Boche

Or boche

[bosh, bawsh]

noun

plural

Boche, Boches 

1. Older Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.,  a contemptuous term used to refer to a German, especially a German soldier in World War I or II.

Boche

/ bɒʃ /

noun

1. a German, esp a German soldier

2. (usually functioning as plural) Germans collectively, esp German soldiers regarded as the enemy

Sensitive Note

This term was originally French slang, perhaps from the Franco-Prussian War. In English, it appears today only in historical contexts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Boche¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from French; of uncertain origin; possibly a shortening of Alboche, Alleboche “German,” equivalent to al(emand) “German” + (ca)boche “cabbage, blockhead, head of a nail”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Boche¹

C20: from French, probably shortened from alboche German, from allemand German + caboche pate

Example Sentences

“I asked her if she would be scared to do such work. She said, ‘No it would please me to kill Boches.’”

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“I asked her if she would be scared to do such work. She said, ‘No, it would please me to kill Boches,’” using a derogatory French word for German soldiers.

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“There was an atmosphere of fear. And then, the streets were empty. Paris, it’s the occupation, without the Boches!” he said, laughing, using a French pejorative for Germans.

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Fourcade, she tells us, was beautiful and liked men, but she was obsessed with defeating the despised Boches.

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Trump is better categorized as an Outlaw, according to Edward Boches, professor of advertising at Boston University.

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