contremarque: Pass-out ticket at the théâtre

40.1. rosse: An old horse, a sorry jade. It is worth noting that this word represents the German ' Ross ' (etymologically the same word as our horse), which is a noble word for a steed, a courser, and that several instances of this dégradation in meaning may be observed in French words of Teutonic origin. Cf. ' bouquin,' ' old tome ' ; ' lande,' ' moorland.'

40.2. un bon numéro : i.e. one that exempted him from military service. This System of drawing lots was abolished years ago. For ail the medically fit, service in the French army is now obligatory.

40.3. Poissy : A small town near Versailles, in the department of Seine-et-Oise. One of the large ' prisons centrales ' is located there.