SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell
©1990; rev 10 October 2007




    •     Copyright: This glossary was created and has been maintained by Jeff Crowell since 1990. Corrections, comments, or suggestions for improvement will be welcomed. This information may not be reproduced or otherwise displayed without the express consent of the author. All rights reserved.
    •     Notes: Unless otherwise noted, all terms are common to the USN, USMC, USCG, USMS, or NOAA. The abbreviation RN denotes Royal Navy usage. Similarly, RCN = Royal Canadian Navy, RAN = Royal Australian Navy, RM = Royal Marines, RNZN = Royal New Zealand Navy, UK = general usage in militaries of the former British Empire.
    •     Listing: Terms in ALL-CAPS have a separate listing (same as q.v.).
    •     Pronunciation: A great deal of variation in pronunciation may be experienced between services or between countries. For example, in the US Navy and Marine Corps ASAP is spoken as a word: eh' sap (eh = long a sound) while the US Army and US Air Force essentially spell the word aloud, speaking each letter: eh ess eh pee (again, eh is pronounced as the long a sound).
    •     Appendixes: The following appendixes supplement this glossary: Apndx A: Aircraft Nicknames; Apndx B: Dolphin Codes; Apndx C: Falcon Codes; Apndx D: Weights and Measures; with these and other Editorial Notes.
    •     Special Note: Since days of yore the military in general, and sailors in particular, have often had a rather pithy (dare I say tasteless?) manner of speech. That may be changing somewhat in these politically correct times, but to Bowdlerize the sailor's language represented here would be to deny its rich history. The traditions and origins remain. While I have attempted to present things with a bit of humor, if you are easily offended, this glossary may not be for you. You have been warned!





# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


# : Numbers



      1MC :
      The basic one-way communications system on a vessel. Reaches all spaces on a ship. Used for general announcements, and to transmit general alarm system signals. Control stations are located on the bridge, quarterdeck, and central station. Other transmitters may be installed at additional points. There are other MC and JV circuits used for communications within the ship. They are typically system-specific, i.e. weapons systems, navigation communication, engineering systems, firefighting, etc.

      13-Button Fly :
      The fly (front closure) of the CRACKERJACK UNIFORM trousers.

      27 Charlie :
      A program of modification to, especially, Essex class aircraft carriers, or a carrier which has had the modifications done. Modifications included the addition of a HURRICANE BOW and ANGLED DECK.

      3-9 Line :
      The virtual line running between 3 o'clock (starboard beam) and 9 o'clock (port beam) of an aircraft. AKA wingline.

      90-Day Wonder :
      Derisive term for a graduate of OCS. The derision arises from the lack of experience and naval knowledge of the typical graduate. Commonly also seen as '90-Day Blunder'.

      99 :
      (USN aviation) Radio PROCEDURE WORD, precedes a radio call which applies to a group of aircraft, e.g. "99 Guntrains" would address all aircraft with a Guntrain callsign.

      130-rpm fish :
      A form of sea life (type unknown) which makes a sound very similar to a propeller turning at 130 rpm.




SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell




# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


A : ALFA



      Aback :
      Backing a sail is turning it so that the wind hits the forward face; the effect is to slow a ship or boat. A sail which is being backed is said to be 'aback.' A sailing ship which accidentally goes aback when tacking loses its momentum and is said to be 'in irons.' A person is said to be 'all aback' when he is confused or surprised.

      Abaft :
      Aft of a given point on a ship; e.g. the bridge is abaft the bow.

      Abbajabba :
      The all-attitude indicator on some tactical aircraft, particularly the A-4; provides attitude data in roll, pitch, and yaw. Comes from the AJB-3 designation for the device.

      ABC :
      Atomic, Biological, Chemical. An early term, since supplanted by 'NBC'.

      Accelerated Stall :
      (Aviation) A stall which occurs during accelerated flight, i.e. while the pilot is pulling G's. Generally, a much more violent event than a stall occurring during level (unaccelerated) flight.

      Acey-Deucey :
      Backgammon, a board game traditionally played in off-duty hours.

      Acey-Deucey Club :
      A club for E-5 and E-6 enlisteds (Second- and First-Class Petty Officers USN).

      ACLS :
      Automatic Carrier Landing System. An autopilot-coupled system capable of bringing the aircraft aboard.

      ACM :
      Air Combat Maneuvering. Dogfighting practice.

      Acockbill :
      Out of alignment or awry. In original usage, if a sailing ship's yards were not all aligned, she was said to be 'all acockbill.' Opposite of SQUARED AWAY.

      Active Homing :
      A homing (guidance) method where the missile provides its own signal (typically either radar or sonar) transmissions and homes in on the energy reflected off the target.

      Admiral's Doorbell :
      The emergency jettison button on an aircraft; use it, and you'll be explaining to The Man.

      Adrift :
      (1) Not secured; scattered about; not properly stowed, or out of place. (2) (RCN) Missing in action. "Oh no, I'm adrift for the meeting and the Bossman'll be there!"

      Advance and Transfer :
      Two separate terms involving a ship's turn. Advance is the forward progress made between the time that the rudder is put over and the time the ship is steady on her new course. Transfer is the horizontal displacement of the ship during the same period of time. Advance is maximized in a turn of 90 degrees or more; transfer is maximized in a turn of 180 degrees or more.

      AEF/A :
      (USN submarine) Auxiliary Electrician Forward/Aft.

      A.F.R.T.S. :
      Spoken as 'a-farts', with long first 'A' sound; Armed Forces Radio and Television System, a US system providing television and radio entertainment to forces overseas. Recently, the preferred interpretation has become 'American Forces Radio and Television Services.'

      AFFF :
      Aqueous Film Forming Foam. A fire-fighting agent which is mixed with water and sprayed on flammable liquids fires. Spoken "A triple-F". Aka 'Light Water' for the foam's ability to float on oil or gasoline. Replaced protein foam. Unlike blood-based protein foam, AFFF is self-healing, in that holes in the foam blanket will close by themselves, preventing REFLASH.

      Afterburner :
      (1) (Aviation) A system in the engine(s) of many tactical aircraft (and a very few non-tactical a/c such as the SR-71 and U-2) which dramatically increases thrust at the cost of doubling (or more) the fuel consumption. Analogous term in UK-based countries is 'reheat.' (2) A flaming shot (i.e. a shotglass of liquor which has been ignited) which, after being consumed, still has fire in the glass.

      A-gang :
      Auxiliaries Division of the Engineering Department. These personnel operate and maintain the ship's auxiliary equipment (air conditioning systems, distilling units, air compressors, etc.)

      A-ganger :
      Auxiliaryman. Member of A-gang.

      A-gear :
      See ARRESTING GEAR.

      AGI :
      Ship designation for Auxiliary, Intelligence Gathering, aka 'Tattletale'. Refers to USSR 'trawlers' (or, more often, purpose-built ships) formerly stationed off NATO ports and following major fleet units. The AGI's mission is both intelligence-gathering and providing location (and therefore, potentially, targeting) data for key targets such as aircraft carriers.

      AGL :
      (Aviation) Above Ground Level. A method of defining an altitude with respect to local ground elevations. The altitude that really matters for safety of flight. See also MSL.

      Air Boss :
      The watchstander responsible for the safe operation of the carrier's flight deck. His minions direct the placement of aircraft on the deck, monitor the operation of catapults and arresting gear, and direct firefighting efforts if a crash occurs. AKA 'Boss.' Compare with LITTLE BOSS.

      Airdale, Airedale :
      Naval aviator, aka 'BROWNSHOE'. Can also refer to any member of the aviation community, officer or enlisted. From envy, often modified by non-aviation types with the adjective "fucking".

      Air Start :
      (1) The process by which a flamed-out jet aircraft engine may be restarted in flight. (2) The process of starting a large Diesel engine using air to turn the engine over. (3) Blowjob.

      Air Wing :
      The officers and men assigned to the aircraft aboard a ship, whether a carrier (usually referred to as a 'carrier airwing') or a smaller vessel (generally referred to as an 'air det' (detachment)); the airwing has a separate administrative and operational chain of command.

      Airy-fairy :
      (1) (RN) Fleet Air Arm personnel. See WAFOO. (2) (RCN) Vague or impractical suggestion.

      A.J. Squared-Away :
      (1) The mythical sailor who always has his stuff together. (2) A mnemonic taught to Data Processing specialists (now combined with Radiomen to form the Information Technician's rate) as a memory aid for recalling the Hollerith code for computer punch cards. The first zone (12) begins with 'A', the second (11) with 'J', the third (10) with 'S.'

      Alaskan Fits (aka Arctic Fits) :
      What results when one attempts to urinate through 6 inches' thickness of clothing while equipped with only 3 inches of wedding tackle (penis).

      Aldis :
      (UK) A handheld signaling lamp.

      Alert Five :
      Aircraft on five-minute alert, i.e. which can be airborne within 5 minutes or less of the 'go' signal. This generally requires that the aircrew be seated in the aircraft at all times. There may also be aircraft (and, therefore, aircrews) on Alert Fifteen, etc., in which cases the aircrew may be out of the aircraft but must remain nearby, in the Ready Room, etc.

      All Ahead (Flank, Standard, etc.) :
      A system of commands for ordering engine, and therefore ship, speeds. In the U.S. Navy, the usual increments of the command are -- One Third, Two Thirds, Standard, Full, and Flank. Gas turbine ships, increasingly common in the U.S. Fleet, often break 'Flank' speed into further increments -- Flank One, Flank Two, and Flank Three. Engine orders for a multi-screw ship name the engine or engines involved ('all,' 'port,' etc.) and the engine speed increment. So a typical engine order aboard an American gas turbine ship might be 'All engines ahead Flank One for 25 knots.' To minimize the chance of confusion, it is standard practice in the USN to use port/starboard for engine orders, and left/right for helm orders. A typical combined engine/helm order might be -- 'Starboard engine ahead one third, port engine back one third, left full rudder.'

      All Ahead Bendix :
      Traditionally, an engine order for 'max tracks,' i.e. as fast as she can go. The Engine Order Telegraph (q.v.) was traditionally made by the Bendix Company, and was so marked just past the forward end of the annunciator quadrant. Therefore, pushing the E.O.T. annunciator handles as far forward as they would go brought the pointer near the word 'Bendix.' Actual use of the phrase 'All Ahead Bendix' tends to irritate the Chief Engineer.

      Alpha :
      Angle of attack (q.v.). An engineering term, not a phonetic.

      Alfa Mike Foxtrot :
      Phonetic acronym for "Adios, Motherfucker". Polite form -- "Adios, My Friend." Also seen (amd spoken) as initials, 'AMF.'

      Amateur Night :
      The day after payday, when nothing seems to go right, especially shipboard evolutions.

