Glossary of Slang and Peculiar Terms in Use in the A.I.F.

Original Manuscript

1921-1924

This is a transcribed version of the second typescript of the Glossary, dated 1924. It retains all typographical errors and grammatical and other idiosyncrasies. It is occasionally misalphabetised. We hope to make available in the near future some scanned pages of both the first and second typescript versions of the Glossary.

This section contains a selection of AIF slangs Original Manuscript, their meanings, and their etymologies.

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A

ABDOMINAL.

Abbreviation of "Abdominal thud," or crash, which is a polite adaption of "Gutzer."

ACE

ACID.

See "put the acid on."

ACK I. FUF.

A.I.F. (Australian Imperial Force)

ABDUL.

Turkish Soldier, individually, and collectively. An Arabic proper name.

ACK.

Signalman's pronunciation of "A".

ACK. ACK. ACK.

Full stop. Three A's in a signal signifies the end of a sentence. Otherwise expressed as "three to a leaf," "three of a kind" etc. or "ackety ack."

AD-RIFT.

Absent without leave. Apparently derived from the inference that a soldier who is an illegal absentee is not under the control of the authorities.

ALF-A-MO.

"Wait a moment." Originally a request for the one spoken to, to pause for the convenience of the speaker. A small moustache, which was also frequently referred to as a cricket match (eleven a side)

ALLEY.

Go; "alley at the toot," go quickly. (Corruption of the French "Allez")

ALLYSLOPER'S CAVALRY

ANDEY MC NOON.

An unqualified idiot. From the Arabic "Inta machnoon" - a dammed [sic] fool.

ANNIE.

"Gentle Annie," - a big German Howitzer, which fired on Bailluel, during March & April, 1918. "Up in Annies Room," - facetious answer to questions as to the whereabouts of someone who cannot be found.

also Annie from Asia

ANTE UP.

To surrender an article that was "souvenired," to hand over, to settle an account.

ANTY.

Sugar - so called on account of the frequency with which ants found their way into the sugar receptacles.

ANZAC.

(1) Initial letters of Australian, New Zealand Army corps contracted.

(2) The area on the Gallipoli Peninsula occupied by the Anzac Corps.

(3) One who was on Anzac during the campaign.

(4) Used sarcastically in reference to Military Policemen. The Provost Corps was originally named "Anzac Provost Corps." The term "Anzac" also implied gallantry, another reason for its sarcastic application to the Military Police.

ANZAC SOUP.

Shell-hole water polluted by a corpse.

ANZAC STEW.

The ordinary Army stew diluted with water to a greater extent than usual.

ANZAC WAFER.

Name given to the Army Biscuit issued as portion of the Iron Ration, or when bread was not fully available. "Anzac" because of their constant use on Gallipoli, and "wafer" sarcastically because of their size and extreme hardness.

APRES LA GUERRE

ARCHIE.

Anti-aircraft shell or gun.

ARMY SAFETY CORPS.

Army Service Corps. The A.S.C. rarely had to operate under fire.

ARSAPEEK.

Upside Down.

ARSEY-TARSY.

To fall upside down.

ARTIST.

See "Star Artist."

AS NEAR AS DAMN IT.

Closely approximating the ideal.

ATCHA.

"Yes." "Alright," Hindustani used by the A.I.F. in Mesopot-amia.

ATMOSPHERE.

See "Vertical Atmosphere."

AUSSIE.

(1) Australians, (2) Australian made goods, (3) a wound of sufficient  severity to warrant the return of the recipient to Australia.

AXLE GREASE.

Butter.

A.W.L.

Absent without leave.

B

BABB-LING BROOK or Babbler.

An Army Cook. Originated in the rhyming slang as "Babbling Brook," one of the few terms so originated that were subjected to further adaption.

BABBLERS OFFSIDER.

See "Offsider."

Baby Elephant

BACK IN ONE'S CART.

Interfere, to ask for more.

BACK CHAT.

(1) An impertinent bandying of words.

(2) To answer back.

BAGS.

Plenty, a larger quantity. The sandbag revetted parapet of the trench (See "Hop the bags")

BALLS IN A KNOT. (to get)

To lose one's temper.

BANGER.

Sausage.

BANJO.

Shovel - so called by reason of the similarity in shape and also perhaps, because of the metallic ring of the steel when struck.

Bank, to

BARE.

Exactly so, with nothing to spare. The slang element in its use was due only to the unnecessarily frequent usage to which the word was put rather than to any corruption of orthodox meaning.

BARRAGE.

A French word officially a name for concentrated artillery, Trench Morter, or Machine Gun fire. In the slang sense the term means a communication; to comfound [sic] "A gas barrage," or oration.

BASE WALLAH.

A person employed at the Base.

BASE ATTACK.

A drinking bout, - a humorous corruption of "Gas attack", Base is a brand of English beer.

Bastard

A term of endearment.

BAT.

Language. Hindustani, used by Australians in Mesopotamia.

BATT.

Abbreviation of Battalion or Battery. Officially used in correspondence order etc; and vocally as slang.

Beachy Bill

BEAN.

A mode of address, as "Hello, old Bean,"

BEANO.

Treat, feast. From "bean feast."

BEANS.

WELL! see "Tray Beans", from the French, "bien."

BEAT IT.

Hurry away.

BEAT-OFF THE.

On the wrong track, getting away from the point.

BEEF IT OUT.

Call in a stentorian voice.  From the simile of a roaring Bull.

BEER ESSES.

Flattery, Kidstakes. q.v. An abbreviation of "Bull Shit" q.v.

BEER PULL.

A control lever in an aeroplane (also Beer lever, Pump, Handle, Joy-stick)

BEER-SWIPER.

A Drunkard.

BEER-UP.

A Drunken orgy.

BELGIUM.

A fatal wound, as distinct from a "blighty" or an "Aussie."

BELLY-ACHE.

A mortal wound.

BERGOO.

Porridge.

BERNHARDI'S BOOTS.

A Regimental Band. So called from "Gen. Bernhardi the apostle of frightfullness [sic].

BERTHA.

A German long range gun, esp. one of those used by the Germans to bombard Paris. Named perhaps after Mme. Bertha Krupp, friend of the Ex Kaiser.

BEZOOKS.

Francs.

BIFF.

To hit or punch.

BILLY HARRIS.

Abbreviation of "Bilharzia" a disease common in Palestine.

BIMF.

See Bumf.

BINGE.

A drunken orgy.

BINT.

Girl (Arabic)

BIRD.

A person; a girl.

BIRDIE.

Abbreviation of General Sir Wm. Birdwood and used as a nickname.

BIRL.

To "give it a birl", a fair trail [sic]; sometimes a suggestion that a certain proceeding has gone far enough. (See cut it out)

BIRTHDAY.

A good time; satiety of good things; an attack, raid, or repulse of an enemy, effected with unexpected ease.

BIT - to do ones bit

To do ones share, to do something however small, especially towards winning the war.

BIT OF FLUFF.

Girl.

BITE.

(1) A borrowing, to borrow. (2) An attempt to borrow.

BITE THE DUST.

(1) Suffer humiliation. (2) See "Come a Gutzer."

BLACK HAND.

A Section of Bombers. (Infantry)

BLIGHTY.

(1) England. (2) A wound sufficiently serious to necessitate the recipient's removal to an English Hospital. Hindustani, Vilagaty, bilate, provincial Europe an[d] English.

BLANK, Blanky, Blankety.

Words used as a substitute for foul language.

BLIGHTER.

More or less mild invective, a familiar form of address. An obnoxious person.

BLIMP.

(1) A small dirigible airship. (2) A particular make of Naval Airship.

Blind Spot

BLITHERED.

Drunk.

BLITHERER.

Something or someone excellent.

BLOCK - did his.

Lost his temper.

BLOKE.

Fellow, used in the third person.

BLOODY.

(1) An expletive, (2) unpleasant.

BLOTTE.

Inebriated.

BLOODS WORTH BOTTLING.

A phrase expressive of admiration.

BLOW OFF.

Go away, clear out. To voice ones [sic] anger.

BLOW ONE'S BAG OUT.

To boast.

BLOOD BATH.

The Somme 1916. Thought to be a German expression.

BLOW OUT.

A big meal. To overthrow anothers contention.

