In one of the opening scenes of Dr. Strangelove general Turgidson says to colonel Puntridge on the phone:
You better give Elmo and Charlie a blast, and bump everything up to Condition Red and stand by the blower.
What does he actually mean by this sentence? Is Elmo the character from 'Sesame street'? Is he saying that the colonel should watch an episode of the show?
Please bear in mind that I am not American and never watched that show.