Need help with British slang...

[NickM]

In my readings I came across an expression used by an RAF pilot in Malta during the Blitz that I was not familiar with---HOPEFULLY it's not a obscene expression; anyhow...here goes:

The pilot was referring to the German aircraft bombarding Malta as 'JU88s, JU87s & other gash kites;

So...what does the term Gash means in these circumstances?

thanks, ahead of time


NickM

[Jon]

Hi Nick

I need to be very carefull here !
Gash in modern British language, in some parts of the Uk such as the west country stands for that one certain part of the female body we are all glad they have.
So putting that into the circumstance you have mentioned it will work but, sounds wrong for the period to me, though i would imagine the average fighter pilot was more than capable of many a good swear word?

Hope this helps a bit

Jon

[Chris Goss]

Gash nowadays means spare. In the RN, it means refuse. In this case I would guess it would mean unidentified

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Nick

As Chris says gash means spare or waste and is quite common parlance in the RAF/British aviation industry. In the context you mention it could mean that the Luftwaffe were using everything they could get their hands on to bomb Malta.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[NickM]

Thanks to all who replied; and Jon: that word means the same thing here RE: a woman's private parts so I was VERY nervous asking the question;

NickM

[Jon]

Thanks Nick.
I was begining to feel like a naughty school boy..!