      Amphib :
      Ship whose primary mission involves amphibious landings.

      Amp Tramp :
      (RCN) Ship's electrician.

      Anchor :
      (Aviation) To hold overhead or in the vicinity of a specified location.

      Anchor-faced :
      (RN) Anyone who is enthusiastic about the Navy.

      Anchor Clanker :
      (1) Boatswain's Mate. (2) (RN) Ordinary seaman. See DECK APE. (3) Sailor.

      Anchor Pool :
      The betting pool on the actual (versus planned) hour and minute the ship will drop anchor or tie up.

      Andrew (the) :
      (UK) Nickname for the Royal Navy. Refers to pressgang leader Andrew Miller who, it was said, owned the Royal Navy.

      Angle :
      (1) (Aviation) See ANGLE OFF. (2) (Aircraft Carriers) See Angled Deck.

      Angled Deck :
      The landing area of a modern aircraft carrier, which is offset 10 degrees to port from the ship's centerline to provide for safe BOLTERs. Aka 'angle deck', 'the angle.' Also makes it possible to land and launch aircraft simultaneously or nearly so.

      Angle of Attack :
      Abbreviated AOA, generally measured and reported in 'units,' an arbitrary quantity which differs from aircraft to aircraft. AOA is defined as the angle measured between the relative wind and the chord line of an airfoil; in a practical sense it measures how hard a wing is working. Essentially, AOA is the angle between the aircraft's wing and the local air movement (***not*** the horizon!). Has a tremendous import in the handling and behavior of the aircraft. AKA 'Alpha', from the engineering notation for AOA. Primarily an aviation term, although it is applicable to other fluid environments such as a ship's propeller in water.

      Angle of Incidence :
      The angle measured between the aircraft's longitudinal centerline and the chord line of the wing airfoil. This value changes throughout the span of most aircraft (see WASHOUT).

      Angle Off :
      (1) (Aviation) Also seen as 'Angle.' The measure, in degrees, of how far off your opponent's 6 o'clock you are. Relative bearing from the enemy to you, measured from dead astern. If you are dead astern, at his six o'clock, angle-off is zero. If angle-off is twenty, you are twenty degrees off your opponent's six o'clock (relative bearing from him to you is either 160 or 200).

      Angles and Dangles :
      Operating a submarine at steep angles of ascent and descent, as well as the performance of rapid turns (a submarine in a tight turn will bank in the same fashion as an aircraft).

      Angles Fighter :
      Air to air maneuvering tactics which emphasize turning and rolling maneuvers. Angles tactics favor highly-maneuverable aircraft. Contrast with ENERGY FIGHTER.

      Anti-Smash Light :
      The rotating or flashing red anti-collision beacon on an aircraft.

      AOA :
      Angle of Attack.

      AOW :
      Auxiliaryman Of (the) Watch. Also called 'The Aux' (pronounced 'ox').

      ARAB :
      (UK) Arrogant Regular Army Bastard.

      Arresting Gear :
      Mechanism used to rapidly bring an aircraft to a halt aboard ship or ashore. In field use (i.e. ashore), A-gear may be a device as simple as lengths of chain connected to a CROSS-DECK PENDANT (q.v.), though this type of installation is becoming less common. The chain arrestment device (aka 'chain gear') is usually referred to as 'overrun gear', as it acts to stop an aircraft which is about to run off of the end of the prepared runway surface. Other types of arresting gear, ashore and afloat, involve complicated braking mechanisms.

      Arse Bandit :
      (UK) Homosexual.

      Artificer :
      (RN) Engineering technician.

      ASAP :
      As Soon As Possible. Depending on service and country, may be pronounced by being spoken as a word, 'A-sap,' the first 'a' being given the long sound, or essentially by being spelled aloud.

      Ashcan :
      A depth charge which is cylindrical in shape. Compare with 'TEARDROP.'

      As You Were :
      A command to a formation contravening a previous command; a statement made by one about to correct himself.

      Athwartships :
      Moving or placed from side to side aboard ship, or straddling a particular position. At right angles to the ship's longitudinal centerline.

      At Loggerheads :
      A serious difference of opinion. A Loggerhead is two iron balls attached by an iron rod, which was heated and used for melting pitch. Sailors sometimes used them as weapons to settle a grudge, i.e. when fighting they were 'at loggerheads.'

      Auto Dog :
      (USN) Soft serve ice cream, due to its similarity in appearance (at least when having chocolate flavor) to a pile of dog feces.

      Autorotation :
      (1) A method of making an emergency landing in a helicopter which has experienced engine failure. Energy is stored in the rotor as rotational momentum, then expended to slow the decent and cushion the landing. (2) Facetiously, a way for a helicopter pilot to keep his hands and feet occupied as he plummets to his death.

      Attitude :
      Orientation of an aircraft with respect to the horizon (pitch and roll).

      Attitude Indicator :
      Artificial horizon, an instrument which provides aircraft attitude (pitch/roll), and sometimes heading, reference for instrument flight.

      AUX :
      Pronounced 'ox', with short 'o' sound. (1) Verbal shorthand for 'auxiliary', as when referring to a machinery space, e.g. 'Aux One'. (2) Alternate form of AOW.

      Avast :
      A command which means, basically, 'Stop what you're doing.' This term appears to be from the French 'Haud Vast,' literally 'hold fast.'

      Aweigh :
      (sometimes seen, improperly, as 'away') When a ship raises (weighs) anchor, the anchor is said to be aweigh as soon as it is no longer in contact with the sea bottom. The traditional (and extremely old) joke runs -- "What does a ship weigh?", referring to its mass or size. The only proper answer to the question is, of course, "Anchor." From the process of weighing anchor, the sequence of reports is usually as follows: 'Anchor's at short stay' -- the ship has been pulled up to the anchor, but the anchor is still lying on the bottom, more or less undisturbed. 'Anchor's up and down' -- the anchor's flukes have broken free of the bottom, and the shank is more or less vertical. The crown of the anchor is still resting on the bottom. 'Anchor's aweigh' -- the anchor has left the bottom. Legally, at this point the ship is under way (not in contact with or attached to the ground), whether or not it is 'making way' (moving through the water under its own power).

      AWOL Bag :
      A small canvas or vinyl bag used to carry clothing or personal items while on weekend liberty.




SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell




# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


B : BRAVO



      Baby Shit :
      Yellowish, evil-smelling grease.

      Back Afty :
      (RN) Anything to do with the nuclear power plant or the people who operate it. See NUKE.

      Back in Battery :
      Originally an artillery term for a gun which has completed its recoil/postfiring cycle and is ready to fire again. Common additional usage now is to be 'ready to go,' or recovered. Also seen as 'Back to Battery' or 'Return to Battery.' "I set my hair on fire last night, but five hours' rack time and I'm back in battery."

      Backing :
      (1) Operating astern propulsion machinery. (2) A change of wind direction in the counter-clockwise direction (shifting to the left, as one looks into the wind).

      Back to the Taxpayers :
      Where you send an aircraft that has crashed or that you eject from.

      Bag :
      (1) Get, or collect: "Let's go bag some traps." (2) Stop, or leave: "Let's bag this project."

      Bagger :
      (1) One who bags, e.g. a "Hop Bagger" is one who tries to get more than his share of hops (flights). (2) One who does not pull his own weight; a lazy person.

      Baggywrinkle :
      Anti-chafing gear, especially for the rigging of a sailing ship.

      Bag Nasty :
      Sack lunch.

      Ball (the) :
      The glowing image projected by the FRESNEL LENS. Gives glideslope reference while on landing approach. Short for 'meatball,' the term for the red ball of light seen in the old mirror landing system which predated the Fresnel lens system. Today, the Ball is yellow unless the aircraft is dangerously low, in which case it is red and flashing.

      Ballbuster :
      (1) Something difficult. (2) A sexually teasing woman. (3) A safety harness used when working aloft.

      Ball Call :
      A radio transmission from a carrier pilot reporting that he has sighted the BALL during approach to the carrier. Typically consists of SIDE NUMBER, aircraft type (to ensure proper ARRESTING GEAR settings), and amount of fuel onboard in thousands of pounds, e.g. '205 Tomcat ball, 3.5'.

      Balls (or Four Balls) :
      Midnight, which in the military's 24-hour timekeeping system may be written as '0000,' although writing midnight as '2400' is perhaps more common.

      Balls Out :
      Refers to an early design of engine governor, in which a pair of masses (balls) on a vertical axle spun at an increasing rate as engine speed increased. Centrifugal acceleration threw the masses outward; the faster the engine speed, the farther from centerline the balls, so 'balls out' refers to maximum possible engine speed.

      Balls to Four :
      Midnight to 4 a.m. watch.

      Balls to the Wall :
      Maximum speed, or maximum effort.

      BAM :
      Originally this term meant Bad-Ass Marine. It has since come to mean Broad-Ass Marine, i.e. a woman Marine, but I recommend you make sure she doesn't hear you use the term. See also BOSNIA.

      Banca Boat :
      Term for any small native watercraft, especially in the Western Pacific or Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf. Actually somewhat redundant, as 'Banca' is from the Tagalog, literally 'boat.'

      Bandit :
      (1) Air contact positively identified as hostile. (2) (RCN) A sailor often in trouble.

      Bang Out :
      (UK) Eject.

      Bang Seat :
      (UK) Ejection seat.

      Banjo :
      (1) (RN) A sandwich. Also 'sarnie' or 'butty' (the latter, perhaps, from the practice of putting butter on the bread instead of mayonnaise). (2) (USN) An aircraft nickname for the F-2 Banshee fighter. (3) During WWII, a device used aboard U.S. submarines as a visual aid during approach to a torpedo attack.

      Banyan :
      (RCN/UK) A barbecue or party on the flight deck, usually with steaks and beer. The term is derived from 'banian', a garment worn by an East Indian sect which neither kills nor eats meat ('Banyan' (note spelling) is a species of tree). In the 18th century, the British navy denied its sailors meat on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; these days were known as 'banian (or Banyan) days.' The term has now come to mean just the opposite. The USN term for a shipboard barbecue is STEEL BEACH (though, sadly, without the beer).

      Bar Hog :
      A woman who hangs out in bars (regardless of appearance).

      Barrack Stanchion :
      (RNZN) A sailor who rarely goes to sea.

      Barricade (the) :
      (1) A device vaguely similar to (but much larger than) a tennis net, which can be rigged and used to stop an aircraft which is unable to TRAP (due to a defective or damaged arresting hook, damaged landing gear, etc). Aka 'barrier'. (2) In the days of the STRAIGHT DECK CARRIER, the barricade was a series of devices rigged during normal landing operations to prevent an aircraft which failed to TRAP from smashing into THE PACK, graduating from a low barrier which just engaged the landing gear, all the way to a device more similar to the contemporary one which ensured the aircraft would be stopped prior to running into aircraft already stopped on deck.

