The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Glossary

Rakishly

Literally, at an angle; figuratively, in a jaunty or stylish way

Lieutenant

A military rank, usually referring to a junior officer.

Hydroplane

Seaplane

Intimate

Private; innermost

Overshoes

A type of footwear worn over ordinary shoes for protection, especially against water or mud.

Streptothricosis

(a.k.a. rainscald), a common skin disease found in farm animals.

Anesthetize

The act of giving a patient a drug that makes them lose all feeling in a part of their body.

Insolent

Rude; arrogant

Insinuatingly

Subtly suggestive; hinting at something

Pandemonium/Bedlam

Confusion; chaos

Liberty

An American general-interest magazine published from 1924 to 1950.

Cannonading

A continuous cannon barrage

Archies

Slang from the First World War referring to German anti-aircraft guns.

Box barrage

An artillery barrage on three sides of an enemy position in order to box them in.

"Aupres de Ma Blonde"

French for "Next to My Blonde." A popular drinking song.

Inscrutable

Unreadable; poker-faced

"got the wind up"

From the idiom "get the wind up." To make someone feel worried.

Cur

An insult, meaning a mongrel dog.

Craven

Cowardly; fearful

Puppy

A young dog

Buy Study Guide Cite this page