Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 edition. Excerpt: ... TRENCH TALK THE war has evolved what is almost a new language, to which each nation involved has contributed lavishly. The American soldier went to France richly provided with a store of slang, to which each day has added a new and choice selection of terms and phrases. Some of this new language is clear to those at home, but much of it needs explanation. Archie. The soldiers' name for the sky-pointing guns that shoot at aircraft and sometimes hit them, automatic. The Colt 45-caliber automatic pistol with which our boys are armed. If it doesn't happen to jam it is a pretty deadly weapon. barrage. High explosive shells fired by artillery so that they pass over the heads of an advancing or retreating force and fall in a line in front or back of them and protect them. A boxbarrage is one which is laid down all around a small force so that it cannot move in any direction. battery. A specified number of pieces of artillery which operates as a unit under the command of a captain. Bertha. Sammee's name for a big German gun, from the name of the eldest daughter of Krupp, the German gunmaker. big stuff. Various kinds of large German shells. The big ones filled with high explosive are called crumps, from the noise they make when they explode. The ones that give off a cloud of black smoke are called coal-boxes or Jack Johnsons. The French call the big stuff marmites or siewpots. billet. The barracks, French village or encampment to which the soldier is sent after his tour of duty in the trenches, supposedly for a rest, but usually to work very hard at some non-fighting branch of military work. The soldiers usually spend one week in the front-line trenches, the next week in the support, or secondline trenches, and the third week in the rest billets, ..
