View Full Version : Naval Sayings & Nicknames
Francis Stanley
02-08-2010, 10:54
"Absentee"? "Thank you RPO, 2 sugars"
"You adrift"? "No RPO, a Seaman"
Keep 'em coming!:D
RPO: Whats your official Number lad ?
Lad: D one oh three four oh oh one
RPO: Thats D one Zero Three Four Zero Zero one, there is no such thing as Oh in the navy lad.
Lad: Roger that RPZero.
Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?
You are Deeps without a doubt
Roger mirror, over and out.
Vegaskip
02-08-2010, 12:05
Mirror, Mirror on the wall
Who is the fairest of them all.
And why am I? !!
Mirror Mirror on the wall,
Who is fairest of them all?
Not YOU, you doggo B!!"
Remember those nautical "Rule of the road, doggerels" ? Such as:-
"Green to green, or red to red,
perfect safety, go ahead".
"If to your Starboard, red appear,
It is you duty to keep clear"
Much preferred the one perfected in WW2 by some ships:-
"If a light you see in front,
Full Ahead and ram the ..er.. other ship"
I am sure our moderators would not like me to use the word usually used instead of "other ship"! :D:D
Sailor return
02-08-2010, 21:30
Let the jury be out on this one..
Firstly it isn't a Naval Saying.
Secondly (and most importantly:)) it is used frequently throughout Scotland with a spelling of 'brammer', still with the meaning that something is good or exceptional. It was certainly used in NE Scotland when I was growing up and is still in use today.
(It is possibly not always/often used in connection with some of the sporting prowess of some of our teams:D:D:D although Curling would be an exception.)
But is thought to be derived from the Hindu God Brahma
Little h
Um, well this from the Bramah lock company
On 02/08/2010 17:43, Bramah Sales wrote:
> Keith
>
> As far as we are aware the expression Bramah .... eg a right Bramah is
> another way of saying a right good un........all stemmed from Joseph
> Bramah's machine shop, where under the supervision of Henry Maudsley they
> built the first machine shop for repetition items. As such this machine shop
> became known as the 'the best' and thereafter a real Bramah.
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Bramah Security Equipment Ltd.
> 31 Oldbury Place, Marylebone, London W1U 5PT
> Registered in England No: 289584 Registered Office as Above
astraltrader
03-08-2010, 01:35
Well at least I was right in that the expression came from London and not Scotland!! :D
If to your Starboard, red appear,
It is you duty to keep clear
Scurs
You missed the last bit out
If to your Starboard, red appear,
It is you duty to keep clear
An act of Judgment, says is proper
Turn to port, back or stop her
Dave
qprddave............er.............yes (forgot that bit) :o:o:o (well it was 53 years ago when I was taught it! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it).
Vegaskip
03-08-2010, 08:07
I know this thread is Naval sayings.and some of us are occasionaly hauled across the coals,( there's a strange one) for using them. Surely the RN wasn't the only service to have it's own language, Come on you other 'Matelots' let's have some of your's........I think this one is taking the Mick,but....." Bad Guys and Guys asking favours, muster abaft the after smoke stack", guess what Navy that is supposed to come from.
regards
Dave Hutson
03-08-2010, 08:20
Hi Jim ,
Yes, Cousin Elmer must have a few - one I remember was "Liberty Guys to Glamourise, muster abaft the after smokestack for issue of Condoms and Chewing Gum".
C'mon Elmer the challenge is out.
Dave H
Vegaskip
03-08-2010, 10:04
Yip Dave, I think my one should have been 'muster at the Sheriff's office'
Wasn't one, "Sweepers, sweepers man your brooms. Good sweep down fore and aft. Ditch all trash over the fantail"?
Must say, ours were simpler! :D
Coming thick and fast now - keep it going! Edna
Francis Stanley
03-08-2010, 12:30
All hands, Good guys to glamourise, bad guys muster at the sherrifs office, Aft hands move for'd, For'd hands move aft, midship hands direct traffic.
Ok you US marines hit the beach, last one gets the Ice creams.
Ok you US Marines hit the beach, (Effeminate voice) Naughty Beach, Naughty Beach!
Dave Hutson
03-08-2010, 15:51
Signal mid Atlantic:-
US Destroyer to RN Destroyer on passing over Convoy East Bound:
"All yours - How's the Second Biggest Navy in the World ?
Reply:-
"Thank you - How's the second best.
[Mods - not a US or RN saying - but it has stood the test of time}
Hola all
me and my mate were chatting earlier, and somehow got to talking about the whole "captain should go down with the ship" and were wondering what the origin of said precedent were, or infact if it was a precedent or just something we have come to say following E.J Smith going down on Titanic?
Was wondering if any of m'learnerd friends might be able to offer answer
nigelweysom
03-08-2010, 20:58
Andy http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3655&highlight=byng this is a link to a thread about Admiral Byng who was executed for loosing his ship , perhaps it became a case of go down with the ship or loose your head after
Nigel
Vegaskip
04-08-2010, 18:49
Haven't seen one of them 'Since the Japs left Kirkcaldy'--'Since Pontius Pilate was a navigator'!
