I was watching one of those corney old war movies and when discussing the location of a place they would say the distance in "clicks on the map". I was just wondering if anyone knows what a click is, since I can't find it anywhere. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Armed services lingo for "Kilometer"

Regards,
Dread

I've always mentally spelled it "Klick", but it's really just a verbal, so "click" is as good. As noted = Kilometer. More readily transmitted and correctly understood on a voice radio than the 3 syllable word, plus the phoenetic alphabet uses "kilo" for "k".

And another Hollywood kliche'

Funny the way we have different mental images of things. To me, it's 1000 meters, or 1100 yards, mas a minos.

Ah, ok. I know it is probibly only a movie thing, but it was driving me nuts. Plus now if anyone ever tells me to head two klicks north I know what they are talking about. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

>> I know it is probibly only a movie thing <<

Well, I've been retired for 7 years now, but I assure you in my time in service it was the reflexive verbal term used for "kilometer" by me and my fellow soldiers. I still think in "klicks" when I'm walking or flying low level. I know my pace count in various terrain for 100m; I have no idea, without doing the mental math, what it is in English measure. And I still use the spoken word "klick" in routine conversations... although I write it as "km".

Chris, of course, is all tied up in knots out in the yard by this conversation... quick, Chris, what's the max effective range of a 5" 38 cal gun in meters?

TiC,

Tom

It's not only a movie thing, we call'em clicks up here too. "It's about 50 clicks north of here, turn west and go for about another 15 er 20 clicks. You can't miss it."

@ 18,000 SEMPER PARATUS. Now where did the phrase " beat the RUSH" originate from?

USS Rush, a USCG Coast Guard cutter operating in Alaska ca late 19th or early 20th Century (not sure exact dates). Locals tried to sell pelts before the Rush would show up on station thus not having to pay some tax or declaration.

OK for an Army guy? (I spent a bit of time on Kodiak for both business and later on vacation - the base takes NICE care of visiting Army folks)