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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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Speak Like a Sailor


Talk Like A Sailor Page Header
Cartoon postcard by Watson, circa 1915-17, on a Sailor's view of conflicting claims by World War I Combatant Nations. (NH 94270)

Have you ever wondered what a “field day” is? What is a “Ropeyarn Sunday?” How did the term “scuttlebutt” become synonymous with gossip? The language of the Navy can be just as interesting as its origins. In some instances, such as calling your morning coffee a “cuppa Joe,” Navy terminology has become part of common slang ─ but in other cases speaking like a Sailor can sound more like encrypted code. Crack the code and learn the origins of the language of the U.S. Navy by exploring the links, below.

Nautical Terms and Navy Expressions Infographics


An Infographic of FINAL Nautical Terms Part 1
Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions


Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 1

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 1



FINAL small Nautical Terms Part 3.jpg
Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: The Holiday Edition


Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 2

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 2



Nautical Terms and Navy Expressions-2 infographic
Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions – Part Two


Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 3

Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: Seamanship Edition Part 3



Nautical Terms Part 5-Uniforms.jpg
Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions – Uniform Edition


Nautical Terms Part 4-Food.jpg
Nautical Terms and Naval Expressions: The Food Edition

Find more  Infographics by visiting our collections of Naval Heritage Infographics here: http://www.history.navy.mil/news-and-events/multimedia-gallery/infographics/heritage.html

Published: Fri Jan 20 10:00:00 EST 2023