Bootneck,Bootneck, cant catch me!, On Your Eyeballs Bounce........
"Royal Marines, Round the world GO.....Woooooosh! "As you were"
"Sorry Royal"
regards
Perhaps they are all waiting 'till my boat comes in' !!!
Edna
Not a naval saying as such, but always liked, "When my boat comes in I shall probably be at the Airport" :D
steve roberts
05-08-2010, 18:51
Hi Gang.I don't think the immortal R.O.M.F.T has appeared yet?
For the uninitiated it meant,Roll On My F*****g Time. The immortal cry of any one who has worn a Navy Uniform(Or any other for that matter!!:D)
Many Regards Steve.
Steve.............which reminds me of............N.A.A.F.I. (No ambition and F***-all interest).
and...............R.D.P (Run Down period)..............then we had "colourful"? terms for foods................."Chinese Wedding Cake" (Rice Pudding), "Babies Heads" (Steak & Kidney Puddings), "Spithead Pheasant" (Kippers).................and so on.:)
Sailor return
05-08-2010, 22:46
" Ram it, Im RDP"- meaning ," frankly, my dear, I dont give a damn"
" F*** my tall hat!"- an expression of exasperation, wonderment or disbelief
" A right snakes wedding"- a tangle of rope or wires
"Full ahead both rudders"- a legitimate bridge order unique ( I think ) to minehunters. They had/have ? activated rudders with props faired into them to allow low speed manouevering. Props were driven by Foden Bus engines!
Keith M
harry.gibbon
05-08-2010, 23:02
" Props were driven by Foden Bus engines!
Keith M
Or put another way the Foden Engines were driven by Props who were Bus drivers:):D
Little h
Hi Gang.I don't think the immortal R.O.M.F.T has appeared yet?
For the uninitiated it meant,Roll On My F*****g Time. The immortal cry of any one who has worn a Navy Uniform(Or any other for that matter!!:D)
Many Regards Steve.
Being of an older generation, I only remember it as "Roll on my Twelve"!
Edna
gunnersmate
06-08-2010, 22:34
Greeting's shipmates,
The tangled wire or rope. I know as a bunch of bastards.
Schitt on the raft. I think was Devilled Kidneys on toast.
Train smash. Tinned tomato's on toast.
Cackle berries. Boiled eggs.
Baz.
Francis Stanley
10-08-2010, 08:10
Q) Have you seen so and so
A) No, but I have an Auntie who works for the Electricity board, do you want to meter?
Q) Have you got X ?
A) No, but I have an aerial photograph of John Waynes Dhoby Bucket.
No, but I have an Auntie who works in a lighthouse and gives occaisional flashes.
We were a helpful bunch were we not? :)
Helpful? Well............
But what about 'on the fiddle'??
Edna
Scratcher
10-08-2010, 12:59
When things were getting tough and everyone was tired during the Work-up, there seemed no end to Attack Teams/Diving Stations/Surfacing and Diving you always heard someone saying"It'll be alright after the Work-up".The trouble was it never did get any better.
Peter.
Scratcher..............and applicable to skimmers too! It is as well I rated a Blue Card in CHICHESTER as I don't think I saw my bunk much before midnight during work-up!
Had it made after work up.......turned in by 2330! :D
Sailor return
14-08-2010, 22:38
Shave off - yet another expression of exasperation, normally preceded by an appropriate epithet. I wanted to call my house Chez Voff, but the Memsahib was agin it! Cant think why.
alanandbren
15-08-2010, 06:05
I'm suprised that we have not had Chop-Chop yet,in other words, get a move on, or Pull your finger out, was another one.
Scratcher
15-08-2010, 11:26
What about Maltese Lace.Threads hanging down from a seam,or Hanging Judas.
Peter.
Francis Stanley
16-08-2010, 08:51
Or indeed Irish pennants, (more loose ends)
as opposed to an Irish Parliament where every Voices an opinion all at once.
Francis Stanley
16-08-2010, 08:55
Or indeed Irish pennants, (more loose ends)
as opposed to an Irish Parliament where every Voices an opinion all at once.
"Stand by to repel Irish boarders"
(In an Irish accent) "Belay de last poipe" :)
Another oft used................."Chocker" (or chocker block), meaning totally fed up!
"Seen off".......an adverse result.........never your fault you were always "seen off". Often used in respect of something you bought, "You paid HOW much?, you were seen off" :)
"Green rub".........similar to above..........if you were awarded punishment for example, you had a "green rub".
Talking of colours..............."One badge blue, well how do you do. Two badges gold, now you are old. Three badges red, you ought to be dead" (refers to good conduct stripes).
Sailor return
16-08-2010, 22:43
And a few more
Scub Round it - Forget what you've been told, carry on as normal
Scrubber - a somewhat unladylike lady
Fang Bosun - the Dentist!
Far Flung - any where East of Suez
Knocking Shop - a house of negotiable affection
BEM - Bathrooms, 'Eads & Messdecks
OBE - Other B****** Efforts
and there's more:-
BELAY THAT............disregard last order
DEVIL DODGER, SIN BOSUN, GOD BOTHERER......Padre.
