The evolution of the English language is ongoing, characterized by the continual addition of new words. This is not new, as language has been shaped by words and phrases from many historical periods. The slang coined in the trenches during World War I has strongly impacted modern vocabulary, although not all of these expressions have lasted in everyday usage.
Blighty
A slang term from World War I that holds significant meaning for the British is “Blighty.” While it has evolved into a common nickname for Great Britain, its origins lie in the Urdu words “vilayat” and “vilayati,” which translate to “inhabited country” and “foreign,” respectively.
In a regional variation, the Urdu term was “bilayati,” and this version gained usage within the British military in the 19th century. Blighty wasn’t just a term for the country; it also described a specific type of wound. A Blighty was serious, but not disabling, and led to injured soldiers being sent home, essentially returning to Blighty.
In a flap
If you’re worried about something, you might be “in a flap.” This is a slang term that dates back to 1916, right smack-dab in the middle of World War I. It was generally used by naval personnel, and is believed to come from the flapping of restless birds.
The expression also led to the word “unflappable.” This first appeared much later – in the 1950s – and means “unflustered.”
No bon
One slang expression from the trenches of World War I that didn’t stand the test of time was “no bon.” It’s a mixture of English and French commonly used by British troops – “no” is an English term, while “bon” is French. It translates to “no good,” as bon means “good” in French.
Napoo
Another phrase that failed to integrate into everyday English is “napoo.”
This slang term from World War I has its origins in French. Derived from the French phrase “il n’y a plus,” meaning “there is no more,” it was adopted by English-speaking soldiers who fought alongside the French in the trenches. They modified the phrase for easier pronunciation, resulting in “napoo.”
It was frequently used to denote something that was completed, ruined, or deceased.
Skive
“Skive” is another word believed to have come from an anglicized French term. The exact etymology is a bit murky, but it was first used as military slang during World War I. Experts believe it may come from the French word “esquiver,” which means “to avoid” or “escape.” To skive was used to describe avoiding a task or job.
If it did derive from the French term, it would be one of the most prominent French-derived slang words to enter the English language.
Blimp
The airship we refer to as a blimp was first given this name during World War I. The issue is that the origin of the name is still debated.
There are several theories, with the most common one relating to the classification of these airships. According to this theory, blimps were called “limp airships” because they were non-rigid and could inflate and deflate. Because of this, they were listed in military inventories as Category B: Limp. If this theory holds, the name “blimp” is a combination of the category and its description.
Another theory, considered by some to be more believable, is that the name is onomatopoeic, imitating the sound the airship makes when fully inflated.
Over the top
This World War I-era slang expression has seen a resurgence in recent years, but did die out post-conflict.
Today, it’s used to describe something that is excessive or unnecessary, which is quite far from its original meaning. During the First World War, the expression referred to an attack from the trenches, which required soldiers to climb over the sandbags or go over the top of the trench.
More from us: Royal Navy Slang That’s Found Its Way Into Everyday Life
At the time, the term was also used to describe the beginning of a dangerous venture that had a small chance of survival.
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