roger
- Informal. all right; O.K.
- message received and understood (a response to radio communications).
- (often initial capital letter) Jolly Roger.
- (formerly used in communications to represent the letter R.)
Origin of roger
Roger
- a male given name: from Germanic words meaning “fame” and “spear.”
Examples from the Web for roger
Contemporary Examples
On Friday, she sacked Roger Goodell, basically asking: “Hey Commissioner, ever hear of double-jeopardy?”
When Roger first heard what happened and saw the tape he was shocked, truly shocked, and outraged.
To this day, Bush media maven Roger Ailes adamantly denies that he or the campaign had any role in the Willie Horton mug shot ad.
A local radio personality named Roger Fredinburg remembers getting a call to see if he wanted to host a show at the new station.
The beloved Mr. Roger's premiered in 1968, opening a door to television that didn't speak down to children.
Historical Examples
M'Intosh and Roger Smith were then persuaded to go with a flag.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis MarionWilliam Dobein James
If you show talent, will see if I and Roger can settle about some little allowance.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
"After, not arter," said Mr. Roger Morton, taking the pipe from his mouth.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
"Spoke like yourself, Roger," said Mrs. Morton, with great animation.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Lieutenant Roger Fenton had a lump in his throat when he said good-bye to his boys.
The Comrade In WhiteW. H. Leathem
roger
- (used in signalling, telecommunications, etc) message receivedCompare wilco
- an expression of agreement
- slang (of a man) to copulate (with)
Word Origin
usage
Word Origin and History for roger
Roger
masc. proper name, from Old French Rogier, from Old High German Hrotger, literally "famous with the spear," from hruod- "fame, glory" + ger "spear" (see gar (n.)). As a generic name for "a person," attested from 1630s. Slang meaning "penis" was popular c.1650-c.1870; hence the slang verb sense of "to copulate with (a woman)," attested from 1711.
The use of the word in radio communication to mean "yes, I understand" is attested from 1941, from the U.S. military phonetic alphabet word for the letter -R-, in this case an abbreviation for "received." Said to have been used by the R.A.F. since 1938. The Jolly Roger pirate flag is first attested 1723, of unknown origin; jolly here has its otherwise obsolete Middle English sense "high-hearted, gallant." Roger de Coverley, once a favorite English country dance, is so called from 1685, in reference to Addison's character in the "Spectator." French roger-bontemps "jovial, carefree man," is attested there from 15c.