ABAFT............behind something....ie abaft the funnel.
GRIPPO ISSUE...........something gained at no cost.
LIFEBUOY GHOST.......duty to watch out for "man overboard".
and then there were nicknames of people................
PINCHER.................Martin
BUNGY....................Williams or Edwards
SPIDER...................Webb
BLOOD....................Reed, Read or Ready
MOBY......................Whale
DUSTY.....................Miller
SCURS....................someone with a beard
plenty more or course, but to list them all would fill a book!
How about
Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar
Ship shape and Bristol fashion
Expressions not found much in current parlance, or indeed in modern life, but then I'm an old-fashioned gal.
I was going to say something else too, but have completely forgotten what. :confused: There, not only old-fashioned but betraying my age!
OH I remember now! That little expression "pour encourager les autres" - said by Voltaire I think when they executed poor old Admiral Byng. Namely that the British would kill an admiral from time to time "to encourage the others". We raise chickens on those very principles. Perhaps it is time for me to go to bed now.....
Do I remember someone talking about a 'Tanky' on board? Who was he and what did he do??
Edna
alanandbren
21-08-2010, 10:54
Do I remember someone talking about a 'Tanky' on board? Who was he and what did he do??
Edna
Edna, he was responsible for the rations on small ships.
Alan
Thanks, Alan, seems obvious when you think about it, doesn't it? Wake up, little grey cells!
Edna
Sailor return
23-08-2010, 22:02
Wanchai Burbery- the good old Chinese umbrella made from bamboo,oiled fabric and a distinctive pong!
Mickey Ducks- cartoon films
Feeling down after the storm and helping one-and-only-son repair the stormporch roof - and shuddering at the sight of the area by the dormer above the garage to be repaired, waterproofed and insulated, feeling (as my father would say) In The Doldrums!! ! ! ! ! ! !
Edna
Another one which has surfaced is
"All's fair and above board," - Any comments??
Edna
Scratcher
05-09-2010, 12:11
If you will excuse the expression,Brown Hatters Overalls,= Pyjama's.
Peter.
Mitch Hinde
05-09-2010, 15:47
Hi
To describe someone of less than fair visage, "Skin like the lee side of a stokers dhobi bucket".
Mitch
(A dhobi bucket being the only item of laundry equipment available on small ships in the 40's and 50's)
alanandbren
05-09-2010, 16:09
Hi
To describe someone of less than fair visage, "Skin like the lee side of a stokers dhobi bucket".
Mitch
(A dhobi bucket being the only item of laundry equipment available on small ships in the 40's and 50's)
Mitch, absolute classic.
Alan
Francis Stanley
06-09-2010, 07:53
[B]Mickey Ducks- cartoon films
And Westerns being Sh** Kickers
alanbenn
06-09-2010, 20:35
Regarding passing the port ......
This subject has been covered on the forum not so long ago here.......
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?p=120189#post120189
Regards
Alan
Dreadnought
07-09-2010, 06:36
This subject has been covered on the forum not so long ago here.......
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?p=120189#post120189
Regards
Alan
Thanks Alan, I knew I has seen it somewhere ... just couldn't find it.
Will move posts there where they will fit better.
Francis Stanley
07-09-2010, 13:36
When doing a bit of make n mend putting gurt big "homeward bounders" in your stitching when sewing on a branch badge etc.
When doing a bit of make n mend putting gurt big "homeward bounders" in your stitching when sewing on a branch badge etc.
Gosh, Francis, I had forgotten that one. My mother commandeered my father's 'hussif' so he went to her sewing box to get a darner, for whatever purpose - 'soon do that with a few homeward bounders' he used to say - usually a quick turn up for a pair of work trousers or overalls, he was only 5' 6" so everything was always too long.
Edna
Another couple which popped up recently (as these things do!) was -"Are you two at loggerheads again?" There was an age gap between my brother and me ....................
Now the evenings are getting dark and chilly, I pull the curtains, and remember my father on winter evenings, stoking up the fire and 'doing' the blinds, curtains (and shutters, at the back), and saying "Let's batten down the hatches and keep in the warmth!"
Edna
Talking breakfasts to my son, I got to cackleberries which amused him, even more so was cheesy, hammy, eggy topsides - the mind boggles!!!
Edna
"When my boat comes in" - my neighbour is keen on the lottery, expects a 'windfall' every week; told her she should put up my father's football pools motto: "when my boat comes in"!
Edna
Hows about........ The following V.I.P.'s will arrive on board this afternoon;
General Payment
his Secretary, Miss Musters'
The German Ambassador Hans TooTea,
and their chauffeur Naffi Van Drive.
"Up spirits, stand fast the holy ghost"
Good one my oppo. Its funny how these things get tweaked slightly for instance ; A dutch canteen assistant, Naffy Van Driver and a chinese PTI; Wan Jim Shoo not forgetting that poor german sailor Hans. Poor bloke was always on duty ie Hans fall in for entering harbour, Hans to tea, Hans clean into night clothing etc.
Alan
Q) Have you seen so and so
A) No, but I have an Auntie who works for the Electricity board, do you want to meter?
