(Here and in the following chapters, difficult words and phrases, as well as allusions and historical references, are explained.)
haricot beans any of various edible beans, especially kidney beans.
quids pieces of chewing tobacco.
English heavies cannons, or field artillery.
dressing-station a first-aid tent where wounded men are stabilized before being transported to military hospitals.
pushing up daisies [Slang] dead and buried.
dust-up [Slang] a commotion, quarrel, or fight.
dixie an oversized iron cooking pot.
non-com [Informal] a noncommissioned officer; an enlisted person of any of various grades in the armed forces.
quartermaster an officer whose duty it is to provide troops with quarters, clothing, equipment, and so on.
billets the quarters or lodging provided for military personnel.
observation-balloons the enemy’s method of locating the dugouts of soldiers and assaulting them with grenades and light firearms.
anti-aircraft shells explosive projectiles fired at enemy aircraft.
misere ouverte an open discussion of hardship.
nap short for napoleon, a card game similar to euchre.
blighty a wound that assures the victim a permanent departure from action.
No Man’s Land the unoccupied region separating opposing armies.
carbolic a solution used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, etc.
morphia morphine, a bitter, white or colorless, crystalline narcotic alkaloid derived from opium and used in medicine to relieve pain.
