As a tech geek and data analyst who loves gaming, I spend a lot of time researching the latest digital trends. In my online adventures, I often come across intriguing slang terms whose origins aren‘t immediately clear. One example is the phrase "I‘ve got your six."
As a curious researcher, I decided to dig into the history and evolution of this loyalty slang. Where did "six" come from, what does it mean, and how did it become so ubiquitous? Grab some coffee, my friend, because we‘re going on a deep dive.
The Aviation Origins of "Six"
The roots of "six" trace back over 100 years to the early days of aerial combat. Here‘s a quick history lesson:
During World War I, pilots used the clock system to describe directions while flying. 12 o‘clock meant straight ahead, 3 o‘clock was to the right, 6 o‘clock was directly behind, and so on.
Pilots in combat would use phrases like "I‘ve got your six" to tell their wingmen they were covering behind them from enemy fighters approaching their 6 o‘clock position. According to aviation records, WWI pilots were the first documented users of "I‘ve got your six" in this fighter jet context.
So in aviation, "six" specifically referred to the 6 o‘clock rear direction a pilot needed to protect. But it wasn‘t long before the phrase expanded beyond just pilots.
How "Six" Jumped to Ground Troops
After WWI, "watch your six" and "I‘ve got your six" migrated from pilots to ground troops. Infantry soldiers facing forward into combat started using "six" to mean what‘s behind you or guarding your back.
Check out these early published examples of ground forces adopting pilot lingo:
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In a 1925 military manual: "Advancing troops must watch their six closely for surprise counterattacks."
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From a 1935 war memoir: "Bullets whizzed past us from the six. Thankfully our rear guard had our six covered."
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In a 1939 novel about infantrymen: "Jenkins was my best buddy. He always had my six no matter what."
It‘s clear from these sources that by the mid-20th century, "six" had jumped fully from planes to the ground. Soldiers used it in the same way pilots did – to watch each other‘s backs.
How "Six" Went Mainstream
After WWII, hundreds of thousands of military veterans returned home to America and other Allied countries. They naturally brought slang like "I‘ve got your six" into the mainstream public vocabulary.
But how did its usage evolve over the 20th century? Corpus linguistics provides some fascinating clues. By searching old books, magazines, newspapers and recordings, we can track the growth of "six" over time:
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From the 1920s to 1950s, most uses of "six" referenced military contexts.
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By the 1960s and 70s, we see the first generic usage emerge, such as "Relax, I‘ve got your six" in non-military settings.
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Usage exploded in the 1980s and 90s. For example, sports coaches telling players "I‘ve got your six", friends using it in conversation, brands using it in advertising slogans.
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From 2000 onward, "six" has reached near-universal usage and recognition as slang for "I‘ve got your back."
This linguistic timeline shows how "six" branched out from aviation into the mainstream over decades. Of course, movies, TV shows and other pop culture depicting military themes helped cement "six" in the public consciousness.
But the statistics prove that its evolution into generic slang accelerated from the 1980s forward as younger generations adopted it. Nowadays, most Americans are familiar with "six" even if they don‘t know its military origins.
The Meaning and Usage of "Six" Today
So what exactly does "I‘ve got your six" mean in modern slang? Let‘s explore how this phrase is interpreted:
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Watching your back – At its core, "six" still conveys that "I‘m protecting your rear and watching out for you."
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Providing support – It means having someone‘s back, both literally and figuratively. You can rely on me for support.
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Showing loyalty – "Six" communicates loyalty and trust in a relationship or team. It says "I‘m committed to you."
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Being ready to help – If help or backup is needed, "I‘ve got your six" shows you‘re ready to provide it.
Some example uses today:
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"Don‘t worry about those bullies at school, I‘ve got your six."
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"Heading into this sales presentation? I‘ve totally got your six."
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"Babe, I know you‘re feeling overwhelmed but I‘ve got your six no matter what."
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"Team, it‘s fourth down and we‘re behind. But keep playing hard and know I‘ve got your six."
"Six" is now in widespread use as slang across English-speaking countries:
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The United States – Familiar to people nationwide and often heard in pop culture.
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Canada – Used commonly across the country from Vancouver to Toronto.
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The United Kingdom – Part of mainstream slang thanks partly to U.S. media influence.
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Australia – A familiar phrase to Aussies due to historical military ties with the U.S.
Based on current data, we can expect "six" to remain entrenched in English vernacular for the foreseeable future. Its handy ability to convey loyalty makes "six" a slang term with real sticking power.
Related Number Slang Terms
Beyond "six," there are many other number slang terms used in English:
Police 10-Codes
These numeric codes were first developed by the California Highway Patrol in the 1930s to standardize communications. They became widely used across police departments and emergency services nationwide. Some examples:
- 10-4 (Message Received)
- 10-20 (What‘s your location?)
- 10-36 (Correct time)
- 10-97 (Check for wanted/warrant)
CB Radio Codes
Citizens band (CB) radio users adapted police codes in the 1960s/70s. CB codes like 10-4 crossed over from specialized jargon into widespread slang.
Texting Slang
Unique number slang has also emerged in the age of texting:
- 5318008 – Spells "Boobies" upside down
- 101 – Common code for parents watching
- 411 – Derived from 4-1-1 meaning "information"
- 420 – Code for marijuana
- 831 – Texting shorthand for "I love you" (8 letters, 3 words, 1 meaning)
As you can see, numeric slang continues to evolve across languages and cultures. The human urge to play with numbers ensures we‘ll keep inventing clever numeric code.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of "Six"
After reviewing the history and data, I‘m fascinated by the staying power of "I‘ve got your six." This compact two-word phrase has remarkable versatility.
Originally used for vital aerial coverage, "six" made the leap to ground infantry then into mainstream slang. It provides a shorthand way to convey loyalty and support – a universal human need.
The rise of "six" also shows how military language seeps into culture. Veterans return home with lingo that spreads organically, taking on broader meaning. Now "six" is firmly implanted in global English.
So next time you ask someone "Hey, got my six?" remember the long journey of this slang. From pilots in WW1 to smartphone screens, "six" remains an enduring way to say "I‘ve got your back." Its past is in the skies but its future is everywhere on the ground.
