anu (Australian National University)
A.G. Pretty's Glossary of A.I.F. Slang (World War One)

Glossary of AIF Slang (WWI)
The glossary, compiled by the newly formed Australian War Memorial’s librarians over the period 1921 to 1924, provides a snapshot of the language of the soldiers who had fought for Australia and the Empire in the Middle East and Europe. Over 900 terms are included in the glossary, some Australian, some more general, but all with special relevance for the troops’ experience of the war. We can get a real sense of how the average soldier spoke (the swear words that no doubt were also a central part of the soldiers’ vocabulary did not make it into the glossary, although some are alluded to). We also gain a sense of how Australian soldiers brought to the battlefields a distinct ‘Aussie’ identity revealed in this ‘slanguage’.

• Introduction - for further information on the glossary and suggested further reading.
• The original manuscript - the final draft of the Glossary, without any amendments or annotations.
• Annotated edition of the Glossary - each term has been provided with an explanation of its origin and usage, and in some cases further discussion of its meaning, and citations to show how it was used, and including links.
• Additionally, there are sections providing further information on aspects of language relevant to the glossary, and a list of abbreviations for the texts used in the notes to the annotated edition.
• Flying Corps Terms - A glossary of terms collected from the Australian Flying Corps - copy of the original typescript with only minor amendments and alphebatized.

