derisive—ridiculing; laughing at with contempt or scorn.
black market—a place or system for selling goods illegally.
GI—Government Issue, referring to all Army clothing, weapons, other supplies, and, eventually, any individual soldier.
gullible—easily cheated or tricked; credulous.
WAC—The Women’s Army Corps of the U.S. Army, formed during World War II, was designed to relieve men of certain clerical tasks so that more of them could go to battle.
pernicious—causing great injury, destruction, or ruin.
Billy Petrolle —a contending American lightweight prizefighter (1905–1983) in the 1930s.