Q) Have you got X ?
A) No, but I have an aerial photograph of John Waynes Dhoby Bucket.
No, but I have an Auntie who works in a lighthouse and gives occaisional flashes.
We were a helpful bunch were we not? :)
This must be the funniest entry on this site; I laughed out loud when I read it.I bet John Wayne never had a dhobi bucket.
Alan
The HELL I did..............
signed
John Wayne
Destroyerman
03-10-2010, 20:24
Messdeck table ......... "Pass the salt" ...... "How do you want it? Local or Express?"
If the choice was "Local" the salt would be slowly and deliberately passed via every member at the table.
If the choice was "Express" the salt became airborne in your direction rather rapidly ...........................................:D
Sandy............must be a slight variation for Stokers, 'cos I knew it as "Air Mail" or "Surface"..!! :D
Destroyerman
04-10-2010, 10:04
Ray, you have to pardon we stokers.:)
"Air mail" and "Surface mail" have a certain upmarket ring to them........
However, "Local" and "Express" leave not so much to the imagination ....:D
Glad to see the thread resurrected (up spirits?)
Edna
Mitch Hinde
04-10-2010, 14:32
Hi All
When preparing for a run ashore, vast quanties of "Foo Foo" and the use of a "glamour spanner" would be required.
Mitch Hinde
(Talcum powder and a comb)
barracuda
04-10-2010, 21:19
"Come inboard!" when someone hadn't understood or said something silly.
"What's this? Small ships?" when given an drink which was short measure or a cup of tea/coffee which didn't fill the mug or cup.
Peter
Francis Stanley
05-10-2010, 07:35
Hi All
When preparing for a run ashore, vast quanties of "Foo Foo" and the use of a "glamour spanner" would be required.
Mitch Hinde
(Talcum powder and a comb)
And of course you would get a "fast black" to go ashore in (Taxi)
if you were swimming however the last thing you wanted to see was a "fast black" (Shark)
Slightly off subject, maybe...............however, my dear wife quickly picked up my navy sayings and actions...............some many moons ago, at work, her boss said, "Chuck me the stapler please"..............silly man............I don't THINK it hit him! She did not ask "Air Mail" or "Surface Mail" though..........it went "Air Mail"!
As far as I know he has not made that mistake twice! :D
It gets better! Thank you all
Edna
Destroyerman
05-10-2010, 11:19
Hi All
When preparing for a run ashore, vast quanties of "Foo Foo" and the use of a "glamour spanner" would be required.
Mitch Hinde
(Talcum powder and a comb)
This was of course Mitch, after the traditional "Bath 'n Dhobey", a trip to the bathroom and the washing of items of kit.:D
I suppose, in these days of "mixed sex crews" in what few ships are left, it is no longer "done" to trot along the Burma Way (main passageway), clad in towel and flip flops as you head for the bathroom, dhobi bucket clanking quietly. :confused:
including to you getting ready for a run ashore,scurs,...do they still call a tea-shirt ..""a thousand miler"... i had many off sew-sew the ships tailor, out in the far flung
cylla
The HELL I did..............
signed
John Wayne
Sorry John and to make amends the next time you are riding through Tynemouth call at our shack and have a couple of tots on me. You can hitch Trigger to our gatepost and if he leaves his calling card thats okay, it will go straight into our compost heap.
Alan
I think it's a well known fact that Jack enjoys doggerel ie short verses of a dubious nature and likes to change the words to a popular song to a new version, preferably to include navalese. I was thinking of such a song from about 1960 " My old mans a dustman" by Lonnie Donegan.
This got changed to,
My old mans a TASI, he wears a TASI'S hat,
he wears number eight trousers,
and he lives in the tiller flat.
That was quite enough to please Jack but to a non naval person this was a mystery. You can hear them saying "Whats a TASI,whats number eight trousers and what on earth is a tiller flat".
Alan
Destroyerman
05-10-2010, 18:51
I suppose, in these days of "mixed sex crews" in what few ships are left, it is no longer "done" to trot along the Burma Way (main passageway), clad in towel and flip flops as you head for the bathroom, dhobi bucket clanking quietly. :confused:
Scurs,
my late mother-in-law used to really enjoy being invited to mess socials. She would use any excuse to hover in the Burma Way just to see 'Jack' on his way to the bathroom suitably attired!:D:o
Destroyerman
05-10-2010, 19:00
...do they still call a tea-shirt ..""a thousand miler"... cylla
The nickname 'Thousand miler' probably derived from the fact that said garment could be used for more than one 'run ashore', whereas a uniform white front would certainly only be used once ashore before dhobeying (washing).:D
And Fuzzbox, you are right about "Jack's" inclination towards his own doggerel. Even Tom Jones "Delilah" was corrupted to:
"My, my thousand miler .......... dah de dahdee dah dah dahhh......" :rolleyes:
Of course Sandy, as I recall from another site, the activities of you ex-MIL are legendary! :D
Songs............I remember our Instructor at GANGES was often singing to himself.............."Daisy Doats, Carley Floats and little rubber dingy's........" :)
Hi Scurs,
There's a post somewhere on site by someone looking for the origin of that song (I know cos she asked me first).
