"rodger wilcox...over and out"

Posted by James Briggs on March 04, 2004

In Reply to: "Rodger wilcox...over and out" posted by Shae on March 04, 2004

: : anybody know where this expession came from??
: : cartoons from the3 60's??

: I don't know why 'roger' means 'understood' but 'wilco' is derived from 'will co-operate.'

: Trained radio operators grind their teeth on hearing 'over and out.' In proper usage, 'over' means 'I've finished speaking for the moment and await your reply.' 'Out' is used to terminate a conversation.

To save you the bother, here's what's in the archive

: : From the Archives under Roger Wilco;
: : : ROGER -- "in the meaning of 'Yes, O.K., I understand you -- is voice code for the letter R. It is part of the 'Able, Baker, Charlie' code known and used by all radiophone operators in the services. From the earliest days of wireless communication, the Morse code letter R (dit-dah-dit) has been used to indicate 'O.K. -- understood.' So 'Roger' was the logical voice-phone equivalent." Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).

: : "Roger" means "I understand," and "wilco" is short for "will comply." One must be careful to note the distinction.

• "Rodger wilcox...over and out" Bill Robinson 04/March/04
• "Rodger wilcox...over and out" Bill 04/March/04
  • "Rodger wilcox...over and out" Jolly Roger 05/March/04