This book investigates how the linguistic evolution of the English language during the First World War was captured and preserved through the meticulous archival efforts of Andrew Clark. Lynda Mugglestone, a professor of the history of English, utilizes Clark's extensive collection of lexical scrapbooks to argue that the war fundamentally altered the vernacular and social vocabulary of the era. By examining these primary source materials, the author demonstrates how the conflict necessitated new terminology to describe unprecedented experiences like trench warfare and the psychological impact of total war.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the study of lexicography and the social history of language. Experts note that the text provides a dense, well-researched look at how individual observers can shape our understanding of historical linguistic trends.