The term Hun, Old English Hunas (plural), refers to a tribe of peoples from central Asia that overran Europe in the 4th and 5th Century AD; the pre-medieval Hunnic Empire of Attila. The word derives from Medieval Latin Hunni, and from Turkic Hun-yü, the name of a tribe. In 1806 the term was used as a figurative sense to mean "reckless destroyer of beauty." In the 20th Century it was applied with derogative undertones to the German peoples during the First World War by their enemies resulting from the propaganda, stories and, ultimately, associated atrocities. Prior to this, the nickname was originally urged on German soldiers bound for China by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1900, which caused a scandal.[1]
References / notes
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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