dead man—
1. an object buried in the ground and used as an anchorage:
- A deck hand was killed by being struck on the head by a “dead man.”
2. (sl.) an empty liquor bottle:
- I returned to my table and finished my drink. When the owner appeared again I asked if I could help remove the dead men.
dead soldier —(sl., also: dead marine)
1. = dead man 2:
- There weren’t any prints on that bottle. That dead soldier was as clean as a whistle.
Cf.: wounded soldier—(U.S. sl.) a partiallyfinished can or bottle of beer that can still be consumed:
- “I can’t find any more beer anywhere, Ted.” “Here, take this wounded soldier off me.”
2. a cigarette butt:
- He collected dead soldiers to use in building a whole smoke.