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Blinking: A word used as a euphemism for "Bloody," to qualify anything and everything, and on any occasion. "Halt! Who comes there?" challenged an outpost sentry, on a mounted patrol approaching his post at night. "12th blinking Lancers" came a shout in the darkness. Satisfied, the sentry simply answered "Pass 12th blinking Lancers and all's well!"
This story also is told of a smart young Staff Officer in the South African War. Riding up one day to a party of dusty infantrymen wearily tramping over the veldt, he called out, "Are you the West Riding?" "No, me lord," came the reply from the ranks, "we ain't. We're the blinkin' Buffs – walkin'."[1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.26.
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.