poilu

thumb| in a trench '''''' (; ) is an informal term for a late 18th century–early 20th century French infantryman, meaning, literally, 'hairy one'. It is still widely used as a term of endearment for the French infantry of World War I. The word carries the sense of the infantryman's typically rustic, agricultural background, and derives from the bushy moustaches and other facial hair affected by many French soldiers after the outbreak of the war as a sign of masculinity. The was particularly known for his love of pinard, his ration of cheap wine.

thumb|Journée du Poilu. 25 et 26 décembre 1915 (). French World War I poster by [[Adolphe Willette about a Christmas leave from the front.]] The image of the dogged, bearded French soldier was widely used in propaganda and war memorials. The stereotype of the was of bravery and endurance, but not always of unquestioning obedience. At the disastrous Chemin des Dames offensive of 1917 under General Robert Nivelle, they were said to have gone into no man's land making bleating noises—a collective bit of gallows humour signalling the idea that they were being sent as lambs to the slaughter. Outstanding for its mixture of horror and heroism, this spectacle proved a sobering one. As the news of it spread, the French high command soon found itself coping with a widespread mutiny. A minor revolution was averted only with the promise of an end to the costly offensive.