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French Military Terms & Soldier Slang

The following is a list of French military terms and soldier slang in use during the Great War. An entire dialect of its own developed in the army during the course of the war. Soldier slang emerged in response to the men's need to adapt to an utterly foreign experience. To do so, a new language was needed to describe and quantify their new world. This military jargon was derived from various sources. Some were already in use in French popular culture or in the professional military. Others are borrowed from local French patois or from its various foreign colonies (e.g. African, Arab and South-East Asian languages). Still others are simply abbreviations or acronyms. Please read the Disclaimer at the bottom of this page before reviewing the terms list.

How to read this page:

Formal Term in English (Direct Translation in English)   = French Term
Slang Term in English   = French Slang Term

An asterisk (*) indicates the most common slang term.

Pronunctiation Guide

Basic Tutorial on French

French-English Language Dictionary

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Personnel

French Soldiers, NCOs and Officers: By Rank

Private   = le Soldat
Bottom Ranker   = le Griveton, Pitou, Troubade, or Trouffion

Private Second-Class   = le Soldat de Deuxième Classe
Dearie   = le Bibi
Fifer   = le Fiflot

Private First-Class   = le Soldat de Première Classe
Private First-Class   = le Premier Bibi
First Duck   = le Premier Canard
First Juice   = le Premier Jus

Corporal   = le Caporal
Lard   = le Saindoux
Mutt   = le Cabot
Macaroni-Mutt   = le Cabot-Macaroni
Spud-Mutt   = le Cabot-Patate
Ragout-Mutt   = le Cabot-Rata

Lance-Corporal (Quarter-Master Corporal)   = le Caporal Fourrier
Lance-Mutt (Quarter-Mutt)   = le Cab-Four.

Sergeant   = le Sergent
Foot or Bench-Foot   = le Pied or Pied-de-Banc

Quarter-Master Sergeant   = le Sergent-Fourrier
Drum (QM Sgt.)   = le Tambour
Line Pack (QM Sgt.)   = le Sac à Ligne

Sergeant-Major   = le Sergent-Major
Chief   = le Chef
Double or Doubler   = le Double or Doublard

Adjutant   = l'Adjudant
Adjufart   = l'Adjupète
Low-Off. [NCO]   = le Bas-Off.
Juicey   = le Juteux

Junior Officer (Aspiring)   = l'Aspirant
Aspi'   = l'Aspi'

Second-Lieutenant   = Le Sous-Lieutenant
Second-Lieut'   = le Sous-Lieut'

Lieutenant   = Le Lieutenant
Lieut'   = le Lieut'

Captain   = Le Capitaine
Capt'   = [Mon] Capi'
Capster   = [Mon] Capiston or 'Piston
'Ptan   = [Mon] 'Pitaine

Major (or Battalion Leader)   = Le Commandant (or Chef de Battalion)

Colonel   = Le Colonel
Crn'l   = [Mon] Colo' or Colon'

French Soldiers: By Type

French soldier   = le Soldat Français
Young Soldier [used in 1914]   = le Pioupiou*
Hairy or Scruffy [used after 1914]   = le Poilu*
French Soldier   = le Pitou

Artillerist   = l'Artilleur
Artyman [pejorative]   = l'Artiflot*
Gunner (Canoner)   = l'Arroseur

Chasseur (Hunter) [light infantry/cavalry]   = le Chasseur [à Pied/Cheval]
Hunty   = le Chassebi or Chasse-bite

Alpine Chasseur   = le Chasseur Alpin
Alpine   = l'Alpin*
Blue Devil   = le Diable Bleu

Bomber   = le Bombadier
Toadyman   = le Crapouilloteur
Torpidoer   = le Torpilleur

Cobbler   = le Cordonnier
Cobbler   = le Gnaf

Corpsman or Nurse   = l'Infirmier

Cuirassier (Armored)   = le Cuirassier
Big-Brother   = le Gros-Frère

Disciplinary (Soldier in a discipline company)   = le Disciplinaire
Merryman   = le Joyeux*

