Slogans and Terms Derived From The September 11 Attacks - Various Terms and Catchphrases

Various Terms and Catchphrases

Nine-eleven or 9/11

in the US date notation for September 11. The practice of referring to ominous dates through this shorthand has continued, for example, with 7/7 for the 2005 London bombings.

Pre 9/11 and Post 9/11

Terms used to describe the period of time and the state of the world before and after the attack, regarding 9/11 as an epoch. They are often used to denote foreign policy and domestic security measures as they existed before or after the attacks.

Ground Zero

Ground zero is generic term for the point on the Earth's surface closest to a detonation. Capitalized, it is shorthand for the World Trade Center site; used for example in "Ground Zero mosque" a pejorative for the Cordoba House or Park51 Islamic center.

The Bathtub

the excavated foundations of the World Trade Center. Although not a new term, it gained prominence during rescue, cleanup and ongoing reconstruction efforts.

The Pile

the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center.

Jumper

A jumper is someone who commits suicide by jumping from a height. It is unclear which of the "jumpers" seen falling from the WTC had jumped and which fell while trying to climb to safety. The medical examiner's office ruled homicide for all bodies, unable to distinguish jumpers from those who died inside the towers. "The Falling Man" is an iconic photograph of a jumper.

"Let's roll"

reported to have been uttered by Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer shortly before he and fellow passengers apparently rushed the cockpit.

FPCON Delta

the highest state of terrorist alert issued by the U.S. Armed Forces