Any ideas?
Mitch Hinde
07-10-2010, 16:08
Hi All
How about...Able Seaman Sid..One pace forward skid..Off lid..Did..
Been there, seen it done it.
Mitch Hinde :eek:
Messdeck table ......... "Pass the salt" ...... "How do you want it? Local or Express?"
If the choice was "Local" the salt would be slowly and deliberately passed via every member at the table.
If the choice was "Express" the salt became airborne in your direction rather rapidly ...........................................:D
Messdeck table again.
"Free the slide" meaning please be so kind to pass the butter/margerine to me
Standard reply; You should have sat in front of it in the first place.
Mitch Hinde
07-10-2010, 18:34
Messdeck table again.
"Free the slide" meaning please be so kind to pass the butter/margerine to me
Standard reply; You should have sat in front of it in the first place.
Hi All
Similar with the "Sea dust" (salt).
Mitch Hinde
Which reminds me Mitch.............how many people realise that the "Innocent until proven Guilty" premise, is not applicable (or wasn't ) in the RN? If you are on defaulters, you are presumed guilty unless able to prove innocence (and even then, you might still collect punishment "as an example"). :rolleyes:
Mitch Hinde
08-10-2010, 13:42
Hi All
Anyone fancy some "Armoured cow".
Corned beef
Mitch Hinde
alanandbren
08-10-2010, 14:00
Hi All
Anyone fancy some "Armoured cow".
Corned beef
Mitch Hinde
or "desert chicken"
Alan
Sailor return
10-10-2010, 22:08
and their chauffeur Naffi Van Driver
or as I knew her in Terror,'60 ish, Tilly van Driver ( from the utilicon vans of the time). Must have been her sister
Keith M
"Free the slide" meaning please be so kind to pass the butter/margerine to me.
Never had butter on the table in Imperieuse. Ration was half a loaf and 1 oz Marg (1 oz butter on Sundays) per day and kept in your locker as there were some hungry thieving b*****s about. Same applied to your knife, fork and spoon.
Ken
Destroyerman
13-10-2010, 19:48
"Pussers Red Devil".
Jack's acronym for the MOD issue bicycle.
These came in Admiralty red and oftimes had a basket in front, much like the grocery delivery bicycles of the era.
My bestest part-of-ship ever, stoker at the Duchess of Kent Barracks, Southsea, (Portsmouth WRNS Barracks) had one for the stoker to hourly check his boilers in all of the Accommodation Blocks.
This had no crossbar, but quite a few of the WRNS returning off shore, would ask for a lift to their block on the crossbar. I never quite understood the insinuation ........................ or did I ????:D
Anson6423
13-10-2010, 20:06
Hello All.
I know that "Stand Easy" is a drill command to rest from "Stand at Ease".
How did it come to mean, in Naval parlance, a morning break?
Cheers
Andy
Destroyerman
13-10-2010, 20:16
Andy,
no idea of the origin, but nevertheless, I was always grateful for my 'stand easys'.:D
Fascinating question though.
E.R.Tiffy
13-10-2010, 20:23
Are these still in use.Hands to make and mend clothes,hands to bathe on the Starboard side,Libertymen fall in on the focs'le,Tombola will be played on the focs'le at 1900. The best saying ever was Keep clean,act green and take the first liberty boat ashore.
I love 'em. keep them coming!! Edna
Vegaskip
15-10-2010, 13:18
'Stand easy' break in the Merchant Navy, was usualy 'Smoko' a term I think used in Australia as well.
Also MN,.... 'Soogi' or 'Sooji' To wash paint work or the concoction made up to do that job. I think it was from Hindi or other Sub Continental language.
Regards
stontamar
15-10-2010, 14:00
Hello All.
I know that "Stand Easy" is a drill command to rest from "Stand at Ease".
How did it come to mean, in Naval parlance, a morning break?
Cheers
Andy
Stand-easy so called from the name of the bugle call which ordered it!!
Regards
stontamar
E.R.Tiffy
17-10-2010, 21:01
Hello All.
I know that "Stand Easy" is a drill command to rest from "Stand at Ease".
How did it come to mean, in Naval parlance, a morning break?
Cheers
Andy
We welcomed this pipe call as a ten minute break for a smoke. It was then followed by " Out pipes,hands turn to."
Choppy Sea
18-10-2010, 09:04
If I were a seagull, I'd fly in the sky
Over whale island and s**t on GIs.
Ray H
'Stand easy' break in the Merchant Navy, was usualy 'Smoko' a term I think used in Australia as well.
Also MN,.... 'Soogi' or 'Sooji' To wash paint work or the concoction made up to do that job. I think it was from Hindi or other Sub Continental language.
Regards
I can vouch for that.
Destroyerman
18-10-2010, 15:37
I seem to remember that "soogi" was also a term for the cooling liquid used around the turning tools on lathes in the RN.
Anybody remember that application?