ABDOMINAL. | ACE | ACID. | ACK I. FUF. | ABDUL. | ACK. | ACK. ACK. ACK. | AD-RIFT. | ALF-A-MO. | ALLEY. | ALLYSLOPER'S CAVALRY | ANDEY MC NOON. | ANNIE. | also Annie from Asia | ANTE UP. | ANTY. | ANZAC. | ANZAC SOUP. | ANZAC STEW. | ANZAC WAFER. | APRES LA GUERRE | ARCHIE. | ARMY SAFETY CORPS. | ARSAPEEK. | ARSEY-TARSY. | ARTIST. | AS NEAR AS DAMN IT. | ATCHA. | ATMOSPHERE. | AUSSIE. | AXLE GREASE. | A.W.L. | BABB-LING BROOK or Babbler. | BABBLERS OFFSIDER. | Baby Elephant | BACK IN ONE'S CART. | BACK CHAT. | BAGS. | BALLS IN A KNOT. (to get) | BANGER. | BANJO. | Bank, to | BARE. | BARRAGE. | BASE WALLAH. | BASE ATTACK. | Bastard | BAT. | BATT. | Beachy Bill | BEAN. | BEANO. | BEANS. | BEAT IT. | BEAT-OFF THE. | BEEF IT OUT. | BEER ESSES. | BEER PULL. | BEER-SWIPER. | BEER-UP. | BELGIUM. | BELLY-ACHE. | BERGOO. | BERNHARDI'S BOOTS. | BERTHA. | BEZOOKS. | BIFF. | BILLY HARRIS. | BIMF. | BINGE. | BINT. | BIRD. | BIRDIE. | BIRL. | BIRTHDAY. | BIT - to do ones bit | BIT OF FLUFF. | BITE. | BITE THE DUST. | BLACK HAND. | BLIGHTY. | BLANK, Blanky, Blankety. | BLIGHTER. | BLIMP. | Blind Spot | BLITHERED. | BLITHERER. | BLOCK - did his. | BLOKE. | BLOODY. | BLOTTE. | BLOODS WORTH BOTTLING. | BLOW OFF. | BLOW ONE'S BAG OUT. | BLOOD BATH. | BLOW OUT. | BLOW-TO-FOOK. | BLUEY. | BLUDGED ON THE FLAG. | BLUFF-STAKES. | BLUE LIGHT. | BOSCHE. | BODY-SNATCHER. | BOG IN. | BOILS. | BOKO. | BOLO. | BOLLOCKS. | BOMBING OFFICER. | BONZER. | BOOB. | BOOM. | BOOKOO. | BOOZER. | BOSHTER-BOSKER. | BOTT. | BOTTLING. | BOUNCE | BOUNCE THE BALL. | BOWIE-KNIFE ARMY. | BOX-ON. | BOY WITH HIS BOOTS OFF. | BRADS (Bradburys) | BRANDING-PADDOCK. | BRASS | BRASS HAT. | BRASS KING. | BREADWINNERS. | BRIDE. | BRIG. | BRIGAND. | BROADS. | BROKE TO THE WIDE. | BROKEN-DOLL. | BUCK. | BUCKING-HORSE. | BUCKOO. | BUCKS BOMBARDY. | BUG HOUSE. | BUCKSHEE. | Bullet (Bristol) | BULLFODDER. | BULL RING. | BULL SHIT. | BULLY. | BUMBRUSHER. | BUMF. | BUNCH. | BUNCH OF GRAPES. | BUNG OR Bung-hole | BUNK. | BUNK-UP. | BURL. | BUS. | BUTCH. | BUTCHER. | BUTT-IN. | BUZZ. | CAB RANK. | CADORNA. | Cakem Gaol | CAGE. | Camel (Sopwith) | CAMEL-DUNG. | CAMOUFLAGED AUSSIE. | CANNED. | CARK SUCKER. | CANE-UP. | CARTWHEEL. | CAT-SOU. | CELLULOID. | C'EST LA GUERRE. | CENTRE. | CHARLIE CHAP. | CHAT. | CHAT. | CHATTY. | CHEER-OH or CHEERIO | CHEW THE RAG. | CHIP. | CHOP-IN. | CHIV. | CHIVOO. | CHOCS. | CHOP. | CHRISTEN THE SQUIRT. | CHUCK A SEVEN. | CHUCK IT UP. | CHUM (choom) | CIRCUS. | CIVVY-IES. | CLICK. | CLINAH. | CLICKETY-CLICK. | CLINK. | CLOBBER. | CLOUT. | COAL BOX. | COBBER. | COFFIN NAILS. | COG-WHEELS. | COLD. | COLD FEET. | COLLEGE. | COIL-UP. | COME-AT. | COME OVER. | COME THE DOUBLE. | COMFORTS FUND. | CONCRETE MACAROON. | COLD STORAGE. | COMMON-TALLY-PLUNK. | COLUMN OF LUMPS. | COMPREE | COMME SA. | COMME SI COMME SA. | Conchy. | COOLER. | COOL OFF. | COOTIES. | COUSHAY. | COUGH-UP. | COW. | COWPUNT ROAD. | CORPSE FACTORY. | CRABS. | CRACK. | CRASH. | CREAM PUFFS. | CROOL THE