BLOW-TO-FOOK.

Shatter to fragments.

BLUEY.

The usual nickname of an auburn haired man.

BLUDGED ON THE FLAG.

To fail to justify ones [sic] existence as a soldier.

BLUFF-STAKES.

A deceitful or mala fide attempt to influence the conduct of another.

BLUE LIGHT.

A prophylactic establishment.

BOSCHE.

A German, especially soldier.

BODY-SNATCHER.

A member of a raiding party. Raids were usually for identification purposes the method being to bring back if possible live Germans, but failing that, shoulder straps or any other means od [sic] identifying the opposing unit.

BOG IN.

An exhortation of vigorous action.

BOILS.

The name applied to the Aust. Corps in the line. THE BOIL; - Impossible to take the core (corps) out.

BOKO.

Nose

BOLO.

Speak, say "Bole the Bat" speak the language, used in Mesopotamia.

BOLLOCKS.

Absurd, an absurdity; an embellishment of "balls" (the testicles) used derisively.

BOMBING OFFICER.

The Moon. Moonlight nights were favoured for bombing operations.

BONZER.

Good, beautiful.

BOOB.

(1) Prison, or Guard Room. (2) One who is simple or incapable.

BOOM.

"Well in the boom" to be popular where such popularity might lead to advancement in the ranks; regarded highly by one's superior.

BOOKOO.

A lot, much - from the French "Beaucoup."

BOOZER.

(1) Public House or estaminet, (2) One addicted to the use of alcohol.

BOSHTER-BOSKER.

See "Bonzer."

BOTT.

(1) A cadger; a hanger on, (2) Plenty; much; many.

BOTTLING.

See "Blood's worth bottling."

BOUNCE

Arrogance; "to come on the bounce" - make an arrogant demand.

BOUNCE THE BALL.

To assert oneself.

BOWIE-KNIFE ARMY.

The American Expeditionary Force.

BOX-ON.

A fight, a battle, a tussle; an injunction to continue suspended action.

BOY WITH HIS BOOTS OFF.

A shell which bursts before the sound of its passage through the air is heard.

BRADS (Bradburys)

The £1 and 10/- (half-a-brad) currency notes bearing the signature of Sir John Bradbury.

BRANDING-PADDOCK.

The Parade Ground.

BRASS

Money.

BRASS HAT.

Senior Field or Staff Officers.

BRASS KING.

An Officer who insists that his men should assiduously polish the brass work on their equipment and uniforms.

BREADWINNERS.

Rifle.

BRIDE.

A young lady, she with whom one is seen in company.

BRIG.

Abbreviation of Brigadier.

BRIGAND.

(French) A rascal.

BROADS.

Playing cards.

BROKE TO THE WIDE.

Financially embarrassed; devoid of cash.

BROKEN-DOLL.

An inefficient Staff-Officer returned to his unit.

BUCK.

Refuse.

BUCKING-HORSE.

Sovereign (coin). Derived from the impression of St George and the Dragon.

BUCKOO.

Much - from French Beaucomp [sic].

BUCKS BOMBARDY.

Badly torn or broken - from French Beaucomp [sic] Bombarde.

BUG HOUSE.

Inferior.

BUCKSHEE.

A prize, a catch, a windfall, something for nothing. From Hindi, bakhshi: giver or bucksheesh gift, tip.

Bullet (Bristol)

BULLFODDER.

See "Bullshit."

BULL RING.

Ground on which intensive training was carried out at Base Depots.

BULL SHIT.

Insincerity; incorrect; flattery.

BULLY.

Abbreviation of Bully Beef. A name given to the preserved meat issued, usually in one pound tins.

BUMBRUSHER.

An Officers Servant.

BUMF.

That portion of the enormous mass of Official correspondence which was used for a more undignified purpose than the originally intended. Later applied more generally to correspondence and literature of little value.

BUNCH.

A number, unit.

BUNCH OF GRAPES.

The club suit in a pack of cards.

BUNG OR Bung-hole

Cheese. So called by its alleged constipating effect.

BUNK.

Abscond, or "do a bunk." Bed.

BUNK-UP.

A lifting up.

BURL.

A try, a shot, a fair burl.

BUS.

A contraction of omnibus applied in the army to aeroplane omnibuses or motor lorries used by the British Army.

BUTCH.

Doctor - abbreviation of Butcher.

BUTCHER.

The king in a pack of cards.

BUTT-IN.

To interfere, intrude.

BUZZ.

To beg, cadge.

C

CAB RANK.

Transport lines.

CADORNA.

See "Gutzer." Came into use after the defeat of Gen. Cadorna the Itilian [sic] Commander in Chief.

Cakem Gaol

CAGE.

Prisoner of War Compound.

Camel (Sopwith)

CAMEL-DUNG.

Egyptian Cigarettes.

CAMOUFLAGED AUSSIE.

An Englishman serving with the A.I.F.

CANNED.

Intoxicated.

CARK SUCKER.

An American Soldier.

CANE-UP.

Damaged, harras [sic], goad see "Tripe roared out."

CARTWHEEL.

Five Franc Piece, a silver coin of a large size.

CAT-SOU.

Twopence - from the French Quatre Sous.

CELLULOID.

Money. The inference being its rapid burning propensities.

C'EST LA GUERRE.

It's the war (a phrase used on every and any occasion.)

CENTRE.

The amount of money staked on the toss of the coin in two-up.

CHARLIE CHAP.

A moustache resembling that of the famous film comedian.

CHAT.

The vermin that infested clothing, blankets & Dug-outs. To search clothing for Chats.

CHAT.

To tell a person something; See "Hard word."

CHATTY.

Verminous underclothing.

CHEER-OH or CHEERIO

Keep your pecker up, dont [sic] be downhearted.

CHEW THE RAG.

To suffer chargin [sic]

CHIP.

Taunt, ask an unpleasant question, make an uncomplimentary remark.

CHOP-IN.

Take a part, interfere.

CHIV.

Chin or jaw, alos [sic] see "Chip-in.

CHIVOO.

A Celebration.

CHOCS.

The 8th Brigade, A.I.F.  ("Tivey's chocolate soldiers.")

CHOP.

Share. "To hop in for ones [sic] chop," to enter in, in order to secure a priviledge [sic] or benefit.

CHRISTEN THE SQUIRT.

To bayonet a man for the first time with that particular bayonet.

CHUCK A SEVEN.

See "Throw a seven."

CHUCK IT UP.

Give in, surrender.

CHUM (choom)

Form of address amongst English Troops, used by Australians as a nickname for Englishmen.

CIRCUS.

A Flying Squadron.

CIVVY-IES.

Civilian people or clothes.

CLICK.

To promiscuously make the acquaintance of a young lady.

CLINAH.

Girl. This term with most others with the same meaning was in use in Australia before the war.

CLICKETY-CLICK.

Number 66 in the game of "House."

CLINK.

Prison, field punishment compound, or Guard Room.

CLOBBER.

Clothes.

CLOUT.

A wound or hit.

COAL BOX.

A type of German shell from which, upon explosion, a dense cloud of smoke (black) emanated.

COBBER.

Mate, friend. Used in the second or third person. Was largely superseded as a mode of address by "Digger."

COFFIN NAILS.

Cigarettes.

COG-WHEELS.

"To have cog-wheels" to be demented.

COLD.

Dead.

COLD FEET.

Fear, "Coldfooter," one who was afraid to enlist for active service.

COLLEGE.

Nickname for 39 General Hospital and No. 2 Stationery Hospital, when Venereal Disease was the chief if not the only ailment treated. A soldier who received full treatment was regarded as having graduated.

COIL-UP.

To go to sleep.

COME-AT.

Undertake.

COME OVER.

Deliver, "of the enemy to attack."

COME THE DOUBLE.

Demand ones due after having already received it.

COMFORTS FUND.

Shells.

CONCRETE MACAROON.

Army Biscuits.

COLD STORAGE.

"To go into cold storage" - to be killed during the 1916 winter.

COMMON-TALLY-PLUNK.

"How are you." A mutilation of the French "Comment-Alley-Vous."

COLUMN OF LUMPS.

In disorderly formation.

COMPREE

Understand. From the French "Comme Ca."[sic]

COMME SA.

Like that. From the French "Comme Ca."

COMME SI COMME SA.

So-So, indifferently. From the French "Comme Ci Comme Ca."

Conchy.

A conscientious objector [sic] to the Military Service Act 1916.

COOLER.

Prison or Guard Room.

COOL OFF.

To take things easily.

COOTIES.

Lice, chats.

COUSHAY.

Sleep; "Coushay full marching order" - to go to bed with ones [sic] clothing on.

COUGH-UP.

Part with; speak.

COW.

The vilest of invective; to refer to anything as a "fair cow" was the worst that could be said of it.

COWPUNT ROAD.

Horseferry Road, the location of the A.I.F. H.Q. in London and abhorred by the fighting forces.

CORPSE FACTORY.

The Western Front.

CRABS.

Shells; shelling; parasites.

CRACK.

Hit; punch; cracked; crazy.

CRASH.

To suffer misfortune (See Gutzer)

CREAM PUFFS.

Shell bursts.

CROOL THE PITCH.

To spoil a chance, or the further exploitation of some enterprise.

CROW-EATER.

A South Australian.

CRUMBY.

Infested by lice.

CRUMP.

Explosion of a heavy shell.

CRUSH.

Unit, i.e. "What crush do you belong to."

CUSHY.

Soft, easy, safe, comfortable, the "Cushy job."

CUT.

See "Chop."

CUTHBERT.

A man with a cushy job in a Government Office, esp. one who avoided Military Service on the score of occupation. Personal name supposedly suggestive of effiminacy.

CUT-IT-OUT.

Desist.

CUT-OFF.

"To push in ones [sic]  cut-off" - to stop talking.

CUT-THROATS.

See "Nose-bleeds."

D

DAB.

Expert, extremely proficient. An abbreviation of "Dabster."

Daddies, The

DAG.

Hard case, either as a humorist or disregarder of convention.

DARK.

Mode of addressing especially those with dark hair or complexion.

DATE.

(1) A term for the posterior orifice.

(2) An appointment.

DEAD MEAT TICKET.

See "Meat ticket."

DEARAUNTIE.

A phrase signifying utter weariness or disgust. It implies the well-known text of a fictitious soldier's letter: - DearAuntie, this ain't no ordinary war ITS A BLOODY BASTARD, and if you want to see your little Johnny again, get right down on your knees, and pray like hell.

DEAR BILL.

See "DearAuntie."

DEEP THINKER.

A reinforcement who arrived in a fighting unit late in the course of the war.

DIAL.

Face.

Diehards, the

DIGGER.

Mate, friend. Used in the second or third person. This term had been in use on the Aust. gold fields, and New Zealand Kauri gum fields for many years prior to the war. It was not until the end of 1917 or early 1918 that it came into universal use in the A.I.F. or N.Z.E.F. The first to use the term, to any extent were the N.Zealanders from whom it quickly spread through the A.I.F.

DINGBAT.

Batman, servant; also used in the plural to indicate that the person referred to had "rats" or was not speaking or acting in a rational manner.

DINKUM.

Good, genuine, honest.

DINKUM THE

The 2nd. Division. Also applied to the New ZEALANDERS.

DINKY-DIE.

An oath of truthfullness [sic].

DISASTER.

A piastre (Egyptian coin)

DIVVY.

Abbreviation of "Division" & dividend, meaning in the former case a Military formation, in the latter, one's fair share.

Dixie

DIZZY-LIMIT.

The last straw; incomparable; the height of "cheek."

DO; to do in.

To kill; to make away; "do your nut" - loose [sic] one's head.

DO A BUNK.

See "Bunk."

DOCK.

A Military Hospital.

DODGER.

Bread.

DOER.

A person unusually humorous, reckless, undisciplined, immoral or eccentric.

DOG FEVER.

A mild form of influenza.

DOG'S-LEG.

A lance corporal's stripe. so called on account of its shape.

DOING'S.

A place, billet or trench, a circumstance, an affair.

DOLL UP.

Ornament.

Dolphin (Sopwith)

DOMINO.

To kill; to knock out.

DON ACK PLONK.

Divisional Ammunition Column (D.A.C.) "Don Ack" is the Army method of pronouncing D.A. and "plonk" may have originated as a rhyme for "donk" the D.A.C.'s containing many mules. Another possible derivation is the adaption of the sound made by the sinking of the mule's leg into the mud.

DONG.

To hit, to punch.

DONK.

Mule. The average Australian soldier would rarely refer to anything by its proper name if he could find another as expressive.

DONK'S DINBAT.

A mule groom or Driver.

DOOK.

Hand.

DOOK 'IM ONE.

To salute an Officer.

DOOK IT.

Shake hands.

DOPE.

One who is absent-minded or eccentric; information; line of conduct; liquor; poison.

DOPEY.

Dazed, bemused; lacking in vitality.

DOUGH.

Money.

DOUSE THE GLIM.

Put out the light.

DOWN SOUTH.

Hidden, buried. In one's pocket.

DOWN - to have a down on.

To have a grudge against; to take a dislike to.

DRAFT UP or DRAFT VERTICAL.

See "Wind up."

DRAGGING SPARE.

Surplus, i.e. "Is anything dragging spare?" Sometimes abbreviation to dragging.

DREADNOUGHT.

V.D. Prophylactic outfit issued to troops before departing on leave.

DUCKBOARD.

A wooden frame about five feet long and 18" wide, on which are nailed crosswise, short pieces of wood in the form of a grating. The Military Medal Ribbon was frequently referred to by this term.

DUCKS BREAKFAST.

A drink of water and a wash.

DUCKS DISEASE.

A description of a person's physical build indicating that his legs are short and his buttocks are too near the ground.

DUCK'S EGG.

A half piastre nickel coin.

DUD.

A shell that fails to explode. An incapable person; no good.

DUG IN.

In a safe position.

DUGOUT.

One who avoids danger by trying to remain out of the danger zone or, if in the forward area, by rarely leaving his shelter. Also applied to elderly returned Officers called up for service at the outbreak of war. "Dug-out King" - an officer who remains at the bottom of a dug-out while his men are exposed to danger.

DUG-UP.

Found (usually an absentee)

E

EAT CROWS.

Suffer humiliation; eat humble pie.

EATS.

Food.

EAT-UP.

A meal.

EDGE.

To discontinue.

EGGS-A-COOK.

The cry of the Egyptian egg vendors. Afterwards applied to the members of the third Australian Division who wore an oval color patch.

EGGS-A-FRIED.

Name applied to the 4th Div. Pioneer Battalion who wore a circular white patch with a smaller circular patchsuperimposed [sic].

EMMA EMMA ESSES.

Smoke-o (from the signal alphabet capital letters M.M.S. men may smoke). An order used on the march at attention when it is desired by the Officer Commanding to march at ease and allow smoking in the ranks.

EMMA PIP.

Signalmen's way of saying M.P. Used as a nickname for the Military Police.

ESSES EMMA.

The Sergeant Major; again signal's pronunciation.

EYEFULL.

A close scrutiny; a good view.

EYEWASH.

Deception; humbug.

F

F.A.

Field Artillery; Fuck All; Fanny Adams; Nothing; vacuity.

FAG.

Cigarette.

FAGGED OUT.

Exhausted.

FAIR GO.

Equitable treatment, a fair field and no favour.

FAKE.

False.

FALL TO A JOB.

To be detailed to do a piece of work.

FALL TO THE JOKE.

To be ordered to do something unpleasant. To have a joke played on one.

FANGS.

See "Put the Fangs in."

FANNY DURAK.

The hanging virgin and child of Albert Basilica. Frequently referred to as Annette Kellerman i.e. the champion Lady diver.

FED UP.

Disgusted and weary, surfeited, sick or tired.

FEED BAG.

A variety of Gas Helmet used early in the war.

F.F.F.

Completely miserable; frig[g]ed, fucked, and far from home; forlorn, famished, and far from home.

FEVVERS.

A Cockney woman.

FINANCE.

Lover, corruption of "fiancee"

FILL-AN-EYE.

To punch in the eye.

FILOOSH.

Money. From the Arabic.

FINNY.

Finish. From the French "FINIS."

FIXED BAYONET.

Vin Rogue [sic] (red wine)

FLAG - think of the.

An exhortion to do one's job. Mostly used jocularly.

FLAG WAGGER.

