flyboy

American  

[flahy-boi] / ˈflaɪˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. Printing. fly.

2. Slang.

   1. a member of an aircrew, especially a pilot.

   2. any member of the U.S. Air Force.

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Etymology

Origin of flyboy

First recorded in 1835–45; fly ² + boy

Example Sentences

In this sequel to the 1986 blockbuster, Cruise reprises his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, now a hotshot former Navy flyboy called back to teach young fighter pilots.

From Washington Post • May 5, 2022

At KAF, Gen. Faqeer, a burly, clean-shaven Afghan flyboy with the strut to match, spoke glowingly of his A-29, a single propeller warplane equipped to drop guided bombs and the pilots under his command.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2021

But out on the green, where teammates rely on him for advice on the best putting angle, everyone knows the old flyboy still has game.

From Washington Times • Dec. 28, 2019

The flight scenes have an exhilarating majesty to them that, now and then, evokes the flyboy epics that inspired “Star Wars.”

From The New Yorker • May 18, 2019

“I told you to be careful, flyboy, not to start a war.”

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia