antedating of "pool"

[Jonathan Lighter]

OED's "pool," n 1, def. 7a, "A group of people whose abilities or services may be drawn upon when needed, or who share duties within an organization" is dated to 1928.

  Not any more:

  1921 Ardern Beaman _The Squadroon_ (London: John Lane) 115 [ref. to 1918]: Eiffel was nominated to the "pool." A certain number of officers from each Regiment were collected and kept behind in some place of safety, in order to replace the casualties of [Ludendorff's continuing offensive]; and this reserve of cannon fodder was called the "pool."

  JL


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