French Military Terms & Soldier Slang
The following is a list of French military terms and soldier slang in use during the Great War. An entire dialect of its own developed in the army during the course of the war. Soldier slang emerged in response to the men's need to adapt to an utterly foreign experience. To do so, a new language was needed to describe and quantify their new world. This military jargon was derived from various sources. Some were already in use in French popular culture or in the professional military. Others are borrowed from local French patois or from its various foreign colonies (e.g. African, Arab and South-East Asian languages). Still others are simply abbreviations or acronyms. Please read the
Disclaimer at the bottom of this page before reviewing the terms list.
How to read this page:
Formal Term in English (Direct Translation in English) = French Term
Slang Term in English = French Slang Term
An asterisk (*) indicates the most common slang term.
Pronunctiation Guide
Basic Tutorial on French
French-English Language Dictionary
Oddcast.com
A website where you type in a French word or phrase and hear it pronounced properly. Select French in the language pull-down menu. You can then choose from a number of French voices, male and female. Type in a word, phrase or sentence (in French) and the character will repeat it for you. Eventually, you will time-out and the link will not work. Simply close the window, wait a few minutes and then open the site again.
Personnel
French Soldiers, NCOs and Officers: By Rank
Private = le Soldat
Bottom Ranker = le Griveton, Pitou, Troubade, or Trouffion
Private Second-Class = le Soldat de Deuxième Classe
Dearie = le Bibi
Fifer = le Fiflot
Private First-Class = le Soldat de Première Classe
Private First-Class = le Premier Bibi
First Duck = le Premier Canard
First Juice = le Premier Jus
Corporal = le Caporal
Lard = le Saindoux
Mutt = le Cabot
Macaroni-Mutt = le Cabot-Macaroni
Spud-Mutt = le Cabot-Patate
Ragout-Mutt = le Cabot-Rata
Lance-Corporal (Quarter-Master Corporal) = le Caporal Fourrier
Lance-Mutt (Quarter-Mutt) = le Cab-Four.
Sergeant = le Sergent
Foot or Bench-Foot = le Pied or Pied-de-Banc
Quarter-Master Sergeant = le Sergent-Fourrier
Drum (QM Sgt.) = le Tambour
Line Pack (QM Sgt.) = le Sac à Ligne
Sergeant-Major = le Sergent-Major
Chief = le Chef
Double or Doubler = le Double or Doublard
Adjutant = l'Adjudant
Adjufart = l'Adjupète
Low-Off. [NCO] = le Bas-Off.
Juicey = le Juteux
Junior Officer (Aspiring) = l'Aspirant
Aspi' = l'Aspi'
Second-Lieutenant = Le Sous-Lieutenant
Second-Lieut' = le Sous-Lieut'
Lieutenant = Le Lieutenant
Lieut' = le Lieut'
Captain = Le Capitaine
Capt' = [Mon] Capi'
Capster = [Mon] Capiston or 'Piston
'Ptan = [Mon] 'Pitaine
Major (or Battalion Leader) = Le Commandant (or Chef de Battalion)
Colonel = Le Colonel
Crn'l = [Mon] Colo' or Colon'
French Soldiers: By Type
French soldier = le Soldat Français
Young Soldier [used in 1914] = le Pioupiou*
Hairy or Scruffy [used after 1914] = le Poilu*
French Soldier = le Pitou
Artillerist = l'Artilleur
Artyman [pejorative] = l'Artiflot*
Gunner (Canoner) = l'Arroseur
Chasseur (Hunter) [light infantry/cavalry] = le Chasseur [à Pied/Cheval]
Hunty = le Chassebi or Chasse-bite
Alpine Chasseur = le Chasseur Alpin
Alpine = l'Alpin*
Blue Devil = le Diable Bleu
Bomber = le Bombadier
Toadyman = le Crapouilloteur
Torpidoer = le Torpilleur
Cobbler = le Cordonnier
Cobbler = le Gnaf
Corpsman or Nurse = l'Infirmier
Cuirassier (Armored) = le Cuirassier
Big-Brother = le Gros-Frère
Disciplinary (Soldier in a discipline company) = le Disciplinaire
Merryman = le Joyeux*
Doctor = le Médecin
Doc = le Toubib
Doctor's Assistant. Medical Assistant. = le Médecin auxiliare
Medassit = le Médauxe
Engineer = le Génie
Wire-cutterman = le Cisailleur
Foot-Soldier = le Fantassin
Bean [Volunteer soldier] = le Fayot
Bobump = le Bobosse*
Fifer = le Fiflot
Foot Soldier = le Fantabosse*
Ragpicker, rag-and-bone man = le Biffin
Liner, lineman = le Lignard
Messmate = le Bidasse*
Military Policeman = le Gendarmes
Cop = le Flic
Cop = le Pandore
Grenadier = le Grenadier
Logistics Marshal = le Maréchal des Logis.
