Killroy People World War Drawing Man Wall Similar

The phrase "Killroy was here" is an "expression" (something that is said commonly by many people) that became popular during the Second World War. The phase is "printed" (written by hand) underneath a simple drawing of a "bald" (without hair) man with a long nose and the fingers of each hand hanging over a wall, but sometimes the man is drawn with a few hairs. It looks like someone is "peeking" (trying to see something briefly) over a wall.

Nobody knows exactly where or how the drawing originated, although many think it was created and "popularize" (made popular) by U.S. "servicemen" (men who are serving in the military). They often left "Killroy was here" images on walls, camps, toilets, and more. However, other people say that a similar Australian image, "Foo was here" "predates" (comes before; appeared earlier than) "Killroy was here" and was in use during the First World War. Today, similar drawings are found it many different countries under different names, such as "Chad" in the United Kingdom and "Julito" in Peru.

Some people "interpret" (understand the meaning of something in a particular way) the image as representing "omniscience," or the ability to know everything. As Killroy peeks over the wall, he may be seeing things that would otherwise be hidden. But other people just find the image entertaining and enjoy putting it in "surprising" (unexpected) places. It is often found in graffiti, such as in train stations and schools. In most "instances" (occurrences) it is considered to be "humorous" (funny) and "harmless" (not causing damage or hurt).