gig (Aug. 21) p. 570: I have to oversee all the maintenance of the airplanes as well as make sure we’ve got all the bombs and bullets and beans we’re supposed to have everywhere. 2003 Chuck Pfarrer Warrior Soul (Dec. 30) p. 172 @ (Dec. 28, 2004): Daily, landing craft disgorged trucks, jeeps, and trailers onto the piers, supplying the troops with bullets, beans, and butt wipe. 2005 Scott Gold, Rone Tempest KTLA-TV (L.A.) (July 27) “Army Probes Guard Unit”: The first sergeant holds an important position of authority in a company and is largely responsible for overseeing the preparedness and welfare of the soldiers in the unit—“bullets and beans,” in the vernacular of the Army.

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