Colco-Pari

Colco-Pari: A Bulgarian word used everywhere on the Salonika front, meaning "How much?" In everyday employment in bargaining with natives in villages, it acquired a special significance in connection with the illicit traffic that sprung up; soldiers selling biscuits, chocolate, tinned fruit, etc., bought at the canteens at low prices, to the local people at often considerable profit. In the end the authorities intervened and stopped the traffic, but the word Colco-Pari, as synonymous with bargaining, continued in use. To prevent similar practices going on among the American troops on the Western Front, everything sold in American Army Canteens was marked and stamped "This is U.S. Property and Cannot be Sold."