A Signaller.

FLAKER.

Synonymous with "Gutzer."

Flaming Onions

FLARE KING.

A soldier who fires rockets from the front line. Germans were frequently referred to collectively as flare kings.

FLAT-FOOTED.

To go flat-footed, is spoken of an airman without an aeroplane, or a member of the tank corps travelling on foot.

Flattening out

FLAT SPIN.

To be in difficulties. (Only applied to airmen)

FLEA BAG.

An officers [sic] valise.

FLIP.

An aeroplane flight.

FLOATING KIDNEY.

A soldier unattached to any unit, or without definite duties.

FLOG.

To express chargin [sic]; to sell an article.

FLOP.

To hit or strike. "To flop him one."

FLOWERS ON HIS GRAVE.

Fastidious; hard to please, also port holes in his coffin.

FLUTTER.

An attempt, "give it a flutter."

FLY.

To be no fool, to know a thing or two, to be fly, to give it a fly, to make an attempt.

FLY BOG.

Jam.

FLYING INCINERATOR.

An incendiary shell.

FLYING-PIG.

A heavy trench-mortar shell.

FOCH'S RESERVES.

A humourous reference to the Chinese Labor Corps.

FOOT SLOGGERS.

Infantry.

FOOKER.

An English Private.

F.O.Q.

Fly off quickly; fuck off quickly. See P.O.Q.

FRAY BENTOS.

Very Good. A brand of preserved meat. The phonetic similarity between the first words of this name and the French "Tres Bein [sic]" caused its frequent use in place of the latter.

FRAME-UP.

A scheme; a conspiracy.

FREEZE -A.

A catch word satirically applied to a popularity-hunter. Corruption of "For he is a jolly good fellow."

FRESH FACES IN HELL.

Phrase used after a successful attack to indicate that many Germans had been killed.

FRILL.

Flashness, ceremonial.

FRITZ.

The German, individually or collectively.

FROG - FROGGIE.

A Franc, or an oak. A Frenchman.

FRONK.

A Franc.

FUNK.

High degree of fright.

FUNK HOLE.

A Government job or similar refuge used by a shirker, especially one anxious to avoid Military Service; recess in a trench, or embankment into which a man could get for partial shelter from shell fire.

FURPHY.

This term originated in some of the camps of Australia, where the vehicles used for scavenging and water supply purposes were made by Mr. Furphy of Shepparton, Victoria, whose name was promiently [sic] painted thereon. This and the fact of the unfounded rumors seemed as a rule, to originate among the sanitary squad, or from conversation among men visiting latrines, caused the word to be used in this way.

FURPHY-MONGER or King.

One who eagerly circulates "Furphys."

G

GABBARY.

A Military Prison near Alexandria, a goal [sic].

GADGET.

Any article, but chiefly a tool of some sort.

GAG.

An insincere reason; an idea; a joke.

GAME.

Courageous, prepared to attempt what may be put before one.

GAS-GONG.

Boy - from the French "Garcon."

GASOMETER.

Respirator.

GASPER.

Cigarette.

GAY and FRISKY.

Whisky.

GEEK.

Look.

GENERAL WEBB'S ENTANGLEMENT.

Webb equipment.

GET.

"Get you in one," I get you steve. "Get you in large lumps." Understand.

GET AN EYEFULL.

See "Eyefull."

GET ONE'S GUTS IN A KNOT.

Give way to anger.

GET THE STRENGTH. (or strong of)

Become possessed of sufficient information to enable one to form correct judgement in regard of the matter in question.

GET WELL FUCKED.

An exclamation expressing disgust and suggesting an unpleasant course of action to the person in question or a poor opinion of him.

GEZUMPHER.

A big shell.

GIBBIT.

Give. (Pidgin English)

GIDDY.

A boy scout; abbreviation of "giddy gout."

GIGGLE HOUSE.

A Lunatic Asylum.

GINNER.

See "Bluey."

GIPPO.

A native of Egypt.

GIVE IT A FLY.

To make the attempt. to try a certain course of action.

GIVE IT A PASSAGE.

"Throw it away."

GIVE YOUR ARSE A CHANCE.

Shut your mouth, stop talking.

GLASSY EYE.

A look of disappointment.

GLIM.

A light. Probably a corruption of "gleam."

GLIMMER.

"The Eye."

GO CROOK.

Become angry or abusive.

GODDAM-GUY.

An American.

GOGGLE-EYED.

Dazed.

GOLDIES.

Teeth.

GONE WEST.

Died; gone to the unknown. This term is probably a relic of pioneering days in Australia and America when those who travelled west and still further westward into the unknown country were not heard of by their friends until they returned if that ever happened.

GOOD - to make.

To succeed, to pull through, to deliver the goods. To carry out one's promise.

GOOD OIL.

"True information."

GOOSED.

Spoilt.

GO TO THE KENNEL.

Shut up, take yourself off.

GO TO THE PACK.

Deteriorate.

GOOD BLOKE.

See "Freeze-A."

GOOD GUTS.

Information; similarly, good oil.

GO YOUR HARDEST.

Do your worst or best, as the case may be.

Grandma

GRAPPLING IRONS.

Spurs.

GRASS.

Issue tobacco, hair. (Papuan Pigeon English)

GREASY.

A cook or butcher.

GREASIES ANTI-AIRCRAFT.

A Field Cooker.

GREENIE'S.

Abbreviation of "green envelope" a specially printed envelope in which soldiers might despatch correspondence without being subject to Unit censorship.

GROUSE.

Grumble.

GROUSER.

One who frequently growls.

GROUTER.

The acquisition of something for nothing, or on extremely favorable terms.

GUN-FODDER.

Men and Horses, ammunition.

GUTS.

The entrails, courage, determination. The substance or essential part of a matter; information.

GUTZER.

Removal from Office; a fall physically, the failure of a scheme, the removal from a comfortable appointment to one more or less remunerative. The term originated amongst swimmers as descriptive of a dive in which the diver instead of striking the water with hands head or feet first strikes with his stomach. A painful experience.

H

HAIRY-BELLY.

A sycophant.

HAIRY MOB.

A Platoon.

HANGING TO.

Resulting from "Anything hanging to it." Any result likely to arise from it.

HARD CASE.

An inveterate humorist, one who defies convention and etiquette.

HARD WORD.

An outrageous demand. A request for a favor vigorously expressed.

HASHMAGANDY.

An insipid and monstrous [sic?] army dish.

HATE.

The daily artillery bombardment by the Germans.

HATE STUFF.

Ammunition fired by the enemy.

HEAD.

A person of high rank or standing.

HEAD-EM.

To toss the pennies used in the game of "two up" in such a way that both heads are uppermost when the coins reach the ground.

HEADS ARE RIGHT.

A "two up" term indicating that the heads of both pennies are uppermost.

HEAVIES.

Heavy guns.

HEAVY-STUFF.

Heavy Projectiles.

HORSE VALET.

A groom.

HOT-STUFF.

An energetic, clever, unscrupulous or otherwise formidable person.

HOUSE OR HOUSEY.

A legalised game of chance.

HUGHESILIER.

Name applied to men compulsorily placed in camp for so-called home defence purposes after the failure of the 1916 conscription referendum for service overseas in Australia. The idea being that once in camp [a] number of the men would volunteer for the A.I.F. The scheme was only partially successful.

HUMM.

To cadge.

HUN.

A German, applied to the Germans in allusion to the Ex Kaiser's exhortation to his troops sent to China during the Boxer rising to emulate the merciless conduct of the Huns.

HUNG ON THE WIRE.

Absent; missing.

HURRY UP.

Vigorous banter; forced to travel with greater rapdity than was intended.

I

IGAREE.

Quick (Arabic) A peculiar feature of A.I.F. slang was the combination of words adapted from different languages i.e. "Igaree at the toot," run away quickly from the latter portion of the phrase being derived from the French "toute."

INKED.

Drunk.

IMSHEE.

Go away (Arabic)

IN THE GUN.

Under disfavour.

IODINE KING.

A regimental Medical Officer; the A.M.C. Corporal in a battalion.

IODINE LANCERS.

Nursing section of the A.A.M.C.

IRON FOUNDRY.

A very heavy shell.

IRON RATIONS.

