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SAS bans nicknames such as 'Doris', 'Ruperts' and 'Crabs' as they can be offensive

The badge of the Special Air Service - PA/PA
The badge of the Special Air Service - PA/PA

Members of the SAS have been told to stop referring to colleagues as "Ruperts" and "Doris" because it can cause offence.

Female soldiers will no longer be allowed to be called Doris, while calling officers Ruperts and referring to the RAF as "crabs", which is thought to have originated from their uniform being likened to the colour of an ointment used to cure pubic lice, will also be banned.

According to The Mirror, the ruling was made after an Intelligence Corps soldier complained about the nickname Green Slime, in reference to the Corps’ beret colour.

The soldier said he felt “humiliated” after he was asked if there was “anything from green slime?” at a briefing.

'Playful name-calling'

An insider told The Mirror: “The SAS thrives on banter as they have to do a lot of nasty stuff and it’s their way of dealing with it.

“They rely heavily on supporting units and although they use nicknames when dealing with them, it doesn’t mean there is no respect. It goes both ways. We could end up at war with Russia. Most soldiers have more to worry about than playful name-calling.”

It comes after SAS officers were banned from calling the SBS the "Shaky Boats Service".

The MoD does not comment on the special forces.