In We Of The Never Never, first published 1908 and set in the Australuan outback in the Northern Territory the fizzer is the postman, delivering and collecting mail all through the interior
Barry Nottage:
April 1st, 2014 at 1:38 am
Cpl Jones in Dads Army uses the term ‘ put em on a fizzer’ when the rest of the platoon refuse to return to parade from pub where they are having a darts match with the ARP wardens.
I myself remember the term in common use in the RAF during the 90s.
Peter Sinclair:
June 26th, 2015 at 10:06 am
The term “fizzer” means to be put on a charge. Obviously, this comes from the time when charges to cannon and grenades had a fuse, which was lit. Hence the term.
Craig pittman:
April 21st, 2016 at 8:55 pm
George Mcdonald Fraser in The Pyrates refers to”putting someone on the fizzer” for dereliction of duty in British navy. Page 381. Military discipline
Steve Watts:
March 28th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Fizzer, means to be put on a charge ?
Gerry Sheldon:
April 14th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
I can’t help wondering whether “fizzer” might have referenced “physical” activities which of course could applied to marching or any other related exercises designed to strengthen soldiers or improve their stamina. The parade ground would be a major venue for this sort of activity.
Leave a comment
Search us!
Search The Word Detective and our family of websites:
This is the easiest way to find a column on a particular word or phrase.
To search for a specific phrase, put it between quotation marks. (note: JavaScript must be turned on in your browser to view results.)
Ask a Question!
Puzzled by Posh?
Confounded by Cattycorner?
Baffled by Balderdash?
Flummoxed by Flabbergast?
Perplexed by Pandemonium?
Nonplussed by... Nonplussed?
Annoyed by Alliteration?
Jane Doheney:
August 27th, 2012 at 3:07 am
In We Of The Never Never, first published 1908 and set in the Australuan outback in the Northern Territory the fizzer is the postman, delivering and collecting mail all through the interior
Barry Nottage:
April 1st, 2014 at 1:38 am
Cpl Jones in Dads Army uses the term ‘ put em on a fizzer’ when the rest of the platoon refuse to return to parade from pub where they are having a darts match with the ARP wardens.
I myself remember the term in common use in the RAF during the 90s.
Peter Sinclair:
June 26th, 2015 at 10:06 am
The term “fizzer” means to be put on a charge. Obviously, this comes from the time when charges to cannon and grenades had a fuse, which was lit. Hence the term.
Craig pittman:
April 21st, 2016 at 8:55 pm
George Mcdonald Fraser in The Pyrates refers to”putting someone on the fizzer” for dereliction of duty in British navy. Page 381. Military discipline
Steve Watts:
March 28th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Fizzer, means to be put on a charge ?
Gerry Sheldon:
April 14th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
I can’t help wondering whether “fizzer” might have referenced “physical” activities which of course could applied to marching or any other related exercises designed to strengthen soldiers or improve their stamina. The parade ground would be a major venue for this sort of activity.