Soogi (sooji).........I always thought that was nickname for liquid soap? :confused:
Vegaskip
18-10-2010, 17:41
Soogi (sooji).........I always thought that was nickname for liquid soap? :confused:
Quite possibly, I said It was washing paint work eg "go and 'soogi' the Galley bulkheads"
There were lots of recipes for making up a solution for removing grime and oil etc. soft soap, soda crystals,'Teepol'.
Ark Royal we had 'Arkomix', for washing the Island, Flightdeck and catwalks, the recipe for it is still protected for another 50 years!!! ( the HSE would have nightmares with that)
Jim
Teuchter
18-10-2010, 17:59
I seem to remember that "soogi" was also a term for the cooling liquid used around the turning tools on lathes in the RN.
Anybody remember that application?
I do - white water based liquid used as lubricating/cooling fluid for turning/drilling steel
soogi was also the oil/water mixture that the big ends on a triple expansion engine splashed through in their sumps.
regards rab.
Destroyerman
18-10-2010, 18:54
My Gawd!:D
"Sooji" would appear to be the nomenclature used to describe anything liquid in the navy.:D It certainly had its uses.:)
Jim............"Teepol" removed just about anything.......starting with the skin on the hands of the user! :D
brian james
19-10-2010, 05:22
yeah scurs concur,....the only stuff i found just about "bullet proof" as far as removal,..... was the dreaded,..."red admar"!!!!even with thinners, it followed me around for days along with the "black boot topping"!!!!!
Silverine another heady one.
Rab
Anson6423
20-10-2010, 04:38
Stand-easy so called from the name of the bugle call which ordered it!!
Regards
stontamar
Hi Stontamar.
I understand HOW the name came about, because of the bugle call or pipe. What I wondered was WHY a close-order drill command came to mean a morning break. I also wonder why there is only a Stand-Easy in the morning and not one at any other time of the day.
Yours Aye
Andy
whomesir
25-11-2010, 13:36
This must be the funniest entry on this site; I laughed out loud when I read it.I bet John Wayne never had a dhobi bucket.
Alan
My favourites were:
Have you got a ?
Answer: No but I do have a photo of my sister in the WRNS who is excused boots - a birdcage that needs rewiring - and a paper bag that has had cakes in it - any use ?
The questioner usually wandrered away with a glazed look in his - or - her eye.
Andy.........there is (was?) also an Afternoon "Stand Easy", usually about 1415-1430 time.
Whomesir........and how about:-
Q, Have you seen........?
A. Yes thanks, tall bloke with a set (beard)
Ray ....did you ever take a "stand easy " ??....or from the time you "turned too" to " secure" ....was a stand easy in your office all the time ....:)
cylla
Cylla........Thank you for those few kind words....:D:D
brian james
30-11-2010, 03:13
Scurs i did not think you were an SA or a Writer,.....they always seemed to be on a permanent "Standeasy"!!!(Now that should stir "some" from an idle lethargy!!)
Destroyerman
30-11-2010, 10:23
Another Naval saying, although not entirely appropriate in these current times of smokers segregation:
"One all round".
This was piped when the ships company were at "deep shelter stations" (transiting a nuclear fallout area) and were, after a couple of hours couped-up below the waterline, desperate for a cigarette.
Brian............I was "amateur writer". I was Seaman (AB FC2) but qualified "Gunnery Office Writer", and used to work in Routine Office.:)
Cylla was having a "dig" as we served in the same ship - but different commissions!
Sandy, now you have been promoted to a "Two and a half", are you MEO? (Marine Engineering Officer), or DMEO?
Oh heck Scurs , has my last post given our other member,s the wrong idea ,of our "blue card" numbers .:o
cylla
Mitch Hinde
30-11-2010, 15:23
Hi All
Do modern day matelots and matelasses still go for an "Orange Goffer" at the "Naafi Goffer Bar".:confused:
Mitch Hinde
Dave Hutson
30-11-2010, 15:51
Don't think they'd even know what a "Goffer" was, even if it hit them between the eyes Mitch ..... if you get my double meaning ;)
brian james
30-11-2010, 18:56
Scurs wot a cushy number you had,......you must have known "Someone of Influence"!!!!The cushiest number i had was "Ops Room Sweeper"!!!Free coffee and all the Chinagraph Pencils you could eat!!!
Brian you wern't one of those RP persons wot had lunch when the rabble had dinner, were you? :D
First 3 months or so, as GOW, was hetic.....seldom finished working in the office until 2000+.......but at least it was Blue Card (as Cylla kindly reminds me).........then on was a nice quiet number. Actually, as I enjoyed that work, I put in to transfer to Writer Branch proper, got turned down flat by Skipper, so left mob after my 9 years was done. Had they granted that request would likely have signed on, but no desire to stay an AB for 22 years, nor any desire to become a Leading Seaman as it would have meant going back to "playing sailors", so thought they might have let me transfer........they did not!
Hi Scurs , i had a similar situation to yours ...
I was called into the skippers cabin on the Arlingham , he asked if i would care to "sign on" for a couple of more years [i had signed on a extra year to get the R.A draft at Gib]
He told me he would fast track me through a Leading seaman's course,thou i had done a couple of L/S course,s,on my other ships .i thought he is only looking at his own career more points on his micky mouse.