PITCH. | CROW-EATER. | CRUMBY. | CRUMP. | CRUSH. | CUSHY. | CUT. | CUTHBERT. | CUT-IT-OUT. | CUT-OFF. | CUT-THROATS. | DAB. | Daddies, The | DAG. | DARK. | DATE. | DEAD MEAT TICKET. | DEARAUNTIE. | DEAR BILL. | DEEP THINKER. | DIAL. | Diehards, the | DIGGER. | DINGBAT. | DINKUM. | DINKUM THE | DINKY-DIE. | DIVVY. | Dixie | DIZZY-LIMIT. | DO; to do in. | DO A BUNK. | DOCK. | DODGER. | DOER. | DOG FEVER. | DOG'S-LEG. | DOING'S. | DOLL UP. | Dolphin (Sopwith) | DOMINO. | DON ACK PLONK. | DONG. | DONK. | DONK'S DINBAT. | DOOK. | DOOK 'IM ONE. | DOOK IT. | DOPE. | DOPEY. | DOUGH. | DOUSE THE GLIM. | DOWN SOUTH. | DOWN - to have a down on. | DRAFT UP or DRAFT VERTICAL. | DRAGGING SPARE. | DREADNOUGHT. | DUCKBOARD. | DUCKS BREAKFAST. | DUCKS DISEASE. | DUCK'S EGG. | DUD. | DUG IN. | DUGOUT. | DUG-UP. | EAT CROWS. | EATS. | EAT-UP. | EDGE. | EGGS-A-COOK. | EGGS-A-FRIED. | EMMA EMMA ESSES. | EMMA PIP. | ESSES EMMA. | EYEFULL. | EYEWASH. | F.A. | FAG. | FAGGED OUT. | FAIR GO. | FAKE. | FALL TO A JOB. | FALL TO THE JOKE. | FANGS. | FANNY DURAK. | FED UP. | FEED BAG. | F.F.F. | FEVVERS. | FINANCE. | FILL-AN-EYE. | FILOOSH. | FINNY. | FIXED BAYONET. | FLAG - think of the. | FLAG WAGGER. | FLAKER. | Flaming Onions | FLARE KING. | FLAT-FOOTED. | Flattening out | FLAT SPIN. | FLEA BAG. | FLIP. | FLOATING KIDNEY. | FLOG. | FLOP. | FLOWERS ON HIS GRAVE. | FLUTTER. | FLY. | FLY BOG. | FLYING INCINERATOR. | FLYING-PIG. | FOCH'S RESERVES. | FOOT SLOGGERS. | FOOKER. | F.O.Q. | | FRAME-UP. | FREEZE -A. | FRESH FACES IN HELL. | FRILL. | FRITZ. | FROG - FROGGIE. | FRONK. | FUNK. | FUNK HOLE. | FURPHY. | FURPHY-MONGER or King. | GABBARY. | | GAG. | GAME. | GAS-GONG. | GASOMETER. | GASPER. | GAY and FRISKY. | GEEK. | GENERAL WEBB'S ENTANGLEMENT. | GET. | GET AN EYEFULL. | GET ONE'S GUTS IN A KNOT. | GET THE STRENGTH. (or strong of) | GEZUMPHER. | GIBBIT. | GIDDY. | GIGGLE HOUSE. | GINNER. | GIPPO. | GIVE IT A FLY. | GIVE IT A PASSAGE. | GIVE YOUR ARSE A CHANCE. | GLASSY EYE. | GLIM. | GLIMMER. | GO CROOK. | GODDAM-GUY. | GOGGLE-EYED. | GOLDIES. | GONE WEST. | GOOD - to make. | GOOD OIL. | GOOSED. | GO TO THE KENNEL. | GO TO THE PACK. | GOOD BLOKE. | GOOD GUTS. | GO YOUR HARDEST. | Grandma | GRAPPLING IRONS. | GRASS. | GREASY. | GREASIES ANTI-AIRCRAFT. | GREENIE'S. | GROUSE. | GROUSER. | GROUTER. | GUN-FODDER. | GUTS. | GUTZER. | HAIRY-BELLY. | HAIRY MOB. | HANGING TO. | HARD CASE. | HARD WORD. | HASHMAGANDY. | HATE. | HATE STUFF. | HEAD. | HEAD-EM. | HEADS ARE RIGHT. | HEAVIES. | HEAVY-STUFF. | HORSE VALET. | HOT-STUFF. | HOUSE OR HOUSEY. | HUGHESILIER. | HUMM. | HUN. | HUNG ON THE WIRE. | HURRY UP. | IGAREE. | INKED. | IMSHEE. | IN THE GUN. | IODINE KING. | IODINE LANCERS. | IRON FOUNDRY. | IRON RATIONS. | ISSUE. | JACK JOHNSON. | JACKO. | JACKS. | JAG. | JANE. | JERKS. | JERRY. | JAKERLOO OR JAKE. | JIT. | JOB. | JOCK. | JOEY. | JOINT. | JONAH. | JOY-JUICE. | JOY-STICK. | JOY WATER. | JUG. | JUNKER. | | KAMARAD. | KANGAROO FEATHERS. | KERENSKY. | KENNEL-UP. | KID STAKES. | KING