pip emma

Definition
  1. Adverb (military slang):
    • "pip emma" is a historical British military slang term meaning "in the afternoon" or "post meridiem" (p.m.). It was used in the early 20th century, particularly during World War I, as a phonetic code for the letters "p" and "m" to avoid confusion in radio or telephone communications.
Usage Examples
  • (The parade will start at 7:00 p.m.)
  • (We must report at 2:00 p.m. exactly.)
  • (The attack is planned for 5:30 p.m.)
Advanced Usage
  • Historical context: "pip emma" was part of a system of phonetic alphabet used by British forces before the adoption of the NATO phonetic alphabet (e.g., Alpha, Bravo, Charlie). The term has largely fallen out of use but appears in historical texts and memoirs.
    • The signalman confirmed the time as ten pip emma. (The signalman confirmed 10:00 p.m. using the old code.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Pip (n): a short, high-pitched sound or signal, often used in timekeeping (e.g., the "pips" on a radio time signal).
  • Emma (n): in the same phonetic system, "emma" stood for the letter "M", while "pip" stood for "P". No direct relation to the name Emma.
Synonyms
  • Post meridiem (Latin): the formal term for afternoon/evening (p.m.).
  • Afternoon: the time from noon to evening.
  • Evening: the time after sunset, though "pip emma" covers both afternoon and evening.
Phrasal Verbs
  • None. "Pip emma" is a fixed adverbial phrase, not a verb.
Related Idioms
  • "Ack emma": a similar slang term for "a.m." (ante meridiem), using "ack" for "A" and "emma" for "M".
    • We must wake at six ack emma. (We must wake at 6:00 a.m.)
  • "To be pip emma": an informal expression meaning to be late or delayed (rare, derived from the military usage).
    • The train is pip emma again. (The train is late this afternoon.)