      Basement :
      The hangar bay of an aircraft carrier.

      Basha :
      An improvised shelter.

      Batten Down :
      Make fast, secure, or shut. Originally, deck hatches did not have hinged, attached covers. Hatch covers were separate pieces which were laid over the hatch opening, then made fast with battens (pieces of timber). This is still the practice aboard bulk (i.e. non-container) cargo ships.

      Battle Cover :
      The steel cover for a port or deadlight.

      Bat Turn :
      A very tight turn, reminiscent of the instantaneous 180 degree turns of the batmobile on the old Batman television series.

      BB Stacker :
      Generically, any ORDIE. One who handles ordnance, ammo, or explosives.

      Beach :
      Noun or verb, the shore, or to be put ashore. 'He screwed the pooch bigtime and they beached him.'

      Beagle :
      (RN/RAN) Wardroom steward.

      (On her) Beam Ends :
      Strictly speaking, when a ship has gone through 90 degrees of roll, where her decks are vertical. In such case a ship could capsize (roll completely over). Commonly used to refer to extreme rolls, even if less than 90 degrees.

      Bear A Hand :
      Make haste.

      Bearing Drift :
      The movement, left or right, of the bearing to an object in motion relative to your platform. It is an immediate indication of risk to you if an object has no bearing drift and range is decreasing, for example, you will collide unless one or another (or both) platforms maneuver (see CBDR). Similarly, slow bearing drift may not indicate a safe condition if the other object is close.

      Bearing Only Launch :
      Launch of a weapon with only azimuth data. The missile flies up the bearing line looking for the target, and attacks the first detected object which meets its target parameters.

      Behind the Power Curve :
      (1) Not meeting expectations. (2) An airspeed lower than that for maximum lift over drag (the most efficient point of the wing's performance curve); at such a performance point, the aircraft requires more power to go slower while remaining in level flight.

      Belay :
      (1) Stop. (2) Make fast. Derived from the practice of tying a line off (making it fast) using a belaying pin. (3) Disregard, as in 'belay my last.'

      Bells :
      (1) A system for denoting the time aboard ship. Each bell represents half an hour, and bells are rung in pairs when possible; five bells in the morning watch (0630 hours, or 6- 30 a.m.) would be rung as ding-ding, ding-ding, ding. Bells are normally rung over the 1MC during working hours only. (2) Speed orders to the engine room, from the days when moving the engine order telegraph rang a bell in the engine room. 'Ready to answer bells' means the engineering plant is ready for maneuvering orders.

      Bell Tapper :
      One who is habitually a few minutes late, especially when relieving the watch.

      Beltway Bandit :
      A company, or an employee of same, located near Washington, DC, which serves the defense industry. Many of the employees are former military personnel or military retirees.

      Benny :
      A treat or reward, derived from 'benefit.'

      Benny Sugg :
      (USN) Beneficial Suggestion program, a program where personnel were rewarded for making suggestions to improve some aspect of military life, usually involving living conditions.

      Beno Box :
      Patrol station in the Eastern Mediterranean in the '80s. Occupied by various Carrier Battlegroups and Amphibious Groups. The BENO Box was notorious for long on-station assignments, during which time there would 'Be No Liberty, Be No Women, Be No Nothing!'

      Bend :
      A knot.

      Bend On :
      Attach, as in tying two lines together. Can also refer to speed, "They bent on 30 knots and got the hell out of there."

      Bent :
      Radio pro word. Broken or inoperative, as 'My gadget is bent.'

      Between the Devil and The Deep Blue (Sea) :
      See -- 'Devil to Pay'

      BFM :
      Basic Fighter Maneuvers. Simple maneuvers (turns, climbs, dives, skids, etc.) which can be combined to make up more complex ones.

      Bib :
      Term for the flap hanging from the rear shoulders of the jumper top of the CRACKERJACK USN enlisted uniform.

      Big Chicken Dinner :
      Bad Conduct Discharge. In many ways, equivalent to a felony conviction.

      Bight :
      (1) A loop in, or slack part of, a line. (2) A curve or bend in a shoreline, or a small body of water formed by same.

      Bilge :
      (1) The area below the deck gratings in the lowest spaces of the ship, where things, especially liquids, tend to collect. (2) To fail or do poorly. "Poor Smitty bilged the quiz." (3) To name a classmate or shipmate involved in wrongdoing, or to identify a mistake made by someone else.

      Bilge Diving :
      Working in the bilges of a ship, or cleaning same.

      Bilge Rat :
      Someone who works in the engineering spaces.

      Bin Rat :
      (RCN) A person who works in Stores (supply).

      Bingo :
      (1) Fuel level or status requiring either an immediate return to base or vector to a tanker, as 'bingo fuel'. As a verb, the act of returning to base or a tanker because of low fuel state.

      Binnacle :
      A pedestal which supports a compass. Typically found next to or in front of the ship's wheel.

      Binnacle List :
      Sick list; a listing of the names of the men currently in sick bay and unable to perform their duties due to sickness or injury. This list was originally to be found attached to the binnacle.

      Biologics :
      The sounds generated by sea life, when picked up on sonar.

      Bird Colonel :
      A full colonel (O-6 paygrade), whose collar device is a silver eagle, as compared to a lieutenant colonel, whose collar device is a silver oak leaf.

      Bird Farm :
      Aircraft carrier.

      Birds :
      (1) Term for the collar device of a USN/USCGS Captain or USMC/USAF/USA Colonel (O-6 paygrade), a silver eagle. (2) (RCN) Punishment consisting of confinement to the ship, base, etc., or sailors under punishment (derived from the slang term 'jailbird.') (3) Generic, airplane. (4) Missiles, especially in the surface warfare community.

      Birds Free :
      Permission has been granted to fire missiles.

      Birds Tight :
      Permission to fire is refused.

      Bitchbox :
      (USN) Intercom or amplified circuit used to communicate between spaces of the ship.

      Bitching Betty :
      The (usually female-voiced) cockpit voice warning system of many aircraft today.

      Bitter End :
      Properly, the free or loose end of a line. Originally, the bitter end of a mooring line was taken to the bitts to secure it.

      Bittersweet :
      A radio call signifying that friendly aircraft are in danger from a surface AAW missile launch, or that the presence of friendly aircraft is preventing a missile shot at a BANDIT.

      Bitts :
      A shipboard mooring fixture comprised of a pair of cylindrical posts. Similar to a pair of BOLLARDs.

      Black and Bitter :
      Coffee, no sugar or cream added.

      Black and Sweet :
      Coffee with sugar.

      Black Cat :
      During World War Two, a PBY Catalina which was painted black and used for night reconnaissance patrol.

      Black Cat Merchant :
      (RN) Someone who is always exaggerating.

      Black-Hand Gang :
      See SNIPE. Older (ca. WW II), less politically-correct form is 'Black Gang.' Originally, it referred to the appearance of men who had been handling or working around coal, but the term has come to refer to the engine room crew. During WWII, members of the Black Gang were issued black 'Dixie Cups' instead of white ones, and were therefore sometimes called 'Black Hats.'

      Black-shoe :
      Member of the surface or submarine community. Until recently, the only approved footwear for these communities was black in color. More recently, brown footwear is optional, but seldom seen due to tradition.

      Black Water :
      Sewage.

      Blank Flange :
      (1) A plate bolted onto an open pipe to prevent flooding or leaks while work is performed on a piping system. (2) Pancakes. (3) Someone who acts like an idiot (aka 'blank file').

      Bleed Air :
      In gas turbine engines, compressed air that is removed ('bled') from the compressor section at various points. Can be used for various applications, such as maintaining clean airflow in the engine, anti-icing, air conditioning, or to provide start air to another engine.

      Blivet :
      (1) Traditionally, "Ten pounds of shit in a five-pound sack." (2) A rubber fuel bladder. (3) A modified droptank (may be purpose-built or a field modification) used to haul small cargo, especially in tactical aircraft, or used to haul dangerous or toxic cargo outside of the aircraft.

      Bloggins :
      (RN) The catch-all name. "Ordinary Seaman Bloggins screwed up again." Similar to the USN's JOE SHIT THE RAGMAN, or "Seaman Jones".

      Blonde and Bitter :
      Coffee with cream.

      Blonde and Sweet :
      Coffee with cream and sugar.

      Bloodhound :
      Radio codeword for Mark 46 ASW torpedo.

      Blow Chunks :
      Vomit.

      Blowdown :
      A generic engineering term which can be used as noun or verb. A cleaning and/or venting process. Some specific applications -- (1) A process for cleaning water-sides of a boiler. A top blow removes scum and floating contaminants, a bottom blow removes sludge. (2) To backflush and clean a SEACHEST. (3) The process of removing excess pressure from a system, or venting it completely.

      Blower :
      Afterburner.

      Blow Through :
      (Aviation) Noun or verb, when an intercepting aircraft does not turn at the MERGE to continue the engagement, but continues straight ahead. Refusing an engagement.

      Blue Force :
      Friendly forces in a wargame exercise.

      Bluejacket :
      An older term for an enlisted man. Equivalent to today's BLUE-SHIRT.

      Blue on Blue :
      Accidental death or injury resulting from actions of your own forces. Sometimes called 'friendly fire', though of course if it kills you, it ain't friendly!

      Bluenose :
      See ORDER OF THE BLUENOSE.

      Blue-Shirt :
      (1) (aviation) Aviation Boatswain's Mate. During flight deck ops, wears a jersey color-coded blue. Responsible for positioning and chaining down aircraft. Aka 'Chock and Chain boys.' A type of KNUCKLEDRAGGER. Often a non-rated person. (2) Anyone E-6 or below wearing the dungaree uniform. Very similar to the more traditional term 'Bluejacket,' due to the Navy blue jacket issued with the dungaree uniform.

      Blue Water :
      Literally, 'deep water,' or 'deep draft,' but more traditionally, 'away from land.' The opposite of BROWN WATER. A 'blue water navy' is capable of prosecuting battle away from shore-based support in vessels of sufficient size and endurance to do so safely.

      Blue Water Ops :
      Flight operations conducted when beyond range of a BINGO or divert field. At this point it is literally sink or swim for the aircrew -- if a successful trap or landing aboard cannot be made, the aircrew will have to eject, bail out, or ditch.

      Boarding Rate :
      The percentage of carrier approaches that result in successful arrestments. May be counted for a pilot, a squadron, or an airwing.

      Board :
      Oral examination board.

      Boards :
      (1) (Aviation) Speed Brakes. (2) Shoulder boards (rank markings).

