"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
M.T. Mechanical Transport. The members of which are ex-taxi drivers.
No wonder Tommy's rations melt away when the M. T. carries them.
M.O. Medical Officer. A doctor specially detailed to tell Tommy that
he is not sick.
"M. and D." What the doctor marks on the "sicker" or side report when
he thinks Tommy is faking sickness. It means medicine and duty.
Mentioned in Despatches. Recommended for bravery. Tommy would sooner
be recommended for leave.
"Mercy Kamerad." What Fritz says when he has had a bellyful of
fighting and wants to surrender. Of late this has been quite a popular
phrase with him, replacing the Hymn of Hate.
Mess Orderly. A soldier detailed daily to carry Tommy's meals to and
from the cook-house.
Mess Tin. An article of equipment used as a tea-kettle and dinner-set.
"Mike and George." K. C. M. G. (Knight Commander of the Order of St.
Michael and St. George). An award for bravery in the field.
Military Cross. A badge of honor dished out to officers for bravery.
Tommy insists they throw dice to see which is the bravest. The winner
gets the medal.
Military Medal. A piece of Junk issued to Tommy who has done something
that is not exactly brave but still is not cowardly. When it is
presented he takes it and goes back wondering why the Army picks on
him.
M. P. Military Police. Soldiers with whom it is unsafe to argue.
"Mills." Name of a bomb invented by Mills. The only bomb in which
Tommy has full confidence,--and he mistrusts even that.
Mine. An underground tunnel dug by sappers of the Royal Engineer
Corps. This tunnel leads from your trench to that of the enemy's. At
the end or head of the tunnel a great quantity of explosives are
stored which at a given time are exploded. It is Tommy's job to then
go "over the top" and occupy the crater caused by the explosion.
Mine Shaft. A shaft leading down to the "gallery" or tunnel of a mine.
Sometimes Tommy, as a reward, is given the Job of helping the R. E.'s
dig this shaft.
Minnenwerfer. A high-power trench mortar shell of the Germans, which
makes no noise coming through the air. It was invented by Professor
Kultur. Tommy does not know what is near until it bites him; after
that nothing worries him. Tommy nicknames them "Minnies."
Mouth Organ. An instrument with which a vindictive Tommy causes misery
to the rest of his platoon. Some authorities define it as a "musical
instrument."
Mud. A brownish, sticky substance found in the trenches after the
frequent rains. A true friend to Tommy, which sticks to him like glue,
even though at times Tommy resents this affection and roundly curses
said mud.
Mufti. The term Tommy gives to civilian clothes. Mufti looks good to
him now.
N
Nap. A card game of Tommy's in which the one who stays awake the
longest grabs the pot. If all the players fall asleep, the pot goes to
the "Wounded Soldiers' Fund."
"Napoo-Fini." Tommy's French for gone, through with, finished,
disappeared.
"Napper." Tommy's term for bead.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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