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Navy Lingo
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Adrift | Loose from moorings and out of control (applied to anything lost, out of hand or left lying about) |
Aft-End | Near or towards the stern of the vessel |
All-Hands | The entire ship's company, both officer and enlisted |
Allotment | An amount of money a member has coming out of his regular pay |
Aye- Aye | Reply to an order or command meaning "I understand and will comply" |
Barracks | Building where sailors live |
Brightwork | Brass or shiny metal kept polished rather than painted |
Bunk or Rack | Bed |
Buoy | An anchored float used as an aid to navigation or to mark the location of an object |
Carry On | An order to resume work or duties |
Cast Off | To throw off, to let go, or to unfurl |
Chain Locker | Compartment in which anchor chain is stowed |
Chit, Chit book | Coupon or receipt book |
Chow Hall (mess hall) | Place to eat |
Colors | Raising or lowering if a national flag, ceremonies held at 0800 and sunset for hoisting and halting down the national ensign |
Deep Six | To dispose of by throwing over the side |
Ensign | National flag ; commissioned officer between the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and Lieutenant Junior Grade |
Fast | Snugly secured |
fathom | A unit of length equal to 6 feet used for measuring the depth of water |
Field Day | General cleaning day, usually the day before an inspection |
First Lieutenant | Officer responsible to the OX for the deck department/division aboard ship, or command maintenance |
Flag Officer | Any Commissioned Officer above pay grade 0-7 or above |
Galley | Kitchen |
Gangway | An opening in a bulwark or lifeline that provides access to a brow or accommodation ladder; an order meaning to clear the way |
Gear Locker | Storage room |
Geedunk | Candy, gum, or cafeteria |
General Quarters | Battle stations |
Ground Tackle | All the equipment used in mooring or anchoring a ship |
Hatch | Door |
Head | Bathroom |
Jack Box | Access box to sound-powered phone circuitry |
Ladder | A device to allow movement of personnel from one level to another; stairs |
Leave | Authorized vacation |
Liberty | Permission to leave the base usually for not more than 48 hours |
Lifeline | Lines erected around the weathercocks of a ship to prevent personnel from falling or being washed over the side |
Overhead | Ceiling |
Passageway | Hallway |
Quarters | Assembling of all hands for muster instruction and inspection |
Rating | A job or specialty title |
Reveilles | Wake up, start a new day |
Scullery | Place to wash dishes |
Scuttlebutt | Drinking fountain or a rumor |
Secure | Lock, put away or stop work |
Sickbay | Hospital or Medical clinic |
Swab | Mop |
Taps | Time to sleep, end of the day |
Tattoo | Five minutes before taps |
Topside | Upstairs |
Turn To | Begin work |
Working Aloft | Working above the highest deck; generally performing maintenance to the ship's mast |