Logistics = le Logis
Marshy = le Marchis
Marshy = le Margi
Machine-Gunner = le Mitrailleur
Machine-Gunner = le Mitraillou
Military Policeman = le Gendarme
Cop = le Flic*
Pandora = le Pandore
New Soldier, Rookie = le Nouveau
Blue or Bluey = le Bleu* or Bleuet*
Bluey [perjorative, e.g. F.N.G.] = la Bleusaille*
Yellow Straps = le Curroies Jaunes
Marie-Louise = Marie-Louise
(Name given to the young war-time classes of 1915-18.)
Nurse [female] = l'Infirmière
Sis' = la Frangine
Quarter-Master Staffer = l'Intendance
Admin' = le Stration
Rice-Bread-Salt = le Riz-pain-sel
Rifleman = le Fusillier
Runner = le Courreur
Sapper, Engineer = le Sapeur
Scout or Trail-Blazer = l'Éclaireur [Soldat]
Sniper (Ducker) = le Canardeur
Parrot = le Perroquet
Squirrel = le Écureuil
Tailor = le Tailleur
Regimental Tailor (Flea-Picker) = le Pique-Pouces
Territorial = le Territorial
Old Soldier (Gramps, Gran'pa) = le Pépère*
R.A.T. [Territorial Army Reservist] = le R.A.T. [Réserve de l'Armée Territoriale]
'Torrial = le Torrial
Veteran = l'Ancien [Soldat]
Chevroned = le Chevronée
Striper or Stripes = le Briscard* or Brisque
Old String = la Vielle Ficelle
Wounded = le Blessé*
Banged Up = l'Amoché
Slightly wounded, sitting case (Sitter) = l'Assis
Slightly wounded = Le Petit Blessé*
Severely wounded, stretcher case (Lay-Down) = le Couché
Zouave = le Zouave
Jackal = le Chacal
Zouzou = le Zouzou*
Young Soldier = le Jeune
Youngster = le Jeunot
Kiddie = le Gosse
French Officers and NCOs: By Type
Officer = l'Officier
Off. = l'Off.
Officer = le Officemar
Non-Commissioned Officer = le Sous-Officier or Gradé
Non-Com or NCO = le Sous-Off.*
General Staff = l'État-Major
Top Commanders (Big Chiefs) = le Grands Chefs*
Big Vegetables = les Grosses Légumes
Top Brass (Oils -- as in "squeaky clean") = les Huiles
Commader-in-Chief (Generalissimo) = le Généralissime
Chief, leader, commander [NCO or officer] = le Chef*
French Foreign Soldiers:
(Note: Some terms appearing below are deragotory in nature.)
