March 20, 1944

Dear Margaret,

Many keen phrases keep coming up in Army conversations which compress a volume of feeling into a very few words. Some are profane like "snafu" and "fular." Others are pure like "nervous in the service" and "skinny as New Guinea." A recent favorite is "sweating it out" to convey the trials and tribulations of any difficult situation. But the current is tops, brand new and the perfect response to the million gripes and complaints which are the life's breath of the Army. After listening patiently to a sad tale of woe, you contemplate silently and then gently reply, "Well, it's bad all over." I like that.

Much love,

Herb