Doctor   = le Médecin
Doc   = le Toubib

Doctor's Assistant. Medical Assistant.   = le Médecin auxiliare
Medassit   = le Médauxe

Engineer   = le Génie
Wire-cutterman   = le Cisailleur

Foot-Soldier   =le Fantassin
Bean [Volunteer soldier]   = le Fayot
Bobump   = le Bobosse*
Fifer   = le Fiflot
Foot Soldier   = le Fantabosse*
Ragpicker, rag-and-bone man   =le Biffin
Liner, lineman   = le Lignard
Messmate   =le Bidasse*

Military Policeman   = le Gendarmes
Cop   = le Flic
Cop   = le Pandore

Grenadier   =le Grenadier

Logistics Marshal   = le Maréchal des Logis.
Logistics   = le Logis
Marshy   = le Marchis
Marshy   = le Margi

Machine-Gunner   = le Mitrailleur
Machine-Gunner   = le Mitraillou

Military Policeman   = le Gendarme
Cop   = le Flic*
Pandora   = le Pandore

New Soldier, Rookie   = le Nouveau
Blue or Bluey   = le Bleu* or Bleuet*
Bluey [perjorative, e.g. F.N.G.]   = la Bleusaille*
Yellow Straps   = le Curroies Jaunes
Marie-Louise   = Marie-Louise
(Name given to the young war-time classes of 1915-18.)

Nurse [female]   = l'Infirmière
Sis'   = la Frangine

Quarter-Master Staffer   = l'Intendance
Admin'   = le Stration
Rice-Bread-Salt   = le Riz-pain-sel

Rifleman   = le Fusillier

Runner   = le Courreur

Sapper, Engineer   = le Sapeur

Scout or Trail-Blazer   = l'Éclaireur [Soldat]

Sniper (Ducker)   = le Canardeur
Parrot   = le Perroquet
Squirrel   = le Écureuil

Tailor   = le Tailleur
Regimental Tailor (Flea-Picker)   = le Pique-Pouces

Territorial   = le Territorial
Old Soldier (Gramps, Gran'pa)   = le Pépère*
R.A.T. [Territorial Army Reservist]   = le R.A.T. [Réserve de l'Armée Territoriale]
'Torrial   = le Torrial

Veteran   = l'Ancien [Soldat]
Chevroned   = le Chevronée
Striper or Stripes   = le Briscard* or Brisque
Old String   = la Vielle Ficelle

Wounded   = le Blessé*
Banged Up   = l'Amoché

Slightly wounded, sitting case (Sitter)   = l'Assis

Slightly wounded   = Le Petit Blessé*

Severely wounded, stretcher case (Lay-Down)   = le Couché

Zouave   = le Zouave
Jackal   = le Chacal
Zouzou   = le Zouzou*

Young Soldier   = le Jeune
Youngster   = le Jeunot
Kiddie   = le Gosse

French Officers and NCOs: By Type

Officer   = l'Officier
Off.   = l'Off.
Officer   = le Officemar

Non-Commissioned Officer   = le Sous-Officier or Gradé
Non-Com or NCO   = le Sous-Off.*

General Staff   = l'État-Major
Top Commanders (Big Chiefs)   = le Grands Chefs*
Big Vegetables   = les Grosses Légumes
Top Brass (Oils -- as in "squeaky clean")   = les Huiles

Commader-in-Chief (Generalissimo)   = le Généralissime

Chief, leader, commander [NCO or officer]   = le Chef*

French Foreign Soldiers:
(Note: Some terms appearing below are deragotory in nature.)

