Bosch

[George]

Were the Germans referred to as "the Bosch" in WWII, as well as in WWI?
What is the origin/meaning of this expression as applied to the German
military?
--

[Harry Thompson]

Post by George
Were the Germans referred to as "the Bosch" in WWII, as well as in WWI?
What is the origin/meaning of this expression as applied to the German
military?

To the 2nd question:

The OED says "Boche", also erroneously "Bosch[e]."

French slang meaning rascal, German. Said to be a shortening of
_caboche_ head, or from _Alboche_, a modification of _Allemand_
German.

--

[Salus]

Post by George
Were the Germans referred to as "the Bosch" in WWII, as well as in WWI?
What is the origin/meaning of this expression as applied to the German
military?

Well, Bosch sounds like "wood" in northern Europe language.

Salus
--

[Cub Driver]

The word is "boche", though it is pronounced much as you spell it.

It is French slang for rascal, hence German soldier.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: ***@operamail.com

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com
--

[Hal Hanig]

Post by George
Were the Germans referred to as "the Bosch" in WWII, as well as in WWI?

It has always been my impression that the French referred to the Germans in both
wars as "les Boches", although you need to ask a Frenchman for the reason they
used that term. The Brits and we more commonly referred to them as "Jerries".

George Z.

--

[Louis Capdeboscq]

Post by George
Were the Germans referred to as "the Bosch" in WWII, as well as in WWI?

The spelling is "Boches", and yes.

Post by George
What is the origin/meaning of this expression as applied to the German
military?

The origin is the war of 1870. It comes from "Calboche" and "Alleboche"
the first means both head and an object used at the time which I've
forgotten the English word for, and the second is slang on the word
"Allemand" = German.


Louis