canteen cowboy
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
An aviator who spends his time flirting with or picking up girls at the canteen.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
On the basis that if you cannot beat them, join them, some, like Private 'Umbriago' Hillier, who was later to prove his guts and character, emulated all the traits of the seasoned veteran. He earned the reputation of being 'a canteen cowboy' and a 'tailboard Romeo', always chatting up the girls at t
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “canteen cowboy” mean?
An aviator who spends his time flirting with or picking up girls at the canteen.
Is “canteen cowboy” formal or informal?
canteen cowboy is generally slang.