{"product_id":"a-dictionary-of-raf-slang-eric-partridge","title":"A Dictionary of RAF Slang - Eric Partridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe perfect stocking filler for anyone who imagines themselves flying a spitfire . . .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrop your visiting cards, put aside your beer-lever, stop being a half-pint hero and discover the gloriously funny slang which was part of everyday life in two world wars.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePassion-killers:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAirwomen's service knickers, whether twilights (the lighter, summer-weight variety) or black-outs (the navy-blue winter-weights). A wise directive has purposely made them as unromantic in colour and in design as a wise directive could imagine.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThanks to the work of Eric Partridge in 1945, the hilarious slang of the Royal Air Force during the first two World Wars has been preserved for generations to come. While some phrases like 'chocks away!' have lasted to this day, others deserve to be rediscovered . . .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBeer-lever:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFrom pub-bars, meaning the 'Joystick' of an aircraft.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eCanteen cowboy:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA ladies' man.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHalf-pint hero:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA boaster. One who exemplifies the virtue of Dutch courage without having the trouble of going into action.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eTin fish:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA torpedo.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eUmbrella man:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eA parachutist.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eVisiting-card:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eA bomb.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eWheels down:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGet ready - especially to leave a bus, tram, train. From lowering the wheels, preparatory to landing.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhistled:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn a state of intoxication wherein one tends to whistle cheerfully and perhaps discordantly.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Dictionary of RAF Slang\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a funny and fascinating insight into the lives of our RAF heroes, in a time gone by.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Book Bubble\/Old School Bookshop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55472491135356,"sku":"","price":2.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/8930\/2764\/files\/ADORAFS-EP-01.jpg?v=1750600871","url":"https:\/\/bookbubble.co.uk\/products\/a-dictionary-of-raf-slang-eric-partridge","provider":"Book Bubble\/Old School Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}