Soldier’s Vocabulary

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 2, 15 December 1939, Page 2

Soldier’s Vocabulary

(By

“SAMMY HALL”)

It has become more and more parent that the dialect of the Zealand soldier has lost the character istic “punch” accrued during the pas century. Unless something is done t remedy the matter in the near future the inestimable ladies who act as host esses at the conclusion of SundaSchool parties and similar occasion will have to look to their laurels i ! they are to compete with the moderwarrior in drawing-room expression We feel certain that if things cot tinue in the present trend our con rades, the English Tommy, will fail* 1 recognize us, while Hitler and Goer bels and other pugnacious laddies « the “other side” will not even knot we have arrived. The other day, dm ling a company parade, an unfort®. ate individual in the front rank set: his rifle clattering to the ground, | shuddered and involuntarily closed® ears, remembering a similar oc®<> in 1916. My fears were ground® The sergeant-major smiled point and timidly suggested that the haplt private held his weapon in a sligl firmer grip. The private agreed f this would be wise, and every seemed to be on the most congou terms. I began to doubt the sat of some of the officers when sever similar occurrences were treated ' the same manner within the next if days. I also came upon two quarn some privates, showering one anott with abuse. I approached eagerly, anticipation of a fair dinkum sen However, after one had called i other a nasty man, and his opponi had responded by poking out 1 tongue, I quietly faded out to the t teen (wet). Now, to come to the point. At; tain inquisitive hound in our plate spent all last Saturday afternoon the office of the Registrar of Dea' ( and Marriages. We have now, as you will see, it C] the most important word in the 34 c j Diggers’ vocabulary. 1 a ] ■ ■fh ——f;