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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Origin of “Going West“


dvosburgh

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Wondering whether anyone knows the origin of the phrase “gone West” that was current during the Great War when referring to someone who was KIA or died a result of illness/wounds during the Great War.

 

It’s interesting that J.R.R. Tolkien, who served on the Somme with the Lancashire Fusiliers, used the concept years later when referring to the Elves who left Middle Earth to return to the Undying Lands across the sea, as passing “into the West”.

 

Dave

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As into the sunset...the end of day...the end of life?

 

All the best,

 

Gary

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1 hour ago, David Filsell said:

A rather orchward  term I fear.

Regards

David

Ouch.

 

Or “Orch”, as the case may be.

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Looks like you might be right, Gary. I searched around and found this definition in the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms:

 

“Die, as in He declared he wasn't ready to go west just yet. This expression has beenascribed to a Native American legend that a dying man goes to meet the setting sun.However, it was first recorded in a poem of the early 1300s: "Women and many a willfulman, As wind and water have gone west."

 

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