This work investigates the linguistic evolution and unique vernacular developed by Australian soldiers during the First World War. W.H. Downing, a veteran himself, compiled this lexicon in 1919 to document the specific slang and idiomatic expressions that emerged within the trenches. The text serves as a primary source for understanding the social dynamics and cultural identity of the Australian Imperial Force, supplemented by modern editorial analysis from J.M. Arthur and W.S. Ramson to provide historical context and linguistic clarity.

Linguists and historians regard this text as a foundational reference for the study of Australian English and military vernacular. Readers frequently note the historical significance of the original 1919 entries, which provide an authentic window into the daily communication of the era.