wizzo

• Wizzo

From the colloquial pronunciation of WSO (“weapon systems officer”).

wizzo (plural wizzos)

1. (aviation, slang) A weapon systems officer.
   • 1993, Andy Evans, Backseat Flyers: Navigation and Weaponry in the Modern Airplane, London: Arms and Armour Press, →ISBN, page 72:

     These comments on the latest generation of High-Tech-Attack aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, come front Captain Mark 'Bones' Wetzel, a senior Wizzo and a Flight Commander with the 334FW, the 'Fighting Eagles', part of the recently formed 4th Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina.

   • 2013, F. P. Dorchak, Ero: A Novel, Wailing Loon, →ISBN, page 6:

     But his vision had been good enough for the Backseater role, the Navigator, EWO, or Wizzo. As an Electronics Warfare Officer or Weapons Systems Officer he could still fly Gets or heavies), whatever his role finally ended up being upon graduation.

   • 2013, David Lyons, Blood Game: A Jock Boucher Thriller, New York, N.Y. : Emily Bestler Books, →ISBN, page 8:

     The pilot explained the function and purpose of the screens and monitors and impressive equipment that were the responsibility of weapons systems officers, or "wizzos," as they were called.

   • 2018, S. E. Soldwedel, Disintegration, Oakland, C.A.: Inkshares, Inc., →ISBN, page 327:

     "I wont put anyone else at risk," Gardiner promised. "Besides, Ray's got the stick, I'm just sitting wizzo."

From Proto-West Germanic *witō.

wizzo m

1. wise man

1. Köbler, Gerhard, Althochdeutsches Wörterbuch, (6. Auflage) 2014