NAVY SLANG.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 47, 18 June 1915, Page 5

NAVY SLANG.

CURIOSITIES OF A SAILOR'S VOCABULARY.

To explain the origin of some of .the picturesque terms which ".Tack has bestowed upon many things in connection with his calling is almost ,ra P°* lbl *' \avv men themselves can offti noi e. planation as to why, / or . in3t^ n( call their ration of tinned mutton "Fanny Adams." Who the lady/was and why her name is embalmed in a preserved meat-tin even the sailoi himself has forgotten. It is quite obvious, however, why he refers to tinned beef as the Accident, while the ration of baked meat with vegetables is known as a Schooner on the Rocks," and baked meat as Buint 01 0?™ his' officers Jack has bestowed some amusing names. The Commandei-in-Chief is called "The Ral " an abbreviation of admiral; the Command. "The Bloke." "Number One is the first lieutenant, also known as the " First Loot." ' " Gold-Dust" signifies the paymaster, the bo'sun is Pipes," and his mate The Buffer. A Xavv man in naval slang is a Allow," from the French "matelot, while the Master-at-Arms is the Jonty, << corruption of gendarme. «w llor The marines are known as la the J£" from 0. fact tk.t the «lar »f their iacket was once lined with a tlun .strip 'of leather. The ship's band is composed of "windjammers, while signnlmen arc "bunting toshers. The torpedo is known among battleship m en as the "stink fish" from the fumes which the early tubes gave off when fired, and wireless telegraph is a A^ 0 mng enC .lack's favourite pasting when"" make and mend dot lies is ie order. Ls known as being up the n iring," while grumbling is "flogging the cat."