Peter Rhodes on missiles, lorries and why war is always good business for someone
After yesterday's item on the 80th anniversary of VE-Day next year, I recalled some research I did on the original Victory in Europe Day of 1945. I came across a stern warning from the authorities encouraging people to enjoy the celebrations but to avoid “mafficking.”
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This charming old word dates from 1900 when news reached Britain that the besieged South African town of Mafeking had been relieved by British troops.
The celebrations were riotous and, as one account told us, occasionally unseemly.
What exactly did they mean by “unseemly?” A clue may come from the fact that while the word “mafficking” is no longer in common use, it is used on the internet by people organising group sex.
