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500 of the Best Cockney War Stories
500 of the Best Cockney War Stories

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories is here in full — 383 sentences across 77 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/76 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.
We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.
Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.
We were fed-up.
But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

500 of the Best Cockney War Stories

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories is here in full — 383 sentences across 77 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/76 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.
Line 2
We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.
Line 3
Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.
Line 4
We were fed-up.
Line 5
But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Cockney noun US /ˈkɑːkni/

a native of the east end of London

From this reading “We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.”

compensation noun US /ˌkɑːmpənˈseɪʃən/

something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)

From this reading “But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.”

Ducking noun US /ˈdʌkɪŋ/

hunting ducks

From this reading “Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.”

Leghorn noun US /ˈleɡhɔːrn/

a stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown

From this reading “Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.”

overdue adjective US /ˈoʊvərˈduː/

past due; not paid at the scheduled time

From this reading “Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.”

rations noun US /ˈræʃənz/

plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)

From this reading “Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.”

Rhapsody noun US /ˈræpsədi/

an enthusiastic expression of emotion

From this reading “Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.”

salvage verb US /ˈsælvədʒ/

save from ruin, destruction, or harm

From this reading “Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

some compensation adjective + noun

In this reading “But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.”

came out verb + adjective counted as “come out”

appear or become visible; make a showing

In this reading “Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.”

about an hour preposition + article + noun counted as “about … hour”

In this reading “We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.”

for years preposition + noun

In this reading “We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.”

All words in this reading · 95

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

17th

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

1917

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

9

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.

affairnounUS /əˈfer/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/

weapons considered collectively

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

ave

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

badadjectiveUS /bæd/

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

blimey

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

blinkin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

Cambrai

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

carryingverbUS /ˈkæriɪŋ/

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

CockneynounUS /ˈkɑːkni/

a native of the east end of London

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

compensationnounUS /ˌkɑːmpənˈseɪʃən/

something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)

From this reading But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.

conditionsnounUS /kənˈdɪʃənz/

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

duckin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

DuckingnounUS /ˈdʌkɪŋ/

hunting ducks

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

Elliott

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

emnounUS /em/

a quad with a square body

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

EreconjunctionUS /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/

to certain extent or degree

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

fed-up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

fings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

Harlesden

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

I'm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

KnounUS /keɪ/

the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

LeghornnounUS /ˈleɡhɔːrn/

a stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

mailnounUS /meɪl/

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

NnounUS /en/

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

nah

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

nursin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

NursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

nutnounUS /nʌt/

usually large hard-shelled seed

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

overdueadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈduː/

past due; not paid at the scheduled time

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

RnounUS /ɑːr/

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

rationsnounUS /ˈræʃənz/

plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

Rfn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

RhapsodynounUS /ˈræpsədi/

an enthusiastic expression of emotion

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

RoadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

Salonikanoun

a port city in northeastern Greece on an inlet of the Aegean Sea; second largest city of Greece

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

salvageverbUS /ˈsælvədʒ/

save from ruin, destruction, or harm

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

sergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

shellsnounUS /ʃelz/

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

supportnounUS /səˈpɔːrt/

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

ThreenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

turnverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

ValleynounUS /ˈvæli/

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.

Vardar

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

viewnounUS /vjuː/

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading But the view across the Vardar Valley was some compensation.

WnounUS /ˈdʌbəljuː/

a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Ducking 'em---then Nursing 'em After the Cambrai affair of November 1917 our company came out of the line, but we had to salvage some very large and heavy shells.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Elliott (late 17th K.R.R.C.), 9 Leghorn Road, Harlesden, N.W._ Salonika Rhapsody Three of us were sitting by the support line on the Salonika front, conditions were fairly bad, rations were short and a mail was long overdue.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading We had been carrying the shells in our arms for about an hour when I heard a fed-up Cockney turn to the sergeant and say: "'Ere 'ave I been duckin' me nut for years from these blinkin' fings---blimey, and nah I'm nursin' 'em!"---_Rfn.

Chapter 7 of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories by Various holds 383 sentences, grouped into 77 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 7 of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories contain?

Chapter 7 holds 383 sentences of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories, unabridged, divided into 77 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 383 sentences, grouped into 77 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 7 of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories?

Work through the 77 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 77 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories

Common questions about reading 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories by Various on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories?

Yes. All 3534 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44263 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #44263, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories take to read?

About 294 minutes of reading across 707 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories section by section

How to work through 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories

Words and structures a reader meets early in 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Opening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
General
A word that appears in the opening chapter of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hamilton
A word that appears in the opening chapter of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Vice-president
A word that appears in the opening chapter of 500 of the Best Cockney War Stories; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.