Meaning of Smokey Bear | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A fictional bear dressed as a ranger who acts as a symbol of forest fire prevention, with the slogan "Only you can prevent forest fires."
2. A policeman, especially a highway patrol officer.
3. A ranger or park service employee that deals with the public.
4. A firefighter.
5. A campaign hat.
6. An aircraft used to drop defoliants in the Vietnam War.
   slang

Examples

“To protect themselves from the lurking police cruisers ("smokey bears"), truckers ("18-wheelers") purchased CB units in large numbers.”

“Just a mention of the man's name conjures up visions of 18 wheelers, diesel smoke belching from stacks, smokey bears, CB radio and its almost unintelligible jargon and the endless ribbon of interstate highways that seemingly go on forever.”

“Well, we gotta get to Big Bear Mountain before those smokey bears close off the entrance to the mountains.”

“1994 marks the 50th anniversary of Smokey Bear, the world renowned symbol of forest fire prevention.”

“Bambi was released in 1942, and two years later the Smokey Bear campaign to reduce forest fires began.”

“Smokey Bear is a perfect example of how an advertising campaign can impact the public's perception of fire.”

“There are laws on the books now, and the Smokey Bears Afloat are enforcing them.”

“Stan allowed as how last month that the driver, Joe Bob, had "punched out a Smokey Bear in that county and so for the next month or so we need to route him around DeKalb county as the Smokey Bears were still a-swarmin and looking for him."”

“We were moving along at a fast clip, when Henson yelled, "Slow down, I see some blue lights flashing. Smokey Bear has got somebody!"”

“The Forest Service PR campaign now in high gear. Smokey Bears all over the place, giving talks to Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber, Junior Chamber, Legion, hunters, fishermen, Grange, […]”

“Apparently a fellow running a trapline accidentally caught a marten, which is still a protected species though slowly increasing in numbers. The marten was turned over to the Smokey Bears so that, at least, it could be stuffed and displayed in the Voyageurs Park museum.”

“God damn stupid fucking green-and-gray Smokey Bears. Rangers. Telling John Q. Public not to litter and to be sure and hold hands with your buddy on the scary paths.”

“Having fought many fires in the States, I sure didn't envy future Smokey Bears in that terrain.”

“Well, it turns out the Smokey Bears were right after all. What appeared to be a disaster has turned out to be not only a boon to the land but a boost to tourism, because the dramatic traces of fire added to its natural beauty.”

“"Hi, boys!" Amber squeals to the other firemen, saving me. All the Smokey Bears hoot hello.”

“There were two of them— a man and a woman wearing neat Smokey Bears.”

“They swaggered around in their Smokey Bears, as if a felt hat would intimidate a short-fused grenade.”

“He stood with feet splayed, fists resting on his hips as he stared at us from beneath the brim of his Smokey Bear.”

“A few minutes later, I saw two old gunnery sergeants sashaying towards us, wearing shooting jackets and campaign hats! As soon as I saw these Smokey Bears bobbing over to us, I figured this could be some show.”

“No Smokey Bears: You can't shoot something you can't see. The Air Force in Viet Nam has special teams that blast away tree leaves and other shrubbery beside canals that offer hiding places for the Viet Cong. The motto of these defoliation teams: "Only you can prevent forests."”

“Aircraft used to spread Agent Orange and other defoliants were known as Smokey Bears.”

CEFR level