- Means Message received and understood.
- Often implies agreement or compliance, similar to Okay or I understand.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from military and aviation radio communication protocols.
- In the voice communication alphabets used (like the NATO phonetic alphabet precursor), Roger was the word for the letter R.
- R stood for Received.
- So, Roger literally meant Received (your message). Roger that emphasizes reception of the specific message just sent.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Gotcha.
- 10-4 (From CB radio code, means 'message received/understood', somewhat dated/specific context)
- Word. (Can mean 'understood' in some contexts)
Vulgar/Emphatic (Rare for this specific meaning, more for agreement):
- Not typically used. Fuck yeah implies enthusiastic agreement, not just understanding.
Milder/Standard/Formal:
- Understood.
- Acknowledged.
- Noted.
- Message received.
- Affirmative.
Situational Appropriateness
- Originally formal within specific contexts (military, aviation, emergency services).
- Used informally or semi-formally in everyday conversation, often slightly playfully or to sound efficient/decisive.
- Can sound a bit affected or overly formal/jargony if used too seriously in a very casual setting where Okay or Got it would suffice.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Less likely to be misunderstood in meaning (understood), but learners might overuse it or use it in inappropriate social contexts where it sounds odd or overly formal/jargony.
- They might not realize its specific origin in radio communication.
Examples
- Pilot: Control Tower, request permission to land. Tower: Roger that, cleared for landing on runway 3.
- (In a work context, jokingly or for clarity) Okay team, deadline is Friday 5 PM sharp. Roger that, boss.
- (Walkie-talkie use) We've secured the perimeter. Roger that. Hold your position.
Dialogue
Scenario 1 (Semi-Formal Work):
Supervisor: Make sure the safety checks are done before you start the machine.
Technician: Roger that. Safety checks first.
Scenario 2 (Casual Friends):
Friend 1 (Text): Meet at the usual spot, 8 PM?
Friend 2 (Text): Roger that. See you there.
Social Media Examples
- Response in a group project chat to instructions: Roger that, will update the document now.
- Gamer communication: Player 1: Enemy spotted, sector C. Player 2: Roger that, moving to cover.
- Playful tweet: Reminder to self: Drink more water. Roger that. #Hydration
Response Patterns
- In formal radio comms, might be followed by the next instruction or information.
- In casual use, usually doesn't require a specific response; it signals the end of that particular exchange. The person who sent the original message knows it was understood.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- The person saying Roger that often proceeds with the implied action or understanding.
- The person who sent the message might continue with the next part of the conversation or instruction, knowing the previous part was understood.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's strictly a response confirming receipt and understanding of a message or instruction.
Intonation
- Typically clear and concise.
- Often delivered with a neutral, slightly clipped tone, reflecting its origin in efficient communication. RO-ger that.
- Can be said more casually or humorously depending on context.
Generation Differences
- Widely recognized due to portrayal in movies/TV.
- Might be used more naturally by those with military/aviation backgrounds or by older generations familiar with those portrayals.
- Younger generations might use it ironically or playfully.
Regional Variations
- Universal in English due to its origins in international communication protocols and media portrayals.