sandbox

n. the Middle East; a country in that region. Subjects: English, Military

Editorial Note: Usually constructed with the definite article: the sandbox. There are many literal uses of sandbox to refer to a desert or sandy land or country. Other senses of sandbox include ‘a figurative or literal play area; an area for testing or planning; a sand-filled scale model of a war zone.’

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Citations: 1990 Jim Klobuchar Star-Tribune (Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.) (Sept. 22) “Maps from St. Paul should help” p. 1B: The sergeant isn’t excited about war in the desert, but he isn’t sure that peace in the desert is a whole lot safer.…He had just three days to do laundry and convalesce before heading back into the sandbox. 1990 Peter Baker Washington Post (Sept. 30) “‘Sandbox’ Flights Tax Reservists” p. A1: They call it the “Sandbox Express.” For seven weeks, crews from Andrews like this one have endured a grueling, round-the-clock schedule ferrying thousands of tons of cargo and tens of thousands of troops to bases in Saudi Arabia and nearby countries. 1990 David Evans Chicago Tribune (Oct. 7) “For GIs, fun helps battle isolation in ‘the sandbox’” p. 5: So what’s there to do in what American soldiers here call “the sandbox”?…The Saudi Arabian desert is “the sandbox.” (“The only thing missing are swing sets,” said one Seabee) and the nomadic local residents are known collectively, and rather affectionately, as “Bedouin Bob.” 2003 Amy Schlesing Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (June 20) “Arkansas answer 9/11 call” p. 1: They call it the “sandbox.” Southwest Asia is a dangerous place.…More than 150 U.S. troops died in the war with Iraq.…Every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine who has worked and fought in the “sandbox” has a story to tell. 2004 Malcolm Garcia Oklahoman (Oklahoma City) (Sept. 20) “War reopens old wounds for families”: Despite the proud family tradition, Edmonds, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, had difficulty accepting Matthew’s deployment to the “sand box,” as he calls Iraq. 2005 Jonathan Allen Fort Mill Times (S.C.) (Mar. 3) “Soldier writes home while on duty in Iraq”: More than four months in the Middle East—the “sandbox” as some soldiers call it—hasn’t dampened his spirits any. 2005 Oliver North Townhall.com (May 6) “A picture is worth a thousand words”: My bosses at FOX News have sent me on assignment to the “sandbox,” as our troops have taken to calling Iraq.

Posted 13 May 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend