Have you ever wanted to play Call of Duty in real life? Airsoft might just be what you need. Airsoft is a hobby and sport that utilizes replica firearms that typically shoot 6mm plastic BBs at a low velocity with the intention of shooting at other players while wearing proper safety equipment. Airsoft has its origins in post-war Japan when the new government had banned the ownership of firearms to most individuals, thus a market for replicas like cap guns and BB guns sprang up. Airsoft has multiple play styles, events, and field types and is played on an international level in the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Chile, Peru, Poland, Finland, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, and Spain, just to name a few. It is a hobby enjoyed by all ages. Along with the sport, airsoft has its own style of language and vocabulary that are specific to it.

Like any community, airsoft has multiple varieties or sub-genres within the greater community. Most players go to their local field where games have objectives that both teams work towards. These games are monitored by a referee who picks the teams for balance, monitors the game’s progress, and enforces rules when needed.

Airsoft also features Milsim, which is the largest of the sub-genres. Milsim is a realistic military-style method of play that incorporates realistic kits (uniforms) and tactics. Milsim also features events hosted by private companies that simulate realistic combat outside of the regular play style, such as Milsim West or Operation Lion Claws. The second largest sub-genre would be speedsofting. “Speedsofting” or being a “speedsofter” is a method of playing airsoft that implies that the player prioritizes speed and efficiency above everything else. A speedsofter utilizes lightweight gear and comfortable clothing like a hoodie. Their guns are usually heavily modified and are built with extreme precision and rate of fire in mind.

Because airsoft is a community that spans continents, there needs to be a way of intercommunication between members. There are two major ways airsofters communicate with each other: in local fields in person and via the internet. At a field, players may discuss their gear, new guns/parts coming out from manufacturers, and game modes that they want to play. Game days allow players to buy, sell, and trade from each other as well as fix each other’s equipment. However, if you have a question, someone might not have an answer for you in the field; this is where the airsoft subreddit (r/airsoft) and local discord servers come in. Someone may have a technical question that they either haven’t found an answer to or are embarrassed to ask in person. Airsoft Discord servers are usually based around local players and technicians.

These Discords are more social than the subreddit and often discuss similar things one would see in a field. People discuss trades they want to make, share memes, organize game days if there isn’t a schedule, and give technical advice.

Airsofters have places where they communicate, but what words do they use? Believe it or not, there are words and phrases that are specific to airsoft, many of which are inspired by the military community. Airsoft’s lexicon is mainly made up of acronyms, the names of parts, and military/tactical terms. Some of the words airsofters use, like Milsim and speedsofters, are specific to the airsoft community, but the word rental has a special connotation to it. “Rental” in airsoft refers to someone new to a field who is either renting out or borrowing a gun and gear. Naturally, these people are inexperienced and lack the skills and knowledge to play the sport. Sometimes, “rental” is used as a derogatory term and an insult among members.

Besides words, acronyms are heavily used to name things. Acronyms like AEG (automatic electric gun), GBB/GBBR (gas blowback rifle), CQB (close quarters battle), TACSOP (Tactical Standing Operating Procedure), and FPS (Feet per second). More niche words and acronyms are related to brands and parts, such as GHK, AAP, LCT, Cyma, Krytac, Ares, Hop-up, Teemo, and many more. For example, speedsofters prefer HPA (High Pressure Air) systems for the better performance compared to other options.

The airsofter’s lexicon lacks words or language with pathos, the only notable example of pathos being used is the word “rental.” Most words in the airsoft community are more logos- and ethos-orientated. Their purpose is purely to convey information with as little ambiguity as possible. During a game, confusion among your teammates is how you lose; however, when your words are understandable, you will likely win. This is where exigence and kairos come in. During a game, timing and speed are everything, and coordinating with others will make a player far more effective. Airsoft shares tactical style language with military and SWAT units, and although the scenarios are different, they are carried out in similar manners. Someone in a game might hear players yell, “They’re pushing hard, right!” and “Frag, then breach and clear!” Phrases like these are heavily used by airsofters and real combatants in the heat of battle. However, there is no sentence more synonymous with the airsoft community than “Dude, call your hits!” Unlike paintball or real life, being shot in an airsoft game requires honesty and integrity from players; sometimes, players lack those characteristics. There is nothing airsofters hate more than someone who doesn’t call their “hits” or admits to being killed. Many YouTube videos have graced the internet with the premise of people getting mad at a cheater.

The hobby and sport of airsoft has developed its own unique language and vocabulary since the first airsoft gun was invented in 1980s Japan. Players have created words and methods of communication that tightly fit this niche hobby, with dialogue that has evolved congruently with airsoft as it has changed. It is a sport where you can find language like nowhere else in an ever-changing community. I encourage everyone interested to go to their local field, rent some gear, and have a good time. Because if you don’t, you’re going to be missing out.