BlitzSpirit: How a wartime dictionary definition reveals the complex truth behind a national myth.
The air raid siren wails, a sound etched into the nation’s memory. But beyond the images of stoicism and stiff upper lips, what was the ‘Blitz Spirit’? It’s a phrase tossed around casually – often with a poster of that iconic slogan – but its origins are more considered, more nuanced, than many realise. The story begins, surprisingly, not with a rousing speech or an act of extraordinary courage, but with the painstaking work of lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary during the darkest days of the war.
Defining Resilience in Real-Time
In 1940, as bombs rained down on London and other cities, the Oxford English Dictionary took on an unusual project: a ‘supplement’ – new words and phrases emerging from the conflict, capturing the evolving language of wartime Britain. It wasn’t about creating a narrative, but recording one. And amongst the newly defined terms, ‘Blitz Spirit’ appeared. The definition, added in 1942, wasn’t the romanticised notion we often assume. It described the “attitude of unwavering resolve and cheerfulness in the face of extreme adversity, particularly during the Blitz.” Crucially, it acknowledged the emotional cost attached. The OED notes specified it related to maintaining morale despite fear and loss.
This is vital. The wartime definition wasn’t about absence of fear, but facing it down. It wasn’t about a joyous celebration of destruction, but continued functioning, continued connection, in the teeth of overwhelming terror. The lexicographers weren’t inventing a national character; they were reflecting one being actively forged in the fires of necessity. The supplement also collected terms like ‘Ack-Ack’ (anti-aircraft fire), ‘blackout’ and ‘dig for victory’ – detailing the practical realities underpinning the ‘spirit’ itself. This was a spirit born not only of courage, but of shared hardship, and practical self-reliance.
Myth and the Making of a National Identity
Post-war, the ‘Blitz Spirit’ underwent a significant transformation. As reconstruction began, and a collective desire to move past the trauma grew, the phrase was increasingly deployed as a symbol of national unity, a celebration of British resolve. The stoicism enshrined in the definition – the very acknowledgement of underlying fear – became somewhat flattened. A narrative emerged that prioritised unflinching bravery and suppression of emotion, arguably simplifying a far more complex reality.
The enduring image of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ – ironically not widely distributed during the war itself but rediscovered in 2000 – became inextricably linked to ‘Blitz Spirit’. While a useful reminder of fortitude, it too contributed to the mythologising. It’s easy to forget that alongside acts of incredible bravery, there was also widespread fear, panic, and – crucially – disagreement. Rationing led to dissent. Air raid shelters revealed social divides. Brave faces were often masks for profound grief and exhaustion. The ‘spirit’ wasn’t universally experienced, or expressed. Some cracked under the pressure; others resented the expectation to ‘carry on’ while enduring horrifying loss.
A Legacy of Community, and Complicated Truths
The ‘Blitz Spirit’ isn’t just a historical curiosity. It continues to be evoked in times of national crisis, from economic downturns to the Covid-19 pandemic. But its invocation often glosses over the underlying social conditions that enabled it during the war: a relatively equitable society (compared to today), a strong sense of collective responsibility rooted in the post-Depression era, and a shared enemy.
Today, we face different challenges. The erosion of community, rising inequality, and a more fractured political landscape mean that calls for a “Blitz Spirit” can feel hollow, even insensitive, to those lacking the resources or support networks that were more prevalent in 1940. Simply asking people to “Keep Calm” doesn’t address the systemic issues that fuel stress and anxiety. True resilience, then, requires more than stoicism; it demands addressing the root causes of hardship and fostering genuine solidarity.
What the OED’s original definition reminds us is that the ‘Blitz Spirit’ wasn’t a pre-existing national trait, but something created in response to extraordinary circumstances. It was about acknowledging fear, leaning on neighbours, and adapting to survive. It’s not about romanticising war, but remembering the human capacity for endurance—and the vital importance of community—when facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Perhaps, it’s time to revisit the original definition, and focus not on the ‘keep calm’ façade, but on the underlying resolve and mutual support that truly defined it.
Sources / further reading:
* Oxford English Dictionary Online (requires subscription). Search “Blitz Spirit” and view historical entries.
* Gavin Henderson, Britain’s Second World War: The Untold Story (2017).