Arab soldier   = l'Arabe
Arbi'[trator]   = l'Arbi or Arbicot

Colonial soldier   = le Colonial
Porpoise   = le Marsouin*

Moroccan soldier   = le Morcain
Af' Bat'   = le Bat' d'Af' [i.e. Battalion d'Afrique]*
Bataillonnaire   = le Bataillonnaire
Blather-speaker   = le Babakoute
Chocolate   = le Chocolat*

Senegalese soldier [tirailleur]   = le Sénégalais
Bambooer   = le Bamboula
Black   = le Diable Noir
Black   = le Noir*
Blather-speaker   = le Babakoute
Chocolate   = le Chocolat*

Tirailleur (Marksmen) [Algerian or Morocan]   = le Tirailleur
[Arbi]'rator   = le Bicot [also see 'Arab' above]
Tirailleur   = l'Eloussoque

Zouave   = le Zouave
Zouzou   = le Zouzou*
Jackal   = le Chacal

French Soldiers: By Assignment

Cook   = le Cuisinier
Cooky   = le Cuistot*

Listening-post man (Listener)   = l'Écouteur

Look-out (Watcher)   = le Guetteur

Ration Party-Man   = le Ravitailleur
Soup-Man or Cooky   = l'Homme-Soupe or Cuistot*

Runner   = le Courreur

Scout [or look-out]   = l'Éclaireur
Boy-Scout   = le Boy-Scout
Curious   = le Curieux

Sentinel   = le Sentinelle

Sniper (Ducker)   = le Canardeur

Stretcher-bearer   = le Brancardier

Trench Cleaner   = le Nettoyeur de Tranchée
Whacker / Killer   = le Zigouilleur

Friends and Acquaintances:

Comrade   = le Camarade
Comro   = le Camaro

Close Friend   = le Copain

Guy   = le Mec

Pal or Buddy (Old Fella)   = [Mon] Vieux*

Mate (Post)   = [Mon] Poteau, Pote*

Pejoratives:

Bad soldier   = le Péteux

Blockhead   = le Ballot

Coward   = le Flanchard

Coward (Jitterer)   = le Froussard

Coward   = le Poltron or Capon

Dimwitted soldier   = le Haricot

Flea-brain   = le Moule

Idiot (Gourd)   = la Gourde

Imbecile   = le Falourde

Looney, Nut-job   = le Loufoque or Louf'

Looney, Weirdo.   = le Dingot

Malingerer, lazybones   = le Flemmard, Paressux

Marauder (Contrabander)   = le Fricoteur

Marauder (Forager)   = le Fourrageur

Pig   = le Cochon*

Scoundrel   = le Fanfaron

Shirker (Unplucky)   = l'Épilé

Shirker   = l'Embusqué*

Soft-Jobber or Poge (Dug-in)   = le Planqué*

Those or Those Rear Guys   = Ceux or Ceusse de l'arrière
All rear service personnel.

Other Nationalities:

American soldier   = l'Américain
Sammy [i.e. Uncle Sam]   = le Sammy
Yank   = 'Ricain

Indian soldier   = l'Indien
Sepoy   = le Cipaye

English/British soldier   = l'Anglais/Britannique
Tommy   = le Tommy
Khaki   = le Kaki

German soldier   = l'Allemand
Hun   = le Boche* or Bochie
Prussian   = Prussco
Fritz   = Fritz
Frederick   = Friedrick
Michael   = Michel

Italian soldier   = l'Italien
Macaroni   = le Macaroni

Turkish soldier   = le Turc
Ali-Baba   = Bachi-Bouzouck

Russian soldier   = le Russe
Nicholas   = Nicolas

Civilians:

Civilian   = le/la Civil(e)
Civie   = le/la Civi', Ciblot or Civelot/e

Chaplain (Almsman)   = l'Aumonier

Catholic Priest (Curer)   = le Curé

Female Sponsor [Godmother or Pen-pal]   = la Marainne [de Guerre]

Miscellaneous:

Clever, ostentatious man   = le Mariole

Cunning, brave, determined man (rabbit)   = le Lapin

Front-line soldiers ("Poor Assholes of the Front")   = les Pauvres Cons du Front, or le P.C.D.F.*