Arab soldier = l'Arabe
Arbi'[trator] = l'Arbi or Arbicot
Colonial soldier = le Colonial
Porpoise = le Marsouin*
Moroccan soldier = le Morcain
Af' Bat' = le Bat' d'Af' [i.e. Battalion d'Afrique]*
Bataillonnaire = le Bataillonnaire
Blather-speaker = le Babakoute
Chocolate = le Chocolat*
Senegalese soldier [tirailleur] = le Sénégalais
Bambooer = le Bamboula
Black = le Diable Noir
Black = le Noir*
Blather-speaker = le Babakoute
Chocolate = le Chocolat*
Tirailleur (Marksmen) [Algerian or Morocan] = le Tirailleur
[Arbi]'rator = le Bicot [also see 'Arab' above]
Tirailleur = l'Eloussoque
Zouave = le Zouave
Zouzou = le Zouzou*
Jackal = le Chacal
French Soldiers: By Assignment
Cook = le Cuisinier
Cooky = le Cuistot*
Listening-post man (Listener) = l'Écouteur
Look-out (Watcher) = le Guetteur
Ration Party-Man = le Ravitailleur
Soup-Man or Cooky = l'Homme-Soupe or Cuistot*
Runner = le Courreur
Scout [or look-out] = l'Éclaireur
Boy-Scout = le Boy-Scout
Curious = le Curieux
Sentinel = le Sentinelle
Sniper (Ducker) = le Canardeur
Stretcher-bearer = le Brancardier
Trench Cleaner = le Nettoyeur de Tranchée
Whacker / Killer = le Zigouilleur
Friends and Acquaintances:
Comrade = le Camarade
Comro = le Camaro
Close Friend = le Copain
Guy = le Mec
Pal or Buddy (Old Fella) = [Mon] Vieux*
Mate (Post) = [Mon] Poteau, Pote*
Pejoratives:
Bad soldier = le Péteux
Blockhead = le Ballot
Coward = le Flanchard
Coward (Jitterer) = le Froussard
Coward = le Poltron or Capon
Dimwitted soldier = le Haricot
Flea-brain = le Moule
Idiot (Gourd) = la Gourde
Imbecile = le Falourde
Looney, Nut-job = le Loufoque or Louf'
Looney, Weirdo. = le Dingot
Malingerer, lazybones = le Flemmard, Paressux
Marauder (Contrabander) = le Fricoteur
Marauder (Forager) = le Fourrageur
Pig = le Cochon*
Scoundrel = le Fanfaron
Shirker (Unplucky) = l'Épilé
Shirker = l'Embusqué*
Soft-Jobber or Poge (Dug-in) = le Planqué*
Those or Those Rear Guys = Ceux or Ceusse de l'arrière
All rear service personnel.
Other Nationalities:
American soldier = l'Américain
Sammy [i.e. Uncle Sam] = le Sammy
Yank = 'Ricain
Indian soldier = l'Indien
Sepoy = le Cipaye
English/British soldier = l'Anglais/Britannique
Tommy = le Tommy
Khaki = le Kaki
German soldier = l'Allemand
Hun = le Boche* or Bochie
Prussian = Prussco
Fritz = Fritz
Frederick = Friedrick
Michael = Michel
Italian soldier = l'Italien
Macaroni = le Macaroni
Turkish soldier = le Turc
Ali-Baba = Bachi-Bouzouck
Russian soldier = le Russe
Nicholas = Nicolas
Civilians:
Civilian = le/la Civil(e)
Civie = le/la Civi', Ciblot or Civelot/e
Chaplain (Almsman) = l'Aumonier
Catholic Priest (Curer) = le Curé
Female Sponsor [Godmother or Pen-pal] = la Marainne [de Guerre]
Miscellaneous:
Clever, ostentatious man = le Mariole
Cunning, brave, determined man (rabbit) = le Lapin
Front-line soldiers ("Poor Assholes of the Front") = les Pauvres Cons du Front, or le P.C.D.F.*
Good shot = le Bon Tireur
Good shot (Parrot) = le Perroquet
Pipe-smoker = le Quenaupier
Pipe-smoker (Puffer) = la Bouffarde
P.O.W. [Prisoner of War] = P. G. [Prisonnier de Guerre]
Resourceful man [clever, enterprising] (Slog Througher) = le Débrouillard
Resourceful Man (De-shitter) = le Demerdar/Demerdeur
Resourceful Man (De-shitter) = le Emmerdeur
Resourceful man who "finds" extra goods (Extraman) = le Rabioteur
Tall man (Sky-Scraper) = le Gratte-ciel
