Poilu (; French: [pwaly] ) is an informal term for a late 18th century–early 20th century French infantryman, meaning, literally, '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.
Poilu (; French: [pwaly] ) is an informal term for a late 18th century–early 20th century French infantryman, meaning, literally, '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.
Source: Wikipedia "Poilu" · CC BY-SA 4.0
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