Good shot   = le Bon Tireur

Good shot (Parrot)   = le Perroquet

Pipe-smoker   = le Quenaupier

Pipe-smoker (Puffer)   = la Bouffarde

P.O.W. [Prisoner of War]   = P. G. [Prisonnier de Guerre]

Resourceful man [clever, enterprising] (Slog Througher)   = le Débrouillard
Resourceful Man (De-shitter)     = le Demerdar/Demerdeur
Resourceful Man (De-shitter)   = le Emmerdeur

Resourceful man who "finds" extra goods (Extraman)   = le Rabioteur

Tall man (Sky-Scraper)   = le Gratte-ciel

Tall man (Double-Meter)   = le Double-mètre

Uniform and Equipment

Assault Roll   = le Rouleau du Assaut

Blanket   = la Couverture
Throw   = le Berlue
Cover   = le Couverte

Boots   = les Bottes
Golashes   = les Godasses*
Clod-Hoppers   = les Godillots*
(named after the military contracter for shoes, Alexis Godillot, during the Crimean and Franco-Prussian Wars)
Clod-Hoppers   = les Grolles

Candle   = la Bougie
Candle   = la Calebombe

Canteen   = le Bidon
Belly   = le Ventre

Cartridge Pouches   = les Cartouchières

Cup   = le Quart

Gas Mask   = le Masque de Gaz
Pig-Snout, Pig-Snoot   = le Groin de Cochon , Museau de Cochon

Gear or Kit   = le Barda
Bazaar   = le Bazar

Greatcoat   = la Capote

Haversack   = la Musette

Helmet   = le Casque
Bell   = la Cloche*

Jacket / Blouse [enlisted]   = la Veste / Vareuse

Knapsack or Pack   = l'Havresac or le Sac
Fido   = Azor
Ace [of Diamonds]   = l'As [de Carreau]
Wardrobe   = l'Armoire

Kepi   = le Képi
Kepi   = le Kébour
Kepi   = le Képroc
Kepi   = le Képlard

Lantern   = la Laterne
Dim   = le Falot*

Leathers   = les Cuirs
Jumble (Bazarre)   = le Bazar

Leg Wraps   = les Bandes Molltières

Matches   = les Allumettes
Ailers   = les Souffrantes

Mess-tin   = la Gamelle
Trough   = l'Auge
Trough   = le Galtose or Galetouse *

Pants   = les Pantalons
Pants   = le Falzar
Splits   = le Fendard

Pick   = le Pic

Pick-axe   = la Pioche

Pipe   = la Pipe
Puffer   = la Bouffarde*
Pipe   = la Quenaupe*

Police Bonnet [Garrison Cap]   = la Bonnet de Police
Cap   = le Calot

Sand-Bag   = le Sac à Terre

Sheep-skin   = le Peau de Mutton
Cope   = la Chape

Shovel   = la Pelle

Spade-shovel   = la Pelle-bêche

Stripe   = le Gallon
Sardine   = la Sardine
Stripe   = le Brisque*

Tent Canvas   = la Toile de Tente

Tunic [NCO and officer]   = la Tunique

Stew-pot, ("Lil' Bottle," Kettle)   = Marmite (Bouteillon)

Wire-cutters / Clippers   = la Coupe-fil / les Cisailles

Weapons and Munitions

Airplane   = l'Aéroplane
Plane   = l'Aéro

Ambulance   = l'Ambulance
Ocean-liner   = le Paquebot

Bayonet   = la Baïonette
Boche-Screw   = le Tire-Boche
Fork   = la Fourchette
Toothpick   = le Cure-Dent*

Bullet   = la Balle
Bee   = l'Abeille*
Coo-Coo   = le Coucou
Bitter-Pill   = le Dragée
Sparrow   = le Moineau
Bird   = l'Oiseau*
Chestnut   = le Marron
Coo-Coo   = le Coucou
Pill   = le Pilule
Prune   = le Pruneau*