Tall man (Double-Meter) = le Double-mètre
Uniform and Equipment
Assault Roll = le Rouleau du Assaut
Blanket = la Couverture
Throw = le Berlue
Cover = le Couverte
Boots = les Bottes
Golashes = les Godasses*
Clod-Hoppers = les Godillots*
(named after the military contracter for shoes, Alexis Godillot, during the Crimean and Franco-Prussian Wars)
Clod-Hoppers = les Grolles
Candle = la Bougie
Candle = la Calebombe
Canteen = le Bidon
Belly = le Ventre
Cartridge Pouches = les Cartouchières
Cup = le Quart
Gas Mask = le Masque de Gaz
Pig-Snout, Pig-Snoot = le Groin de Cochon , Museau de Cochon
Gear or Kit = le Barda
Bazaar = le Bazar
Greatcoat = la Capote
Haversack = la Musette
Helmet = le Casque
Bell = la Cloche*
Jacket / Blouse [enlisted] = la Veste / Vareuse
Knapsack or Pack = l'Havresac or le Sac
Fido = Azor
Ace [of Diamonds] = l'As [de Carreau]
Wardrobe = l'Armoire
Kepi = le Képi
Kepi = le Kébour
Kepi = le Képroc
Kepi = le Képlard
Lantern = la Laterne
Dim = le Falot*
Leathers = les Cuirs
Jumble (Bazarre) = le Bazar
Leg Wraps = les Bandes Molltières
Matches = les Allumettes
Ailers = les Souffrantes
Mess-tin = la Gamelle
Trough = l'Auge
Trough = le Galtose or Galetouse *
Pants = les Pantalons
Pants = le Falzar
Splits = le Fendard
Pick = le Pic
Pick-axe = la Pioche
Pipe = la Pipe
Puffer = la Bouffarde*
Pipe = la Quenaupe*
Police Bonnet [Garrison Cap] = la Bonnet de Police
Cap = le Calot
Sand-Bag = le Sac à Terre
Sheep-skin = le Peau de Mutton
Cope = la Chape
Shovel = la Pelle
Spade-shovel = la Pelle-bêche
Stripe = le Gallon
Sardine = la Sardine
Stripe = le Brisque*
Tent Canvas = la Toile de Tente
Tunic [NCO and officer] = la Tunique
Stew-pot, ("Lil' Bottle," Kettle) = Marmite (Bouteillon)
Wire-cutters / Clippers = la Coupe-fil / les Cisailles
Weapons and Munitions
Airplane = l'Aéroplane
Plane = l'Aéro
Ambulance = l'Ambulance
Ocean-liner = le Paquebot
Bayonet = la Baïonette
Boche-Screw = le Tire-Boche
Fork = la Fourchette
Toothpick = le Cure-Dent*
Bullet = la Balle
Bee = l'Abeille*
Coo-Coo = le Coucou
Bitter-Pill = le Dragée
Sparrow = le Moineau
Bird = l'Oiseau*
Chestnut = le Marron
Coo-Coo = le Coucou
Pill = le Pilule
Prune = le Pruneau*
Canon = le Canon
Brute = le Brutal
Cartridge or Round = le Cartouche
Dirigible = le Dirigeable
Flame-thrower = le Lance-flammes / Liquides enflammées
Flame-thrower man = le Fuséen, fuséard
Flare = la Fusée [Éclairante]
Candle = la Chandelle*
Monk = le Moine
Gas = la Gaz
Smellies [gas, gas shells] = les Puants
Grenade / Bomb = la Grenade / Bombe
Ball = le Boulette
Shindig = le Nouba
German Grenades:
Toad [Disk Grenade] = le Crapaud
Turtle [Disk Grenade] = la Tortue
Watch [Disk Grenade] = le Montre
Guitar = la Guitare
Horse = le Cheval
Packer = le Bourrin
Machine-Gun = la Mitrailleuse
Coffee Grinder = le Moulin à Café*
Pepper Grinder = le Moulin à Poivre
[Un]sewing Machine = le Machine à Découdre*
Rattle = le Crécelle
Mortar = le Mortier
Toad or Toady [French Mortar] = le Crapaud or Crapouillot*
Mine-thrower [German Mortar] = le Minnen[werfer]*
Mortar Round ("[Aerial] Torpedo") = (la Torpille [Aérienne])
Toady [French] = Le Crapouillot*
German Mortar Round (Mine) = le Minnen
Sausage = le Saucisse*
Suitcase, Baggage = la Valise
Observation Balloon = le Ballon
Observation Balloon (Saussage) = le Saucisse
