zero fighter

English

Etymology

From zero +‎ fighter.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈzɪəɹəʊ faɪ.tə(ɹ)/

Noun

zero fighter (plural zero fighters)

1. (Singapore, usually military) A person who is unable to perform a single pull-up or chin-up.
   • 2004 October 30, “Help on Pull up!!!”, in SgForums‎ (site), retrieved 18 October 2017:

     I was a zero fighter too before November last year. My dad installed a doorway bar and every time I did lots and lots of assisted pull-ups. A week later, I could pull one and could reach 4 by the end of the year.

   • 2010 January 10, Sithu, “Chin up: How to increase your chin up reps?”, in NS'S DIGEST‎ (blog), retrieved 18 October 2017:

     I used to be a zero fighter, which meant my chin-ups count was a mere zero – I couldn’t lift up my 72kg body up the bar when I first enlisted.

   • 2010 November 2, “The Complete Chin-Up Guide”, in Men's Health, Singapore‎ (site), archived from the original on 15 June 2017:

     Whether you are a zero fighter (you cannot do a single chin-up) or someone who can do enough to meet the IPPT gold standard, you will find a chin-up style suited to your current level of fitness.

   • 2013, “NDP 2013 - Singapore My Story Competition Submission”, in Singapore Memory Project, Singapore‎ (blog), retrieved 18 October 2017:

     Being physically not so fit since young, I struggled myself during my Basic Military Training time, without being able to pass my IPPT or SOC. I was a zero-fighter for chin-up during IPPT (i.e. I couldn’t do any).

   • 2014 June 18, “Over- or Underhand: The Best Way To Clear The Pull-up Station”, in Men's Health, Singapore‎ (site), archived from the original on 3 October 2017:

     If you’re a ‘zero-fighter’, the underhand grip makes it easier for you to earn your first rep.

   • 2015 August 4, Joan Chew, The Straits Times‎, Singapore, retrieved 18 October 2017:

     I stared in awe as my army mates did 20 pull-ups at one go. I decided that I had to work on my fitness again. The memory of being mocked as a "zero fighter" still haunts me and motivates me to push the limit.

Usage notes

Commonly used by soldiers in the Singapore military. Can be found being used in local news sites, blogs, forums and fitness websites. Low frequency of usage among the general public.