Canon   = le Canon
Brute   = le Brutal

Cartridge or Round   = le Cartouche

Dirigible   = le Dirigeable

Flame-thrower   = le Lance-flammes / Liquides enflammées
Flame-thrower man   = le Fuséen, fuséard

Flare   = la Fusée [Éclairante]
Candle   = la Chandelle*
Monk   = le Moine

Gas   = la Gaz
Smellies [gas, gas shells]   = les Puants

Grenade / Bomb   = la Grenade / Bombe
Ball   = le Boulette

      Shindig   = le Nouba

German Grenades:
Toad [Disk Grenade]   = le Crapaud
Turtle [Disk Grenade]   = la Tortue
Watch [Disk Grenade]   = le Montre
Guitar   = la Guitare

Horse   = le Cheval
Packer   = le Bourrin

Machine-Gun   = la Mitrailleuse
Coffee Grinder   = le Moulin à Café*
Pepper Grinder   = le Moulin à Poivre
[Un]sewing Machine   = le Machine à Découdre*
Rattle   = le Crécelle

Mortar   = le Mortier
Toad or Toady [French Mortar]   = le Crapaud or Crapouillot*

Mine-thrower [German Mortar]   = le Minnen[werfer]*

Mortar Round ("[Aerial] Torpedo")   = (la Torpille [Aérienne])
Toady [French]   = Le Crapouillot*

German Mortar Round (Mine)   = le Minnen
Sausage   = le Saucisse*
Suitcase, Baggage   = la Valise

Observation Balloon   = le Ballon
Observation Balloon (Saussage)   = le Saucisse

Pistol   = le Pistolet
Shooter   = le Flingue

Revolver   = le Revolver
Kidder   = le Rigolo

Rifle   = le Fusil
Shooter   = le Flingue or Flingot
Gun   = le Nugat or Nougat
Sling-shot   = le Lance-pierres
Needle   = le Seringue
Crossbow   = le Arbalète
Needle   = le Seringue
Stripper clip   = le Chargeur

Trench Knife   = le Couteau de Tranchée
Ling [long, spear-like fish]   = le Lingue

Zeppelin   = le Zeppelin
Cigar   = le Cigare

75 mm Canon   = le Soixante-Quinze
Little French or French   = le Petit français or Français
Reaper   = le Faucheur
Reaper   = Arthur

Artillery Shells:

Shell   = l'Obus
Ball   = le Boulet or Boulot
Bird   = l'Oiseau*
Bomb   = la Bombe*
Cigar   = le Cigare
Coo-Coo [bird]   = le Coucou
Sparrow   = le Moineau
Ration Can (Monkey Can)   = le Boîte de singe

[Shell] Fragment   = l'Éclat [d'Obus]
Bon Bon   = le Dragée
Praline   = la Praline
Prune   = le Pruneau*

Light Shells:
Distribution [French 75 mm]   = le Distribution
Meow [German 77 mm -- sound of the burst]   = le Miaule or Miaulant
Whiz-Bang (Zim-Boom) [German 77 mm]   = le Zim-Boum
Pipe [120 mm]   = la Pipe

Heavy Shells:
Heavy Shell   = le Gros [Obus]*
Big Bomb   = le Macavoué
Stew-pot   = le Marmite*
Big Black [150 mm]   = le Gros Noir
Quarter-Master [210 mm]   = l'Intendance
Metro [210 mm]   = le Métro
Charles Humbert [280 mm]   = le Charles Humbert
Furlough Train [305 mm]   = le Train de Permissionnaire

Shrapnel [shell]   = le Shrapnel
Rocket (Fuse)   = le Fusant
Shrapnel   = le Crapenel

Shrapnel Balls   = le Shrapnel
Bees   = les Abeilles
Honey Bees   = les Mouches à miel
Prunes   = les Pruneaux*

