Definition

1. Noun:
   • A French soldier, especially one who served in World War I: The term "poilu" was a colloquial and affectionate nickname for the French infantryman, connoting bravery and endurance.
   • (Historical, Southern U.S.) A thick stew made of rice, chicken, and small game: This is an archaic and regional culinary term.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Soldier):
  • The poilu endured the harsh conditions of the trenches with remarkable courage.
  • Letters from the poilu provided a personal view of the Great War.
• Noun (Stew):
  • The old recipe for poilu has been passed down for generations in that family.

Advanced Usage

• The term "poilu" (meaning soldier) is almost exclusively historical and literary, used when discussing World War I. It carries cultural and emotional weight, symbolizing the common French soldier's experience.
• When used in the culinary sense, it is a highly specialized regional term and is considered obsolete in modern English.

Variants and Related Words

• Poilu has no direct variants. It is a loanword from French.
• Related historical terms: (slang for a U.S. soldier in WWI), (slang for a British soldier).

Synonyms

• For the soldier meaning: French soldier, infantryman, (historically for a Napoleonic soldier).
• For the stew meaning: stew, ragout, burgoo (a similar Southern U.S. stew).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The two meanings of "poilu" are entirely distinct and unrelated. The connection is coincidental, stemming from different etymological roots entering the English language.
  • The soldier term comes directly from French (literally meaning "hairy one," implying a rugged, masculine soldier).
  • The stew term's origin is uncertain but is not derived from the French soldier term.

Noun

1. thick stew made of rice and chicken and small game; southern U.S.
2. a French soldier (especially in World War I)