I told him "sorry sir i have other ideas "and turned him down flat ,having had a lot of good number,s i didn't what the hassle in playing sailors with a lot of sprogs.
It was lunch time on the Arlingham , he handed me a can of beer as i left ,and i left on good terms .
cylla
brian james
02-12-2010, 19:42
Similar experience for me.... the last 'jimmy",....prior to me leaving said to me "you are the most highly over qualified ab i have met!!"(just after completing my asac 1 course) my reply.....yes sir and the place is now full of under qualified varsity educated twits!!!!!!!
to dip in
Where do,,s that come from???
I know "scurs" did well at that ...:)
cylla
alanandbren
12-12-2010, 13:28
to dip in
Where do,,s that come from???
I know "scurs" did well at that ...:)
cylla
Probably from sharing your bread and soup.
Alan
Alan...I would like it made public, that at no time to my knowledge, did I ever share Cylla's bread and soup! :D
Sigh.........must have "dipped out". :D
Mitch Hinde
12-12-2010, 15:47
Hi All
"Shave off", expression of disgust, usually accompanied by one or more expletives, at receiving a "Green rub", a less than welcome outcome to a difficult situation. Normally of a disciplinary nature.
Mitch Hinde
The only DIP IN I know occurred in the early days in Drake when meals were issued in trays to mess tables, 16 each side, youngsters at the bottom end. The trays were passed down the table each one supposedly taking a share, however by the time the trays reached the bottom end of the table you were lucky if there was enough gippers left in the tray to DIP a slice of bread in.
brian james
12-12-2010, 22:45
"Tiddly" or "Tids" for short......neat and natty looking...real smart......(not half drunk !!)
Three badges red blooming near dead
Three badges gold too blooming old
Substitute whatever word you want instead of "blooming"
Teuchter
18-01-2011, 06:49
On Saturday morning Skippers rounds in the days of the TOT I recall (as a UA lad) being told to
"Clean the fanny with bluebell and wire wool - outside only!!"
In todays Navy that could be well misunderstood!! - after all who has heard of bluebell nowadays!!;)
Allan SINCLAIR
03-03-2011, 18:56
Chatham Division will march past taking their timing from the Dockyard Clock,
January, February, March, you b......ds, march.
There will be hills and mountains on high ground tonight.
Attention, all shipping. Shipping, shun!
Etc. etc.
Oh, I forgot Senor Totoff (Seen your tot off).
Allan.............and don't forget............"Leave to the Black Watch and Long Distance Swimmers, from half-past ten to 'uck knows when"
"Do-Ya hear there..........there will be no moon tonight. There will be a SMALL moon on the Quarterdeck at 1930 for Chief and Petty Officers only" :D
Aircraft carrier -
Royal marines will march past, Royal Navy will walk past, Fleet Air Arm will get past as best it may ......................
Edna
Father always used 'Egyptian PT' as a post lunch zizz. He was Malta based in the early forties and again in the early sixties.
Search me - praps it's just one of those expressions like Ugandan Affairs.
regards
David
alanandbren
16-03-2011, 12:22
whats for dinner cookie? Hot co*k and pickles,and wev'e run out of pickles.
ivorthediver
20-03-2011, 17:25
Not sure how true this is George, but I seem to remember it has something to do with King James the First.
James the First
James 1
Jim the First
Jim 1
Jimmy the 1 [one]. ??
Perhaps he was looked upon as the First Lt to the Almighty??? :confused::confused:
Err - yes, I know - by the time I got it down in type it does look pretty damn weak but treat it as a [barely] working theory!!! :D
Sounds good to me Terry ,
johnny07
20-03-2011, 18:01
Master at arms----Jaunty
Engineering officer----Chief or Engines
Gunnery officer---Guns
Stores person---Jack dusty
Artificers---Tiffies
Seamen---Dabtoes
Electrical ratings---Greenies
Royal marines---Bootnecks
Writers---Scribes
The list is endless.
Jan Steer
20-03-2011, 18:23
Does anyone know when naval cooks became known a 'Chefs'? As far as I can recall these S & S stalwarts joined as cooks not chefs and messdeck dodgers were always 'Cooks of the mess' not chefs. So when did this title creep up on us?
best wishes
Jan
ltotenby
04-05-2012, 19:10
Going back to 'T' - where, how and why did the name 'Fanny' come about ??
I still can't work it out !!!!!!!!
George
Anyone read an Egyptian AFO
Brian
Scratcher
04-05-2012, 19:53
As I recall it went something like. "Stub!!,Stub!!,she crid, your hurderling me as he stuvved her on the Soda"!!!
Peter
Scratcher..........must be same book. One ship I was in, whenever anyone wanted an exclamation of surprise, he would utter, "Well 'uck me. she crid" :D
Even now, I have been known to utter those immortal words 53 years later!
Actual sentence. as I recall, was "'uck me she crid as he threwed her on the soda".............translation was not their obvious forte"!!! :D:rolleyes:
All very similar:D, but the one I recall is
"Stob, stob!" She crid as he f*gged her on the soda. "Stob it, your hurdling me!"
