Vocabulary and Idioms from World War II Contexts

Gobsmacked

So shocked that you cannot speak.

Chuckle

Laugh quietly.

Not by a long chalk

Not in any way.

Whooping

A loud cry of excitement.

Tutting

Sound made to show you disapprove of something.

Mutterings

To grumble and speak in low tones.

It rained cat and dogs

It rained heavily.

Whipped away

To bring or take something quickly.

Clutching my hand

Hold something tightly in fear, worry, or pain.

Strapping boy

Strong and healthy.

Confide

To trust.

See eye to eye with someone

To have the same opinion as someone.

Numb

Unable to feel.

Coots

Small dark birds that live near rivers and lakes (fochas).

Heron

Long-legged water bird (garza).

Chest of drawers

Furniture with drawers for clothes.

Moths

Insects that usually fly at night and are attracted to light (polillas).

Whizzed

Moved quickly.

Pebble beach

Beach with small smooth round stones.

To milk

Weary

Tired.

Nursing home

Place where old people receive medical treatment and care.

Scrabble

Hold a wake

Ceremony before the funeral.

To play waiter

Grieving

Feeling terribly sad.

Gazing

Staring.

Badgered

Put pressure on somebody.

Rambling on and on

Walk for pleasure, especially in the countryside.

To be cock-a-hoop

To be over the moon or in cloud nine.

Navy bloomers

Old-fashioned underwear, also used for games.

Gave me detention

Townies

Evacuees from towns.

Measles

Infectious disease which produces small red spots (sarampión).

Mumps

Infectious disease that causes painful swelling in the neck (paperas).

Country bumpkin

A person from the countryside who is considered to be awkward and stupid.

He picks his nose

To be a researcher (Note: This definition seems contextually incorrect for the phrase, but is kept as per instructions).

Cheeky monkey

Fresh but funny.

She’s saggy baggy

Pregnant and heavy.

Wonky

Shaky or unsteady.

Smart uniform

Whistle

The sound that you make by forcing your breath out when your lips are almost closed or when blowing a whistle to attract attention.

Howdy

How do you do?

Lemon sherbets

Candies and also sorbets.

Peppermint humbugs

Hard sweet, usually with a mint taste and strips.

Muck spreader

Machine that spreads waste matter from farm animals.

Haymaking

Lambing

Giving birth to sheep.

Fordson tractor

Barbed wire

Strong wire with barbs at regular intervals used to prevent passage.

King Arthur’s knights

At the round table.

Churchill

British Prime Minister who opposed disapproval policies and led Great Britain through World War II.

Rationing

A limited portion of food, usually during war periods.

Hen

Female chicken.

Ruddy Yanks

Red and healthy-looking Americans.

Crawled

Moved on hands and knees.

Ack-ack

Slang for an anti-aircraft gun’s fire.

World War II Bloomers