"Over the Top," by an American Soldier Who Went: Together with Tommy's Dictionary of the TrenchesEmpey, Arthur Guy
History
"Over the Top," by an American Soldier Who Went: Together with Tommy's Dictionary of the Trenches
Empey, Arthur Guy
English language -- Slang -- Dictionaries; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
Jackknife. A knife, issued to Tommy, which weighs a stone and won't
cut. Its only virtue is the fact that it has a tin-opener attachment
which won't open tins.
Jam. A horrible mess of fruit and sugar which Tommy spreads on his
bread. It all tastes the same no matter whether labelled "Strawberry"
or "Green Gage."
"Jam Tin." A crude sort of hand grenade which, in the early stages of
the war. Tommy used to manufacture out of jam tins, ammonal, and mud.
The manufacturer generally would receive a little wooden cross in
recognition of the fact that he died for King and Country.
Jock. Universal name for a Scotchman.
K
"Kicked the bucket." Died.
Kilo. Five eighths of a mile. Ten "kilos" generally means a trek of
fifteen miles.
"King's Shilling." Tommy's rate of pay per day, perhaps.
"Taking the King's Shilling" means enlisting.
"Kip." Tommy's term for "sleep." He also calls his bed his "kip." It
is on guard that Tommy most desires to kip.
Kit Bag. A part of Tommy's equipment in which he is supposed to pack
up his troubles and smile, according to the words of a popular song
(the composer was never in a trench).
Kitchener's Army. The volunteer army raised by Lord Kitchener, the
members of which signed for duration of war. They are commonly called
the "New Army" or "Kitchener's Mob." At first the Regulars and
Territorials looked down on them, but now accept them as welcome
mates.
L
Labor Battalion. An organization which is "too proud to fight." They
would sooner use a pick and shovel.
Lance-corporal. A N.C.O. one grade above a private who wears a
shoestring stripe on his arm and thinks the war should be run
according to his ideas.
"Lead." The leading pair of horses or mules on a limber. Their only
fault is that they won't lead (if they happen to be mules).
Leave Train. The train which takes Tommy to one of the seaports on the
Channel en route to Blighty when granted leave. The worst part of
going on leave is coming back.
Lee Enfield. Name of the rifle used by the British Army. Its caliber
is .303 and the magazine holds ten rounds. When dirty it has a tasty
habit of getting Tommy's name on the crime sheet.
"Legging it." Running away.
Lewis Gun. A rifle-like machine gun, air cooled, which only carries 47
rounds in its "pie-plate" magazine. Under fire when this magazine is
emptied you shout for "ammo" but perhaps No. 2, the ammo carrier, is
lying in the rear with a bullet through his napper. Then it's
"napoo-fini" (Tommy's French) for Mr. Lewis.
"Light Duty." What the doctor marks on the sick report opposite a
Tommy's name when he has doubts as to whether said Tommy is putting
one over on him. Usually Tommy is.
Light Railway. Two thin iron tracks on which small flat cars full of
ammunition and supplies are pushed. These railways afford Tommy great
sport in the loading, pushing, and unloading of cars.
Limber. A match box on two wheels which gives the Army mule a job. It
also carries officer's packs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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