      Boat :
      (1) Traditional term of reference for a submarine. (2) Traditional aviation term used to refer to an aircraft carrier. (3) Any small vessel incapable of making regular independent voyages on the high seas. The traditional differentiator is that 'ships carry boats.'

      Boats :
      Boatswain's Mate. This rate's specialization is DECK SEAMANSHIP.

      Bogey :
      Unidentified air contact. May turn out to be friendly, neutral, or hostile.

      Bogey Dope :
      Radio calls to the intercepting fighter giving data on the bogey's position, course, altitude, etc.

      BOHICA :
      Acronym for "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again."

      BOL :
      See BEARIING ONLY LAUNCH.

      Bollard :
      A squat cylindrical fixture with small horizontal horns, attached to a pier or quay. Used to secure lines, such as mooring lines.

      Bolter :
      The unintentional touch-and-go landing that occurs when the carrier plane's tailhook misses the wires. Only possible on modern carriers with an ANGLED DECK. Prior to the advent of the angled deck, missing the arresting gear wires generally resulted in a BARRICADE engagement or a crash into the PACK.

      Bomb (The) :
      (submarines) The oxygen generator system.

      Bomber :
      See BOOMER.

      Bomb Farm :
      Aboard the carrier, the magazine where bombs are stored and assembled prior to use.

      Bonedome :
      Flight helmet. Aka 'hardhat', 'brain bucket'.

      Boom :
      (1) (aviation) Sonic boom, the shockwave resulting from compressibility effects caused by high aircraft speed. Can be used as noun or verb. (2) (USAF) The winged pipe extending aft and below a tanker aircraft. The wings are used to fly the boom into position to connect with the receiving aircraft, then the boom extends to make contact. Offers much higher rates of transfer than that found in the probe and drogue systems common to the USN and all other countries that employ inflight refueling. (3) (General Naval) A spar attached to a mast at one end.

      Booming :
      (1) Loud partying. (2) Low, fast flying.

      Boomer :
      (1) (Naval) Ballistic missile submarine. Primary mission is nuclear deterrence. May also be seen as 'bomber.' (2) (USAF) The operator of the BOOM.

      Boomer Pin :
      See PATROL PIN.

      Boomer Widow :
      The wife of a boomer sailor, if she chooses to stray while he's on patrol.

      Boondockers :
      High-top (over the ankles) black shoes, worn as part of the working uniform.

      Boondoggle :
      Travel which is more fun than functional. Applies to many military schools.

      Boresight :
      (1) A method of aligning guns to a fixed or mechanical reference point, to verify alignment of the sighting system, or checking same. (2) Excessive concentration on one situation in a time of plenty, i.e. tunnel vision. AKA "Head Up And Locked." (3) (Aviation) A location on the aircraft's datum line, often used as a center point for dogfight radar scan modes, or a positional reference to the aircraft, as when telling the RIO to get a lockup, goddammit! (4) A radar mode which slaves the antenna scan to the aircraft boresight.

      Boot :
      Rookie or newbie, as in 'boot Ensign.' Originated in the practice of referring to a new man as 'bootcamp,' rather than by name.

      Bootcamp :
      A rookie, or someone fresh from boot camp.

      Bootneck :
      (RN)Royal Marine.

      Boot Topping :
      The black paint used at the waterline of many warships. Separates the (above-water) hull paint from the anti-fouling underwater paint.

      BOREX :
      BORing EXercise.

      BOSNIA :
      Big Old Standard Navy Issue Ass. Refers to the size of the sterns of some (usually female) navy personnel.

      Boss :
      Short for AIR BOSS.

      Bosun :
      The phonetic spelling (and proper pronunciation) of 'boatswain.'

      Bosun's Whistle (Pipe) :
      A small metal whistle used to signal the announcement of important messages, or for ceremonial purposes.

      Bounce :
      (1) Carrier landing practice. (2) (older usage) Surprise air-to-air attack by a fighter, usually from above and behind.

      Bow Array :
      (Submarine) That part of the sub's sonar suite which is located in the bow.

      Box the Compass :
      (1) To name all 16 points of the compass. (2) To face successively or aimlessly in all directions, as when a ship loses STEERAGE and drifts without control.

      Boy Butter :
      A tan-colored grease used by weapons types on torpedoes.

      Bracket :
      In shipboard gunnery, a bracket results when, from the firing ship's viewpoint, one salvo lands to the left of the target and the next lands to the right, or vice versa. Adjustments in deflection usually result in a hit soon after. If it's you being bracketed, you had better do something (i.e. maneuver radically) fast! Contrast with STRADDLE.

      Bracket and Halving :
      A method of correcting the FALL OF SHOT in gunnery. For example, say a salvo falls left of the target; a 'spot' (aim correction) is made using right deflection, and the next salvo falls to the right of the target. Another spot is applied back to the left, half the amount of the previous correction. In this way, the fall of shot is walked onto the target.

      Brain Fart :
      Conceptual discontinuity. Loss of the bubble. Polite forms -- 'brain fade', 'brain cramp'.

      Brain Housing Group :
      Head, or skull.

      Brass :
      Officers, especially senior officers.

      Bravo Zulu :
      Phonetic pronunciation of 'BZ' from the NATO signals codes. Signifies 'Good Job' or 'Well Done.'

      Break :
      (1) Maneuver used by pilots of tactical aircraft to slow to traffic pattern speed. Typically, a 180-degree turn to the downwind leg at 4.5-6 G's (depending on speed of entry and type of aircraft). This maneuver minimizes the amount of time an aircraft spends in the traffic pattern, one of the most dangerous flight regimes. It also maximizes the rate at which aircraft can arrive at the airport. (2) Noun or verb, an immediate, maximum-performance defensive turn designed to avoid a threat, whether missile, gun, or midair collision. If a radio call is made to tell someone to break, typically a direction of turn is given as well, and you will make many enemies if you don't specify who you want to break (otherwise everyone on the frequency will do it); e.g. "Packard Flight, Break Left!". (3) Radio PROCEDURE WORD meaning "what follows has nothing to do with what preceded it, i.e. it's a new subject.

      Breakaway :
      The act of disconnecting from an UNREP ship and maneuvering clear. Can be either a normal or emergency evolution, the difference being simply how quickly the various actions are accomplished.

      Break Lock :
      Loss of targeting lock, whether radar or IR. Can be purposeful on the part of the sensor operator, or a result of target maneuvers, countermeasures, etc.

      Brigadier Chief :
      Senior Chief Petty Officer (who has one star on the anchors of his insignia).

      Broke Dick :
      Non-functional. See 'TITS UP.'

      Brow :
      The proper term for what is often called the 'gangway,' the temporary bridge connecting the ship's quarterdeck to the pier.

      Brown-Bagger :
      Married member of the crew. Aka 'Khaki Sacker.'

      Brown Fingered Numbers (or Data) :
      Numbers pulled out of one's ass, i.e. made up on the spur of the moment.

      Brown-Shirt :
      (Aviation) A Plane Captain, so called because of the brown jersey he wears; a.k.a. 'turd shirt.'

      Brownshoe :
      Member of the aviation community. Refers to the brown boots or shoes which once were worn by aviation personnel with the Aviation Green uniform. Unauthorized footgear for a while, but recently re-approved for all USN service communities.

      Brown Water :
      Shallow water or shallow draft, especially a ship or navy whose ships are not suited to deep (or open) water and deep-water combat.

      Brown Water Navy :
      A navy, or those units of a navy, only suited for nearshore ops.

      Brown Water Ops :
      Naval operations in shallow water, typically consisting of water depths of 100 fathoms or less.

      Bruiser :
      Radio pro word for a friendly air-launched anti-surface missile, e.g. Penguin, Harpoon, etc.

      Bubble Chaser :
      (USN) A specialist in aircraft hydraulic systems, the AMH (Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics)); in hydraulic systems, bubbles are anathema.

      Bubblehead :
      (1) Member of the submarine community. Frequently modified by members of the surface fleet with the adjective "fucking". See '6 D's'. (2) Diver, especially a 'hard hat' diver (i.e. a diver who wears the spherical metal helmet of a Navy diver).

      Bucket :
      Turbine or compressor wheel of a jet engine. To "swallow a bucket" is to suffer catastrophic failure of an engine; if a piece comes off of an engine rotating at 10,000 rpm, bad things happen -- quickly!

      Buddy Fucker :
      Someone who will not stand up for, or defend, a friend or shipmate, or someone who screws over a shipmate.

      Buddy Store :
      A self-contained unit which makes it possible for aircraft not designed as tankers to deliver a limited amount of fuel to other aircraft. Buddy stores comprise a drogue, hose reel, and ram air turbine to power the device; can be hung on wing or fuselage hardpoints.

      Buffer :
      (UK) The senior rate responsible for seamanship evolutions, typically a Chief Boatswain's Mate. According to some, stands for 'Big Ugly Fat Fucker Easily Replaced.'

      Bug :
      (Aviation) (1) (aka Plastic Bug) Term for the F/A-18 Hornet, so called due to the large percentage of aircraft structure made up of synthetic materials or composites rather than metal. (2) A heading indicator on a compass or Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI).

      Bug Juice :
      A substance, similar in appearance to Kool-Aid, which is served as a beverage aboard USN ships. Its color has no bearing on its flavor. Largely composed of ascorbic acid. Used extensively as an all-purpose cleaner/stripper for bulkheads, decks, brass fire nozzles, and pipes, and no, I'm not kidding.

      Bug Out :
      'Getting the hell out of Dodge.' An escape maneuver from an air-to-air fight, generally consisting of choosing the proper moment to unload and select ZONE FIVE 'burner.

      Bulkhead :
      A naval wall.

      Bulkheading :
      Loudly criticizing a fellow officer.

      Bulldog :
      Codeword for surface-launched anti-ship missile, e.g. Harpoon.

      Bull Colonel :
      (aka Full Bull Colonel). A Colonel (as compared to a Lieutenant Colonel).

      Bull Ensign :
      Senior ensign aboard. In multi-unit ships, such as a carrier with its airwing embarked, generally each squadron will have its own Bull Ensign.

      Bull Nuke :
      Senior nuclear-trained CPO aboard a sub. Junior in authority to the COB.

      Bullnose :
      A chock placed right over the stem, 'in the eyes' of the ship.

      Bullpen :
      Term for the large antenna arrays associated with a shore HFDF (High Frequency Direction Finding) station.

      Bullseye :
      A prearranged positional reference point. Used to make specific location calls without giving that location away to a hostile listener, e.g. 'Bandit two four five for fifteen from Bullseye' (translation -- confirmed enemy aircraft bearing 245 degrees, 15 miles distant from the prearranged reference point).

      Bullshit Artist :
      A glib person, or one who lies.

      Bullshitting :
      Lying.