Ammunition. Officially the tinned preserved meat and biscuits that all the troops carried but were only supposed to use when absolutely necessary.

ISSUE.

A portion; "to go one's issue" - to be killed; to get the whole issue of a shell, to be struck bodily by a shell.

ITS A NICE DAY FOR IT.

A sardonic phrase applied to anything unpleasant, e.g. an attack which is likely to prove costly.

J

JACK JOHNSON.

A large German or Austrian low-velocity shell. Facetious use of personal name.

JACKO.

Nickname for the Turks used by the A.I.F. on Gallipoli and in Palestine.

JACKS.

Military Police.

JAG.

A Drinking bout.

JANE.

A Girl.

Jericho Jane

JERKS.

Physical exercise.

JERRY.

A nickname for the German soldiers and aeroplanes. It was more commonly used amongst the English troops than Australians. Also used as a question. "Do you jerry" - do you understand: To "take a jerry" - change (for the better) ones [sic] course of conduct.

JAKERLOO OR JAKE.

"Jake" was in use before the war, in Australia by drivers & others to indicate that the load and harness were secure and everything ready for a start. It was also used to indicate that all was well with the speaker. The addition of the last two syllables appear to have been made in the A.I.F. abroad; perhaps the outcome of the observation by certain members of the "force" of the opportunity to with "Bakerloo" the name of the underground railway that connected Waterloo station with Baker Street, both in London. Some contend that the term was introduced on the Western Front by the Canadians and that it is a relic of the French Revolution when the plotters were knwn as "Jaques 1", "Jaques 2" etc. in order to avoid detection.

JIT.

A cigarette.

JOB.

Employment, a hit or punch.

JOCK.

A Scotch soldier.

JOEY.

A Military Policeman (Also "Pretty Joey")

JOINT.

Any Place, anywhere, but principally a place of amusement or restaurant.

JONAH.

One who brings misfortune to a party.

JOY-JUICE.

Rum, whisky etc. chiefly rum.

JOY-STICK.

See "Beer-pull."

JOY WATER.

Champagne.

JUG.

Military Person.

JUNKER.

A superior officer.

K

KADI.

Hat.

KAMARAD.

Friend, Comrade (the German cry for quarter)

KANGAROO FEATHERS.

A tall feather, an impossible thing; emu plumes of the Aust. Light Horse.

KERENSKY.

To come a Karensky See "Gutzer."

KENNEL-UP.

Stop talking.

KID STAKES.

Insincere flattery, bluff, joking.

KING O' THE NITS.

Provist Sergeant.

KIMBERLY.

Nickname for Diamond in the game of "Crown & Anchor."

KIP.

The short flat piece of wood on which the pennies are placed in "two-up" preparatory to tossing.

KIPPSIE.

Lean-to, shelter, house, dugout.

KIWI-KING.

A Military Policeman or anyone who is very particular to keep his boots and the leather portions of his equipment brightly polished. So called because the most popular brand of leather polish was "Kiwi."

KNOCK.

To be exhausted, to give in.

KNOCK-BACK.

A refusal.

KNOCK ONES CAN IN.

To surprise, to completely disconcert, to confound.

KNUT.

Important person, swanker.

KYBOSH.

To put "the kybosh" on to anything is to put a stop to or frustrate an attempted action.

L

LAMPS.

Eyes.

LANCE CORPORAL BACON.

Bacons consisting of fat through which runs one thin streak of lean, resembling the stripe on the Lance Corporals sleeve.

LANCE-JACK.

Lance-Corporal.

LAY-AN-EGG.

(of an aeroplane) Drop a bomb.

LAZY-LIZZ.

A heavy long distance shell which passes overhead with a lazy drone. (Also called "Tired Theodore.")

LEADSWINGER.

A person who schemes with the object of avoiding duty in a dangerous area, a malingerer.

LEGS ELEVEN.

The number 11 in a game of House; a thin tall man.

LET DOWN.

To deceive, fail, trick, omit to fulfill an obligation.

LIMIT.

See "Dizzy Limit."

LINE (The)

The firing line; forward area.

LINE UP.

An assemblage.

LIE-OUT POSSY.

The troops position when assembled in battle formation before attacking.

LINGO.

Language. Corruption of the word "Lingus."

LITTLE BIT OF EYES RIGHT.

A girl.

LITTLE HELL.

Three two-pip cards in a game of "Poker."

LIT-UP.

Drunk, a man suffering from venereal disease.

LIZZIE.

A warship of the same class as H.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth."

LOB.

A Policeman, one who goes out of his way to report breaches of discipline or law. "To Lob" - to arrive.

LOCK-SUEY.

Rain.

LOLLY.

Something easy; a person easy to trick or overcome.

LORD NELSON.

The three aces in a game of "Poker" (see three hotels)

M

MACONOCHIE

The meat and vegetable ration, so highly esteemed by the troops the bulk of which was prepared by the Aberdeen firm Messrs. Maconchie; Stomach (e.g. Knocked in the Maconochie)

MACONOCHIE CROSS.

A Military Cross.

MACONOCHIE MEDAL.

A Military Medal.

MACNOON.

Mad (See "Andy Mc Noon.")

Mademoiselle from Armentieres

MAG.

Chatter.

MAGGOTTY.

Angry.

Maleesh

MARGARINE MERCHANT.

A supply or A.S.C. Officer.

M & D.

Medicine and duty. A familiar sick parade slogan.

MATERIAL TO ADMINISTER.

See "Stuff to give 'em."

MEAT TICKET.

Identity discs worn by all troops to enable identification by burial parties in the event of their death.

MEAT HOOK.

The arm.

MEAT TRAP.

The mouth.

MENIN ROAD MEAT EXTRACT.

Bully Beef, beef tea, beef extract. So called from the number of dead horses and mules on the Menin Road (Ypres Sector)

MERCY BLOW THROUGH.

Thank You. (From the French Merci Beaucoup)

MERRY ANZACS.

Casual Australians (used ironically)

METHUSILIER

A member of the Aust. Remount Unit. So called because its personnel consisted of men over age.

MIDDLESEX OFFICER.

A foppish officer, i.e. a member of the Middlesex.

MICKS.

The tails of the pennies used in a game of "Two-Up."

MILLS' SPUD.

Mills grenade.

MINNIES.

A popular abbreviation of "Minenwerfer" used chiefly in reference to the minenwerfer bomb. (A heavy German trench mortar bomb.)

MITT.

The hand.

MOLE-HOLE.

A dug-out.

MOKE.

A mule or horse.

MONIKER.

A name, signature.

MOOCH.

To saunter more or less aimlessly or absent-mindedly.

MOPPER-UP.

A drunkard. One of party of men who follow the leading waves of attack in order to clear the enemy from the ground behind the assaulting troops.

MOTHERS-PET.

An abbreviation of the initials M.P. denoting "Military Policeman" and a common nickname for members of the Provost Corps.

MOUSEE.

Cheese.

MOUTH-ORGAN.

A Stokes shell. So called from the peculiar note caused by the air passing through the holes around the base of the shell as it rises.

MOVIES.

Searchlights.

MUD-HOOK.

An anchor, the anchor in the game of "Crown & Anchor."

MUG.

A fool, one who is easily defeated or defrauded.

MUG-GUNNER.

Lewis machine gunner.

N

NAIL-SCISSORS.

The crossed sword and baton worn by a General.

NAPOO.

Finished, gone away.

NARK.

One who spoils a scheme; a spoil sport.

NAT GOULDS.

Reinforcements. So called because they have "banded at last," the name of one of Gould's books.

NED KELLY'S BLOOD.

Vin Rouge, red wine.

NAVEL.

See "Gutzer."

NIP.

To, be or borrow.

NIT.

A policeman.

NOAHS DOVES.

Reinforcements who were at sea and on their way to the war zone at the time of the Armistice was signed.

NOB.

A double headed penny ("two-up.")

Nobby

NO FARVER NO MOVVER.

A catch phrase which implies the remainder of the original expression in "the poor little fellow" copied from begging boys in Eastern places.

NO GOOD TO GUNDY.

Of no advantage, "no good to me."

NOSE BAG.

See "Feed-bag."

NOSE DIVE.

A vertical drop, nose first (of an aeroplane)

NOSE-BLEEDS.

Red gorget tabs worn by Staff Officers.

