How Trench Talk Transformed the Way We Speak Today

The English language is in a constant state of change, with new words being introduced on a regular basis. This ongoing transformation is nothing new, as language has always been influenced by words and expressions from various eras. The slang that originated in the trenches of World War I has largely shaped our modern vocabulary, although not every phrase from that time remains in common use today.

Blimp

The term " blimp, " used to describe the airships we see today, first emerged during World War I. Yet, the precise origin of the name remains uncertain.

There are several theories, with the most widely accepted one linking it to the airships' classification. This theory proposes that "limp airships" referred to these non-rigid vessels that could expand and contract. Consequently, they were classified in military records as Category B: Limp. If this theory holds true, "blimp" would be a combination of the category and its descriptive term.

Another, possibly more plausible theory, is that the name is onomatopoeic, replicating the sound the 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 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 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.

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.