      Bumboat :
      A supply boat, usually of an unofficial nature. Often purveyors of curios, souvenirs, etc.

      Bumfuck Egypt :
      A fictitious unpleasant or bad place to be stationed, or the figurative ends of the earth. Sometimes seen as B.F.E.

      Bumming :
      Making a full-time job of a position in the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve.

      Bum Nut :
      Hen's egg.

      Bump :
      ACM. AKA "Bumping Heads."

      Bunt :
      AKA "Bunt the Nose." Pushing the stick forward to unload or lessen the G on the airplane.

      Bunting Tosser, Bunts :
      (RN)Signals or Radio personnel. The term originates from the use of semaphore flags for visual signals. Analogous USN terms -- 'flag wagger', 'skivvy waver.'

      Buoy Jumper :
      The sailor who climbs onto a mooring buoy to attach or remove mooring lines.

      Burner :
      (1) In a submarine, a system that burns carbon monoxide and hydrogen out of the air, converting H2 to water and CO to CO2. CO2 is then removed by the SCRUBBER. (2) In aviation, short for AFTERBURNER.

      Burnthrough :
      Noun or verb, the point at which a radar overcomes jamming. As long as the radar transmitter is stronger than the jammer transmitter (which is nearly always the case), as range decreases the radar's echoed signals will eventually be stronger than the jammer transmissions. At this point, burnthrough occurs and the radar will once again 'see' the target in spite of the jamming.

      Buster :
      Aviation term for maximum speed available without using afterburners.

      Butt :
      (1) Cigarette. (2) (obsolete) A wooden cask or barrel. (3) The bottom end of a spar or other object.

      Butter Bar :
      Ensign/Second Lieutenant (O-1 paygrade), so called for the gold bar collar device.

      Butt Kit :
      Ashtray.

      By and Large :
      Colloquial term meaning 'For the most part.' Origin of the term seems to be that a ship was considered particularly seaworthy if it could sail both 'by' (close to the wind) and 'large' (broad to or before the wind).




SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell




# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


C : CHARLIE



      Cabbage Mechanic :
      (RN) Cook.

      CAG :
      Commander Air Group; senior officer of the air wing. Can also stand for 'Carrier Air Group,' though that is more properly termed "Carrier Air Wing" or CAW.

      Cake Hole :
      Mouth. Also seen as 'snack hole.'

      Call For Fire :
      A request from ground forces for artillery support.

      Calve :
      The process whereby icebergs form, as chunks of ice fall from a glacier into the sea.

      Camel Station :
      Rendezvous point for ships in the Indian Ocean.

      CAMS :
      Central Atmosphere Monitoring System. A mass spectrometer that samples the atmosphere on submarines.

      Can :
      (1) Short for TINCAN. (2) In radio parlance, headphones.

      Candyass :
      Someone who doesn't do his (or her) share of the work. Similar to the older 'Feather Merchant.'

      Candygram :
      Radio pro word, informative call that EW targeting information is available via prebriefed secure radio circuit.

      Cannon Cocker :
      Gunnery specialist.

      CANTCO :
      CAN'T COmply.

      CAP :
      Combat Air Patrol. Usually defensive in nature. There are several types -- TARCAP (TARget CAP), BARCAP (BARrier CAP), RESCAP (REScue CAP, i.e. for SAR operations).

      Captain's Mast :
      Non-judicial disciplinary procedure, usually meted out by unit commanders.

      Captain of the... :
      Person in charge of a particular part of the ship, e.g. "Captain of the Focs'le." Derogatory, 'Captain of the Head.'

      Captain's Table :
      (RN) A disciplinary hearing. See CAPTAIN'S MAST.

      Careen :
      To lay a ship on its side in shallow water or on the beach, generally to work on the hull.

      Carrier Landings :
      A game involving a long flat table and, generally, a lot of beer. Participants run toward the table and dive onto it face-first. The goal is to arrive safely and not slide off the sides or end. Refinements such as the need to engage 'arresting gear' (typically a power or microphone cord) with one's toes after touchdown, 'crash and smash' teams using pitchers of beer to extinguish post-crash 'fires' following a hard landing or slideoff, etc., are common.

      CAS :
      Close Air Support. Moving mud to help out the grunts.

      CASREP :
      CASualty REPorting system, whereby equipment failures which can affect a unit's ability to carry out its mission are reported. Term can be used as a noun or verb -- "We CASREPped the gyro last night," or "Did you fill out the CASREP on the radar?"

      Cat :
      (1) Catapult. (2) Short for cat o' nine tails, a form of whip used to administer a flogging. Generally made up of three short lines, each with three knotted ends, spliced to a short rope or wooden handle.

      CATCC :
      (pronounced cat-see) Carrier Air Traffic Control system.

      CAVU :
      Aviation term, short for 'Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited'.

      CAW :
      Carrier Air Wing.

      CBDR :
      Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range. When comparing another object's (ship, aircraft, missile, etc.) movement relative to your own, if there is no BEARING DRIFT and distance is decreasing, it's an indication that collision is about to occur.

      CBR :
      Chemical, Biological, and Radiological (nuclear) warfare.

      Centurion :
      One who has made 100 traps board a particular carrier. Typically a patch is issued which is worn on the flight jacket.

      CEP :
      Circular Error Probable. The statistical average miss distance of a weapon.

      CERA :
      (RCN) Pronounced 'sarah'. Chief Engine Room Artificer.

      Cease Fire :
      Do not open fire, or discontinue firing. Complete intercept if weapons are in flight; continue to track. Contrast to 'HOLD FIRE.'

      Cha :
      (RN) Tea. Also spelled 'char'.

      Channel Fever :
      Anxious to get home, or reach port.

      Charley More :
      A fair deal, or a call for fair play. From the Maltesian pub of the same name; the sign over the door said "Charley More, the Square Thing" (some report the sign as saying "The Fair Thing"), referring to unwatered drinks, and at least the decent chance that a customer could end the evening with something approaching the proper type and quantity of bodily fluids still aboard.

      Charlie Noble :
      The galley smokestack. The most popular version of the term's origin is that Charlie Noble was an Admiral who insisted that the (brass or copper) galley smokestack be polished for inspections.

      Charlie Oscar :
      Commanding Officer.

      Charlie Foxtrot :
      Cluster Fuck, i.e. an evolution which has not gone at all well.

      Charlie Sierra :
      Phonetic abbreviation for 'chickenshit.' The unnecessarily thorough enforcement of an insignificant or unimportant regulation.

      Charlie Time :
      Assigned time for carrier aircraft to land, generally meant as the time that an aircraft crosses the RAMP. "Your Signal Charlie" means 'commence approach immediately, and land upon arrival.'

      Check Six :
      The customary greeting and parting salutation between pilots, refers to the practice of looking astern of the aircraft, in the 6 o'clock position, to ensure he is not being attacked.

      Check Valve :
      Used to describe a person, it refers to one who does for himself, but not others. None of the goodies get past him.

      Cheng :
      CHief ENGineer. Pronounced 'chang'.

      Cherubs :
      Height of an aircraft in hundreds of feet (contrast with ANGELS).

      Chicken of the Sea :
      Ballistic missile submarine, or a crewmember of same; the nature of their mission is to avoid detection by whatever means necessary while on patrol, or while en route to or from the patrol area. Their unofficial motto is "We hide with pride." See BOOMER.

      Chicks :
      Friendly aircraft.

      Chinese Fire Drill :
      Any evolution notable for its complete lack of coordination or military smartness.

      Chinstrap :
      (RM) So tired, usually from running, that one's head drops. Any naval personnel are assumed to be 'on their chinstraps' at all times.

      Chips :
      Ship's carpenter.

      Chips Light :
      A Master Caution annunciation signifying small metal particles in the gearbox or transmission.

      Chit :
      A small piece of paper, often a request for or granting of permission to do something (leave chit, for example).

      Chock-a-block :
      See TWO BLOCKED.

      Chop :
      (1) Supply Officer. See PORKCHOP. (2) CHange of OPerational command, spoken as 'inchop' (entering a command region or zone) or 'outchop' (leaving a command region), e.g. 'We will inchop MIDEASTFOR at 0830 tomorrow.'

      Chuffed :
      (UK) Extremely pleased.

      Chunder :
      (UK) To vomit. Derived from 'watch under!'

      CINCHOUSE :
      Commander In Chief of the HOUSE, i.e. one's spouse. Pronounced 'sink house.'

      Cinderella Liberty :
      Liberty where one must be back aboard by midnight.

      Circular Run :
      The result of a control or gyro malfunction which causes a torpedo to maneuver in a circle and return to its launch point. At least one US submarine (USS Tang) was lost to a circular run torpedo during WWII. Several other U.S. subs suffered close misses as well.

      Circus :
      In WW II, a fighter-bomber mission whose primary goal was to force the German fighter defenses to come up and engage. Usually consisted of a small bomber force and heavy fighter escort.

      CIVLANT :
      (also seen as CIVPAC) Facetious description of one's next duty station when he or she is leaving the service; CIV = CIVilian, LANT = atLANTic coast, PAC = PACific coast.

      Civvy Street :
      Civilian life, particularly when one is about to leave the service.

      CIWS :
      Close-In Weapon System, a short-range anti-missile point defense system comprised of a radar system and high firing-rate gun. In NATO, the common system is Vulcan Phalanx, combining Doppler radar and a 20mm Gatling gun. A newer version, Goalkeeper, uses the GAU-8 30mm Gatling gun as found in the A-10 Thunderbolt for increased range and destructive power. Can have anti-surface modes as well, for use against small craft and the like. Derisive interpretations of the acronym for this notoriously cranky system include -- 'Christ, It Won't Shoot', and 'Captain, It Won't Shoot,' due to common maintenance difficulties.

      Clag :
      See GOO.

      Clankie, Clanky :
      (RN) Mechanical Engineer.

      Clara :
      The radio call from a carrier pilot on approach, signifying that he has not sighted the BALL.

      Class Alfa Fire :
      A fire in sold fuels which leaves ashes.

      Class Bravo Fire :
      A fire involving flaming liquids.

      Class Charlie Fire :
      An electrical fire.

      Class Delta Fire :
      A fire involving special materials and firefighting methods. Commonly thought to consist of a fire involving flammable metals, which is indeed one example of a Class Delta fire; another type of Class Delta fire involves deep fat fryer equipment.

      Clear Datum :
      (1) (Submarine) To leave the area where you have been detected (see DATUM). (2) To leave the scene of the crime, especially when liquor and members of the opposite sex are involved, and particularly if the member of the opposite sex in question is a GRONK.

      Clobbered :
      Weathered in, or in very poor visibility, as "We made a good approach, but the field was clobbered and we had to divert," similar to WOXOF. Can also indicate a radio frequency or other facility which is unusable due to popularity or over-use, 'The tactical frequency was clobbered,' or hit well, 'Lead, you really clobbered the target on that pass.'

