Abbreviations used in this list:

abbr. abbreviation

ad. adoption

adj. adjective

cont. contraction

der. derived from

n noun

phr. phrase

v verb

Demob	abbr.	Demobilisation meaning to return to civilian life.
Demob Chart		(see Chuff chart)
Denims	n	Overalls or coveralls worn for work. In the Middle East.
Dhobi	n	Laundry, orig. in the Middle East.
Dhobi dust	n sl.	Washing powder (1967) orig.
Dim as a Toc-H lamp		Intellectually deficient.
Dinger		Common nickname for the surname BELL.
Dip out		Miss, fail to achieve.
Dixie		Cooking pot.
Dock	n	Hospital.
Dodgy		Very suspect.
Dog-end		See ‘Spit’.
Doing your block		Very angry.
Dolly		To ‘dolly’ one’s greatcoat was to fold it in a prescribed manner and hung up as part of the kit layout.
Donkeys		Used in the context of time, i.e. “I haven’t seen him in donkeys”.
Donkey’s knob		Name given to a gun controller in Centurion tanks & other armoured vehicles. So called for its likeness in shape and size to a donkey’s penis.
Donkey’s plonk		Main cable connector from predictor to radar set of the era. So called for its likeness in shape to, although much larger than, a donkey’s penis.
Donkey walloper		Member of a cavalry regiment.
Don’t give me any lip		Don’t be insubordinate or cheeky.
Doolali		Shortened form of ‘Doolali tap’, a name coined by British soldiers in India to describe a certain form of odd behaviour. Derived from Deolali Transit Camp, some 100 miles north of Bombay and established in most inhospitable country. All incoming and outgoing troops, and their families, were incarcerated there awaiting postings in India, or the arrival of the troopship that was to transport them home to Blighty (England). As one who has undergone the experience at the end of 1945 I can vouch for Deolali being the Hellhole capital of the World. (George MILLIE)
Dork	n sl.	Slice of bread.
Dose		See ‘Clap’.
Dosh		Money.
Drag		As in “Giz a drag mate”, which was the worst thing a smoker could hear. You were duty bound to oblige, even knowing that the recipient of this largesse would suck the guts out of your fag and make a big wet “Jew’s arse” out of the drawing end. Also: a nuisance.
Drawers ‘Dracula’		see Drawers ‘Hallelujah’
Drawers ‘Hallelujah’		A corruption of ‘drawers, cellular’, those odd items of green cellular underwear that were standard issue in those days of yore.
Drill pig	n	Foot drill instructor.
Drip		To complain.
DRO		Daily Regimental Order.
Duff		Faulty, incorrect, questionable.
Dukie		Student or ex-student of The Duke of York’s School.
Dusty		Common nickname for the surname MILLER.
DZ		Drop zone.