Oly Oly Oxen Free

Oly Oly Oxen Free is a six note, seven beat tone used as an all clear code by the Spartan-IIs. They learned it from Deja on Reach when they were younger and have used it ever since.

Psychology
Oly Oly Oxen Free was a secret amongst the Spartans; none but they and a select few outsiders knew it. Those outsiders were close to the Spartan's family; such as Dr. Catherine Halsey, Cortana, Sergeant Johnson and Chief Petty Officer Mendez. Thus, the signal was extremely important to each Spartan; they would rather die than give up the significance of the tone, which could potentially be used to betray or endanger their teammates. They learned this tune/code from their AI instructor, Deja, while they were training on Reach.

Uses
The term Oly Oly Oxen Free was used on numerous occasions throughout Halo: First Strike. Some of the times it was used are as follows:


 * After the Spartan Team had beaten Tango Company and John-117 had checked to make sure their evacuation point was all clear.
 * After the Battle of Reach, Anton-044 used it as an S.O.S. signal over the E-Band.
 * For the Spartans to enter CASTLE Base, Kelly-087 used it to let Dr. Halsey know it was them.
 * During Operation: FIRST STRIKE, Linda-058 used it to let John know where she was so he could pick her up.
 * At the end of Operation: FIRST STRIKE, Sergeant Johnson used it to let Blue team know where the Gettysburg was holding station behind a nearby moon.
 * When the rest of Blue Team, minus John-117 arrives on Onyx, Kelly whispers it over the COM, except she whispers "Olly Olly Oxen Free" with two L's.

Non-Canon Use
Marines use it on the level "The Ark" when firing on the first Covenant encampment, but only if the IWHBYD Skull is activated.

Trivia

 * Dana Awbrey alludes to this phrase by titling a blog post "Olly Olly Axon Free".
 * Oly Oly Oxen Free was originally used to tell players in a game of hide and seek that the game was over and they could come out of hiding.
 * Sometimes in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, if you shoot an enemy and then hide, they will say "Oly oly oxen free! Come out, come out wherever you are!".

Related Links

 * Spartan Language

Oly Oly Oxen Free