      Cluster Fuck :
      An evolution remarkable for its significant lack of excellence. Mass confusion and chaos. Similar to a GOAT ROPE, CHINESE FIRE DRILL, etc.

      Clutch-Brake :
      A device used to engage or disengage an engine from a propeller shaft, and/or to stop the shaft's rotation if need be.

      CMC :
      Command Master Chief. Similar to the COB, but for surface, shore, and aviation commands. See also MCPOC.

      CO :
      Commanding Officer. The captain or skipper of a vessel. Often spoken as 'Charley Oscar'.

      Coaming :
      The raised lip around a hatch. Designed to prevent, or at least limit, water entry. Very effective in damaging one's shins; see also KNEE KNOCKER.

      Coastie :
      Coast Guard sailor.

      COB :
      Chief Of (the) Boat. Senior enlisted onboard a submarine; acts as liaison between the crew and the XO.

      Coffee Mess :
      An area, usually in a duty or working area, where coffee is made and served.

      Coffeepot :
      Nuclear reactor. Aka TEAKETTLE.

      Coffin :
      Bed. See RACK.

      Cog :
      Responsibility or awareness. Short for 'cognizance' or 'cognizant,' as 'Lieutenant Jones is the cognizant officer'; one could also say 'LT Jones has the cog on that.'

      COG/SOG :
      Course Over Ground/Speed Over Ground, in navigation the actual movements of a vessel with respect to the seabed. The result of the vector addition of ship's heading and speed through the water, and speeds/directions of winds and currents.

      Coke Syndrome :
      What happens when a soda (or other drink) spills into a piece of electronic gear, or a keyboard.

      Cold :
      (1) Current intercept geometry will result in a pass or roll-out behind the target. (2) On a leg of the CAP patrol pointed away from likely threats. (3) Group(s) heading away from friendly aircraft. (4) Not radiating.

      Cold Cat :
      A catapult shot in which insufficient END SPEED is generated. The aircraft does not have sufficient speed to fly, and usually crashes. May be caused by steam supply problems or other mechanical difficulties.

      Cold Iron :
      A condition of the ship's engineering plant where everything is shut down, including not only propulsion systems but also including electrical power generation and hotel services.

      Cold Enough to Freeze The Balls Off A Brass Monkey :
      This term has nothing to do with testicles or primates, and a good deal of debate remains to this day regarding the origin of the phrase. In the days of smoothbore cannon, particularly ashore, ready-use cannon balls were stored near the guns. The balls were stacked in a 'monkey,' a metal frame which was laid on the deck to help contain the bottom layer of the pyramid of cannon balls. Monkeys were typically made of brass (though monkeys made of rope were used as well). In extremely cold temperatures, the brass monkey shrank more than the iron cannon balls, and the stack of balls would collapse, or perhaps ice which formed under the balls pushed them up enough to break them loose. The root of the debate is whether such an event is possible at all, though the phrase appears to be more a traditional exaggeration than an engineering possibility. Aboard ship, cannonballs were more typically stored in SHOT GARLANDS.

      Cold Iron :
      An engineering term meaning that the entire engineering plant has been secured. Lighting off boilers and getting steam up has always been an involved and lengthy operation, requiring anywhere from an hour to even longer before the ship could get underway. In time of war, being caught 'cold iron' could be tactically disastrous (cf the Pearl Harbor air raid). With the increasing usage of gas turbines, this is less of an issue; a gas turbine ship can get underway within minutes if the lube oil systems are warm.

      Cold Shot :
      See COLD CAT.

      Collar Device :
      A usually metal rank marking attached to the uniform lapels.

      Collision Mat :
      Pancake.

      Combat Dump :
      A preflight visit to the head.

      COMEX :
      COMmence EXercise.

      Commander's Moon :
      A night lighting condition with clear skies and a large (late phase) moon, to provide optimum lighting condition for night flights, and especially night traps. Favored by, and planned for by, O-4s and above to get their night requirements 'X.'

      Compartment :
      A room aboard ship.

      Con Level :
      Altitude at which contrails occur due to condensation or freezing of the moisture in engine exhaust. To be avoided in tactical situations, as they make for easy visual detection.

      Condition 1 :
      General Quarters (battle stations). May be modified for certain conditions, such as Condition 1-AS, in which all antisubmarine watch stations and weapons are manned, but AAW stations may not be. Modified conditions are used to minimize crew fatigue, which can be a significant factor over a prolonged period at battle stations. Other types of modified conditions include 1-SQ (battle stations for missile launch).

      Condition 2 :
      Condition of modified General Quarters, generally used on large ships.

      Condition 3 :
      Material condition of readiness commonly associated with wartime steaming where some, usually half, of the ship's weapons are kept in a manned and ready status at all times.

      Condition 4 :
      Material condition of readiness commonly associated with peacetime steaming. There are no weapons in a ready status.

      Condition 5 :
      Material condition of readiness associated with peacetime inport status. Other material conditions may be set as needed, dictated by the threat.

      Coner :
      aka 'Noseconer'. A crew member on a submarine who does not work in the engineering spaces. A non-nuke.

      Conformal Array :
      A sonar array whose transducers are attached at various locations about the hull, rather than being concentrated on one location. See also BOW ARRAY.

      Conn :
      Has several uses, all to do with control of the ship. (1) (General Usage) When an officer announces 'I have the conn,' he or she is then legally responsible to give proper steering and engine orders for the safe navigation of the ship. (2) (Submarines) The term used to refer to the conning tower, a structure built atop the hull from which periscope attacks on shipping were conducted. In more modern times, 'the conn' refers to the submarine's control center, an analogous compartment located within the pressure hull. (3) In general, the area of the ship from which conning orders are given.

      Conning :
      (1) Giving orders regarding the maneuvers of a ship. See CONN. (2) (Aviation) Generating a contrail.

      Contact Coordinator :
      (submarine) Senior Enlisted/Junior Officer that mans the submarine periscope during surface operations in order to help track and assess surface contacts.

      Contract :
      The agreements and ground rules between wingmen or members of an aircrew.

      Control Surface :
      In aircraft, aerodynamic parts moved to effect maneuvers, e.g. elevators, ailerons, etc.

      CONUS :
      CONtinental U.S.

      Cooky, Cookie :
      Ship's cook.

      Corpen :
      (1) A maneuver of a formation of ships. In its simplest form, ships in a column turn in succession, each at the same point, akin to a column movement of marching men. (2) Course. 'Foxtrot Corpen' is the chosen course for flight operations. 'Romeo Corpen' is the chosen course for underway replenishment.

      Counter Battery :
      Firing on enemy artillery. Doing unto them before they can do unto you.

      Courtesy Flush :
      What someone will ask for if you are stinking up the head.

      COW :
      Chief Of (the) Watch. (submarine only) Responsible for coordinating shipboard evolutions such as housekeeping, watchstanding, wake-ups, etc. Also controls the BCP (ballast control panel) while underway.

      Cox :
      (UK) The Coxswain. The senior rate on a destroyer, frigate, or smaller vessel. Responsible, among other things, for discipline.

      CPA :
      Closest Point of Approach. The range and bearing to the closest point of another vessel's passage, relative to your own.

      Crab, crabfat :
      (RN) A member of the Royal Air Force. From the light blue color of the uniform, which is the same as that of the grease (known as 'crabfat') used on gun breeches, etc., in the RN. Accounts vary, but apparently the grease was called 'crabfat' because it resembled in color the ointment used to treat sailors for 'crabs' (pediculosis pubis, genital lice), and of which fat was a major constituent.

      Crackerjack Uniform, Crackerjacks :
      The traditional USN enlisted man's uniform, similar to the trademarked icon on a box of Crackerjack popcorn snacks. Consists of bellbottom trousers with 13-button fly and a jumper top with rear shoulder flap ('bib').

      Cranie :
      Pronounced with long 'a' sound. Protective headgear worn by flight deck crewmembers. Incorporates hearing protection and impact protection. May be color-coded like the flight-deck jerseys.

      Crank :
      (1) Temporarily-assigned mess personnel. See MESSCRANK. (2) Penis.

      Crash and Dash :
      Touch and go landing.

      Crash and Smash Crew (Team) :
      Crash and Rescue personnel. They wear red flight deck jerseys.

      Creamed Foreskins on Toast :
      Creamed chipped beef on toast. See SOS.

      Crescent Hammer :
      Crescent wrench.

      Crinkleneck :
      Small fish that wait for waste to drop from a SCUTTLE or overboard discharge. Derogatory term for officers and enlisted that figuratively do the same.

      Crippie :
      Cryptographic personnel.

      Critter Fritters :
      Fried mystery meat.

      Crossdeck Pendant :
      The wire (cable) which the hook of a carrier aircraft catches to accomplish an arrested landing. The crossdeck pendant is attached to the purchase cables, which are in turn connected to the arresting engines belowdecks. The CDP is replaced periodically, depending on the number of times it has been engaged.

      Cross-Decking :
      (1) The practice of transferring men or equipment from one ship to another, especially when transferring from a ship returning from deployment to a ship departing or about to depart on deployment. (2) Cross-training in another rate.

      Crow :
      The rate insignia of a USN Petty Officer (E-4 through E-6), so-called because of the eagle surmounting the rate chevrons.

      Crush Depth :
      The designed depth at which the pressure hull of a submarine will collapse.

      Crusher :
      (RN) A member of the Regulating Branch, i.e. Naval Shore Patrol.

      Cumshaw :
      Procurement of needed material outside the supply chain, usually by swapping, barter, or mutual backscratching. Often involves the barter of coffee or other food items. Officially frowned upon, but a widespread practice. The word comes from the pidgin English of the old China Fleet for "Come Ashore" money. It was usually anything useless to a sailor or ship, scavenged and saved for trade to locals for the purpose of earning a little extra liberty money.

      Cunt Cap :
      Fore and aft or 'garrison' cap, so named because the folds of material at the upper ridge of the cap vaguely resemble labia.

      Cut and Run :
      To leave quickly, from the practice of cutting a ship's moorings in a hasty departure.

      Cut Lights :
      Part of the array of lights found in the FRESNEL LENS. Originally used to give the CUT SIGNAL. Most common use today is to acknowledge that the LSO has heard the approaching pilot CALL THE BALL.

      Cut of his Jib :
      From the days of sail, when individual sails were made aboard the ship and a certain amount of individuality was expressed in the design (shape and size) of the sails. Ships could be, and were, identified by the 'cut of their jib.'

