Terminology Flashcards
Adrift
loose from moorings and out of control (applied to anything lost, out of hand, or left lying about).
Aft-end
near or toward the stern of a vessel.
All hands
the entire ship’s company, both officer and enlisted.
Allotment
an amount of money a member has designated to be withheld from pay and sent directly to another person or organization (ie. bank or credit union).
Aye-aye
reply to an order or a command meaning “I understand and will comply.”
Barracks
building where Sailors live.
Below
downstairs
Brightwork
brass or shiny metal kept polished rather than painted.
Bulkhead
wall
Bunk or rack
bed
Buoy
an anchored float used as an aid to navigation or to mark the location of an object.
Carry on
an order to resume work or duties.
Cast off
to throw off; to let go to unfurl
Chain locker
compartment in which anchor chain is stowed.
Chit, chit book
coupon or reciept book
Chow hall (mess deck)
place to eat
Colors
raising or lowering of a national flag, ceremonies held at 0800 and sunset for hoisting and hauling down the national ensign.
Deck
horizontal planking or plating that divides a ship into layers (floor).
Deep six
to dispose of by throwing over the side.
Ensign
national flag; commissioned officer between the rank of chif warrant officer and lieutenant junior grade.
Fast
snugly secured
Fathom
a unit of length equal to 6 feet used for measuring the depth of water.
Field day
general cleaning day, usually the day before an inspection.
First lieutenant
officer responsible to the XO for the deck department/division aboard ship, or the command maintenance supervisor ashore.
Flag officer
any commissioned officer in paygrade O-7 or above.
Galley
kitchen
Gangway
the opening in a bulwark or lifeline that provides access to a brow or accommodation ladder; an order meaning to clear the way.
Gear locker
storage room
Geedunk
candy, gum, cafeteria
General quarters
battle stations
Ground tackle
all the equipment used in mooring or anchoring a ship.
Head
bathroom
Jack box
access box to sound powered phone circuitry
Ladder
a device to allow movement of personnel from one level to another; stairs
Leave
authorized vacation
Liberty
permission to leave the base, usually for not more than 48 hours.
Life line
lines erected around the weatherdecks of a ship to prevent personnel from falling or being washed over the side.
Overhead
ceiling
Passageway
hall
Quarters
assembling of all hands for muster, instruction, and inspection.
Rating
a job specialty title
Reveille
wake up, start a new day
Scullery
place to wash dishes
Scuttlebutt
drinking fountain; a rumor
Secure
lock, put away, or stop work
Sickbay
hospital or clinic
Swab
mop
Taps
time to sleep, end of day
Tattoo
five minutes before lights out
Topside
upstairs
Turn to
to begin work
Working aloft
working above the highest deck; generally performing maintenance on the ship’s mast.
