The English language constantly evolves, with new words regularly entering the lexicon. This linguistic fluidity isn’t a recent phenomenon; throughout history, language has been shaped by words and expressions from different periods. Slang born in the trenches of World War I has left a big mark on our modern vocabulary, though not every phrase from that era remains in common use today.
Napoo
Another expression that never made its way into modern heavy English use is “napoo.”
This World War I slang term has roots in the French language. It comes from the French phrase “il n’y a plus,” which translates to “there is no more.” English-speaking soldiers who served with the French in the trenches adopted and altered the phrase for easier pronunciation, leading to “napoo.”
It was often used to describe something that was finished, destroyed, or dead.
Blimp
The term “blimp,” commonly used to describe modern airships, first surfaced during World War I, though its precise origin remains uncertain.
One well-known theory ties the name to the classification system for airships, proposing that “limp airships” was a term for these flexible, non-rigid vessels that could expand and contract. In this context, they were labeled as Category B: Limp, leading to the idea that “blimp” combines the category code with the descriptive term.
Another theory, perhaps more credible, is that the name is onomatopoeic, imitating the sound an airship makes when fully inflated.
Skive
“Skive” is thought to originate from an anglicized version of a French word. The exact origins are pretty vague, but it first appeared as military slang during World War I. Experts suggest it might be derived from the French word “esquiver,” meaning “to avoid” or “escape.” The term “skive” was used to refer to avoiding a task or duty.
If it did come from the French term, it would be one of the most notable French-derived slang words to make its way into English.
Blighty
During World War I, British soldiers adopted a term with deep meaning: “Blighty.” Now a casual nickname for Great Britain, Blighty’s roots lie in Urdu. “Vilayat” and “vilayati” – meaning “settled land” and “foreign,” respectively – were the original words.
A regional twist on the Urdu term, “bilayati,” found its way into the British military lexicon by the 1800s. But Blighty wasn’t just a place – it also described a particular kind of injury. Serious enough for a trip home, but not life-threatening, a Blighty wound meant a welcome return to Blighty itself.
In a flap
If you’re feeling anxious about something, you may find yourself “in a flap.” This slang expression dates back to 1916, at the peak of World War I, and was frequently used by naval personnel. It’s believed to stem from the restless flapping of birds.
The term also led to the creation of the word “unflappable,” which emerged much later in the 1950s and signifies being “unfazed.”
No bon
A slang expression that originated in the trenches of World War I but didn’t last is “no bon.” This term, a combination of English and French, was commonly employed by British soldiers—where “no” is English and “bon” is French. It translates to “no good,” as “bon” means “good” in French.
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.
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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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