O' THE NITS. | KIMBERLY. | KIP. | KIPPSIE. | KIWI-KING. | KNOCK. | KNOCK-BACK. | KNOCK ONES CAN IN. | KNUT. | KYBOSH. | LAMPS. | LANCE CORPORAL BACON. | LANCE-JACK. | LAY-AN-EGG. | LAZY-LIZZ. | LEADSWINGER. | LEGS ELEVEN. | LET DOWN. | LIMIT. | LINE (The) | LINE UP. | LIE-OUT POSSY. | LINGO. | LITTLE BIT OF EYES RIGHT. | LITTLE HELL. | LIT-UP. | LIZZIE. | LOB. | LOCK-SUEY. | LOLLY. | LORD NELSON. | MACONOCHIE | MACONOCHIE CROSS. | MACONOCHIE MEDAL. | MACNOON. | Mademoiselle from Armentieres | MAG. | MAGGOTTY. | Maleesh | | M & D. | MATERIAL TO ADMINISTER. | MEAT TICKET. | MEAT HOOK. | MEAT TRAP. | MENIN ROAD MEAT EXTRACT. | MERCY BLOW THROUGH. | MERRY ANZACS. | METHUSILIER | MIDDLESEX OFFICER. | MICKS. | MILLS' SPUD. | MINNIES. | MITT. | MOLE-HOLE. | MOKE. | MONIKER. | MOOCH. | MOPPER-UP. | MOTHERS-PET. | MOUSEE. | MOUTH-ORGAN. | MOVIES. | MUD-HOOK. | MUG. | MUG-GUNNER. | NAIL-SCISSORS. | NAPOO. | NARK. | NAT GOULDS. | NED KELLY'S BLOOD. | NAVEL. | NIP. | NIT. | NOAHS DOVES. | NOB. | Nobby | NO FARVER NO MOVVER. | NO GOOD TO GUNDY. | NOSE BAG. | NOSE DIVE. | NOSE-BLEEDS. | NOSE WELL DOWN. | NUGGETT. | NUMBER NINE. | NUT. | OFFICE. | OFFSIDER. | OIL. | OILED. | Old & Bold, The | OLD MAN GAINS EXPERIENCE. | OLD SLIPPERY. | ONCKS. | OOJAH. | OPEN GO. | OSCAR. | OUTED. | OVER THE BAGS. | OVER THE ODDS. | OLIVE BRANCH. | ON ONE'S PINK EAR. | ONE PIP (or one dot) | PAINT. | PARAKEET. | PARAPET JOE. | PARLEY. | PARTY. | P.B.I. | PEA-SHOOTERS. | PEBBLE CRUSHING. | PECK. | PERKED. | PENGUIN. | Percy | PEUT-ETRE. | PHOSGENE. | PHYSICAL JERKS. | PIG ARSE. | PIGS EAR. | PIG STABBER. | PILL BATTERY. | PILL BOX. | PINCH. | PIN OUT | PINE-APPLE. | PIN-HEAD. | Pink's | PIPE. | PIP-SQUEAK. | PLONK. | PLUG. | POINT BLANK. | PLUM PUDDING. | POLL. | POMMY. | Pompey | POLING. | PONG. | PONTOON. | PONGO. | P.O.Q. | PORK & CHEESE or Pork & Beans. | PORT HOLES IN YOUR COFFIN - want. | POSH. | POSSY. | POT (to) | POT (a) | POT-HOLE. | POUTER. | PRATE. | PRIVE. | PROPAGANDA. | PROVERBIAL. | PRAD. | PUKKA. | PULL. | PULL ON. | PULL OUT. | PUP. | PUP BATTALION. | PUSH IN. | PUSH. | PUSHING UP DAISIES. | PUSS-IN-BOOTS. | PUT HIS POT ON. | PUT IT OVER. | PUT THE ACID ON. | PUT THE FANGS IN. | PUT THE MUZZLE ON. | PUT UP A STALL. | PUTTY - up to | PUT UP A STUNT. | PUT UP (to be) | QUACK. | QUARTER-BLOKE. | Quick Dick | QUIFF. | RABBIT-TRAP. | RAG-TIME. | RAINBOW. | RAM. | RAMMIES. | RAT (to) | RAT (to have a) | RATION CARRIERS. | RAT AND FOWL. | RATIONS. | RATTLED. | RED CAP. | RED LIGHT. | REGIMENTAL. | REGIMENTALLY REDUCED. | REINSTOUCHMENTS. | REST CAMP. | RESPIGRATOR. | REVVING. | RINGO. | RING IT or RING HIS TAIL. | RINGER. | RING IN. | RISSOLE KING. | ROAR-UP. | ROLL. | ROSELLA. | ROUGH AS BAGS. | ROUGH CARPENTERS. | ROUGHEY. | ROUGH HOUSE. | ROUGH STUFF. | ROUGH UP. | ROUND FEET. | ROUSE. | RUBBER-GUTZ | RUBBER HEELED JACK. | RUMBLE. | RUM-JAR. | RUNNER. | RUN THE RULE OVER. | RIDE ON YOUR BACK. | RISE & SHINE. | SALVOES. | SAND. | SAN-FAIRY-AN. | SARGE. | SARMAJOR. | SAUSAGE. | SAY-PAH. | SCALES. | SCAMPERER. | SCRAG. | SCRAN. | SCRAP. | SCREW (To have a) | SCREWED. | SCROUNGE. | SELL A PUP. | SEND ALONG. | SEND HER DOWN STEVE. | SERGT. MAJOR. | SHEILA. | SHELL HOLE SOLDIERS. | SET. | Seventyfive | Seventyseven | SHELL-SHOCKED. | SHICK. | SHINING STARS. | SHIRTY. | SHOOTING GALLERY. | SHOOTING-IRON. | SHORT-ARM. | SHOT UP THE BACK. | SHOW A POINT. | SHRAP. | SHRAPNEL BATTERY. | SHREWD HEAD. | SHREWDY. | SHUT-EYE. | SILLY-GRIN. | SIN-SHIFTER. | SIT-PAT. | SIT ON THE TAIL. | SKIRT. | SKITTLED. | SKY PILOT. | SLANDER. | SLANTER. | SLAP. | SLAP-UP. | SLAPPED UP. | SLATHERER. | SLING. | SLIP. | SLIPPERY-DICK. | SLOOSH. | SLUG. | SLUSHEY. | SMACK. | SMUDGED. | SNAG. | SNARE. | SNAKY. | SNAVEL. | Snipe (Sopwith) | SNIFTER or SNODGER. | SNOTTER. | SNOB-SHOP. | SNOUTED. | SNUFF OUT. | SOCK THE BOOT IN. | SOFT SNAP. | SORE FINGER. | SOUVENIR. | SPARE-COLONEL or SPARE PART. | SPARK WELL. | SPARKS. | SPIN (a rough) | SPLIT. | SPOOK. | SPOT. | SPRING-HEEL. | SQUARE-HEAD. | SQUARE Pushing | SQUEAL. | STAR ARTIST. | SQUID. | SQUIRT. | S.R.D. | STALL. | Stalling | STEADY LAPPER. | STELLEMBOSCH | STEVE. | STEVES | STINK. | STING. | STONKER. | STOUSH. | STOUSH MERCHANT. | STRAFE. | STRENGTH - to get the. | STRING-ON. | STRUTH. | STUFF TO GIVE 'EM. | STUNG. | STUNNED. | STUNT. | SUCK-IN. | SUDDEN. | SUGAR. | SUICIDE CLUB. | SWANK. | SWEAT ON. | SWING THE LEAD. | TABBIE. | TAILIE. | TAKE A PULL. | TAKE A TUMBLE. | TAKE THE COUNT. | TAKE TO THE TALL TIMBER. | TANKED UP. | TAP. | TARP. | TART. | TATS. | TAXI, TO | TEAPOT. | TEAR OFF A LUMP. | TELL OFF. | THEIVING IRONS. | THE THREE ONES. | THROW A SEVEN. | THROW SIX AND A HALF. | THUD. | TICKET. | TICKOFF. | TIG. | TIN. | TIN BOX. | TIN HAT. | TINKEL-TINKLE. | TINNED POT. | TINNED DOG. | TIP THE WINK. | TIRED THEODORE. | TOCK-EMMA. | TOGGED THE KNOCKER. | TOMMY. | TOO RIGHT; TOO TRUE. | TONY. | Tooth Brush | TOOT-SWEET. | TOP: to go over the | TOP OFF. | TOUCH - to touch with death. | TOP OF THE HOUSE. | TOURISTS. | TOWELLED UP. | Track Bullets [??] | TRACK SQUARE. | TRAY BEANS. | TREACLE MINER. | TREZ BEANS. | TRICK THE BOOKS. | TRIPE. | TRIPE ROARED OUT. | TROT. | TUG. | TUMBLE take a | TURN DOG. | TURN DOWN. | TURN SOUR. | TURN UP. | TWENTYONE GUNS. | TWIST. | TWO EYES RIGHT. | TWO UP | TYPEWRITER. | UMPTEEN. | UNEXPECTED PORTION. | UP JUMP. | UP THE LINE. | UP TO PUTTY. | UP TO US. | VASELINE. | VENT A TAIR. | VERTICAL ATMOSPHERE. | VERY GOOD | VERY SWEET | VERY CLEAN | MASTER MACKENZIE. | VIN BLANK. | VIN ROUSH. | VON BLINKED. | WAGGER. | WANGLE. | WAR BABY. | WAR LORD. | WASHERS. | WASHOUT. | WAZZEH. | WELTER. | WE'RE WINNING. | WEST OF HELL. | WHACKLE OUT. | WHEELS. | WHIPPET. | WHIP THE CAT. | WHITE HAIRED BOY. | WHIZ BANG. | WINDY. | WISE-HEAD. | WITH THE PIN OUT. | WOODBINE. | WOOLY DOG. | WORKABLE. | WORK A PASSAGE. | WORK THE NUT. | WORK THE TICKET. | WOULD TO GODDER. | WRENS. | WRITE OFF. | YANK. | Y [?] | ZERO TIME. | ZIFF. | ZIG ZAG. | ZUBRICH-FARMER.

