Mae West
Preserved but no longer current.
The name given by flying men in World War II to the inflatable life-preserver vest or jacket worn when there was a possibility of their being forced into the sea. The name was given in compliment to the figure and charms of the famous film star.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Mae West” mean?
The name given by flying men in World War II to the inflatable life-preserver vest or jacket worn when there was a possibility of their being forced into the sea. The name was given in compliment to the figure and charms of the famous film star.
Is “Mae West” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.