NOSE WELL DOWN.

In a great hurry.

NUGGETT.

A short soldier.

NUMBER NINE.

A purgative pill; the M.O.'s panacea.

NUT.

The head; a brainy person; a funny person.

O

OFFICE.

A hint; information.

OFFSIDER.

Assistant. The term applies to a bullock drivers assistant who when his services are required works on the off or right hand side of the team.

OIL.

News; information.

OILED.

Drunk.

Old & Bold, The

OLD MAN GAINS EXPERIENCE.

A phrase applied to cases where a man who runs a gambling game loses in the betting.

OLD SLIPPERY.

See "Rubber-heeled Jack."

ONCKS.

Francs.

OOJAH.

Any article; one of the names given to a Fullerphone, when in the forward area when it was devised to keep its presence unknown to the enemy.

OPEN GO.

See "Fair Go."

OSCAR.

Money. An abbreviation of the rhyming slang "Oscar Asche - cash."

OUTED.

Hit with such force as to be killed or rendered temporarily senseless.

OVER THE BAGS.

An attack by Infantry.

OVER THE ODDS.

Unconscienable.

OLIVE BRANCH.

A reinforcement who arrived in a fighting unit after the Armistice.

ON ONE'S PINK EAR.

Down and out. Frequently used without the "pink."

ONE PIP (or one dot)

A Second Lieutenant.

P

PAINT.

Jam

PARAKEET.

Staff Officer (See "Rosella.") So called from the red gorget tabs and the red band around the hat of a Staff Officer.

PARAPET JOE.

A German machine gunner who attempts by continuous fire to prevent our men from looking over the parapet.

PARLEY.

Speak. (From the French)

PARTY.

Go away. (From the French)

P.B.I.

Poor Bloody Infantry.

PEA-SHOOTERS.

A German anti-tank gun.

PEBBLE CRUSHING.

Route marching.

PECK.

Give in; yield.

PERKED.

Drunk.

PENGUIN.

A member of the Womens Royal Air Force. Nickname, because they cannot fly.

Percy

PEUT-ETRE.

Perhaps. Peut-etre - deferred pay.

PHOSGENE.

An anti-gas instructional officer; empty talk; profanity.

PHYSICAL JERKS.

A parade for physical training.

PIG ARSE.

A contemptuous ejaculation.

PIGS EAR.

Beer.

PIG STABBER.

A Bayonet.

PILL BATTERY.

Field Ambulance.

PILL BOX.

A concrete blockhouse built to resist shell-fire.

PINCH.

Steal.

PIN OUT

Rapidly; in a hurry. (See "with the pin out.")

PINE-APPLE.

A light German trench mortar shell, grooved into sections to ensure a fragmental burst.

PIN-HEAD.

An unintelligent person.

Pink's

PIPE.

Stars worn by Captains and Lieutenants as their badge, a name for a passing ailment, usually mental despondency.

PIP-SQUEAK.

A small shell. A high explosive high velocity shell fired from a field gun.

PLONK.

The explosion of a heavy shell.

PLUG.

To hit or punch.

POINT BLANK.

The white wine commonly used in France. The term is used on the Rifle Range as the name of a poisonous white paste that is applied to the foresight of the rifle to aid sighting. Its adaption as a name for "Vin Blanc" was brought about partly by the similarity in the spelling of the second word and also partly because of the harsh effect it frequently had on Australians who drank of it to freely.

PLUM PUDDING.

A spherical iron shell filled with explosive and projected by means of a trench mortar towards the enemy trench.

PO JUGGLER.

A batman; an officers' servant.

POLL.

To take advantage of anothers [sic] good nature.

POMMY.

An Englishman.

Pompey

POLING.

To do less than one's share thereby rendering the other fellows more difficult. This term was also borrowed from Australian Bullock driving parlance. The "Polers," the pair of bullocks nearest to the pole of the wagon, are generally regarded as being not only the strongest, but next to the leaders the outest pair in the team, and therefore more inclined to take things easy and let the other bullocks do the pulling, if the driver is not observant.

PONG.

An evil adour [sic].

PONTOON.

A game of chance with cards.

PONGO.

An Infantryman. Although commonly used in some units this term could hardly be regarded as universal.

P.O.Q.

Piss off quickly, go immediately.

PORK & CHEESE or Pork & Beans.

Portuguese Soldiers.

PORT HOLES IN YOUR COFFIN - want.

To be hard to please.

POSH.

The best, neat, superlative; Flying Corp slang.

POSSY.

Abbreviation of "Position;" Place; Dug-out; home.

POT (to)

To shoot.

POT (a)

An important person.

POT-HOLE.

A short trench, capable of holding one or two.

POUTER.

A Mans chest.

PRATE.

See "Bot."

PRIVE.

A Private Soldier.

PROPAGANDA.

Tall talk.

PROVERBIAL.

See "Abdominal," "Gutzer."

PRAD.

A horse.

PUKKA.

Genuine.

PULL.

"To have a pull" - to have influence.

PULL ON.

"To undertake.

PULL OUT.

Withdraw, stop.

PUMP HANDLE.

Arm.

PUP.

An aeroplane (Sopwith design)

PUP BATTALION.

A Btn. of the 4th or 5th Division formed from half of one of the original 16th Battalion.

PUSH IN.

Intrude; eg. Push ones frame in.

PUSH.

A general attack; an offensive.

PUSHING UP DAISIES.

To be dead and buried.

PUSS-IN-BOOTS.

A bumptious officers.

PUT HIS POT ON.

Report him, inform against him.

PUT IT OVER.

Beat; defeat, deceive; see also "Put the fangs in."

PUT THE ACID ON.

Ask, test; put a stop to; to spoil.

PUT THE FANGS IN.

To request a favour or loan.

PUT THE MUZZLE ON.

Stop talking.

PUT UP A STALL.

Tell a fictitious story with a view to obtaining a priviledge [sic].

PUTTY - up to

No good.

PUT UP A STUNT.

See "Stunt," effect something.

PUT UP (to be)

To be indicted for a military crime.

Q

QUACK.

A Medical Officer.

QUARTER-BLOKE.

Quarter-master.

Quick Dick

QUIFF.

An idiosyncracy. "Regimental Quiff" - a method of performing a drill movement.

R

RABBIT-TRAP.

Mouth.

RAG-TIME.

Disorderly; haphazard; irregular.

RAINBOW.

A reinforcement, or member of non-combatant corps, who joined a fighting unit after the Armistice. Rainbow after the storm.

RAM.

A rake; one who leads an immoral life.

RAMMIES.

Breeches.

RAT (to)

To search a prisoner or a dead body; pick a pocket.

RAT (to have a)

To be crazy.

RATION CARRIERS.

Apart from its official meaning, a term used by orderly corporals and others in jocular vein when referring to (RC's) Roman Catholics on sick parade or their church parade.

RAT AND FOWL.

An Australian shelling.

RATIONS.

"Wet Rations;" cooked foods etc.; rain; mud; intoxicants; "Dry Rations;" uncooked food; a dust storm; sand or dust; a sermon.

RATTLED.

Embarrassed; grip of the situation lost.

RED CAP.

A Military Policeman.

RED LIGHT.

A Brothel. The licensed brothels in French towns exhibit a red or green light to indicate their business.

REGIMENTAL.

To come a Regimental - a regimental cadorna - crash etc. See "Gutzer."

REGIMENTALLY REDUCED.

To go and get seduced. A refusal accompanied by abuse.

REINSTOUCHMENTS.

Reinforcements.

REST CAMP.

A cemetary. (In the official sense a camp where war wearied troops were sent for a rest.)

RESPIGRATOR.

Anti-gas box resipator [sic].

REVVING.

Very Busy. Adapted from the simile of the revolutions of an aeroplane propellor.

RINGO.

See "Dope."

RING IT or RING HIS TAIL.

Play the coward.

RINGER.

An expert; a cheat; a coward.

RING IN.

Surreptitiously introduce.

RISSOLE KING.

Army Cook.

ROAR-UP.

Unbraid; abuse.

ROLL.

A sum of money; literally a roll of notes.

ROSELLA.

A Staff Officer, who with his gold lace, scarlet cap band, medal ribbon etc., was supposed to resemble the Rosella, an Australian parrot possessing a great variety of colors.

