Avec: Spirits. Spirits being forbidden for the troops at the front in the War, their purchase was always difficult. The usual way of getting over the difficulty was by diplomacy. One would ask in an estaminet for "Cafè Avec," stress being put on the "Avec". The customer's meaning was obvious and liquor was forthcoming. As a colloquialism among ourselves in this way the word "avec" used by itself, came to stand as a general term for alcohol in due course.[1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.11.
Glossary of words and phrases
The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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