Food and Drink

Bread   = le Pain
Hunk [of Bread]   = le Bricheton

Canned Meat [Corned Beef]   = le Boîte de Viande
Monkey   = le Singe

Cheese   = le Fromage
Cheesey   = le Fromgi
Cheesey   = le Frometon

Cigarette   = la Cigarette
Fag   = la Cibiche

Coffee   = le Café
Juice   = le Jus*

Hardtack or War Bread   = le Biscuit or Pain de Guerre

Food   = la Nourriture
Grub   = la Becquetance

Liquor (Spirits)   = l'Eau de Vie
Booze   = le Gniôle* or le Gnôle*
Crank   = le Cric*
Chest-Breaker   = le Casse-Pointrine
Face-Breaker   = le Casse-Gueule
Leg-Breaker   = le Casse-Pattes

Meat   = la Viande
Rationed meat   = le Bidoche
Rationed meat   = le Barbaque
Rationed meat   = le Autobus

Rations   = les Vivres
Distrib[ution]   = la Distrib'

Rice   = le Riz
Paste   = le Colle
Fib   = le Mesonge

Daily Rations   = les Vivres de Jour

Reserve Rations   = les Vivres de Réserve

Tobacco   = le Tabac
Good Tobacco   = le Fin*
Ration Tobacco   = le Perlot*
Hay   = le Foin

RationTobacco [in paper cubes] (Big 'Q')   = le Gros Q
Bottom Ass   = le Gros Cul

Water   = l'Eau
Drink   = la Flotte*

Wine   = le Vin
Wine (Plonk)   = le Pinard*
Wine   = le Aramon
Electric   = l'Électrique
Spiked or laced wine (Little Blue)   = le Petit Bleu
Spiked or laced wine   = le Agnol
Liter of wine [i.e. ration of wine]   = le Kilo or Kile

Battlefield Features

Barbed Wire or Wire   = le Fil de Fer or Barbelés

Barracks   = le Caserne

Billets, billeting   = le Cantonnement

Bunker   = l'Abri
Dugout   = la Cagna, Cagnat

Corpse   = le Cadavre
Stiff   = le Macchabée or Macchab'

Fascine, faggot   = la Fascine

Field Kitchen   = la Cuisine
Chow Spot   = la Popote
Grub Spot, Grub   = la Croûte

[Mobile] Field Kitchen   = la Cuisine Roulante
Roller   = la Roulante
Torpedo-hunter ship  = Contre-Torpilleur

Flea/Louse   = la Puce
Flea   = le Gau or Got
Louse   = le Toto

First-Aid Post   = le Poste de Secours

Fox-Hole   = le Trou de Loup

The Front   = le Front

Gabion   = le Gabion

Good post, assignment or position. To have luck.   = le Filon

Hosptial   = l'Hôpital
Hosptial   = l'Hosteau

Mud   = la Boue
Gunk   = la Mouise
Lather   = la Mouscaille
Muck   = la Bouillasse

Nook, corner   = le Coinsteau

Prison   = la Prison
Brig (Can)   = le Boîte
Brig   = le Lazaro

Rat   = le Rat
Waster   = le Gaspard

The Rear   = L'Arrière

Shell-Hole(s)   = le Trou(s) d'Obus

Large Shell-Hole   = l'Etonnoir

Strong-Point   = le Point d'Appui

Wattle, Wattling   = le Claie, Clayonnage

Wire-Entanglements   = le Réseau

Wooden cross (e.g. grave)   = le Croix de Bois

Field Works:

Blockhouse, pillbox   = le Blochaus

Communication trench (Intestine)   = le Blochaus

Sap (i.e. forward trench dug out from the first-line trench)   = la Sape

Sap Head (i.e. most advanced part of the sap)   = la Tête de sape

Sausage: Short, connecting comm. trench   = le Boudin

Bean: Short, circular or bean-shaped trench  = le Haricot

Listening Post   = le Poste d'Écoute or l'Écoute
Small Post   = le Petit Poste

Loophole   = le Créneau

Machine-Gun Nest   = le Nid de Mitrailleuse

Shelter, Dugout   = l'Abri
Hovel   = le Gourbi
Shanty   = Guitoune

Trench   = la Tranchée

Wire-Entanglements   = les Réseaux

Military Terms and Expressions

Ambush   =   l'Embuscade or l'Embûche

Alarm! To arms!  =   Alerte!, Aux Armes!

