Three words are frequently showing up in social media discussions about US President Donald Trump’s controversial military parade, though at first glance, they may seem puzzling.

The phrase “Foxtrot Delta Tango” has been circulating online recently, leaving many Australians scratching their heads, as it’s a type of military-inspired jargon that has gained popularity in the US.

Here's what it means and why it's being used as a political statement.

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What does Foxtrot Delta Tango mean?

The expression “Foxtrot Delta Tango” is being used by individuals both in the US and internationally to convey the message “f— Donald Trump” without being overtly explicit.

Foxtrot, Delta and Tango are all code words in the NATO phonetic alphabet, used to communicate the letters of the Roman alphabet.

They represent the letters F, D and T respectively, so "Foxtrot Delta Tango" stands for FDT.

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Where did the phrase Foxtrot Delta Tango originate?

It is unclear where the phrase originated, as "Foxtrot Delta Tango" may have many other meanings outside expressing opposition to the US president.

Recently, it has circulated broadly on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), making its origins hard to pin down.

Is Foxtrot Delta Tango an official military term?

Though the NATO phonetic alphabet is widely used in the US and other militaries, Foxtrot Delta Tango isn't an official military term nor is it used exclusively by military personnel.

Military slang using phonetic codes isn't new and many such slang phrases have become common outside the military, such as "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot", which stands for WTF or "what the f—".

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Why is Foxtrot Delta Tango used as a political statement?

Opposition to Trump isn't new and people in the US and abroad have been making political statements against the commander-in-chief since before his first stint in the Oval Office.

The phrase Foxtrot Delta Tango may have seen increased use lately in response to Trump's involvement in and promotion of the US Army's 250th anniversary parade last Saturday.

The massive and controversial parade coincided with Trump's 79th birthday celebrations, a detail that drew criticism from some US military personnel.

At the same time, massive "No Kings" demonstrations were held across the US to protest the president and his military parade.

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