Boot camp

Photo of author

Grammarist

Boot camp is an American term with uncertain origins. We will examine the meaning of the term boot camp, where it may have come from and some examples of its use in sentences.

A boot camp is a short, rigorous training camp, usually involving physical challenges and harsh discipline. Originally, boot camp referred to a military training camp for new recruits, though now it may mean a prison for young offenders, the initial training camp for a sport team, or any short, rigorous training camp. The term boot camp may have originated during World War I to describe American Navy and Marine troop training, though others believe it may have originated during the Spanish-American war. During this time, the term boot came to mean an inexperienced recruit, though the reasons for this term are in dispute. The plural form of boot camp is boot camps. The connotation of a boot camp is that once one successfully completes the boot camp course, he is polished, tough and competent to face any challenge. Note that the term boot camp is rendered as two separate words.

Examples

“Culinary Boot Camp was created to provide the ISU community with an opportunity to learn basic cooking and grocery shopping skills to improve overall competence and confidence in the kitchen as well as the grocery store,” said Jessica Young, a graduate student in Food Science and Human Nutrition. (The Iowa State Daily)

Pfc. James Alan Joiner, 18, of Baker, graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Sept. 22. (The Crestview Bulletin)

Mnguni, who has been a fitness trainer for three years and holds a Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Zululand, has set up a Fitness Healthy Lifestyle Bootcamp that will run every Saturday at uMhlathuze Sports Complex. (The Zululand Observer)