World War I Phrases Still Used Today-- Part 1: Big Bertha and Ace

May 5, 2015, Bulletin  "Historically Speaking:  World War I coined many phrases still in use today" by Richard Curland.

ACE--  pilot who has shot down 5 enemy planes.  Today, it also applies to an expert in any particular endeavor.  An example would be the ace of a pitching staff.

BIG BERTHA--  A German long range cannon.  Today it applies to any particularly large person or object.

CHIEF OF STAFF--  replaced the commanding general of an army.

CHOW--  Referring to food, it originally originated during the Civil War, but received much more common use during WW I.  Hungry soldiers were called chowhounds.

--CootChow