ecovlke's Diaryland
Diary
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World War I Slang
World War I Slang WORLD WAR I SLANG DICTIONARY ALLEYMAN-
British for a German (from the French Allemand, meaning German) AMMOS-
standard issue boots ANTONIO-
Portuguese soldier ARCHIE-
anti-aircraft fire BANJO-
Aussie for shovel BARKER-
sausage (thinking they were made of dog meat) also referred to a pistol. BOKO-
a lot (from the French beaucoup) BOMBS-
hand grenades BONK-
to
shell with artillery fire BONZER-
good, cool BUNG-
cheese BURGOO-
porridge BUZZER-
field telephone C.B.-
British military decoration for the higher ranks: Companion of the Bath CHIT-
written message CHUB-
Shut up! CONCHIE-
conscientious objector CRUMP-
shell-burst DIGGER-
ANZAC (Australian/New Zealand soldiers) DIXIE-
food container DONS-
university professors and tutors DUCK BOARD-
the boards used to line the bottom of trenches EGG-
hand grenade (or bomb) EMMA GEE-
machine gun (phonetic) ERSATZ-
German reserves FAG-
cigarette FLEABAG-
sleeping bag/bedroll (often referring to that of an officer) FRITZ-
a German FURPHIE-
Aussie for rumour GAFFS-
amateur entertainments HEINIE-
a German HOP THE BAGS-
going over the top HOUSEWIFE-
mending kit IGAREE-
Aussie for "hurry up!" (alternate spelling: Iggry) KNACKER-
animal slaughter, butcher KITCH-
Aussie term for British soldiers (from British Secretary of War Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Earl Kitchner of Khartoum) LUCIFER-
lighter MACONOCHIE-
canned stew NAPOO-
done, used up PHUTT-
to stop functioning P&O-
Peninsular & Orient, shipping line connecting Britain and india PIONEERS-
military road-makers, engineers, etc. POSSIE-
Aussie for position. As in "we"ve got a good possie here" POSSY-
Jam. Not to be confused with "possie" PROVO-
military police RAGTIME-
disorderly/absurd R.A.M.C.-
Royal Army Medical Corps ROOTI-
bread ROSALIE-
French for bayonet SAMMY-
early name for American soldiers SAN FAIRY ANN-
British term of resignation - "it just doesn't matter" (from the French Ca ne fait rien) SAUSAGE-
observation balloon SKILLY-
gruel SKITE-
bragging, braggart, contemptible person SPANNERS-
wrenches STONE-
fourteen pounds STUMER CHECKS-
worthless checks STUNT-
an attack or raid TOC EMMA-
trench mortar (phonetic) TORCH-
flashlight UNCLE CHARLIE-
full marching orders V.C.-
Victoria Cross, highest British award for bravery WIND UP, HAVING THE; WINDY-
being extraordinarily frightened YPERITE-
mustard gas
11:35 a.m. - 2003-09-01
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