Alleyman

English

Etymology

From French Allemand (“a German”), with alteration after alley, man.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈa.li.mən/, /ˈa.li.man/

Noun

Alleyman (plural Alleymans or Alleymen)

1. (military slang, now historical) A German, especially during the First World War. [from 20th c.]
   • a.1918, ‘I Want to Go Home’ (song):

     Take me over the sea, where the Alleyman can't get at me. Oh my, I don't want to die, I want to go home.

   • 1941, Blackwood's Magazine, volume 250, page 220:

     In the trenches the men of both races shared their cigarettes and rum rations, and exchanged the most impossible yarns of what they had done, or would do, to the 'Alleyman!'

   • 1954, Henry Williamson, How Dear is Life, page 239:

     "Why don't the naval guns fire back?"
     "They only fire when the Alleyman attacks, mate."