[The] Army   = l'Armée
The Big Silent [Film]   = la Grande Muette

Artillery   = l'Artillerie

Heavy Artillery   = l'Artillerie Gros
Loud-Mouth   = la Guelarde

Attention!   = Fixe!

Attention!   = Garde à vous!

Battle, combat   = la Bataille
[the] Danse   = la Danse

The Blues (the Roach)   = le Cafard

To be blue (To have the roach)   = Avoir le cafard.

Danger   = Ca gaze, ça barde, or ça murmure

Eyes front   = Fixe

X, fall out.   = X, sortez des rangs.

Forbidden to pass by day.   = Défendu de passer le jour.

Head-Quarters, HQ   = [Grand] Quartier Général, [G]QG

Kit up!   = En tenue!

Gunfire, bombardment, fire   = le Mitraille
Rain   = la Pluie

Music [Gunfire, bombardment]   = la Musique

It's hot! [i.e. lively combat]   = Ça chauffe!

It's forbidden, prohibited.  = C'est défendu.

Lie down.   = Couchez-vous.

Lights prohibited.   = Défense d'allumer.

No talking. No smoking.   = Pas de parler. Pas de fumer.

Packs on!   = Sac au dos!

Pack up (make your packs)   = Faites vos sacs.

Put out all lights.   = Éteignez tous les feux

Put out your lights.   = Éteignez vos lumières or vos phares

Incoming [shell]   = l'Arrivé

Outgoing [shell]   = le Départ

Infantry   = l'Infanterie
Infantry   = la Biffe*
The Infants   = les Enfants*

Kaput [Done for]   = Capout

Morning Breakfast   = P.D.D.M. (Petit Déjeuner Du Matin)
i.e. coffee or wine before breakfast

Paris   = la Panam[e]

Raid   = le Coup de Main

Shirker's Post or Shelter   = Embuscade

Stand-to   = Aux armes

To arms! Arm yourselves!   = Aux armes!

The doc has made me 'ex'. (i.e. not fit for service)   = Le toubib m'a mis ex.

To be hit   = Prendre une dragée or Être touché

To be hit, done for   = Être fadé

To be on high-alert.   = Être en le "qui-vive".

To beat, to give/get a beating (to screw)   = Ficher

To fight   = Danser

To get wasted (to get slammed)   = Claquer

To go into combat   = Aller au feu

To procure contraband   = Fricoter

To slog through   = Débrouiller, Demerder

To take a beating. (To take the pipe.)   = Prendre la pipe.

To water down [the wine]. (To baptize)   = Baptiser [le pinard]
Cooks are often accused of this.

Tough fight   = Coup de chien

To exaggerate or lie   = Cherrer
Nah! You're lyin'!   = Ah non, tu cherrres!

To be tipsy or wounded (To be gray)   = Être gris

Common Expressions

All set?   = On est paré?

Beware   = Méfiez-vous

Bochey, Boche-like   = Bochie

Bloody hell!   = Foutu bordel!

Damn! Wow!   = Vingt-Deux!

[a] Deal   = Combine, binaise

Dirty joke   = Perco

Don't worry, no worries.   = N' t'en fais pas. T'en fais pas.

Eat (Gobble stones)   = Bochément

Exempt (from service)   = Ex

Extra (e.g. rations, wine, cheese, etc.)   = Rabiot or Rab'

Fuck! (Whore)   = Putain!

