Indicates that the smoking tobacco is
permissible and encouraged.
Originated in mid-20th century wartime. Commonly used during small gatherings of
allied troops. Tobacco was a rationed
commodity, at the time, and was generally in short supply.
The term was later popularized in Hollywood war movies.
The commanding officer would typically use the term when opening a meeting in order to get the troops' attention and to relax them (
assuming, of course, that they 'had
em').
"It's getting
rough out there. We've got to review strategy. Smoke 'em if you got 'em. We've got some tough decisions to make...."