Dictionary definition of “interview without coffee”

interview without coffee

n. a formal disciplinary meeting or official reprimand; a dressing-down. Subjects: English, United Kingdom, Military

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Citations: 1990 John Goodbody Times (U.K.) (Apr. 2) “Greater communication urged to fight drugs”: Mahony said that the final interview by the IOC Medical Commission “was one of the most unpleasant, intimidating experiences of my life. After two carefree days, with a medal burning a hole in my pocket, it was an interview without coffee. It was not a pleasant experience.” 1999 [Tex Bennett] Usenet: uk.people.ex-forces (Apr. 30) “Re: Off topic fried bread”: “‘Stern’ warning, does that mean ‘Off Caps’ at Defaulters on the QD?” “An interview without coffee?” 2000 Belfast News Letter (Ireland) (Sept. 16) “RIR officer ‘reprimand’”: The first step will be a formal reprimand by a senior officer, who could even be the Commander-in-Chief of UK Land Command, General Sir Mike Jackson. The procedure is known in the Army as “an interview without coffee.” The outcome will be reflected in his service record. 2000 [Phil Mc Carty] Usenet: alt.military.army-cadet (Jan. 27) “Re: What Would You Do?”: A definite Commandant’s “IWOC’ (as we used to say in the Regulars…an ‘Interview without Coffee’) and serious disciplinary sanction. (Demotion? Transfer?) 2001 Matthew Hickley Hobart Mercury (Australia) (Dec. 1) “Daring raid fails to nab bin Laden”: Eighteen Taliban were killed and dozens wounded and taken prisoner. I imagine they will be given a fair but tough interrogation—what the lads call interview without coffee. 2004 Robert Fox Evening Standard (U.K.) (Jan. 19) “Troops face an unacceptable level of risk” p. 2: The meeting between Geoff Hoon and Samantha, the widow of Sergeant Steve Roberts, shot after he had handed back his body armour in Iraq, will be something of an interview without coffee—military jargon for a commander’s dressing-down of a subordinate. 2004 James Kirkup, Gethin Chamberlain The Scotsman (July 22) “Commanders warn all ranks to silence dissent in public” p. 2: Punishments could include “administrative action and a nasty letter or interview without coffee,” a reference to a formal disciplinary meeting with superior officers. 2005 Ireland On-Line (Jan. 21) “Officer not punished over Iraqi crackdown order”: The order by Major Dan Taylor breached the Geneva Convention and the crackdown which followed at an aid camp near Basra led to three soldiers being charged with abusing civilians. But Maj Taylor was only dealt with at “summary level,” which means he was spoken to by senior officers—a process known in Army slang as “interview without coffee.” The officers concluded that he was guilty no more than “misguided zeal,” the court heard today.

Posted 25 Jan 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend