DAB.
Expert,
extremely proficient. An abbreviation of "Dabster."
Daddies, The
DAG.
Hard case,
either as a humorist or disregarder of convention.
DARK.
Mode of
addressing especially those with dark hair or complexion.
DATE.
(1) A
term for the posterior orifice.
(2) An appointment.
DEAD MEAT TICKET.
See "Meat
ticket."
DEARAUNTIE.
A phrase
signifying utter weariness or disgust. It implies the well-known text of a
fictitious soldier's letter: - DearAuntie, this ain't no ordinary war ITS
A BLOODY BASTARD, and if you want to see your little Johnny again, get right
down on your knees, and pray like hell.
DEAR BILL.
See "DearAuntie."
DEEP THINKER.
A reinforcement
who arrived in a fighting unit late in the course of the war.
DIAL.
Face.
Diehards, the
DIGGER.
Mate,
friend. Used in the second or third person. This term had been in use on the
Aust. gold fields, and New Zealand Kauri gum fields for many years prior to
the war. It was not until the end of 1917 or early 1918 that it came into
universal use in the A.I.F. or N.Z.E.F. The first to use the term, to any
extent were the N.Zealanders from whom it quickly spread through the A.I.F.
DINGBAT.
Batman,
servant; also used in the plural to indicate that the person referred to had
"rats" or was not speaking or acting in a rational manner.
DINKUM.
Good,
genuine, honest.
DINKUM THE
The 2nd.
Division. Also applied to the New ZEALANDERS.
DINKY-DIE.
An oath
of truthfullness [sic].
DISASTER.
A piastre
(Egyptian coin)
DIVVY.
Abbreviation
of "Division" & dividend, meaning in the former case a Military
formation, in the latter, one's fair share.
Dixie
DIZZY-LIMIT.
The last
straw; incomparable; the height of "cheek."
DO; to do in.
To kill;
to make away; "do your nut" - loose [sic] one's head.
DO A BUNK.
See "Bunk."
DOCK.
A Military
Hospital.
DODGER.
Bread.
DOER.
A person
unusually humorous, reckless, undisciplined, immoral or eccentric.
DOG FEVER.
A mild
form of influenza.
DOG'S-LEG.
A lance
corporal's stripe. so called on account of its shape.
DOING'S.
A place,
billet or trench, a circumstance, an affair.
DOLL UP.
Ornament.
Dolphin (Sopwith)
DOMINO.
To kill;
to knock out.
DON ACK PLONK.
Divisional
Ammunition Column (D.A.C.) "Don Ack" is the Army method of pronouncing
D.A. and "plonk" may have originated as a rhyme for "donk"
the D.A.C.'s containing many mules. Another possible derivation is the adaption
of the sound made by the sinking of the mule's leg into the mud.
DONG.
To hit,
to punch.
DONK.
Mule.
The average Australian soldier would rarely refer to anything by its proper
name if he could find another as expressive.
DONK'S DINBAT.
A mule
groom or Driver.
DOOK.
Hand.
DOOK 'IM ONE.
To salute
an Officer.
DOOK IT.
Shake
hands.
DOPE.
One who
is absent-minded or eccentric; information; line of conduct; liquor; poison.
DOPEY.
Dazed,
bemused; lacking in vitality.
DOUGH.
Money.
DOUSE THE GLIM.
Put out
the light.
DOWN SOUTH.
Hidden,
buried. In one's pocket.
DOWN - to have a down on.
To have
a grudge against; to take a dislike to.
DRAFT UP or DRAFT VERTICAL.
See "Wind
up."
DRAGGING SPARE.
Surplus,
i.e. "Is anything dragging spare?" Sometimes abbreviation to dragging.
DREADNOUGHT.
V.D. Prophylactic
outfit issued to troops before departing on leave.
DUCKBOARD.
A wooden
frame about five feet long and 18" wide, on which are nailed crosswise,
short pieces of wood in the form of a grating. The Military Medal Ribbon was
frequently referred to by this term.
DUCKS BREAKFAST.
A drink
of water and a wash.
DUCKS DISEASE.
A description
of a person's physical build indicating that his legs are short and his buttocks
are too near the ground.
DUCK'S EGG.
A half
piastre nickel coin.
DUD.
A shell
that fails to explode. An incapable person; no good.
DUG IN.
In a safe
position.
DUGOUT.
One who
avoids danger by trying to remain out of the danger zone or, if in the forward
area, by rarely leaving his shelter. Also applied to elderly returned Officers
called up for service at the outbreak of war. "Dug-out King" - an
officer who remains at the bottom of a dug-out while his men are exposed to
danger.
DUG-UP.
Found
(usually an absentee)
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