Daily Almanac for
Dec 10, 2009
Search White Pages
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips
 Ask the Editors

The Question:

In the movie Saving Private Ryan, they used the pharse "fubar." Can you please tell me what it means?

The Answer:

FUBAR is a colorful acronym, probably of military origin, standing for "Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition." "Fouled" may also be replaced by something less family-friendly.

A similar term, also of military origin, is "SNAFU"—"Situation Normal, All Fouled Up" . . . or words to that effect.

—The Editors

Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark