The New York Times

Articles from The New York Times

Poilu’ is not the Right Word! (NY Times, 1916)

The novelist, journalist, anti-Semite and French Academy member Maurice Barres (1862 – 1923) had some opinions regarding the word Poilu (the popular and affectionate slang term for the French front line soldier, which translates into English as hairy guy). In the following one page essay he presented a history of the word and continued with an explanation as to why it bugged him:

It lacks dignity. To my taste it belittles those whom it is meant to laud and serve. A hero can hardly be expressed by this brazen-faced and slanderous epithet. And yet, since it has taken root in our battlefields now for more than a year, one hesitates to speak ill of this word, in which so many admirable acts are somehow visible. It is winning it’s historic titles.

In the end, no one really cared what Maurice Barres had to say on this topic and the sobriquet poilu remained in place.

Poilu’ is not the Right Word! (NY Times, 1916) Read More »

T.E. Lawrence (NY Times, 1919)

One of the most romantic figures of the entire war was Thomas Lawrence, a young Oxford graduate who had specialized in archeology… To Colonel Lawrence more than any other man was due the efficient organization of the Hejaz Army. He worked in perfect harmony with King Hussein and Prince Faisal, to whom he was second in command.

The Germans and Turks alike soon discovered the presence of this young Englishman among their Arabic opponents in the desert and, realizing the menace of his mysterious and amazing successes, put a price of $5000,000 upon his head.

Blonde as a Viking, he walked about the streets of Jerusalem or other cities, in full panoply of Arab royal costume, plunged in some inner dream.

Read other articles from 1919.

T.E. Lawrence (NY Times, 1919) Read More »

The Introduction of the U.S Army Overseas Cap (New York Times, 1918)

A NEW YORK TIMES correspondent reported from Washington what the official line was as to why the U.S. Army had seen fit to toss out the campaign hat in preference to the European-style Overseas cap:

When the Americans entered the trenches, said an official statement today, it was found that the brim of their campaign hat interfered with sighting through the trench periscopes and that the high crown, in the case of tall men, could be seen above the parapets. The new cap is so low that it permits the men to move with the same freedom as when they are hatless.

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