gippo
Definition
- Noun (Slang, primarily British military slang):
- Soup or gravy: "gippo" refers to a thin soup, gravy, or sauce, especially in military contexts.
- Stew: It can also mean a type of stew or meat dish cooked in liquid.
Usage Examples
- (A soup or stew served to troops.)
- (Gravy or sauce used to moisten dry food.)
Advanced Usage
- "to get one's gippo": to receive one's share of food or rations.
- After the long march, the men were eager to get their gippo. (To receive their meal.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gip (n, slang): a variant spelling or short form, though less common.
- Gippy (adj, slang): sometimes used as an adjective meaning "related to soup or stew," but rare.
Synonyms
- Soup: a liquid food, often served as a starter.
- Gravy: a sauce made from meat juices, used to accompany dishes.
- Stew: a dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid.
Related Idioms
- "Gippo and biscuits": a slang phrase for a simple military meal of soup or gravy with hardtack.
- We had nothing but gippo and biscuits for a week. (A basic, unappetizing ration.)
Notes on Usage
- This word is obsolete or highly archaic in modern English, and is almost exclusively found in historical military slang or period literature. It is not used in everyday conversation.
- The term originates from Romani or British cant, and its use is confined to specific historical contexts.