Fucking shit, fucking hell!   = Bordel de merde!

Germanic (Boche-like)   = Bocher

Germany   = Allemagne

Golly!   = Mince!

Good   = Bono

Good (Bath)   = Bath

Very good, everything's good.   = Bono besef

Very bad, things are bad   = Macach bono

Great (Huge)   = Maous

Great, nice.   = Chic
A nice post.   = Un poste chic.

Guts   = Cran
He's got guts.   = Il a des crans.

He's brave.   = Il a du poil.

He's dreary.   = Il est fadé.

He's wounded. He's hit. (He's gray.)   = Il est gris.

Home, hometown, home area   = Patelin

I don't like it. I got a bad feeling about it.   = Ça n'a rien à faire.

It's a success (It's tossed)   = C'est jeté

It's all the same. Six of one, half-dozen of another.   = C'est kif-kif

It's dangerous.   = C'est vingt-deux.

It's impossible. It's too late.   = C'est Midi.

It's raining. (It's drinking.)   = Bouffer des cailloux

It's rough, dangerous.   = Ça barde.

Joke   = Potin

Joke   = Blague

Move it! Get a move on!   = Mets-en!

Nice, fancy, cool   = Ça flotte or Il flotte.

No, nope   = Nib

No matter what the cost.   = Coûte que coûte.

No worries   = T'en fait pas.

No worries. Don't worry.   = N' t'en fais pas.

Oh man! Oh, for the love of...! (Oh cow!)   = Ah la vache!

Pussy!   = Con!

Say, ... [informal]   = Dis-donc...

Screwed/Lost   = Fichu
Ex.: We're gonners.   = Nous sommes fichu.
Ex.: Times are crappy.   = C'est un fichu temps.

Screwed   = Foutu
Ex.: He's screwed.   = Il est foutu.

Shell-shock (Shocked, Shellitus)   = la Commotion, Obusite
Ex.: He's shell-shocked. He has shell-itis   = Il avait commotionné. Il a l'obusite.

Shut it!   = Ferme!, Ferme la!

Take cover!   = Planquez-vous!

That's/It's funny, unbelievable. (That's unique.)   = C'est rare.

To be cowardly   = Être poltron

To be drunk (To be black)   = Être noir

A hangover (wooden mug)   = Gueule de bois

To be scared stiff (to be white-livered)   = Avoir les foies blancs

To be sleepy (To be heavy)   = Avoir la lourd

To waste/do in   = Zigouiller

To be worried, bothered, upset. (To get mossed.)  = Se faire de la mousse.

The Worry (The Moss)   = la Mousse

To bug, piss off   = Emmerder

To chow down   = Casser la croûte

To do like the Boches   = Bocherie

To exaggerate or lie (to Fife)   = Fifrer

To have the jitters   = Avoir les frousse

To malinger (To have nickel feet)   = Avoir les pieds nickelés

To talk like a German. (To chomp on some straw.)   = Hacher de la paille.

Watch out. Be careful. Attention.

What a bore! Boring!   = C'est la barbe! La Barbe!

Why worry? What can you do?   = Pourquoi s'en faire?

Wow!   = Zut!

For additional slang terms, see the the following Poilu slang site and this French slang dictionary.

Disclaimer:
Please bear in mind that while all efforts have been made to create as accurate as possible a translation of the above terms, there is a degree to which many will lose their original meaning. This difficulty arises partly from the inability of the English language to supply the exact technical or cultural equivalent of a given French term, but even more particularly from the extremely detailed nature of a technical or cultural French nomenclature. Where in the English language, a class name alone is applied to each of the objects or things of one and the same class, the French will almost invariably modify this class name by some adjunct limiting or defining its application. The result is to force the substitution of a description for a name. This substitution of a description is unavoidable in those cases in which the thing to be defined is peculiar to the French language, culture or military.

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