U.S.O.—The United Service Organizations provide entertainment and recreation for the armed forces. During World War II, they sponsored numerous appearances of celebrities to entertain the troops.
flak—the fire from antiaircraft guns.
Où sont les Neigedens d’antan—The well-known phrase, from the French poet François Villon (1431–1463) actually is, où sont les neiges d’antan (“where are the snows of yesteryear”). Yossarian alters the fourth word to match his pun on the plural “Snowdens.”
Parlez en anglais . . . Je ne parle pas français—“Speak English . . . I don’t speak French.”
unctuous—oily or greasy; characterized by a smug, smooth pretense.
