bird colonel

American  

noun

U.S. Military Slang.

1. chicken colonel.

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bird colonel British  

noun

1. slang:military a full colonel in the US Army

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Etymology

Origin of bird colonel

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“I’ve got to win some medals if I’m going to make bird colonel. This could make or break my career.”

From Literature

I made bird colonel 6 years early, and I feel I earned my keep by making our spy satellites more effective.

From New York Times

He said the next step, he hopes, will be full bird colonel.

From Washington Times

Bird Colonel drops in class after being off almost a year.

From Seattle Times

A bird colonel at 30, he became the youngest major general in the Army in 1956.

From Time Magazine Archive