British Official: A familiar war-time phrase often used at the Front as implying untrustworthiness. In the early stages of the war "British Official" was considered as synonymous with reliability, in connection particularly with published army intelligence. Later, however, certain official reports, notably, after the Battle of Loos, were published in so misleading a form that among those at the Front who knew the facts the phrase became a by-word. Matters improved in this respect later, during 1918, and the term regained its original character. [1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.36.
Compendium of the Great War.
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This compendium forms the central hub of words, phrases, people, and places relative to the Great War period of 1914–1918. These also include battles, political events, ships, trench slang, British and American service terms and expressions in everyday use, nicknames, sobriquets, the titles of British and Commonwealth Regiments and their origins, and also warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used, some of which may seem derogatory by today's standards. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.