Are you looking for a way to confirm receipt of orders from your boss or parents? You could follow their request with the response, “Roger that,” to let them know you’re on top of their appeal. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression “Roger that” is a confirmation statement used to relay your reply to a message received by an authority figure. It’s a way of telling someone that you understand their instructions and plan to execute them.
“Roger that” means that you’re communicating with someone through official channels and you receive their message. The phrase is less common in military slang due to replacing “Roger” with “Romeo” in the phonetic alphabet.
Example Usage
“Roger that, confirmed for landing on runway four. Keep the airspeed low and no flybys this time, Maverick. We don’t need that here.”
“Roger that, honey. I’ll remember to take the trash to the corner before I go to bed, I promise.”
“Roger that, we’ll all rendezvous by the old factory at 15h00. Make sure no one is late, or we’ll start searching for you.”
“Roger, that boss. I’ll have that report ready for you on Monday. Everything is on track, and we’ll be ready to go.”
“Roger that sis, I hear you. We’ll make sure we make the wedding on time, don’t worry about it.”
“I get you, Roger that. We know you need it in the next two hours, and our delivery guy is around the block. It should be with you soon.”
“Roger that. We hear you loud and clear. Avoid the peak at this time of the day. Summitting can be dangerous in this weather.”
“Roger that, we’re ready for rescue. We see the Coast Guard chopper inbound to our location, and we’re ready for pick up.”
Origin
The expression “Roger” originates from US radio communications during the early 1940s. The US military adopted the phonetic alphabet in 1941, with “Roger” representing the letter “R.” In the case of “Roger that,” the “R” in the expression stands for message “received.”
Military service people started adopting the term “Roger that” shortly after introducing the phonetic alphabet, and it was in use well for the end of WWII. If servicepeople received a message or instruction, they would respond with “Roger that” to confirm receipt of the orders.
The military also adopted the saying “Roger Wilco,” meaning the same thing as “Roger that.” The slang term would eventually shorten to “wilco,” to confirm receipt of orders from their command. The expression “Roger that” entered the mainstream language during the 1960s.
The start of the NASA-led “Apollo” space program caught the publics' attention in the international space race. However, modern radio code replaced “Roger” for “Romeo” in the phonetic alphabet. Some people think that “Roger” is an acronym for the phrase “Received Order Given, Expect Results.”
Phrases Similar to Roger That
- Sure thing.
- No problem.
Phrases Opposite to Roger That
- I beg your pardon.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Roger that.
Ways People May Say Roger That Incorrectly
The phrase has nothing to do with the name “Roger.” It’s a way of confirming that you understand another person’s request or instruction. You can use it with people of any name, and it doesn’t reference what a person named Roger is doing.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Roger That
You can use “Roger that” as a confirmation statement when someone gives you an instruction or order. It’s a way of boosting their confidence in you by giving them a confident response to what they are asking from you. The phrase suits social and professional use.
Use it at the office when your boss asks you to prepare the financial statements for review. Use it at home when your partner tells you to remember to take the trash out before going to bed. “Roger that” is another way of saying “sure thing” or “no problem.”