Pistol = le Pistolet
Shooter = le Flingue
Revolver = le Revolver
Kidder = le Rigolo
Rifle = le Fusil
Shooter = le Flingue or Flingot
Gun = le Nugat or Nougat
Sling-shot = le Lance-pierres
Needle = le Seringue
Crossbow = le Arbalète
Needle = le Seringue
Stripper clip = le Chargeur
Trench Knife = le Couteau de Tranchée
Ling [long, spear-like fish] = le Lingue
Zeppelin = le Zeppelin
Cigar = le Cigare
75 mm Canon = le Soixante-Quinze
Little French or French = le Petit français or Français
Reaper = le Faucheur
Reaper = Arthur
Artillery Shells:
Shell = l'Obus
Ball = le Boulet or Boulot
Bird = l'Oiseau*
Bomb = la Bombe*
Cigar = le Cigare
Coo-Coo [bird] = le Coucou
Sparrow = le Moineau
Ration Can (Monkey Can) = le Boîte de singe
[Shell] Fragment = l'Éclat [d'Obus]
Bon Bon = le Dragée
Praline = la Praline
Prune = le Pruneau*
Light Shells:
Distribution [French 75 mm] = le Distribution
Meow [German 77 mm -- sound of the burst] = le Miaule or Miaulant
Whiz-Bang (Zim-Boom) [German 77 mm] = le Zim-Boum
Pipe [120 mm] = la Pipe
Heavy Shells:
Heavy Shell = le Gros [Obus]*
Big Bomb = le Macavoué
Stew-pot = le Marmite*
Big Black [150 mm] = le Gros Noir
Quarter-Master [210 mm] = l'Intendance
Metro [210 mm] = le Métro
Charles Humbert [280 mm] = le Charles Humbert
Furlough Train [305 mm] = le Train de Permissionnaire
Shrapnel [shell] = le Shrapnel
Rocket (Fuse) = le Fusant
Shrapnel = le Crapenel
Shrapnel Balls = le Shrapnel
Bees = les Abeilles
Honey Bees = les Mouches à miel
Prunes = les Pruneaux*
Food and Drink
Bread = le Pain
Hunk [of Bread] = le Bricheton
Canned Meat [Corned Beef] = le Boîte de Viande
Monkey = le Singe
Cheese = le Fromage
Cheesey = le Fromgi
Cheesey = le Frometon
Cigarette = la Cigarette
Fag = la Cibiche
Coffee = le Café
Juice = le Jus*
Hardtack or War Bread = le Biscuit or Pain de Guerre
Food = la Nourriture
Grub = la Becquetance
Liquor (Spirits) = l'Eau de Vie
Booze = le Gniôle* or le Gnôle*
Crank = le Cric*
Chest-Breaker = le Casse-Pointrine
Face-Breaker = le Casse-Gueule
Leg-Breaker = le Casse-Pattes
Meat = la Viande
Rationed meat = le Bidoche
Rationed meat = le Barbaque
Rationed meat = le Autobus
Rations = les Vivres
Distrib[ution] = la Distrib'
Rice = le Riz
Paste = le Colle
Fib = le Mesonge
Daily Rations = les Vivres de Jour
Reserve Rations = les Vivres de Réserve
Tobacco = le Tabac
Good Tobacco = le Fin*
Ration Tobacco = le Perlot*
Hay = le Foin
RationTobacco [in paper cubes] (Big 'Q') = le Gros Q
Bottom Ass = le Gros Cul
Water = l'Eau
Drink = la Flotte*
Wine = le Vin
Wine (Plonk) = le Pinard*
Wine = le Aramon
Electric = l'Électrique
Spiked or laced wine (Little Blue) = le Petit Bleu
Spiked or laced wine = le Agnol
Liter of wine [i.e. ration of wine] = le Kilo or Kile
Battlefield Features
Barbed Wire or Wire = le Fil de Fer or Barbelés
Barracks = le Caserne
Billets, billeting = le Cantonnement
Bunker = l'Abri
Dugout = la Cagna, Cagnat
Corpse = le Cadavre
Stiff = le Macchabée or Macchab'
Fascine, faggot = la Fascine
Field Kitchen = la Cuisine
Chow Spot = la Popote
Grub Spot, Grub = la Croûte
[Mobile] Field Kitchen = la Cuisine Roulante
Roller = la Roulante
Torpedo-hunter ship = Contre-Torpilleur
Flea/Louse = la Puce
Flea = le Gau or Got
Louse = le Toto
First-Aid Post = le Poste de Secours
Fox-Hole = le Trou de Loup
The Front = le Front
Gabion = le Gabion
Good post, assignment or position. To have luck. = le Filon
Hosptial = l'Hôpital
Hosptial = l'Hosteau
Mud = la Boue
Gunk = la Mouise
Lather = la Mouscaille
Muck = la Bouillasse
Nook, corner = le Coinsteau
Prison = la Prison
Brig (Can) = le Boîte
Brig = le Lazaro
Rat = le Rat
Waster = le Gaspard
The Rear = L'Arrière
Shell-Hole(s) = le Trou(s) d'Obus
Large Shell-Hole = l'Etonnoir
Strong-Point = le Point d'Appui
Wattle, Wattling = le Claie, Clayonnage
Wire-Entanglements = le Réseau
Wooden cross (e.g. grave) = le Croix de Bois
Field Works:
Blockhouse, pillbox = le Blochaus
Communication trench (Intestine) = le Blochaus
Sap (i.e. forward trench dug out from the first-line trench) = la Sape
Sap Head (i.e. most advanced part of the sap) = la Tête de sape
Sausage: Short, connecting comm. trench = le Boudin
Bean: Short, circular or bean-shaped trench = le Haricot
Listening Post = le Poste d'Écoute or l'Écoute
Small Post = le Petit Poste
Loophole = le Créneau
Machine-Gun Nest = le Nid de Mitrailleuse
Shelter, Dugout = l'Abri
Hovel = le Gourbi
Shanty = Guitoune
Trench = la Tranchée
Wire-Entanglements = les Réseaux
Military Terms and Expressions
Ambush = l'Embuscade or l'Embûche
Alarm! To arms! = Alerte!, Aux Armes!
[The] Army = l'Armée
The Big Silent [Film] = la Grande Muette
Artillery = l'Artillerie
Heavy Artillery = l'Artillerie Gros
Loud-Mouth = la Guelarde
Attention! = Fixe!
Attention! = Garde à vous!
Battle, combat = la Bataille
[the] Danse = la Danse
The Blues (the Roach) = le Cafard
To be blue (To have the roach) = Avoir le cafard.
Danger = Ca gaze, ça barde, or ça murmure
Eyes front = Fixe
X, fall out. = X, sortez des rangs.
Forbidden to pass by day. = Défendu de passer le jour.
Head-Quarters, HQ = [Grand] Quartier Général, [G]QG
Kit up! = En tenue!
Gunfire, bombardment, fire = le Mitraille
Rain = la Pluie
Music [Gunfire, bombardment] = la Musique
It's hot! [i.e. lively combat] = Ça chauffe!
It's forbidden, prohibited. = C'est défendu.
Lie down. = Couchez-vous.
Lights prohibited. = Défense d'allumer.
No talking. No smoking. = Pas de parler. Pas de fumer.
Packs on! = Sac à dos!
Pack up (make your packs) = Faites vos sacs.
Put out all lights. = Éteignez tous les feux
Put out your lights. = Éteignez vos lumières or vos phares
Incoming [shell] = l'Arrivé
Outgoing [shell] = le Départ
Infantry = l'Infanterie
Infantry = la Biffe*
The Infants = les Enfants*
Kaput [Done for] = Capout
Morning Breakfast = P.D.D.M. (Petit Déjeuner Du Matin)
i.e. coffee or wine before breakfast
Paris = la Panam[e]
Raid = le Coup de Main
Shirker's Post or Shelter = Embuscade
Stand-to = Aux armes
To arms! Arm yourselves! = Aux armes!
The doc has made me 'ex'. (i.e. not fit for service) = Le toubib m'a mis ex.
To be hit = Prendre une dragée or Être touché
To be hit, done for = Être fadé
To be on high-alert. = Être en le "qui-vive".
To beat, to give/get a beating (to screw) = Ficher
To fight = Danser
To get wasted (to get slammed) = Claquer
To go into combat = Aller au feu
To procure contraband = Fricoter
To slog through = Débrouiller, Demerder
To take a beating. (To take the pipe.) = Prendre la pipe.
To water down [the wine]. (To baptize) = Baptiser [le pinard]
Cooks are often accused of this.
Tough fight = Coup de chien
To exaggerate or lie = Cherrer
Nah! You're lyin'! = Ah non, tu cherrres!
