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Dictionary definition of “wizzo”

wizzo

n. among military aircraft personnel, a weapons systems operator. Subjects: English, United States, Military, Technology, Jargon, Acronym

Etymological Note: Pronunciation of the first letters of weapons systems operator or officer.

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Citations: 1986 Russel Watson, John Barry, John Walcott Newsweek (Apr. 28) “Reagan’s Raiders” p. 26: A skilled “Wizzo”—weapons-systems operator—can achieve good accuracy with only one aiming device, but the planners established the “double lock” rule to make sure the right targets were hit. 1991 Tulsa Tribune (Okla.) (Jan. 18) “Combat beginner says strike awesome” p. 17A: His “wizzo” weapons system officer, Maj. Billy Wilhite, 36, of Monroe, La., said, “Nobody has ever shot at us before.” 2004 Michael Shinabery Alamogordo News (N.M.) (Dec. 16) “American F-4s future is mothballed”: Lt. Col. Mark Buccigrossi’s the back-seat wizzo—vernacular for the acronym WSO, or weapons system officer/navigator—in the F-4 Phantom.

Posted 17 Dec 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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