      Cut Signal (Cut Sign) :
      (1) (aviation) The signal to pull the throttles back to idle; can be given by the CUT LIGHTS or the classic throat-cutting gesture. In older use, this signal was used when piston-engine aircraft come aboard the carrier. With the straight-deck carriers, an aircraft either trapped successfully or engaged the barricade. (2) The signal to shut down a piece of gear.




SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell




# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


D : DELTA



      Dabtoe :
      (RN) Surface sailor.

      DACT :
      Dissimilar Air Combat Training. ACM conducted between aircraft of different types. Also seen as DACM. Valuable in that it teaches an aircrew to consider comparative performance points of their aircraft and others.

      DASH :
      (1) (USN) Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter, a Vietnam-era remotely-controlled helicopter. The program was canceled for a number of reasons, among them the startling consistency with which the DASH attacked the mother ship. (2) (Aviation) Aircraft in a particular position within a flight (formation), usually followed by a numeral to indicate position, e.g. 'Dash 2' is the flight leader's wingman. Used in place of a SIDE NUMBER or other callsign.

      Datum :
      (1) A point or location where a submarine has been detected or has made its own detection possible, especially by firing missiles or torpedoes. (2) The horizontal row of green reference lights found on a FRESNEL LENS array, which indicate the optimum glideslope.

      Davey Jones :
      The devil, as represented by the sea, perhaps a corruption of "Devil Jones," though there was not always an evil or negative connotation at first. Daniel Defoe and Tobias Smollett used the term in literature in the 1700s.

      Davey Jones' Locker :
      The mythical place on the seabed where all sunken ships or objects (and drowned sailors) end up.

      DC :
      Damage Control.

      DCA :
      Damage Control Assistant. Responsible, under the Chief Engineer, for damage control and stability of a ship.

      Dead Head :
      The resistance of a magnetic compass to swinging back and forth excessively; a compass with insufficient deadhead will swing so much (due to normal movement of the ship or aircraft) that it is difficult to steer a course.

      Dead Horse :
      An interest-free loan which is paid off via payroll deduction. Often used to cover relocation expenses, or to pay back a disbursing error which was originally in your favor.

      Deadlight :
      A glass window set in the deck or bulkhead.

      Deck :
      What the civilian calls a floor. Contrast with FLOOR.

      Deck Ape :
      Surface fleet personnel, usually Boatswain's Mates, that care for topside gear and equipment. A type of KNUCKLE-DRAGGER.

      Deck Seamanship :
      The real navy; the handling of lines and small craft, knots and splicing, etc. The province of the Boatswain's Mate.

      Deck Spotter :
      One who peeks at the landing area instead of watching the BALL.

      6 D's :
      Deep Diving Death Defying (or Dealing) Denizens of the Deep. Term used by submariners to refer to themselves. Often used to detect SKIMMERs by their helpless laughter upon hearing the phrase.

      Deeps :
      (RN) Submariner.

      Deep Six :
      (1) Originally, the call of the leadsman signifying that the water is more than 6 fathoms deep, but less than seven. (2) Euphemism for throwing something overboard. Also seen as 'splash', 'float check', 'float test'.

      Deflection :
      (1) (Gunnery) The adjustment (correction) of fire to the left or right. 2) (Aviation) A measure of angle-off between one's aircraft and the opponent, or the amount of lead necessary to hit a crossing target.

      Delta Sierra :
      Phonetic for Dumb Shit or Dog Shit.

      Delouse :
      Radio pro word, a directive to detect and identify unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft.

      Demurrage :
      A fine levied for not unloading a ship on time.

      Depart, Departure :
      (Aviation) (1) Standard Instrument Departure (SID). One of a number of standard combinations of flight profile and headings used to depart an airfield. Used to regularize and speed up an aircraft's departure from the airfield and its crowded airspace. SIDs are published procedures. (2) Short for 'departure from controlled flight,' a regime of flight where the aircraft is uncontrollable. Generally the result of a stall, whether accelerated or unaccelerated. May or may not result in the aircraft entering a spin.

      Desert Cooker :
      (UK) During WWII, a field expedient stove made by cutting a 4 gallon fuel tin in half. One half had a handle added and was used as the cooking vessel; the other half was filled with sand, soaked with gasoline, and set alight.

      Deuce (Ma Deuce) :
      Browning cal fifty heavy machine gun.

      (The) Devil to Pay :
      Originally, the saying was 'The devil to pay and no pitch hot.' In the old wooden-hulled ships, 'devil' seams joined the external hull timbers with the deck planking; there are also references to a devil seam back aft, where the hull timbers join at the rudder post, and forward, where the hull timbers join at the stem. Seams were caulked or sealed (paid) by jamming oakum fiber into the gaps, then smearing the seam with melted pitch (which was called tar). If one of these seams worked open in rough weather, a great deal of water could be shipped before it was repaired. This term is probably the origin of the terms 'hell to pay' and 'between the devil and the deep blue sea.'

      DGUTS :
      Don't Give Up The Ship.

      DIB :
      (RCN) Any non-engineering personnel.

      Dick the Dog :
      (1) Screwing around; being unproductive. 'When you guys are done dicking the dog, I could use a hand over here.'

      Dickey Front :
      (UK) The flap in the front of the traditional sailor's trousers.

      Dick Skinners :
      Hands.

      Dicksmith :
      Hospital Corpsman.

      DILLIGAF :
      Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck' A term indicating sublime indifference to someone else's plight.

      Dink :
      Spoken form of 'Delinquent In Qual,' pronounced to rhyme with 'pink.' Someone delinquent in PQS qualification points. A weekly points goal is typically set by each command that an NQP (q.v.) must achieve. Failure to do so means daily mandatory study hours supervised by the duty Chief.

      Dip :
      (1) To lower a sonar transducer into the water from a hovering helicopter. (2) To render and acknowledge passing honors from a merchant ship to a naval ship, by lowering and two-blocking the national ensign. The merchie dips first, and the naval vessel answers dip for dip. Naval vessels do not dip to each other, but man the side to render passing honors to each other. (3) A way of feeding a mooring line from one ship through the already in-place mooring lines of another vessel so that either vessel may remove theirs first.

      Direct Fire :
      Gunnery and fire control where the FALL OF SHOT can be directly observed by the firing unit.

      Dirt Sailor :
      A member of the Navy's Construction Battalions (Seabees).

      Dirty :
      Configured for landing; gear and flaps down.

      Dirty Shirt Wardroom :
      (USN) A wardroom (officer's mess and lounge) aboard ship which does not require patrons to be in the uniform of the day, i.e. flight suits or other working uniforms are permitted. The etiquette of the wardroom, which is usually fairly formal, is also relaxed in the dirty shirt wardroom.

      Dit :
      (RN) A short written note.

      Ditty Bag :
      A small cloth bag with drawstring closure; usually used to hold toilet articles and the like.

      Dive the intakes :
      Cleaning engine air intakes, usually by crawling into them.

      Dive Planes :
      The 'elevators' of a submarine; movable, horizontal surfaces used to control the dive (pitch) angles. Usually there are two pairs of planes, mounted on bow and stern, or on the fairwater (sail) and stern.

      Division :
      A flight of four aircraft; two SECTIONs.

      DIW :
      Dead In the Water. Not MAKING WAY.

      Dixie Cup :
      The USN sailor's white hat. See also WHITEHAT.

      Dixie Station :
      One of the two positions typically occupied by an aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. 'Dixie' was the southern station, tasked with troop support (CAS).

      Dobie :
      (RCN) Laundry. Also seen as 'Dhobi.'

      Dobie Dust :
      (RCN) Laundry soap.

      Dockyard Tour :
      (RN) An excuse to slide away early when at a fleet school.

      Dr. Pepper :
      In aviation, an extremely uncomfortable situation where you have SAM radars active at '10, 2, and 4' o'clock, as in the old advertising jingle for the carbonated drink of the same name. The hazard is extreme because maneuvering to defeat any particular missile of the three makes you more vulnerable to one of the others.

      Dodge City :
      Diego Garcia island, a British possession in the approximate middle of the Indian Ocean. US military forces also have long operated from there.

      Dog :
      See AUTO-DOG.

      Dog Dish :
      DIXIE CUP.

      Dog Watch :
      (1) A shortened watch period. Generally, two two-hour watches, designated First and Second (or First and Last, RCN), arranged so that personnel on watch can eat the evening meal. Usually 1600 to 1800 and 1800 to 2000. Also serves to alternate the daily watch routine so sailors with the midwatch one night will not have it the next time. Origin of term unclear. (2) (RCN) An unpopular watch, usually the 2400-0400 or 0400-0800. See also WATCH.

      Doggie Dicks :
      Breakfast sausages.

      Doldrums :
      Regions of little or no wind near the equator.

      Dolphin Code :
      (Submarines) Similar to USN Aviation's FALCON CODE, but perhaps a bit more 'refined', i.e. less profanity (!!!). A representative sample (multiple versions exist) is included here as Appendix B.

      Dolphins :
      Submarine qualification insignia of the submarine fleet. Aka 'tin tunas' or 'pukin' fish.' Represented as two heraldic dolphins flanking the prow of a WW II-type submarine, gold for officers and silver for enlisted. 'Getting (one's) dolphins' -- achieving the status of a qualified submariner.

      Donkey Dick :
      (1) The nozzle of an inline proportioner in a firefighting hose line for AFFF. (2) (RNZN) The inflated tube that holds up the center of the roof of a lifeboat. (3) The protruding sensor boom of the MAD gear aboard the P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion. (4) Fitting at the aft end of a submarine through which the hydrogen effluent from the O2 generating system is discharged overboard. Note -- this term is also used for literally dozens of other objects in the naval service.

      Double Nuts :
      Aircraft with side number zero-zero. Often the CAG's bird.

      Douche Kit :
      Shaving Gear.

      DOW, DOOW :
      Diving Officer of the Watch.

      Down Bubble :
      A system of measuring (in degrees) the amount by which a submarine's bow is below the horizontal. The primary method of depth change in a submarine is to point the bow either up or down, then drive the boat with the engines. Down bubble is used, along with speed, to increase depth rapidly. Compare with UP BUBBLE.

      Down to the Short Strokes :
      Nearly done; almost finished.

      D-ring :
      The handle of a ripcord; the way one opens one's parachute.

      Draeger Tubes :
      An older method of sampling atmosphere, in which a hand-held pump is used to draw samples into the test system.

      Drift Factor :
      A measure of reliability or attentiveness; if you have a high drift factor, you can't be relied upon, or are not paying attention.

      Drifty :
      A sailor who is not SQUARED AWAY. Probably comes from 'adrift.'

      Drilling holes in the water (or ocean) :
      Term for miscellaneous underwater operations of a submarine. Also refers to sailing any ship from point A to point B for no particular reason.

      Drip :
      (RN) Complain. "The Chief was dripping about the state of the world."