ROUGH AS BAGS.

See "Rough Stuff."

ROUGH CARPENTERS.

See "Ration Carriers."

ROUGHEY.

A statement diffcult to believe.

ROUGH HOUSE.

A fight; disorderly proceedings.

ROUGH STUFF.

An undisciplined, reckless, indecent, disorderly person or thing.

ROUGH UP.

A brawl; horseplay. An unmannerly, violent or irresponsibile [sic] person.

ROUND FEET.

Trench feet. A Foot disease caused by cold and damp.

ROUSE.

Up braid.

RUBBER-GUTZ

A clumsy person; a pompous person.

RUBBER HEELED JACK.

A German high velocity field gun, whose shells travels so fast as not to be heard until after the burst.

RUMBLE.

To discover someones [sic] trickery. To acquire by a trick, effect a swindle.

RUM-JAR.

A heavy type of trench mortar (German)

RUNNER.

The 1914-15 war ribbon.

RUN THE RULE OVER.

Search the man for valuables, to estimate his capabilities.

RIDE ON YOUR BACK.

Term of abuse signifying goat.

RISE & SHINE.

Reveille.

S

SALVOES.

Salvation Army.

SAND.

Sugar.

SAN-FAIRY-AN.

It does not matter, dont [sic] worry. Corruption of the French "Cela Ne Fait Rein."

SARGE.

Sergeant.

SARMAJOR.

Sergeant-Major.

SAUSAGE.

A Captive Balloon.

SAY-PAH.

Dont [sic] know. Corruption of the French "Jene Sais Pas."

SCALES.

To have scales on ones [sic] belly; to be a sycophant; a crawler.

SCAMPERER.

Runner; front line messenger.

SCRAG.

Man-handle.

SCRAN.

Food.

SCRAP.

A fight.

SCREW (To have a)

To look.

SCREWED.

Drunk.

SCROUNGE.

To pilfer; to cadge; to seize; a pilferer, a thief, scrounging, mean, sharp, always looking after number 1; scroungerer; a cadger esp. a cadger of cigarettes etc.

SELL A PUP.

To deceive; trick; fail to fulfill an obligation.

SEND ALONG.

See "Put up."

SEND HER DOWN STEVE.

Let it rain on.

SERGT. MAJOR.

The crown in "Crown and Anchor."

SHEILA.

A Girl.

SHELL HOLE SOLDIERS.

One who lages behind the advance.

SET.

Fixed; all arranged; adapted from "two-up" in which it is used to indicate that the money staked by the spinner has been covered by other bettors [sic]. "Got him set" - treating him unfairly through malice.

Seventyfive

Seventyseven

SHELL-SHOCKED.

Badly knocked about by artillery fire, usually used in reference to a village; dump etc.

SHICK.

Intoxicated.

SHINING STARS.

Officers commissioned in Australia and wearing bright brass badges etc. instead of the oxidized kind usually worn by infantry in France.

SHIRTY.

Angry.

SHOOTING GALLERY.

The front line.

SHOOTING-IRON.

18 pdr. field piece.

SHORT-ARM.

A medical inspection of the penis.

SHOT UP THE BACK.

Disconcerted; confused.

SHOW A POINT.

Deceive, use deceitfully. see "Sell a Pup."

SHRAP.

Abbreviation of shrapnel. Used as a name for paper currency in low denominations by the various communes and towns in France, principally because of its tendency to disintegrate after a little use, also on account of the number of notes required to amount to any considerable sum. Also "Pork & Beans."

SHRAPNEL BATTERY.

Field-Cooker.

SHREWD HEAD.

A cunning person.

SHREWDY.

See "Shrewd Head."

SHUT-EYE.

Sleep.

SILLY-GRIN.

An ironical ejaculation importing pain or misfortune.

SIN-SHIFTER.

An Army Chaplain.

SIT-PAT.

Remain quiet.

SIT ON THE TAIL.

To fly slightly above and in the rear of an enemy aeroplane.

SKIRT.

A Girl.

SKITTLED.

Killed.

SKY PILOT.

A Minister of religion; Chaplain.

SLANDER.

An improper or unfair action; or abuse.

SLANTER.

False play; deliberately trying to lose when running a race etc.

SLAP.

"To have a slap" - to make an attempt.

SLAP-UP.

Good.

SLAPPED UP.

Improvised; a hurried job.

SLATHERER.

See "Snifter."

SLING.

"Sling him one" or sling a salute.

SLIP.

To make a mistake; to lose an advantage (eg to slip for pay)

SLIPPERY-DICK.

See "Rubber-helled [sic] -Jack."

SLOOSH.

A wash. Corruption of "Sluice."

SLUG.

Strike; punch.

SLUSHEY.

A mess orderly.

SMACK.

Wound; an attempt.

SMUDGED.

Killed by being blown to pieces by a shell.

SNAG.

An obstacle; a dangerous man.

SNARE.

Acquire; steal.

SNAKY.

Angry (eg to turn snaky, irritable)

SNAVEL.

To steal or misappropriate.

Snipe (Sopwith)

SNIFTER or SNODGER.

Extraordinarily good or big.

SNOTTER.

Kill; "snottered", Killed.

SNOB-SHOP.

An army boot repairing shop.

SNOUTED.

In disfavor or under disfavor.

SNUFF OUT.

To die.

SOCK THE BOOT IN.

Literally to kick viciously. In a general sense - harsh treatment.

SOFT SNAP.

An easy matter.

SORE FINGER.

An overdressed person. (eg. "dolled" up like a sore finger.

SOUVENIR.

In the slang sense to appropriate articles belonging to a person or place, a euphemism for steal.

SPARE-COLONEL or SPARE PART.

See "Floating Kidney"

SPARK WELL.

To be in good health.

SPARKS.

A wireless operator on board ship.

SPIN (a rough)

A bad time. From "two up" in which the man who tossed the pennies in the spinner and has either a good or bad spin. It is applicable to the general experience of life.

SPLIT.

Unusual. An aeroplane on its side banking for a sharp turn.

SPOOK.

An army signaller, especially a wireless operator. How this term came to be applied in this sense is doubtful although probably it was because the signaller at the instrument was able to receive messages apparently from space.

SPOT.

Drink.

SPRING-HEEL.

A man who, on joining a fighting unit immediately finds a means of leaving it.

SQUARE-HEAD.

A German.

SQUARE Pushing

SQUEAL.

Cry for mercy or assistance to others.

STAR ARTIST.

"One star artist" - a Second lieutenant.

SQUID.

A German Prisoner.

SQUIRT.

A Revolver, any firearm.

S.R.D.

The brand on a rum jar (State Rum Distilleries); "seldom reaches destination;" "Soldiers rum diluted" and various other meanings were ascribed to these letters.

STALL.

A hoax; disappointment.

Stalling

STEADY LAPPER.

An inveterate drunkard.

STELLEMBOSCH

To transfer an Officer to a less important command. A division in the S. Cape Good Hope province, to which Officers who had failed in the Kaffir War were sent by way of being superseded without formal disgrace.

STEVE.

A casual acquaintance.

STEVES

STINK.

"To kick up a stink" - to cause a commotion or discussion.

STING.

Make a request for a loan or gift; also put in the stings.

STONKER.

Exterminate; kill; strike.

STOUSH.

Fight; to strike; defeat.

STOUSH MERCHANT.

A fighter.

STRAFE.

To punish; a heavy bombardment; abuse.

STRENGTH - to get the.

To understand thoroughly.

STRING-ON.

Deceive.

STRUTH.

An exclamation of surprise.

STUFF TO GIVE 'EM.

A popular catchword expressing superlative excellence. Supposed to have originated with Scottish troops.

STUNG.

Drunk; having been induced to lend.

STUNNED.

Drunk.

STUNT.

A Battle; an eccentric action; an idea; any form of activity.

SUCK-IN.

Sharp pratice [sic]; a cunning scheme; deceit.

SUDDEN.

Quick, thick and heavy. "Your sudden arn't you - a protesting question applied to a man who walks away with something belonging to someone else.

SUGAR.

Money.

SUICIDE CLUB.

Light trench mortar batteries. So called because when first introduced the mortars were unreliable and frequently caused casualties among the battery personal [sic]. Also applied to bombers or other soldiers who were believed to be exposed to more than the average risks.

