Well-Known

Nicknames
THURSDAY, 22 MAY 2008 12:23

DR DAVID PAYNE

N.B.: The more sensitive reader should

be aware that not all of the Great War nick-names were coined in a well intentioned way; indeed, some were deliberately derogatory and/or
scurrilous.

Introduction.
In the early 20th Century British nicknames were much more common than is the case today, and to have a certain family name automatically
gave the owner a specific nickname. A few examples are: White = Chalkie; Miller = Dusty; Jones = Taffy; Wilson = Tug. My own family
nickname = Juicy; how and why I never learned. But even today, in my hometown, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England, people still
remind me of this.
Accordingly, it was inevitable that many notable individuals, or groups. would be given nick-names by which everyone knew them. Not least the
different nationalities.

Nicknames of servicemen by nationality.

Some of the nicknames were given by other nationalities and some, far fewer, were given by the troops to themselves. In a few instances the
nickname was used by both sides. The annotations below should clarify this trichotomy.
ANZACs: Australians and New Zealanders (from A. and NZ. Army Corps).
Americans: Yanks. For themselves = Doughboys. French version = Sammy. German version = Teufelshunde (Devil dogs, for US
Marines)
Australians: Aussie, Digger. For themselves = Billjim, Dinkum (for Australian Gallipoli veteran), Tazzie (from Tazmania), Westralian
(from Western Australia).
British: Tommy, (also used by the Germans), Tommy Atkins, Fred Karno's Army, Old Contemptibles. Also Jock = Scotsman, Mick =
Irishman. Australian version = Kitch = (Kitchener's Volunteer Army).
Canadians: Canuck.
Egyptians: Gyppo.
French: Frenchie, Frog. For themselves = Bon hommes (gentlemen) and Poilus (bearded ones).
Germans: Alleyman, Boche, Hun, Jerry, Kraut (from Sauerkraut), and Square head (after the shape of the STAHLHELM M1916 steel
helmet). American version = Heine. For themselves = Frontschwein (Front-line pigs)
Italians: Macaroni, Itie.
New Zealanders: Digger, Kiwi, Fern-leaf (after the NZ cap-badge), Enzedder.
Ottomans/Turks: Abdul, Jacko, Johnny Turk.
Pathans: Forty Thieves. (Indian troops from the North West Frontier Province, now Pakistan).
Portuguese: Antonio, Geese, Pork and beans, Pork and cheese.
Russians: Russkie.
South Africans: Afrikaaner, Boer.