What does the exclamation "Box 6" mean?

[WIGGUM]

My dad and I were talking tonight about my Great Grandfather (1900-1980) and how he always used to exclaim “Box 6”. I can’t even tell you what instances he used it in, but he said it all the time, and nobody ever asked him what it meant. So what the heck does it mean? I know this isn’t much to go on, but we think it might have something to do with the railroad. Any guesses?

[aahala]

I would be interested in knowing what box 6 means. Two or three generations back, many of my folks worked for railroads, but I never remember hearing the expression.

Is it possible he was saying “mox nix”. The spelling may not be correct, but it’s a German term I believe, that while I was in the military was used a lot. It means something of little importance, no difference, don’t bother, etc.

The expression is sometimes used like one I bet you have never heard, “let it go Galliger.” Meaning it may not be quite right, but don’t worry about finishing or correcting it.

[Early_Out]

@aahala

Is it possible he was saying “mox nix”. The spelling may not be correct, but it’s a German term I believe, that while I was in the military was used a lot. It means something of little importance, no difference, don’t bother, etc.

Machs nichts. For an English speaker, “mox nix” is about how it comes out. Your translation is roughly correct, too - doesn’t matter, means nothing, makes no difference…

[Ms2001]

@aahala

Is it possible he was saying “mox nix”. The spelling may not be correct, but it’s a German term I believe, that while I was in the military was used a lot. It means something of little importance, no difference, don’t bother, etc.

I believe that’s macht nichts - literally “(it) does/makes nothing”.

As for “box 6”… the first thing that comes to mind is firing missiles. IIRC, the pilots in Independence Day exclaim “box 1!” as they fire their first missile at the alien mothership.

[Sternvogel]

@aahala

Is it possible he was saying “mox nix”. The spelling may not be correct, but it’s a German term I believe, that while I was in the military was used a lot. It means something of little importance, no difference, don’t bother, etc.

From this page:

When my father was stationed in Germany in the early 60’s, soldiers were issued with books - actually with all the illustrations they were almost comic books - with common German phrases for every day situations. The words were spelled the way they sounded, however. The German word for “nothing”, “nichts” was spelled “nix”. “machts nichts”, literally “it matters nothing” became “mox nix.”

Perhaps WIGGUM’s great-grandfather altered “machts nichts” to “Box 6” out of either misunderstanding or a process analogous to Cockney rhyming slang.

[Dahnlor]

@Early Out

Machs nichts. For an English speaker, “mox nix” is about how it comes out. Your translation is roughly correct, too - doesn’t matter, means nothing, makes no difference…

It would be a handy phrase to know if you’re fighting Germans. If you want them to surrender, tell them to Mach nichts!

I could see how it could evolve into English-speaking military slang.
D

[Ravenman]

@Mr2001

IIRC, the pilots in Independence Day exclaim “box 1!” as they fire their first missile at the alien mothership.

That should be “Fox 1.”