not very close to the wind) which is now generally used for ‘broadly speaking’.Ĭall boys: before the loudspeaker system was installed in big war ships, boy seamen had the job of running to any part of the ship to repeat the orders issued by the ‘pipes’.Ĭan’t make head nor tail of it: expression used by the Yeoman of signals when he is unable to make any sense out of a distant hoist of flag signals.Ĭat o’nine tails: instrument of punishment stored in a red baize bag to disguise the blood.Ĭat’s out of the bag: retribution is imminent. In extreme cold the brass contracted more than the iron so the balls were too large for the brass rings and the top cannon ball pushed the lower ones off the plate.īristol fashion: based on the reputation of ships sailing from Bristol where everything was neat, tidy and seamanlike in appearance and function.īuck: one of several meanings is the nickname for anyone called Taylor or Rogers.īucket of fog: A situation that is illogical or incomprehensible.īumph: description of never-ending stream of paperwork.īy and large: a nautical term meaning to sail a boat by the wind (i.e. In wooden sailing ships the brass monkey was a three ringed brass plate beside each gun on which 3 cannon balls were placed with the fourth above to form a pyramid. ‘cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey’. If the cable was run out all the way it was at the bitter end and was at its limit.īlower: telephone, originated with the early speaking tubes used for communication between the Bridge and engine roomīlubber: to cry, originating from whaling days when fat globules looked like tear drops as the whale was flensed.īlue: Form of address between sailors and marines unfamiliar with each others names.īooby: a tropical sea bird which is very easy to catch once it has settled hence a booby prize is really no catch/prize at all.īrass monkeys: Cold. can refer to too much food or drinkīale out: comes from the old name ‘boyle’ for bucketīandy: traditional nickname for anyone with the surname Evansīirmingham screwdriver: A big hammer for fine adjustmentsīiscuit: kneaded cakes of flour baked with the least quantity of water possible and then stored as a bread substituteīitter end: The inboard end of a ship’s anchor cable was secured to special points called bitts. It is surprising how many of these of terms are still heard today… here are a few gems from the A’s to F’s:Ī1, the highest level of seaworthiness so to be A1 means of to be of the best qualityĪcross the ditch: Over the Channel in EuropeĪddled: drinking water that has become putrid, so addled means ‘gone off’Īll above board: anything above the deck so visible to anyone, now means fair and open business dealingĪll singing, all dancing: sarcastic comment about a piece of equipment claimed to solve a previously impossible problemĪrthur, Martha or Mabel: someone not sure of his job, confusedĪwash: half submerged. Naval slang would be part of his everyday language.
The Royal Navy is the oldest organised fighting service in the world and those of us with British ancestors would more than likely have a sailor somewhere in the family tree, be he with the RN or the merchant marine such as the East India Company.
Jackspeak, a guide to Naval language which has become mainstream….