Gung-Holier Than Thou

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    "It's your gung-holier-than-thou attitude."
    —Trapper John to Col. Flagg, M*A*S*H

    Any military setting is bound to have at least one person who is : a Neidermeyer with little, if any, authority. Typically a non-commissioned officer who likely sleeps with a copy of their force's code of conduct under their pillow. Given their relative lack of authority, anyone who is is merely an annoyance. A temporary annoyance if only visiting, like Col. Flagg. A Gung Holier Than Thou can become too much of an annoyance and end up Reassigned to Antarctica.

    A subtrope of the Rules Lawyer.

    Examples of Gung-Holier Than Thou include:

    Film

    "That is humor. I recognize that. I also recognize your brand of soldier."

    "I have two books at my bedside, Lieutenant. The Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I am aware of are my commanding officer Colonel Nathan R. Jessup and the Lord our God."


    Live Action TV

    • Col. Sam Flagg in M*A*S*H, as mentioned.
      • Majors Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan were this as well (although Houlihan relaxed later in the series).
    • Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf.
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