Yup, you're absolutely right.
However a lot of the correct terms are far too generic when it comes to talking about kit these days. Especially when you consider we have to consider several nationalities kit.
"Leggings" are one of the few that I definitely think can be used. Tommies have "Anklets". Does anyone have Gaiters?
The term M1 on it's own just applies to too much. "M1 rifle" may be okay though
"Cartridge belt" is way too generic for our use, as is "haversack" and "combat boots".
etc... etc...
Strangely "wool trousers" gives me no problems at all.
We do have to take into account that we are in effect collectors as well as re-enactors and there is certainly space for both sets of lingo. In an ideal world we could just step in and use the terms you mention. However we're not actually 1940s US G.I.s and there is a lot more to confuse matters so we can't really.
However when sticking to being in character we'd be best using the terms you give.
lol... You never know with this site!
did you know....... the designer of the m1 ( john garand) was canadian? true , honest.
Surely it wouldn't take much for C/O's and NCOs to start the ball rolling...
Do they have any??
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
LOL, I sort of agree with the sentiment Stamper. Many of us cover three of more nations so it gets a lot to remember and often clarity is better than accuracy.
Out of interest I had a look at Soldier of Fortune's web site (the well known purveyors of accurate accessories for the WW2 aficionado)
German DAK Gaiters
US tan canvas replica gaiters
British Original 1937 pattern gaiters
I rest my case!
My Foghorn Leghorn accent, on the other hand, is 100% accurate. 
Hi Stamper welcome!
Good points but as the guys have said using basic terms during the 1940,s would work as there was only US kit of that period available to a GI.
These days we need to talk specifics on the forum or we would have all sorts of kit turn up on the day.
It also tends to be hard to drop the modern specificness during a game day it's just what you get used to.
Free speech is expensive these days!
Yes i see your point - although Supermarket of fortune are just plain wrong!
and also don't sell size 2's (as far as I'm aware) so everyones forced to wears 3's or wellies, as i call them, (yes, 2's are out there) but now I'm straying into another forum topic
Which means you're a fully fleged CiA forum user. Without the ability to go off-topic your time here is limited.....
although Supermarket of fortune are just plain wrong!
Heh, sort of the point of me quoting them. 
Although if everyone buys 'gaitors' they are going to be called gaitors!
Although if everyone buys 'gaitors' they are going to be called gaitors!
Unless, of course, you get someone who's biblically thick and orders a pair of these.
And yes, I have been drinking!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Or even thicker and orders a pair of these.
There's a joke somewhere in here and the punchline in "Mock Crock".
Damn that seventh G+T for fuddling my brain so...
Yeah... I need some size 2 leggings. I was told that most people needed size 3 and since they were easily available (I have originals) I got some.
Now I know that I need size 2... I just can't find any!
Thanks Stamper, I think with me (especially as I wrore the kit guides for the US) I've used the incorrect terminology subconciously as I have linked most of the information to places like solider of fortune etc.
You're right though, perhaps it is worth getting rid of the colloqualisms or even pre-fixing them with the correct terminology.
I have size 4 leggings, and they fit on my legs snugly? does that mean I have tree-trunk legs? Damn my 15 years of football playing lol
I have size 4 leggings, and they fit on my legs snugly? does that mean I have tree-trunk legs? Damn my 15 years of football playing lol
Yes, you mutant...
My leggings are 3 L and they fit me snugly, apparently the body does not store donner kebab fat in the lower leg. 
when i tried 2nd div i had size 3 
but then they fell off once in a while.
CW, i think that theyre called gaiters by SoF because we use the 'british' grammar, the americans call them leggings, its the same with suspenders, over here thats a ladies underwear accesory( ), there the yoke ect.
Now a 'namsofter. I have an M72 L.A.W. for sale for 110 posted, PM if interested.
Well, sort of - yet SoF call suspenders errm, suspenders. 
Hehe, I know the intention of Stamper's post and he is right, it is sloppy talk but then you are right too 101, that's what we call 'em. I mean, we don't put on a US uniform and talk in an American accent. Headshot tried it once. 
Although I am partial to camp German accent when the mood takes me as well as chirpy Cockney and bristly toff officer! What, what?
Lol a quick scan down that list and I would get every single one of them wrong, even "kraut" which is a genuine surprise. I guess I'll just go to the bottom of the class.
However, note that those terms are only ever really used on the forum and not when "in character".
Certainly for myself, when in fancy dress and at a game, I can pretty much confirm that with the exception of "Kraut", I can't remember ever using any of those words in either column in an actual conversation.
So all I really need is to learn an alternative for "kraut", "sons-of-bitches" just doesn't trip off the tongue.