"The Destructors" and Other Stories Glossary

"The Destructors" and Other Stories Glossary

Luftwaffe

German air force

Underground Station

Subway

Air Raid Shelter

Purpose-made underground bunker where people took shelter during German bombing raids. These could be private on a person's own property or public for a group or community

The Wormsley Common Empire

Local theater or music hall where the community would gather every weekend for a particular show. Every major area of London had its own Empire theater

Haw-Haw Accent

Expression of derision used to describe the way in which an upper class or posh person spoke.

Monocle

Circular eyepiece for one eye, rather like a magnifying glass, typified by Winston Churchill

Betters

Those of a higher social standing than oneself

Parquet

A type of flooring that uses geometric placing of wood "tiles" or strips to create a pattern.

Builder

British term for construction worker

Lorry

British word for "truck"

Old Chap

"Old Chap" is a greeting between two upper class gentlemen - ex. "hello there, old chap, how have you been?" A "chap" is another term for "guy".

Skirting

Baseboard

Come Down In The World

A term used to describe a dip in the fortunes of a person or family who still act as though they are better than the people in their new financial level

Ignoble

Not honorable either in character or in your intentions - opposite of "noble"

Groggy

Staggering or dizzy from blows to the head

Parodied

Imitated the style of

Facade

The outside of a building or home, including the architectural features and details that are often valuable even when the inside of the home is in ruins

Loo

British word for "lavatory"

Outhouse

Outside toilet for a private home

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