"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
Liquid Fire. Another striking example of German "Kultur." According to
the Germans it is supposed to annihilate whole brigades, but Tommy
refuses to be annihilated.
Listening Post. Two or three men detailed to go out "in front" at
night, to lie on the ground and listen for any undue activity in the
German lines. They also listen for the digging of mines. It is nervous
work and when Tommy returns he generally writes for a bos of
"Phosperine Tablets," a widely advertised nerve tonic.
"Little Willie." Tommy's nickname for the German Crown. Prince. They
are not on speaking terms.
"Lloyd George's Pets." Munition workers in England.
"Lonely Soldier." A soldier who advertises himself as "lonely"
through the medium of some English newspaper. If he is clever and
diplomatic by this method he generally receives two or three parcels a
week, but he must be careful not to write to two girls living on the
same block or his parcel post mail will diminish.
"Lonely Stab." A girl who writes and sends parcels to Tommy. She got
his name from the "Lonely Soldier Column" of some newspaper.
Loophole. A disguised aperture in a trench through which to "snipe" at
Germans.
Lyddite. A high explosive used in shells. Has a habit of scattering
bits of anatomy over the landscape.
M
M.G.C. Machine Gun Corps. A collection of machine gunners who think
they are the deciding factor of the war, and that artillery is
unnecessary.
M.G. Machine Gunner. A man who, like an American policeman, is never
there when he is badly wanted.
Maconochie. A ration of meat, vegetables, and soapy water, contained
in a tin. Mr. Maconochie, the chemist who compounded this mess,
intends to commit "hari kari" before the boys return from the front.
He is wise.
"Mad Minute." Firing fifteen rounds from your rifle in sixty seconds.
A man is mad to attempt it, especially with a stiff bolt.
Mail Bag. A canvas bag which is used to bring the other fellow's mail
around.
Major. An officer in a Battalion who wears a crown on his uniform, is
in command of two companies, and corrects said companies in the second
position of "present arms." He also resides in a dugout.
Maneuvers. Useless evolutions of troops conceived by someone higher up
to show Tommy how brave his officers are and how battles should be
fought. The enemy never attend these maneuvers to prove they're right.
Mass Formation. A close order formation in which the Germans attack. It
gives them a sort of "Come on, I'm with you" feeling. They would "hold
hands" only for the fact that they have to carry their rifles. Tommy
takes great delight in "busting up" these gatherings.
Mate. A soldier with whom Tommy is especially "chummy." Generally
picked because this soldier receives a parcel from home every week.
Maxim. Type of machine gun which has been supplanted by the Vickers in
order to make Tommy unlearn what he has been taught about the Maxim.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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