body bag

body bag
   American
   a container for the transfer of a corpse, especially that of a serviceman
   Unlike the British, who traditionally bury their soldiers 'in some corner of a foreign field', the bodies of Americans killed abroad are returned to the United States for disposal:
    The KIAs were provided with HRPs which earlier had been called body bags, the new public relations title translated as 'human remains pouches'. (Simpson, 1991 — a K1A was 'killed in action')
   Whence the body-bag syndrome, a reluctance by American commanders to involve soldiers in any action which might lead to casualties:
    British officers speak of 'body-bag syndrome' as the major brake on NATO operations. {Daily Telegraph, 21 March 2001)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • body bag — body bags N COUNT A body bag is a specially designed large plastic bag which is used to carry a dead body away, for example when someone has been killed in a battle or an accident. The people are unnerved at the prospect of young soldiers coming… …   English dictionary

  • body bag — n a large bag in which a dead body is removed ▪ No pictures of dead soldiers, body bags, or coffins were allowed …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • body bag — body ,bag noun count a large bag used for carrying away the dead body of a soldier or of someone killed in a crime or accident …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • body bag — n a large zippered bag (as of rubber or vinyl) in which a human corpse is placed esp. for transportation …   Medical dictionary

  • body bag — n. a rubberized bag sealed with a zipper, used for transporting a human corpse from a war zone, accident, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Body bag — A body bag is a non porous bag designed to contain a human body, used for the storage and transport of corpses. Body bags can also be used for the storage of corpses within morgues. Before purpose made body bags were available, cotton mattress… …   Wikipedia

  • body bag — noun a bag in which the body of a dead soldier is placed • Syn: ↑personnel pouch, ↑human remains pouch • Hypernyms: ↑bag * * * noun, pl ⋯ bags [count] : a large bag that a dead person s body is put in to be carried or moved to another place * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • body bag — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms body bag : singular body bag plural body bags a large bag used for carrying away the dead body of a soldier or of someone killed in a crime or accident …   English dictionary

  • body bag — bod′y bag n. cvb a zippered bag made of rubberized material, used to transport a dead body, as from the scene of an accident • Etymology: 1965–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • body bag — noun (C) a large bag in which a dead body is removed: Men will not volunteer to fight once they see the body bags returning …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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