Moonraker Posted 8 November , 2019 Share Posted 8 November , 2019 Recently I won this card on eBay, the attraction being the "skeleton" camp postmark, the first I've seen for Chisledon. ("Double-ring" postmarks for this camp are far more common, though mostly only in fair condition.) However, the annotation "SWAK" is also of interest, presumably standing for "Sealed With a Kiss". A quick Google leads to dictionaries suggesting first known usages c1925. Such romantic acronyms were quite common on WWII mail ("SWALK", "BURMA" etc) but has anyone seen examples on WWI correspondence? Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 8 November , 2019 Share Posted 8 November , 2019 She didn't live in Norwich then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 8 November , 2019 Author Share Posted 8 November , 2019 I had a feeling that some members would be unable to resist compiling a list (though there are several already on the Web) and I wondered which one would start it off. I do hope we can limit any additions to examples of known WWI usage, rather than see how many off-topic posts it takes to disturb our Mods. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombadier Posted 8 November , 2019 Share Posted 8 November , 2019 Known in USA earlier than that. It apparently appears in a 1911 legal document quoting a 1909 letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 9 November , 2019 Share Posted 9 November , 2019 (edited) I've seen SWALK - loving kiss. W.E.G. Cocks- Only married about 6 years to wife Lilian. CENSUS 1911 Name: William Edgar Cocks Age in 1911: 31 Estimated birth year: abt 1880 Relation to Head: Head Birth Place: Penryn, Cornwall Civil Parish: Helston: Cornwall Street address: 2 St Michaels Terrace, Helston Marital status: Married Years Married: 1 Estimated Marriage Year: 1910 Occupation: sorting Clerk and Telegraphist Edited 9 November , 2019 by Kath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EAST YORKSHIRE Posted 9 November , 2019 Share Posted 9 November , 2019 I have letters from a soldiers mother that she sent to him at the front. they all have on the sticky part of the envelope "SWALK" all from 1916, sadly the last letter she sent to him wondering why he has not replied, she received the dreaded letter saying he had been killed.I have his medals and death plaque also, a very poignant reminder. Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 10 November , 2019 Share Posted 10 November , 2019 The OED entry dates no earlier than 1925. If anyone has an image with dated postmark or direct source to earlier printed reference I'll happily forward it to my OED lexicographer friend for inclusion and updating (the dictionary does now include non-print references). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 10 November , 2019 Author Share Posted 10 November , 2019 I did wonder about bringing my card to the attention of the OED but couldn't readily spot a way of doing this, Jane. Unless someone else posts an image earlier than October 20, 1916 in the next few days, please feel free to copy my scan and forward it. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 13 November , 2019 Share Posted 13 November , 2019 @Bombadier, the OED is also interested in American sources if you can provide a reference to your 1911/09 occurrence. @Moonraker I've forwarded yours to the address my friend gave me. For future reference that address is oed dot uk @ oup dot com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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