Kilroy Was here
Posted by: Beano on 14 February 2007
This slogan also known as "Graffiti" used to be quite popular, and I for one always wondered what it referred to!
So I'm sharing what I've found out with you lot...
Kilroy Was Here' graffiti began to spring up during World War II. According to legend, James Kilroy, an American serviceman assigned as a shipyard inspector, was responsible for the craze. His job was to inspect and approve the welds done on the ships. After the inspection, he would chalk 'Kilroy Was Here' on each weld. Most of the chalk inscriptions disappeared, but some remained and began to be noticed in unexpected places. The mystery words began to take on mythical status as the troops began to joke about Kilroy "having been there first," and he became a super GI in their minds because he was everywhere. As the phrase became more popular, servicemen began writing their own 'Kilroy Was Here' graffiti wherever they landed. Whenever the phrase was seen, it caused surprise and amusement and continued the legacy of the ubiquitous Kilroy.
Beano
So I'm sharing what I've found out with you lot...
Kilroy Was Here' graffiti began to spring up during World War II. According to legend, James Kilroy, an American serviceman assigned as a shipyard inspector, was responsible for the craze. His job was to inspect and approve the welds done on the ships. After the inspection, he would chalk 'Kilroy Was Here' on each weld. Most of the chalk inscriptions disappeared, but some remained and began to be noticed in unexpected places. The mystery words began to take on mythical status as the troops began to joke about Kilroy "having been there first," and he became a super GI in their minds because he was everywhere. As the phrase became more popular, servicemen began writing their own 'Kilroy Was Here' graffiti wherever they landed. Whenever the phrase was seen, it caused surprise and amusement and continued the legacy of the ubiquitous Kilroy.
Beano
Related to chad in UK and foo down under. Usually accompanied a cartoon of a head looking over a wall.
