GREATWAR-L Archives

From: Estelle Wolfers <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] another question about "batman"
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 14:49:38 +0000
References: <02b001c4fb2b$a3925be0$0c309c51@default><004101c4f7c9$b8cf5860$b21c86d4@oemcomputer><02b001c4fb2b$a3925be0$0c309c51@default>
In-Reply-To: <1105851274.41e9f38ab109a@web.mail.umich.edu>

According to my dictionary, the word batman for a personal servant comes
from the French bat (with a circumflex on the a) for a pack-saddle.
Originally the pack-horse carrying an officer's personal gear was called a
bathorse, and the batman took care of horse and luggage.

Estelle

This thread:

• Siege Camp - Ypres by "Steve Morse" <>
  • Re: [WW1] Siege Camp - Ypres by "Tom Tulloch-Marshall" <>
    • another question about "batman" by
      • Re: Schlieffen Plan by "John Wilson" <>

    • Re: [WW1] another question about "batman" by Estelle Wolfers <>