Archie (Archibald)

Archie (Archibald): A universal name for an anti-aircraft gun or shell, and sometimes for a member of the Anti-aircraft Force. The word is said to be derived from a music-hall song with a catch-word “Archibald, certainly not.” It came into vogue apparently at first as expressive of the ineffectiveness of our earlier anti-aircraft gunnery efforts.

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War on this day.

Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used. Sources include: Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases, The War Book-of-Facts and Odhams' A.B.C. of the Great War. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

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