Why Do Pilots Use The Term “Roger” Instead Of “Yes”?

One of the most iconic aviation terms that has also become a household word is “Roger.” The word comes from early radio transmissions and the US Army Signal Corps just before the outbreak of WWI. The word persisted through the interwar period and was also adopted by the US Navy. The word rose to fame in WWII and the many subsequent movies about air battles of the conflict. As the British and US deepened their cooperation with each other during WWII, the word was soon adopted by the RAF.