Definitions for poilu
ˈpwɑ lu; Fr. pwaˈlü; -luz; Fr. -ˈlüpoilu

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. poilunoun

   a French soldier (especially in World War I)

2. purloo, chicken purloo, poilunoun

   thick stew made of rice and chicken and small game; southern U.S.

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. poilunoun

   A French infantryman during the First World War

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Poilu

   Poilu (; French: [pwaly]) is an informal term for a late 18th century–early 20th century French infantryman, meaning, literally, the hairy one. It is still widely used as a term of endearment for the French infantry of World War I. The word carries the sense of the infantryman's typically rustic, agricultural background, and derives from the bushy moustaches and other facial hair affected by many French soldiers after the outbreak of the war as a sign of masculinity. The poilu was particularly known for his love of pinard, his ration of cheap wine. The image of the dogged, bearded French soldier was widely used in propaganda and war memorials. The stereotype of the Poilu was of bravery and endurance, but not always of unquestioning obedience. At the disastrous Chemin des Dames offensive of 1917 under General Robert Nivelle, they were said to have gone into no man's land making baa'ing noises—a collective bit of gallows humour signalling the idea that they were being sent as lambs to the slaughter. Outstanding for its mixture of horror and heroism, this spectacle proved a sobering one. As the news of it spread, the French high command soon found itself coping with a widespread mutiny. A minor revolution was averted only with the promise of an end to the costly offensive. The last surviving poilu from World War I was Pierre Picault. However, French authorities recognised Lazare Ponticelli—who had served in the French Foreign Legion as an Italian citizen—as the last poilu, as he was the last veteran whose service met the strict official criteria. Lazare Ponticelli died in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre on 12 March 2008, aged 110.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. poilu

   Poilu is a term used in historical context referring to a French World War I infantryman. The literal translation in English is "hairy one", which came from their characteristic facial hair as they often did not have the luxury of regular shaves. This term reflects both affection and respect for the common soldiers who fought in the trenches during the Great War.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Poilu

   Poilu is a warmly informal term for a French World War I infantryman, meaning, literally, hairy one. The term came into popular usage in France during the era of Napoleon Bonaparte and his massive citizen armies, though the term grognard was also common. It is still widely used as a term of endearment for the French infantry of World War I. The word carries the sense of the infantryman's typically rustic, agricultural background. Beards and bushy moustaches were often worn. The image of the dogged, bearded French soldier was widely used in propaganda and war memorials. The stereotype of the Poilu was of bravery and endurance, but not always of unquestioning obedience. At the disastrous Chemin des Dames offensive of 1917 under General Robert Nivelle, they were said to have gone into no man's land making baa'ing noises — a collective bit of gallows humor signaling the idea that they were being sent as lambs to the slaughter. Outstanding for its mixture of horror and heroism, this spectacle proved a sobering one. As the news of it spread, the French high command soon found itself coping with a widespread mutiny. A minor revolution was averted only with the promise of an end to the costly offensive.

Matched Categories

1. • Soldier
   • Stew

Anagrams for poilu »

1. oil up

How to pronounce poilu?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say poilu in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of poilu in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of poilu in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=poilu
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Poilu
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poilu
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=poilu