national service

national service
   British
   compulsory conscription into the armed forces
   The usage concealed the military nature of the engagement while conscription remained in force after 1945 (prior to which people had simply been called up). Others out of uniform may also have thought they were serving the state:
    ... advocating alliance with Russia, the imposition of national service and the creation of a cross-party coalition government. (Graham Stewart, 1999, reporting Churchill's policy in 1938)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • National service — is a common name for mandatory government service programmes (usually military service, also known as conscription). The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or… …   Wikipedia

  • national service — noun uncount a fixed period of time that young people in some countries must spend in the military: MILITARY SERVICE …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • national service — ► NOUN ▪ a period of compulsory service in the armed forces during peacetime …   English terms dictionary

  • national service — n [U] the system of making all adults spend a period of time in the army, navy, or air force …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • national service — noun compulsory service in the military during peacetime • Topics: ↑military, ↑armed forces, ↑armed services, ↑military machine, ↑war machine • Hypernyms: ↑service * * * ˌnational ˈservice …   Useful english dictionary

  • national service — Conscription (= compulsory service in the armed forces) was introduced in Britain in World War I and again in 1939. It continued long after the end of World War II under the name national service. During wartime, all men between the ages of 18… …   Universalium

  • national service — N UNCOUNT National service is service in the armed forces, which young people in certain countries have to do by law. [mainly BRIT] Banks spent his national service in the Royal Navy. Syn: military service (in AM, use selective service) …   English dictionary

  • national service — noun Compulsory service in the armed forces; conscription Id ha such Amazons sent into the National Service; I warrant her shed rout a Regiment of French Dragoons …   Wiktionary

  • National service in the United States of America — has a long tradition, extending to the founding of the country. National service takes multiple forms in the U.S.A., including community service, military service, and other forms. Contents 1 Military national service 1.1 The creation of the… …   Wikipedia

  • National Service Act 1948 — National Service (1939 1960) memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. The National Service Act 1948 was an Act of Parliament which extended the British conscription of World War II into peacetime, in the form of National Service. After a… …   Wikipedia

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