World War II Postal Acronyms
World War II postal acronyms were first used to convey messages between servicemen and their sweethearts back home. They were usually written on the back of the envelope.[1]
The acronyms, possibly including some more recent additions, are:
- SWALK - Sealed With A Loving Kiss
- HOLLAND - Hope Our Love Lives/Lasts And Never Dies
- ITALY - I Trust And Love You or I'm Thinking About Loving You
- FRANCE - Friendship Remains And Never Can End
- BURMA - Be Undressed/Upstairs Ready My Angel[2]
- MALAYA - My Ardent Lips Await Your Arrival
- EGYPT - Eager to Grab Your Pretty Tits[2]
- NORWICH - (k)Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home
- BOLTOP - Better On Lips Than On Paper
- ENGLAND - Every Naked Girl Loves A Naked Dick
- CAPSTAN - Can A Prick Stand Twice A Night
Terry Pratchett parodied this briefly in his Discworld novel Going Postal. His acronyms included QUIRM and KLATCH.
A Dirty Pretty Things song is named "B.U.R.M.A" after the postal acronym and contains the line 'Be Upstairs Ready My Angel'.
References