To be tipsy or wounded (To be gray) = Être gris
Common Expressions
All set? = On est paré?
Beware = Méfiez-vous
Bochey, Boche-like = Bochie
Bloody hell! = Foutu bordel!
Damn! Wow! = Vingt-Deux!
[a] Deal = Combine, binaise
Dirty joke = Perco
Don't worry, no worries. = N' t'en fais pas. T'en fais pas.
Eat (Gobble stones) = Bochément
Exempt (from service) = Ex
Extra (e.g. rations, wine, cheese, etc.) = Rabiot or Rab'
Fuck! (Whore) = Putain!
Fucking shit, fucking hell! = Bordel de merde!
Germanic (Boche-like) = Bocher
Germany = Allemagne
Golly! = Mince!
Good = Bono
Good (Bath) = Bath
Very good, everything's good. = Bono besef
Very bad, things are bad = Macach bono
Great (Huge) = Maous
Great, nice. = Chic
A nice post. = Un poste chic.
Guts = Cran
He's got guts. = Il a des crans.
He's brave. = Il a du poil.
He's dreary. = Il est fadé.
He's wounded. He's hit. (He's gray.) = Il est gris.
Home, hometown, home area = Patelin
I don't like it. I got a bad feeling about it. = Ça n'a rien à faire.
It's a success (It's tossed) = C'est jeté
It's all the same. Six of one, half-dozen of another. = C'est kif-kif
It's dangerous. = C'est vingt-deux.
It's impossible. It's too late. = C'est Midi.
It's raining. (It's drinking.) = Bouffer des cailloux
It's rough, dangerous. = Ça barde.
Joke = Potin
Joke = Blague
Move it! Get a move on! = Mets-en!
Nice, fancy, cool = Ça flotte or Il flotte.
No, nope = Nib
No matter what the cost. = Coûte que coûte.
No worries = T'en fait pas.
No worries. Don't worry. = N' t'en fais pas.
Oh man! Oh, for the love of...! (Oh cow!) = Ah la vache!
Pussy! = Con!
Say, ... [informal] = Dis-donc...
Screwed/Lost = Fichu
Ex.: We're gonners. = Nous sommes fichu.
Ex.: Times are crappy. = C'est un fichu temps.
Screwed = Foutu
Ex.: He's screwed. = Il est foutu.
Shell-shock (Shocked, Shellitus) = la Commotion, Obusite
Ex.: He's shell-shocked. He has shell-itis = Il avait commotionné. Il a l'obusite.
Shut it! = Ferme!, Ferme la!
Take cover! = Planquez-vous!
That's/It's funny, unbelievable. (That's unique.) = C'est rare.
To be cowardly = Être poltron
To be drunk (To be black) = Être noir
A hangover (wooden mug) = Gueule de bois
To be scared stiff (to be white-livered) = Avoir les foies blancs
To be sleepy (To be heavy) = Avoir la lourd
To waste/do in = Zigouiller
To be worried, bothered, upset. (To get mossed.) = Se faire de la mousse.
The Worry (The Moss) = la Mousse
To bug, piss off = Emmerder
To chow down = Casser la croûte
To do like the Boches = Bocherie
To exaggerate or lie (to Fife) = Fifrer
To have the jitters = Avoir les frousse
To malinger (To have nickel feet) = Avoir les pieds nickelés
To talk like a German. (To chomp on some straw.) = Hacher de la paille.
Watch out. Be careful. Attention.
What a bore! Boring! = C'est la barbe! La Barbe!
Why worry? What can you do? = Pourquoi s'en faire?
Wow! = Zut!
For additional slang terms, see the the following Poilu slang site and this French slang dictionary.
Disclaimer:
Please bear in mind that while all efforts have been made to create as accurate as possible a translation of the above terms, there is a degree to which many will lose their original meaning. This difficulty arises partly from the inability of the English language to supply the exact technical or cultural equivalent of a given French term, but even more particularly from the extremely detailed nature of a technical or cultural French nomenclature. Where in the English language, a class name alone is applied to each of the objects or things of one and the same class, the French will almost invariably modify this class name by some adjunct limiting or defining its application. The result is to force the substitution of a description for a name. This substitution of a description is unavoidable in those cases in which the thing to be defined is peculiar to the French language, culture or military.
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