Why were American soldiers called GIs?

Why were US soldiers called GIs during World War II?

Okay, so why were American soldiers called GIs? It's kinda funny, actually.

GI stood for "Government Issue." Everything, like EVERYTHING, the army gave soldiers, from socks to shovels, had "GI" stamped on it. I think I saw that on, like, a documentary once, maybe Nat Geo?

So, pretty simple, right? At first, "GI" was about the stuff.

But then, somewhere along the line – I honestly don't recall precisely when – people started calling the soldiers themselves "GIs." Like, they were the Government Issue! A bit cheeky, innit?

My grandpa, he served in the Pacific, 1944-ish. He never liked being called a GI, come to think of it. Said it made him feel like just a piece of equipment, you know? I guess some things stick, though, 'cause even now, you still hear it sometimes, just not as often, clearly.

The term "GI" evolved from referring to military equipment labeled "Government Issue" to becoming a nickname for U.S. soldiers.