This also had to happen eventually:
Civilians now can learn the U.S. military’s unique language and slang and get a taste for Navy life aboard warships, carriers and submarines through a Navy slang Web site at the Wiktionary free dictionary en.wiktionary.org.
Who knew that an aircraft carrier is a “birdfarm” and a failed carrier landing, a “bolter”? A bolter is when an approaching aircraft misses the arresting wire with its tailhook and has to go around. A “ramp strike” is when an aircraft comes in drastically low for a carrier landing and strikes the “round down,” or stern of the ship, often with devastating results.
Well, most of you knew. And for those that didn’t, here’s the whole list.
Not all of them are entirely suitable for the faint-hearted.
This story, by the way, pretty much redefines the term “Tailhooker”:
A Navy officer testified in federal court in Washington yesterday that she moonlighted as a call girl for Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s escort service for six months, starting in 2005, when the military says she was assigned to the Naval Academy as a supply officer.
I guess the locality pay in Annapolis just wasn’t cutting it.
Lex says: ” . . .pretty much redefines the term “Tailhooker””.
Yeahhhhhhh, but I was thinking that being “ASSigned” as a “SUPPLY” officer was far more apt. ‘ Need some of these supplies, sailor.’ Sort of wraps it all up right then and there, doesn’t it? I’m so happy it’s Friday.
Um, can you say “career toast?” I thought you could.
Is an enlisted person who then goes NROTC (as it appears she did) still considered a “maverick?”
I wonder if LCDR Dickinson introduced her, uh, clients, to “Smiles” during her evenings out. A new twist to poker night, perhaps.
The thought(s) that keeps going through my mind when I read these stories i: “Where were these women when I was in?” Y’all remember what the derogatory slang for Norfolk Virginia was. (And not the WWII one that my dad brings up about “Dogs and sailors keep off of the lawn”)
I must be getting old…….
JoeC, I do remember a rollicking college fight song( Lex Babes please cover your eyes) that went:
WE DON’T SMOKE …AND WE DON’T CHEW…NOR – FOLK…NOR- FOLK…U… sound familar ? Best
They missed a few terms. Just like last time I looked for a pad eye puller – couldn’t find one here either.
Need to get flight deck hand signals added too.
Lex, Thanks for the Navy Slang site. I passed it on to my sister who has difficulty sometimes undertanding what her husband is saying, he being a Navy Captain and all, as well as living just a little up the road from the “Severn School for Boys”. Her eyes tend to just glaze over when she hears the intials and accronyms.
JoeC,
Look closely at the slang website. You’ll find that particular derogatory slang.
Speaking of slang, it looks like there was a fair amount of help from Big E vets.
One evening I observed an attractive blond in various states of undress at the world famous Papa Joe’s outside the Bundy gate at Roosey Roads on my way to UNITAS, only to see her the next morning at the exchange as a non-des seaman…
Sucky Washington Post, they don’t even have a picture!
My dad was a Corpsman in WW2, and I recognize quite a bit of the glossary from what he taught me (all unknowing, more often than not).
I’m struck now by his circumspection, as I didn’t learn many of the more…um…colorful parts. Particularly some of the more exotic culinary delights. He occasionally mentioned that he’d try anything. Once.
Seems to have been a learned behavior.
SSG Jeff… I may be wrong, but from my Dad’s slang, I know enlisted who became officers were Mustangs. I’d not heard Mavericks. No ROTC required to be a Mustang.
GG, I prolly knew her (not biblically, wife wouldn’t allow); also remember a P-3 LTjg that moonlighted when she was in town, and a Chief corpsman that held her age really well, back before Jerry started importing the girls from Florida. Alas, Papa Joe’s is no more, having gone the way of Don’s Lighthouse after the base closed. I hear the building is for sale cheap.
Merely as a public service, I have wandered the web, to bring a link: LCDR Dickenson.
You’re welcome.
Cap’n,
I did not see the following slang terms:
NEP – Naval Enlisted Pilot – pre-WWII designation for an Enlisted Man with Wings
Camp Fire Girls – Butt ugly prostitutes standing next to small fires to stay warm on the road between Naples and the NATO Base.
To SeniorD,
Don’t forget the ones at the soccer stadium.
Boy, am I gettin old.
‘Nother one:
Barstool with Seat Belts – description of the Firecontrol Rating insignia (says a FCCS).
They say the memory is second to go.
Xformed- Is that really her? Definitely an old picture. When she worked in King Hall, she was about 30-40 pounds heavier and had much shorter hair.
Funny story, though: she overspent the food budget for the year by early April. . .so we were on dimrats for 2 weeks before congress approved more money for the DH. I’d say her career was over before this came to light.
Humble1390: All I can say is the pic was found by following a link from one of the stories about her regarding the current events…I cannot vouch for her looks, only for those of Lt Bonnie Latch, USN.
1390: If she was supply corps, they don’t base career progression on the ability to, you know, supply…
GW 1997 left Norfolk and we were out of fresh milk by the 2nd day of cruise. At F’ocsle Follies, VAW-123 (Screwtops – RULERS OF THE PLANET!) had a song:
“We hate the F’n Air Boss and the SupO and his ilk,
We’ll toast their death with milk!”
Truly miserable cruise WRT services/stateroom/supplies.
He is now a Flag.
Wank-wank…out of milk. In the olden days we didn’t see real milk until we got back to CONUS after 7 months! Dried only. I reckon you genXers need milk for your cereal. We ate manly bacon and egg breakfasts in them thar days! LOL. Never saw green lettuce at sea neither.
b2
Hey…B2, You forgot to mention that it was also uphill both ways… you ferret eyed old Goober. Best
I love it!My son was in Navy and I am so appreciative of each and every one of you! A heartfelt thanks for all you do!