# Jody

/ˈdʒoʊdi/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jody
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a person who starts a relationship with a soldier's partner while the soldier is away on duty. It is a common character in military jokes and songs about unfaithful partners.

For teachers: a person, typically a civilian male, who initiates a romantic or sexual relationship with the spouse or partner of a service member deployed overseas. Often personified in military cadences and folklore as a recurring antagonist.

## Examples

- The soldiers sang a cadence about Jody stealing their girlfriends.
- During long deployments, rumors of a Jody back home can severely damage a unit's morale and trust.
- The figure of Jody serves as a collective psychological projection for the anxieties soldiers feel regarding domestic stability and the fidelity of their partners during extended periods of separation.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a proper noun or personification in military slang; frequently appears in 'Jody calls' or marching cadences.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.