leatherneck

[leth -er-nek] /ˈlɛð ərˌnɛk/
noun, Slang.
1.
a U.S. marine.
Origin
1910-15; from the leather-lined collar which was formerly part of the uniform
British Dictionary definitions for leatherneck

leatherneck

/ˈlɛðəˌnɛk/
noun
1.
(slang) a member of the US Marine Corps
Word Origin
from the custom of facing the neckband of their uniform with leather
Word Origin and History for leatherneck
n.

"U.S. Marine," 1914, Navy slang, from leather + neck (n.). So called for the leather collars of their early uniforms; earlier in British use (1890) as a sailor's term for a soldier.

Slang definitions & phrases for leatherneck

leatherneck

noun

A US Marine; gyrene

[1914+ Navy; fr the leather collars of their early uniforms; the term is found by 1890 as British sailors' name for a soldier]