GI Generation

What is the GI Generation?

People born between 1901 and 1927

GI Generation is the name given to people born at the start of the 20th century (roughly 1901) to the late 1920s (approximately 1927). The generation got its name from "GI" (which stands for "government issue" or "ground infantry"), which refers to American soldiers in World War II (an event that broadly defined the generation).

The GI Generation primarily relates to Americans but may also stretch to other countries in the Western world, such as Canada and England. Significant conflicts, including World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II, largely shaped the generation. Because of these hardships they experienced and emerged victorious over, people also sentimentally refer to the GI Generation as "The Greatest Generation" (popularized by Tom Brokaw's 1998 book of the same name).

In addition to these challenges, the generation also experienced new technologies (cars, telephones, radio), the rise of Hollywood, and music genres (jazz, gospel, folk, blues, etc.). They are parents to the Baby Boomer generation (boomers), moved to the suburbs, and are typically grandparents to Gen Xers and millennials.

Example

My grandpa was from the GI Generation and fought in Germany during the world war
Which one?
The second. He was too young for the first. I forgot that they experienced two world wars. Yikes

Members of the GI Generation marching during World War II

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Updated March 22, 2023

GI Generation definition by Slang.net

This page explains what the slang term "GI Generation" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

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