"FRENCH-AS SHE IS SPOKEN BY TOMMY
ATKINS."
The Ypres Times.
The inhabitants around these parts had
no smattering of English which helped
us on other fronts, and made it very difficult
for us to procure the little necessaries of
life.
The following is an example of a con
versation which may be heard at any place
where a regiment is at rest. All conversa
tion is practically a repetition of the one
given below. Some may be a little more or
less flowery according to the spirit of the
speaker and the difficulties which may arise.
Bong swar, Madam, nice day ain't it?
Bonjour, Monsieur."
Got any doo pang
Pain, Óui Monsieur."
How much is it Now what's the
blinking lingo for how much
No compre, Monsieur."
No, nor me, that's wffiere we're both
stuck with the langwidge, ain't it?"
No compre."
Combeang? Yes, that's it," Com-
beang, Madam
On en' donne deux pour trois francs
pour un trente sous, monsieur."
Yes, I wouldn't be at all surprised,
that's of course if it keeps fine, but one never
knows, does one
No compre."
Combeang then, this blighter here, any
way?
Un franc dix sous, monsieur."
That's useful, here take it out of this
five franc note. No change, I'll bet. Papeea
no bon eh
De tout mon coeur."
Whose a cur None of ver blinking
sauce, yer old enough to know better."
Here, what's this A franc and a half
for a bloomin' twopenny buster
Trés bonne, Monsieur."
"No, no blooming bon. Where's yer
ong tong cordial yer talks about, Lumme,
yer don't half put it up you don't."
Trés Bonne, Monsieur, beaucoup monies
soldats Anglais."
Yes, I don't think: Millionaires on a
bob a day and all found, scrapping included.
Hello, Gertie. Yer daughter, I suppose
Me promenade avec Madamoiselle,
Madam
Vous dit monsieur."
I didn't but I'd like to."
No compre. Qu'est ce que cela veut
dire."
"Kiss her slow, you dear, eh?" My
word but we're getting on. You plenty kiss,
eh, Gertie
No compre."
Got any pomme de spuds madam
Pomme de terre, Oui Monsieur."
Give us a franc's worth then."
Merci dugout, Bon swar, Madam.
Ta ta, Gertie, you plenty bon, you tres
bon for me eh
Bonjour, Monsieur."
Bong dewars to you and many on'em."
Reprinted from The 6th K. S.L.I. News.
TO RUM.
When your feet are like two stones,
And your face is pinched and blue,
And you have that Fed up feeling,
(We have had it just like you)
What is it will cure your ills,
Put some warmth into your toes,
Make you fell quite fit and chirpy.
And bring colour to your nose
It's the stuff that is contained
In a simple jar of stone.
Tho' it should be given a palace
And be set upon a Throne.
For it is a mighty spirit,
To whom we all do homage pay.
Giving strength to weary soldiers,
Fitting them for another day.
Though there may be water in it,
And we don't get quite enough.
Here's a health to S.R.D."
For its jolly fine good stuff.
c.s.m. weston.
Reprinted from "The 6th K.S.L.I. News