      Drop (number) :
      (1) Directive to stop monitoring a specified emitter or target and resume normal search. (2) Remove specified track number from tactical picture or track store.

      Droplights :
      Red lights arranged vertically below the RAMP, on the approach centerline, on the carrier's stern. Used to provide lineup cues for night landings.

      Drop Synch :
      A condition where the scrambler or other cryptographic gear does not properly descramble a received radio call. To the receiver of the transmission, the result of a 'drop synch' is unintelligible noise.

      Drunkex :
      Any evolution characterized more by the amount of alcohol consumption than by accomplishment of any goals (other than getting toasted, of course).

      Dry Thrust :
      (Aviation) Thrust rating of an aircraft jet engine without afterburner.

      DTG :
      (1) Days To Go. SHORT TIMER's record-keeping. (2) Date-Time Group, part of the header of a message which indicates the date, time, and timezone of the message's origin.

      Duff :
      (RCN, RN) (1) Dessert. (2) Broken, or useless.

      Dumbo :
      During World War Two, an aircraft (often a B-17) modified for long range air-sea rescue.

      Dusty :
      (RN) Stores rating, especially one concerned with food. More fully 'Jack Dusty'. USN usage, 'Jack o' the Dust.' In its original usage, the 'Dusty' was a sailor (Jack, in British naval terminology) assigned responsibility for the bread room, where flour was stowed.

      Dynamited Chicken :
      Chicken a la King, allegedly.

      Dzus Fitting :
      Pronounced like the Greek god (Zeus), a quick-release fitting used in aircraft.




SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell




# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


E : ECHO



      EAB :
      Emergency Air Breathing mask. A sealed mask with an airhose and a quick disconnect to attach to the main EAB system. When using this, a crewman is said to be 'sucking rubber'.

      EB Green :
      Nuke duct tape. As provided by Electric Boat (EB) Corporation, green rather than gray.

      ECMO :
      Electronic CounterMeasures Officer, an NFO aboard an electronic warfare aircraft such as an EA-6B Prowler. Aka 'Mushroom' or 'Toadstool' (i.e. kept in the dark and fed bullshit) due to the poor outward visibility of the after 2 seats in the Prowler.

      Eight o'clock Reports :
      Reports made daily by all department heads to the XO, who then takes them to the CO. The reports usually consist of equipment reports and position reports, significant events of the day or of the day to come, etc.

      Elevation :
      The movement of a gun vertically.

      ELSA :
      (RN) Emergency Life Support Apparatus. Consists of a clear plastic hood and an air bottle, used to escape from smoke-filled spaces.

      ELT Math :
      Rough approximations. Brown-fingered arithmetic, in which 2+3=8 or so. Numbers sanded down to fit a certain block in a log.

      EM :
      (1) Electrician's Mate. (2) Extra Mechanic. (nuke) Electrician's Mates often stand Motor Machinist (MM) watches to support the watchbill.

      EMCON :
      EMissions CONtrol. Various conditions of electronic silence. 'EMCON Alfa' is total emissions silence, 'EMCON Bravo' allows radiation of certain non type-specific emitters, etc.

      EMI :
      Extra Military Instruction. Duties assigned as punishment which are also intended to improve one's military knowledge. Chipping paint would not qualify as EMI, while inventorying the ship's pubs (publications) would.

      End Around :
      (USN submarine) Also seen as 'End Run.' A maneuver in which a WWII-era diesel submarine made use of its relatively high surfaced speed to get out in front of an enemy ship or convoy in order to gain attack position. Usually, the sub would open the range enough to barely maintain radar contact (to monitor the convoy's course and speed while minimizing the chances of counter-detection) during the maneuver. Named for the play of the same name in American football.

      End Speed :
      The airspeed of a carrier aircraft at the end of the catapult launch stroke. For obvious reasons, serious trouble will result if end speed is less than stalling speed. The necessary end speed varies widely with aircraft type and loadout (gross weight), and is a function of the catapult settings.

      Energy Fighter :
      Air combat tactics emphasizing "the vertical," i.e. looping maneuvers, where the fighter trades speed for altitude and vice versa. Energy tactics favor aircraft with high excess power. Contrast with ANGLES FIGHTER.

      Engaged Fighter :
      The fighter actively maneuvering against the bandit. His emphasis is, if not to make a killing shot, to beat down the bandit's energy level to set him up for his wingman, the FREE FIGHTER. The section trades off 'free' and 'engaged' roles as needed to force the bandit's energy level down without themselves having to slow down that much.

      Engine Order Telegraph :
      aka E.O.T., a signaling system linking bridge and main engineering control, used to command engine speeds.

      Ensign Locker :
      JO (Junior Officer) berthing aboard ship.

      Enswine :
      Derogatory term for an Ensign.

      EOOW :
      Engineer Officer Of the Watch. Pronounced 'ee-ow'.

      EOS :
      Enclosed Operating Space. Space from which engineering spaces are controlled. Generally air-conditioned and soundproofed, the wimps.

      ERA :
      (RCN) Engine Room Artificer

      Essence :
      Good, pleasant, or attractive. "Having a totally essence time; the weather is here, wish you were beautiful."

      Evap :
      Distilling unit, aka 'the still'. Used to produce fresh water at sea, both for the boilers and for potable usage. For many years, vacuum 'flash' evaps were used; reverse osmosis systems are becoming more common now.

      Ex :
      Short for 'exercise.' Some forms -- mobex (an evolution involving a mob, i.e. poorly organized -- or not organized at all), drunkex, borex (a boring exercise), sinkex (an exercise whose intent is to sink a target ship).

      Exploder :
      The part of a torpedo designed to detonate the warhead.




SAILORSPEAK
 A Glossary of Military Terminology, Jargon, and Slang
compiled and edited by Jeff Crowell




# A B C D E F G H I J K L M Apndx A Apndx B
! N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Apndx C Apndx D


F : FOXTROT



      FAG :
      Fighter-Attack Guy. The pilot of an F/A-18.

      Fairwater :
      (1) Submarine) The more modern term for the conning tower of a submarine. (2) A structure on a ship which is designed to deflect or redirect water flow.

      Fairwater Planes :
      Diving planes located on a submarine's fairwater (sail).

      Fake Down :
      To lay out a line to permit free running while maintaining seamanlike appearance. Generally used for large-diameter lines. The line is laid out in long parallel lines, generally starting up against a bulwark or deck edge and working inboard from there.

      Falcon Code :
      (USN Aviation) A significantly obscene form of shorthand used in radio comms to avoid use of profanity (!!!) over the radio. A version (there are many) is included here as Appendix C.

      Fall of Shot :
      Point of impact of a shell or salvo of shells.

      Fancy Dinns :
      (UK) Steak and wine night at sea. Usually hosted by the various departments.

      FANG :
      Fucking Air National Guard, or Florida Air National Guard. See also FNG.

      Fangs Out :
      Hot for a dogfight.

      Fang Bosun :
      Dentist. AKA Fang Farrier.

      Fanny :
      (UK) A mess tin. Named for Fanny Adams, a girl who was murdered and dismembered about the same time that tinned meat was introduced into the Royal Navy.

      Fanny Adams :
      (UK) Fuck All, i.e. nothing, zero, etc. Similar to SWEET FANNY ADAMS.

      Fantail :
      The aft-most weather deck on a ship, right above the stern.

      Fart Sack :
      Sleeping bag. (common usage among ground forces of various countries) Can also refer to fitted mattress covers aboard ship.

      Fast Attack :
      Refers to submarines whose primary missions are sealane control, anti-shipping operations, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence or special operations.

      Fast Cruise :
      A training exercise whereby the ship simulates being underway while remaining tied to the pier. Generally the brow and all shore services are secured and the ship is on internal systems only.

      Father :
      Shipboard TACAN installation.

      FBM :
      Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine; an earlier term for a Ballistic Missile Submarine, i.e. BOOMER.

      Feather :
      (1) In a propeller aircraft, to rotate the propeller blades of a stopped engine into the wind. This reduces the drag of the stopped propeller by a tremendous amount. (2) Submarines, the wake of white water left by the periscope of a submerged submarine.

      Feather Merchant :
      A lightweight, i.e. someone who doesn't hold up his end, or doesn't do his (or her) share of the work. An older term, circa WW II, not frequently seen now. Similar to CANDYASS.

      Feed Water :
      Water used in boilers. Must be of very high purity (low salinity is especially critical) due to the risk of corrosion or contamination in high-temperature piping.

      Feet Wet (Dry) :
      Report that an aircraft is flying over water (land).

      FESTA :
      Fire Extinguishing System, Twin Agent. An installation which pairs an AFFF-dispensing system with a PKP-dispensing system. Often found in engineering spaces. An obsolete term; replaced with TAU (q.v.).

      FFG :
      Guided Missile Frigate. Derisively, 'Forever Fucking Gone.'

      Fiddlers Green :
      Sailor's heaven.

      Field Day :
      To scrub or otherwise clean a ship's spaces. Usually ordered when the COB or the XO thinks morale is low.

      FIFI :
      'Fuck It, Fly It.' Spoken by the maintenancemen when they can't find the solution to a gripe, in the hopes that it will fix itself (it never does).

      Fig :
      Spoken form of the ship designation FFG (Guided Missile Frigate).

      Fightertown :
      Formerly used to refer to Miramar NAS, located near San Diego, California, more recently refers to NAS Fallon in Nevada.

      FIGMO :
      Fuck It, (I) Got My Orders. "Go away and don't bother me, I'm outta here." Similar forms abound, e.g. FYJIGMO, Fuck You Jack, I Got My Orders. No polite form has been reported.

      Final Diameter :
      The diameter of a circle inscribed by a turning ship once it has stabilized in its turn. Smaller than the ship's TACTICAL DIAMETER.

      Fire For Effect :
      A signal indicating that the correct spots have been applied and rounds are falling on target; the firing battery should begin rapid fire.

      First Lieutenant :
      (1) (USN) Deck Division officer aboard ship, or officer responsible for general seamanship and deck evolutions. In a ship with a large deck department, especially where it is key to the ship's mission, such as a carrier or AMPHIB, generally the deck department head. As used, it's an assignment, not a rank. (2) (RN) Executive Officer of a ship, if a Lieutenant Commander or below. (3) A commissioned officer's rank, O2, in the Marine Corps or USAF/USA. For an officer, one step up from the bottom, rankwise.

      Fish :
      (1) Torpedo. (2) The expendable portion of the XBT, a streamlined weight and sensor fitted with a wire dispenser. (3) The sound-generating towed body of a NIXIE installation.

      Fisheyes :
      Tapioca pudding.

      Fish Head :
      (RN) WAFU term for the rest of the RN surface crowd.

      Fist :
      (RN) To make a