Klick (sometimes spelled click, but that may also mean one second of arc) is a common military term meaning kilometre (or sometimes kilometres per hour). Its use became popular among soldiers in Vietnam during the 1960s, although veterans of the war recall its usage as early as the 1950s. Its origin is sometimes linked with the Australian Army in Korea.

The term is of unknown origin. It is most likely an example of condensed pronunciation or contraction of the term kilometre or possibly onomatopoetic of the sound of a military compass' bezel ring, although other theories exist.

The term is currently also used by civilians, particularly in Canada where road signs and car speedometers use kilometres.

External links

• Alternative Theory
• Concise Definition

Military slang and jargon | Units of length

Klick