It seems we've all been reading the same AFO:D:D
Brian
It seems we've all been reading the same AFO:D:D
Brian
Don't understand 'reading'. Do you mean 'ridding' .....;)
Mind you, I like to keep up to date with my local football team and frequently look at their FootyMad website. Sadly, the spelling on there leaves A LOT to be desired. As for the grammar - well, let's not go there :eek:
Steve..
Samat............."Well fug me"! :D:D
Samat............."Well fug me"! :D:D
Scurs,
The riposte to that goes along the lines of "Not while there are....." but I'm damned if I can remember it this early in the morning!"
Over to you...:D
eskimosailor
06-05-2012, 09:44
Scurs,
The riposte to that goes along the lines of "Not while there are....." but I'm damned if I can remember it this early in the morning!"
Over to you...:D
One version is ".....dogs in the street". I agree that is not something to think about too early in the morning.:D:D
Steve
One version is ".....dogs in the street". I agree that is not something to think about too early in the morning.:D:D
Steve
Steve,
Good shout, spot on! :)
Steve..
Mitch Hinde
06-05-2012, 13:38
Hi All
As I recall one paid for these literary gems in "Ickies" and "Klebbies"
Mitch Hinde
YOU may have Mitch, cost me half tot! :D:D
"Touche" Steve
Mitch Hinde
06-05-2012, 21:15
Hi All
I'm only relating what I was told being far too tender a creature to have read these publications.
Mitch Hinde
eskimosailor
07-05-2012, 11:44
How about: "Bootneck, bootneck, can't catch me!"...."My, my Royal, don't you run fast".
Steve
or.............."Bootneck, Bootneck, can't catch me......put me down please Royal" :D
Mitch Hinde, I suspect you are being, what our American Cousins would call, "Economical with the truth"! :cool:
or.............."Bootneck, Bootneck, can't catch me......put me down please Royal" :D
Mitch Hinde, I suspect you are being, what our American Cousins would call, "Economical with the truth"! :cool:
Bootneck, Bootneck, can't catch me......fancy a pint Royal?" :D
I think we spent the quiet times on watch making these up! Were we all on the same ship ?!
Steve..
eskimosailor
08-05-2012, 09:39
Bootneck, Bootneck, can't catch me......fancy a pint Royal?" :D
I think we spent the quiet times on watch making these up! Were we all on the same ship ?!
Steve..
Slightly different was:
"Royal Marines - to the four corners of the Earth - GO.". . . . . . . . "Where have you been?"
Steve
Steve............or served at same time! :)
"D'ya'hear there...........There will be no moon tonight. There will be a SMALL moon at 1900, on the Flight Deck, for Chiefs and Petty Officers only".
"Leave............Leave to Black Watch and Long Distance Swimmers, from half-past ten to 'uck knows when"
This one is a gen one.............."D'ya hear......hic.........there............There will.....hic..........be no Daily........hic.....Oders for tomorrow. First Luften-hic...ant's Birthday" (pipe made by First Lieutenant, HMS CHICHESTER 1968. after I had spent half the day trying to get him to complete Daily Order Book). ;)
eskimosailor
08-05-2012, 18:41
Can't remember the exact details, but Daily Orders on Eskimo once read something like:-
"For the purposes of this exercise tomorrow will be Saturday, and Tuesday will be Sunday'
Steve
I always liked the American pipe (allegedly) :p
"Liberty guys to glamorize, muster abreast the after smokestack"
It has a sort of jaunty ring to it. And that is 'Jaunty' as in cheerful, not as in 'Joss' because as everyone knows, they were never cheerful... (Incoming!) :eek:
"Guys asking favors muster outside Sheriff's Office"
"Sweepers. sweepers man your brooms. Good sweep down forr'ard and aft. Ditch all trash over fantail"
Or something like that.........! :D
I have to admit, I have actually seen a Jossman smile! Half the ship's company returned back on board "improperly dressed" at Subic Bay and got trooped.......the Joss was like a dog with two tails! I think we had 3 or 4 defaulters sessions in one day! :D
Wakey Wakey rise and shine.You've had your time now it's mine - Hands off C**ks on Socks.
Or something similar.
alanandbren
09-05-2012, 14:58
Different ships, different cap tallies,
Alan
The most welcome pipe
Up Spirits - Stand fast the holy ghost.
Hands to Dinner - RP's to Lunch
eskimosailor
10-05-2012, 18:58
In a German accent:-
Arouse, arouse, it is mornink. The sun is risen. The sun has been risen for six seconds. Arouse, arouse.
I think they only got away with this sort of thing because the tannoy system did not extend to the wardroom.
Steve
whalerman
13-05-2012, 13:09
I remember this call from one of my ships, the perpatrator was never found.
D'ye hear there,
Anyone who hasn't done so and would still like to do so,
report to the ships office now.
Vegaskip
13-05-2012, 13:29
How about ....
" Got any sprogs mate?"
" Yep, two on deck an' one in the Hanger!"
Trans.
Do you have any children, my friend?"
" Yes I have two, and My spouse is at present heavy with child".
Jim
vBulletin® v3.6.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.