NAVY TRIVIA Flashcards
Five minutes before Taps and Lights out, the announcement is made: “Tattoo, Tattoo, lights out in five minutes”. Why Tattoo?
During the 100 years war in the 17th century British military garrisons in the low countries (Belgum and the Netherlands) would send drummers into towns and villages to play at 21:30 (9:30 PM) informing soldiers that it was time to return to the billits for 22:00 (10:00 PM) curfew. It was called ‘Doe den tap toe’ (Old Dutch for ‘turn off the tap’, or quit selling beer.) Over the years it was shortened to ‘taptoe’, then ‘taptoo’, then later ‘tattoo’. Now the call is ‘Tattoo, Tattoo, lights out in 5 minutes”
In some outfits, bugles replaced drums for the TapToe call at night, the bugle call eventually evolved into ‘Taps’.
Where does “dog” the watch come from?
Dog Watch Dog watch is the name given to the 1600 1800 and the 1800 2000 watches aboard ship. The 1800 2000 4 hour watch was originally split to prevent men from always having to stand the same watches daily. As a result, sailors dodge the same daily routine, hence they are dodging the watch, or standing the ‘dodge’ watch. In its corrupted form, dodge soon became dog and the procedure is referred to as “dogging the watch” or standing the “dog watch.” (P.S. It is always FIRST and LAST Dogwatch, never FIRST and SECOND)
Jul 16, 2010
Where does the term “Bravo Zulu” originate from?
“BZ” originates from the Allied Signals Book (ATP 1). In this system, signals are conveyed through letters and/or numbers with specific meanings, either individually or in combinations. The term “governing groups” refers to a table in ATP 1, denoted by the letter “B,” where the second letter (A through Z) provides more specific information. For instance, “BA” might signify permission to perform an action as indicated by subsequent signals. “BZ,” the last item in the governing groups table, means “well done.”
Origin of the word “chit”
A longstanding tradition in the Navy revolves around the use of “chits.” This practice traces its origins to the days when Hindu traders utilized paper slips, known as “citthi,” for financial transactions, eliminating the need to carry heavy bags of gold and silver. British sailors later adopted and shortened the term to “chit,” associating it with their mess vouchers. Presently, the term encompasses a wide range of documents, from requisitions for pay and leave to passes and official letters requesting various privileges, highlighting its versatility in naval paperwork.
Origins of the word “scuttlebutt”
The term “scuttlebutt,” referring to a rumor in nautical language, has its roots in the combination of “scuttle,” meaning to make a hole in the ship’s hull, potentially causing it to sink, and “butt,” a cask used in wooden ships to store drinking water. The vessel’s water source, akin to a modern-day drinking fountain, was known as the “scuttlebutt.” This term persists in today’s Navy to describe a drinking fountain. The association with rumors arises from the crew congregating around the “scuttlebutt,” where discussions about the ship or voyage would often start. Hence, both historically and presently, rumors originate from the “scuttlebutt” or simply are referred to as “scuttlebutt.”
What’s a figurehead on a ship?
A figurehead is a large, carved decoration that is attached to the bow of a ship. Figureheads were popular from the 16th to 20th centuries and were often related to the ship’s name or role.
First gedunk machine?
Gedunk (or Geedunk) refers to ice cream, candy, potato chips, and other snack foods, as well as to the place on a ship where these items are sold. The first known published usage of the term “gedunk” in a non-naval context is in a 1927 comic strip which refers to “gedunk [ice cream] sundaes.” In 1931 it was mentioned in Leatherneck magazine; subsequent early naval usage incluses Robert Joseph Casey’s Torpedo Junction: With the Pacific Fleet from Pearl Harbor to Midway (published in 1943); and Robert Olds’ Helldiver Squadron: The Story of Carrier Bombing Squadron 17 with Task Force 58 (published in 1944).
Usage of the pejorative term “gedunk sailor” to refer to an inexperience sailor apparently dates to 1941, and is mentioned in Theodore C. Mason’s Battleship Sailor, published in 1982.
The origin of the word gedunk is uncertain, though it has been suggested it derives from a Chinese word referring to a place of idleness, or a German word meaning to dunk bread in gravy or coffee.
Ice-maker and refrigerated compartments were first introduced on some U.S. Navy ships in 1893, and an ice-cream maker is reported on board USS Missouri (Battleship No. 11, later BB-11) as early as 1906.
Why is the bathroom all “head”?
‘Hit the Head’ - The origin of hit the head can be traced back to ancient sailing vessels. Sailors who needed to relieve themselves would make their way to a designated area under the deck near the bow or front of the ship. This area was selected for several reasons. First of all, the odors would be dissipated into the air before reaching the main living and work areas. Secondly, the constant spray of ocean water would act as a natural sanitizer and keep the area relatively clean.
Since this area was also close to the carved figurehead on the bow, it became known informally as the head. The term stuck even as shipbuilders incorporated indoor plumbing and other modern conveniences to military ships. Generations of sailors have since adopted the phrase hit the head as a euphemism, and eventually the term became part of popular culture as these men and women assimilated back into society.
