1. Slang for "quick tempered".

2. One of the original 1982 set of G.I. Joe 3 3/4" action figures. He came with a nifty mortar and a mortar stand. A nearly identical figure, now promoted to E5 and spelled "Short-Fuse", came with the 1997 Stars and Stripes Forever boxed set. In addition to the mortar, the 1997 figure came with a bazooka as well.

1982 filecard:

MORTAR SOLDIER

Code Name: SHORT-FUZE

File Name: Freistadt, Eric W. SN: RA380225432
Primary Military Specialty: Artillery
Secondary Military Specialty: Infantry Engineer Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois Grade: E-4
Short-fuze comes from military family (Father and Grandfather both career Top Sergeants). Enjoys abstract mathematics and can plot artillery azinmuths and triangulations in his head. Specialized Education: Artillery School; Engineer School; Advanced Infantry Training. Qualified Expert: M-14;M-16;M-1911A1;M-79 (Grenade Launcher);M-2 (60mm Light Mortar);M-1 (81mm Medium Mortar).
"Short-Fuze is logical and sensitive. Has a tendency to blow his stack – hence the nick-name…Short-Fuze."

Comic book appearances:
* G.I. JOE: #1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 17, 19, 22, 25, 30, 35, 49, 50, 74, 75
* G.I. JOE: Order of Battle: #2

Filecards and information from http://www.yojoe.com