It's a nice day for it (W3)

A sardonic phrase applied to anything unpleasant, e.g. an attack which is likely to prove costly.

pac
Australian military jargon
Gunnie and Airforce Commonly Used Jargon

po juggler (W3)

PO JUGGLER

pump handle (W3)

Arthur, J.M.
W.H. Downing's Digger Dialects

W.H. Downing's Digger Dialects was first published in 1919. The words and phrases used by Australian Service personnel were recorded `live' in 1919 by Downing, and are presented in this new edition with editorial comments and additions by J.M. Arthur and W.S. Ramson. It is enhanced by almost 100 illustrations, drawn from field or troopship magazines, providing something of the spirit and flavour of the times.

Laugesen, Amanda
Diggerspeak: The Language of Australians at War

Wars have been highly significant in the development of Australian English, generating new words and meanings. Rather than a collection of military slang or jargon, this dictionary draws together the diverse words produced and used by ordinary Australians at war, and examines their ongoing and contemporary usage. The language of Australians at war reveals a great deal about the experiences and understanding of war and is also a fascinating insight into Australian culture and values.

Moore, Bruce
A Lexicon of Cadet Language:
Royal Military College, Duntroon, in the period 1983 to 1985

This book documents many aspects of the language of male army cadets at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australia, in the period 1983 to 1985 (immediately prior to the creation in 1986 of the Australian Defence Force Academy, a tri-service academy which accepts both male and female cadets).

The book includes over 2000 terms. Many are Duntroon-specific, but the book also includes terms associated with the more general military life and with cadets' extra-military activities. The terms, their definitions, the extensive citations showing how the cadets themselves use these terms, and the scholarly and often witty analysis of all of the material combine to make this book a significant and entertaining contribution to our understanding of the Australian language.

You can order this book by sending a cheque for $22.50 (payable to ANDC) to The Australian National Dictionary Centre, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200. Overseas customers should enquire about postal charges by fax (06 249 0475 ) or by email (ANDC@anu.edu.au).

NB Readers should be warned that this book contains many terms which may cause offence. There is also much sexually explicit language.