A Sandhurst historian had insisted, with killjoy relish, that British machine gunners firing off belts of bullets to boil their tea was completely apocryphal. I paid a researcher to prove it was true (these days I try not to fall into such tedious troll traps).
One of the most famous early examples of sanitisation is the song Bless 'Em All, which was even recorded by George Formby. Needless to say, the original word that would have been sung in the trenches wasn't "bless", and would never have been allowed in Battle!
I'm listening to it in my mind right now. So much better with the real word. Thanks, Nick!
One of the most famous early examples of sanitisation is the song Bless 'Em All, which was even recorded by George Formby. Needless to say, the original word that would have been sung in the trenches wasn't "bless", and would never have been allowed in Battle!