WORDS, words, words – so a bored and weary Hamlet said with a sneer.
But the release of new research on words and phraises brought into use during the First World War is anything but boring for lovers of the language.
Most of us would not be surprised to learn that words like shell-shock first became common parlance in the age of Wilfred Owen and the Somme.
Yet who knew until now that such well-used words as skive and cushy derived from the years of trench warfare and gas attacks?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here