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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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.

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