BAB: Initials of "Bab Code." The name of a confidential Army Telephone Code Book brought out in 1916. It contained groups of figures representing technical phrases. Being somewhat complicated, occasional confusion resulted through hasty or inadvertent misreading of the figures. On one occasion, it was told, an officer meaning to telephone the numerals "46778652," signifying "Extra Rum Required," hastily telephoned instead "46798654," signifying "Enemy about to attack." The book was sometimes spoken of as "the Adjutant's nightmare." It was small and easily mislaid, also, every other day, the authorities made perplexing alterations of code-numbers and additions.[1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.11–12.
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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