WAR VOCABULARY
IN GREAT BRITAIN. Abris Wallah.—Term used by retired** Anglo-Indian air raid wardens for those faint-hearted enough to take cover. Alert. The warning siren, from which comes:— Alertion.—Typical Government Department invention as used in “We were in a State of Alertion.” Meaning the sirens had gone. Blitz.—Term of endearment for the evening raid, e.g., “I left early to get home before the Blitz.” D.A. Delayed action bomb, e.g.,
“They’re homeless because of a D.A.” de-Quisle. —To remove vital parts of a motor car to foil fifth column activity. de-Whistle.—To sound the end of the danger period during warnings, e.g., “Have we been de-whistled yet?” Eggs.—Bombs. Packet (buys a). —Be badly bombed. Pasting (get a). —See above. Purple.—Warning to those on duty that enemy aircraft are approaching. “I knew there was a purple on so I didn’t hurry for my train.” (Trains only go 15 miles an hour during raids.) Red.—Next stage of above when sirens are sounded. Yellow. Obsolete preliminary warning given when enemy aircraft were somewhere else in England. This state is now perpetual.
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Bibliographic details
Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4464, 15 August 1941, Page 7
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176WAR VOCABULARY Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4464, 15 August 1941, Page 7
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