Your Favorite Slang Words Were Born in The Trenches of WWI

The English language is always evolving, with new words being added on a regular basis. This is not a recent occurrence, as language has always been influenced by terms and phrases from various historical eras. The slang that originated in the trenches in World War I has largely influenced our vocabulary today, although not all of these expressions are still commonly used.

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 anxious about something, you might be "in a flap." This slang term originated in 1916, during the height of World War I. It was commonly used by naval personnel and is thought to derive from the restless flapping of birds.

The term also gave rise to the word "unflappable." This appeared much later, in the 1950s, and means "unfazed."

No bon

A slang term from the trenches of World War I that failed to last was "no bon." This phrase, a blend of English and French, was frequently used by British soldiers—"no" being English and "bon" being French. It translates to "no good," with "bon" meaning "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 term " blimp " for the type of airship we use today was first coined during World War I. However, the exact origin of the name is still up for debate.

Several theories exist, with the most popular suggesting it stems from the airships' classification. According to this theory, the term "limp airships" was used for these non-rigid vessels that could inflate and deflate. Consequently, they were categorized in military records as Category B: Limp. If this theory is accurate, "blimp" would be a blend of the category and its description.

Another, perhaps more believable theory, suggests that the name is onomatopoeic, mimicking 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.

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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.