Navy speak

[Graham Payne]

Also "Nippers" the very young seamen who nipped the Anchor rope to the Capstan rope.

[robpage]

thanks for that Bill , I did solve one I did not know last week when an ex fleet air arm guy explained WAFU

[Graham Payne]

Well on UCL there were plenty with hand bags, maybe the purse was in one?

"Purser"

Like that one John.

[John Pruden]

blowing for tugs.. when short of breath? jp

[Keith Tindell]

I used to blow for tugs when trying for two blocks, but very enjoyable, kt

[Frederick Lacey]

My wife gets annoyed because I keep saying Swab instead of dish cloth or floor cloth.

[Stan Carter]

going down the scuppers, I've just got scuppered...

stan

[robpage]

• Scuttlebutt: The Navy term for water fountain. The Navy History Museum describes the term as a combination of "scuttle," to make a hole in the ship's side causing her to sink, and "butt," a cask or hogshead used in the days of wooden ships to hold drinking water. Thus, the word scuttlebutt means a cask with a hole in it.

[happy daze john in oz]

I annoy the hell out of her in doors when out driving.

Turn to Port here and it is just along the road, it will be on your starboard side.


After all these years she still finds it hard to understand.
TRied teaching the compass so she could read a map, not such a good idea.

[Rob Stafford]

Don't forget 'sooji' buckets, cloths, or the act of soojying a bulkhead. I still speak of 'the deck' whether we are inside or out and if I am with friends at the club, still speak of 'a quick bevvy'. When people as what I did at sea, I tell them I was a 'bait-layer' , 'Tucker-F****r' or a 'Fitter and Turner'...we fit good food into a pot and turn it into s**t. I still use the term 'scran' sometimes, which I was told by an ex-RAN-cook, means 'S**t Cooked by the Royal Australian Navy'.


I hope they will help the dictionary along a little.