{"id":4559,"date":"2022-06-28T17:42:43","date_gmt":"2022-06-28T17:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=4559"},"modified":"2022-06-28T17:42:56","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T17:42:56","slug":"bohica-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/bohica-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"BOHICA \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a word to describe getting worked over by the same thing twice? You could warm your colleagues or friends with the acronym \u201cBOHICA<\/em>\u201d when it\u2019s time to prepare for a repeat. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The acronym \u201cBOHICA<\/em>\u201d stands for \u201cBend over! Here it comes again!\u201d<\/em> It\u2019s a somewhat humorous statement and said in preparation for coming events. Typically, the events are a repeat of a previously experienced bad outcome. <\/strong><\/p>\n

For instance, your boss coming back to criticize the staff for the second day in a row would merit the use of BOHICA before he arrives for the ordeal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s common for people to equate \u201cbending over<\/em>\u201d with being punished unfairly by an authority, like a schoolteacher or boss. So, you could use it if you\u2019re in for another round of discipline from an authoritarian power. You'll use BOHICA to describe the act of preparing for the punishment to arrive.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s more common for people to use this saying in the workplace, as most kids won\u2019t know what it means, so they won\u2019t apply it to discipline from their parents.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cOh no. I just got off the phone with the boss, and he\u2019s coming over again in an hour. Bad news, he\u2019s more upset than yesterday, so BOHICA and expect for another ear beating this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better BOHICA because the boss is coming over to lay into you again. He found out you didn\u2019t lock up properly last night, and he\u2019s raging.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right boys, BOHICA, the enemy is sending another volley. Everybody brace for impact and look out for the person next to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBOHICA people. We\u2019re not through this yet. The next set of waves is going to be bigger than the last. Make sure you have your PFD fastened securely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on and BOHICA. We knew this thing wasn\u2019t over yet, so buckle up for it. We\u2019re in for a wild ride again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cBOHICA\u201d originates from the comedy magazine \u201cThe Log\u201d and a comic strip \u201cThe Bohica Brothers.\u201d The Log published this strip starting in 1970, and the word \u201cBohica\u201d had the same meaning as it does today as an acronym.<\/p>\n

Experts believe the saying originates from military slang, particularly from the Army and Navy. However, there is no written record of its first use in the military. Author Scott T. Barnes published his book \u201cBOHICA\u201d in 1987.<\/p>\n

His book describes the definition of BOHICA as \u201cBend Over, Here It Comes Again,\u201d describing it as a code word used in communications between the CIA and NSA.<\/p>\n

BOHICA appeared in the Urban Dictionary in 2003 with the definition of \u201cgetting screwed over by the same means twice.\u201d<\/p>\n