SWANK.

Vanity; elegance; blatherskite.

SWEAT ON.

Eagerly awaiting.

SWING THE LEAD.

Scheme; malinger, see "Lead swinger."

T

TABBIE.

Girl.

TAILIE.

A man who backs tails in a game of "two up."

TAKE A PULL.

To reform.

TAKE A TUMBLE.

Arrive at a sudden understanding.

TAKE THE COUNT.

To be knocked out or killed.

TAKE TO THE TALL TIMBER.

To abscond.

TANKED UP.

Intoxicated.

TAP.

Demand; interrogate; borrow.

TARP.

A tarpaulin.

TART.

A Girl. Apparently a corruption of sweetheart.

TATS.

Teeth.

TAXI, TO

TEAPOT.

Term commonly applied to the [F]ullerphone in the forward area when there was a possibility of being overheard by the enemy.

TEAR OFF A LUMP.

To accomplish.

TELL OFF.

To apply a verbal castigation; abuse; tell home truths to.

THEIVING IRONS.

Hands.

THE THREE ONES.

A reference to the statue of Nelson in Trafalgar Square. The Square was known to Australians as a favorite meeting place; and called the Three Ones Hotel. The "ones" are Nelson's one arm, one eye and one posterior orifice.

THROW A SEVEN.

To die. Probably arose from dicing. It was impossible to throw a seven spot: it is humoriously [sic] called a shooting case to do so if it were possible.

THROW SIX AND A HALF.

Almost to die.

THUD.

See Gutzer.

TICKET.

A Discharge from the Army. A Pilots certificate (Airmans)

TICKOFF.

See "Tell off."

TIG.

Extract a loan; wound.

TIN.

Money.

TIN BOX.

Magazine of rifle.

TIN HAT.

A flat steel helmet for protecting the head against shrapnel bullets.

TINKEL-TINKLE.

An effeminate man.

TINNED POT.

Contemptible.

TINNED DOG.

The preserved meat issued to the troops.

TIP THE WINK.

Inform.

TIRED THEODORE.

A long distance shell.

TOCK-EMMA.

Trench mortar. Signal pronunication of the initial letters.

TOGGED THE KNOCKER.

Well dressed.

TOMMY.

An English Soldier.

TOO RIGHT; TOO TRUE.

Most certainly.

TONY.

A Portuguese Soldier (Private)

Tooth Brush

TOOT-SWEET.

Quickly; immediately; "At the toot" - at once. Corruption of the French "Toute de suite."

TOP: to go over the

To go over the parapet of the trench, to take part in an attack. "Top Hole" - First Class; excellent, the very best Top stroke. The highest section of plating on the body of a submarine.

TOP OFF.

To kill.

TOUCH - to touch with death.

To have a close shave; to touch lucky, to have a stroke of luck. A near shave.

TOP OF THE HOUSE.

Number 99 in a game of "House."

TOURISTS.

"6/- a day tourists" used as a term of derision for the privates of the A.I.F. particularly to the volunteers of 1914, because it was alleged by some that they expected the war to end before they could be fit to take the field, and therefore enlisted merley [sic] for the pay and opportunity to travel.

TOWELLED UP.

Severely punished.

Track Bullets [??]

TRACK SQUARE.

To partake an amorous enterprise with honorable intentions.

TRAY BEANS.

Very well; good. From the French "tres biens."

TREACLE MINER.

A man who boasts of his wealth in Australia or his position in private life.

TREZ BEANS.

See "Tray Beans."

TRICK THE BOOKS.

Deceive; defeat by a scheme.

TRIPE.

Rubbish; worthless.

TRIPE ROARED OUT.

Severely reprimanded.

TROT.

An experience eg. "a rough trot" - a bad time.

TUG.

A rude or disorderly person.

TUMBLE take a

To suddenly become aware of a joke against one-self or a mistake that one is making.

TURN DOG.

Betray.

TURN DOWN.

Refuse; reject; ignore.

TURN SOUR.

Become angry.

TURN UP.

A lucky event.

TWENTYONE GUNS.

A Salute. In the slang sense used in reference to the personal salute.

TWIST.

To change one's course of conduct.

TWO EYES RIGHT.

Certainly. See "Too Right."

TWO UP

The most popular game in the A.I.F. The betting was on whether the spinner would toss the pennies on the "kip" in such a way that upon striking the ground their heads or tails would be uppermost. Large sums of money were won and lost in this way.

TYPEWRITER.

Machine gun.

U

UMPTEEN.

Any number of.

UNEXPECTED PORTION.

An uronic [sic] perversion of the familiar official phrase "unexpended portion of the day's rations." It originated in times when owing to avoidable or unavoidable causes no rations arrived for the troops.

UP JUMP.

Upstart; interloper.

UP THE LINE.

In action, "Up the line with the best of luck" - a sartical [sic] phrase applied to men who after being in safe occupations, were returned to the fighting units.

UP TO PUTTY.

Bad; useless; ineffectual.

UP TO US.

Our turn or responsibility.

V

VASELINE.

Butter or vaseline.

VENT A TAIR.

Quickly; to the limit of ones [sic] ability: at full speed. From the French "Ventre a Terre.

VERTICAL ATMOSPHERE.

See "Wind Up."

VERY NICE

VERY GOOD

VERY SWEET

VERY CLEAN

MASTER MACKENZIE.

A street phrase of the Egyptian hawkers and shopkeepers in extolling their wares to an Australian.

VIN BLANK.

White wine see Point Blanc.

VIN ROUSH.

Red Wine.

VON BLINKED.

Drunk.

W

WAGGER.

A Signaller.

WANGLE.

To manipulate; to manage or employing a skillful, cunning or unscruplous [sic] way; to cook (accounts, reports etc.)

WAR BABY.

A very rough soldier; foals, pups etc., born of anim[?] on the strength of the units.

WAR LORD.

An officious officer.

WASHERS.

To "cut washers from one's ring" An expression denoting extreme weariness on the march.

WASHOUT.

A failure, an empty, useless or ineffectual thing; A miss in shooting at a target.

WAZZEH.

One of the native quarters of Cairo in which the majority of the houses were brothels.

WELTER.

"To make it a welter" - to exceed the limit.

WE'RE WINNING.

An ironical expression for bad luck. When used satirically applies to bad conditions. Otherwise applied to good.

WEST OF HELL.

Death; dead.

WHACKLE OUT.

Consider deadly.

WHEELS.

To have wheels (in the head) indicate lack of sense.

WHIPPET.

A light and fast tank.

WHIP THE CAT.

Experience chargin [sic].

WHITE HAIRED BOY.

A favorite.

WHIZ BANG.

The shell fire from a German 77 m.m. gun. So called on account of its extremely high velocity. The name was also applied to the Field Service Post Card issued to the troops, on account of the speed with which they could be completed and despatched.

WINDY.

See "wind-up."

WISE-HEAD.

A cunning or intelligent person.

WITH THE PIN OUT.

Quickly; headlong. (A metaphor from bombing. Before throwing the Mills bomb, a pin which holds down the lever is withdrawn. In the act of throwing the finger releases the lever which flies upwards, bringing the striker into contact with the detonator, and explding the bomb within 5 seconds.

WOODBINE.

A cheap brand of cigarettes so popular amongst English troops that the name became a commonly used nickname for English troops.

WOOLY DOG.

A term of abuse.

WORKABLE.

Good.

WORK A PASSAGE.

To scheme, with the object of being sent to Australia.

WORK THE NUT.

Act cunningly; scheme.

WORK THE TICKET.

Feign madness. See "Work a passage."

WOULD TO GODDER.

A civilian who "would to God that he could go to the war." Probably first used by the Sydney Bulletin in a cartoon.

WRENS.

The members of the Women's Royal Naval Service.

WRITE OFF.

A badly crashed aeroplane; anything completely spoiled or broken; a man who is killed.

Y

YANK.

An American.

Y [?]

Y.M.C.A.

Z

ZERO TIME.

The hour at which the battle commences.

ZIFF.

A beard.

ZIG ZAG.

Drunk.

ZUBRICH-FARMER.

See "Treacle-miner."

Updated:  19 October 2017/Responsible Officer:  Head of School/Page Contact:  CASS Marketing & Communications