Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Jackspeak Index:
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

"A" Terms

A & A

Alterations and additions to the structure, rigging and equipment of a warship.

A'Cock Bill

1. Out of alignment or awry.
2. May also refer to the anchor cleared of the hawse, up and down and ready for letting go.

A.J. Squared-Away

The mythical sailor of the USN that is always well organized.

AAW

Anti-Air Warfare.

Aback

1. Turning a sailing ship so the wind hits the forward face of the sail. Done to create a braking effect to a sailing ship. It is detrimental when a sailing ship accidentally goes aback when tacking as it quickly loses its momentum.
2. A sailor might be said to be "all aback" if he/she is confused or surprised.

Abaft

Toward the stern, relative to some object ("abaft the fore hatch"). Never use the term Aft of

Abaft the beam

Further aft than the beam: a relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow: "two points abaft the beam, starboard side" would describe an object lying 2
2.5 degrees toward the rear of the ship, as measured clockwise from a perpendicular line from the right side, center, of the ship, toward the horizon.

ABC

The acronym for "Atomic, Biological, Chemical". This term was eventually replaced by "NBC" (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical)

Abeam

On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship's keel.

Able Seaman

The rank of Able Seaman is the equivalent of Private in the Army or Air Force, with rank insignia of a single chevron. Derived from the term "Able Bodied Seaman". Update: As of 27 August 2020, in the RCN this rank is now named "Sailor Second Class."

Aboard

On or in a vessel.

About

To go about is to change the course of a sailboat by tacking. Ready about, or boutship, is the order to prepare for tacking.

Above board

Anything that is on or above the deck, and in plain view. Its meaning is to be open and not be hiding anything.

Above-water hull

The hull section of a vessel above the waterline, the visible part of a ship. Also, topside.

Absentee pennant

Special pennant flown to indicate absence of commanding officer, admiral, his chief of staff, or officer whose flag is flying (division, squadron, or flotilla commander).

Absolute bearing

The bearing of an object in relation to north. Either true bearing, using the geographical or true north, or magnetic bearing, using magnetic north. See also bearing and relative bearing.

Accommodation Ladder

A ladder against the side of the ship to provide access when in harbour but not alongside the jetty or if the ship is at anchor.

Accommodation Ship

A ship or hulk used as housing, generally when there is a lack of quarters available ashore.

Acey-Deucey

Backgammon, a board game traditionally played in off-duty hours.

Act of Pardon or Act of Grace

A letter from a state or power authorizing action by a privateer. Also see Letter of Marque.

Acting Sub-lieutenant

The most junior of the commissioned officers, and is equivalent to Second Lieutenant in the Army and Air Force. The rank insignia of an Acting Sub-Lieutenant is a single standard bar with an executive curl.

Action

Directive to initiate a tactical sequence or maneuver.

Action Messing

The process of feeding the ship's company very quickly while at action stations.

Action stations

The highest state of readiness in a warship. Ordered when action with the enemy is imminent, requiring all hands closed up.

Action Up/Action Down

Markings on Ship's ladders which indicate one way traffic in the event of Action Stations.

Ada's

Short for Halifax "Madame" Ada McCallum's business, an infamous Hollis Street location for about a half century.

Admiral

The rank of admiral indicates the commander-in-chief of the navy, a senior officer in command of a fleet or squadron, or of a command ashore. In ascending order of seniority, Rear-Admiral, Vice-Admiral, Admiral and Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy).

Admiral's Barge

A boat at the disposal of an admiral for his or her use as transportation between a larger vessel and the shore or within a harbour.

Admiralty

A high naval authority in charge of a naval component.

Adrift

1. When referring to a vessel it implies that it is not under control and therefore goes where the wind and current take her. 1. Improperly secured or stowed. Out of place.
2. Officially AWOL or simply missing from your place of work.

Advance and Transfer

Terms used when describing a ship's turning ability. Advance is the forward progress made between the time that the rudder is put over and the time the ship is steady on her new course. Transfer is the horizontal displacement of the ship during the same period of time.

Advance Party

The group that arrives at a port, or an exercise location, early so as to make logistical preparations for the pending visit.

Adviso

A kind of dispatch boat or advice boat, most predominant in the French navy. Equivalent to the modern sloop.

AFFF

Aqueous Film Forming Foam. A fire-fighting agent which is mixed with water and sprayed on flammable liquids fires. Pronounced "A Triple-F". Also known as "Light Water" for the foam's ability to float on oil or gasoline.

Affirmative

Yes.

Afloat

Of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). More generally of vessels in service ("the company has 10 ships afloat").

Afore

In, on, or toward the front of a vessel.

Aft

The portion of the vessel behind the middle area of the vessel. In the direction of the stern.

After Supper Sailor

Reservist who conducts training on weekday evenings. Also see "Weekend Warrior".

Afternoon Watch

The 1200 - 1600 watch.

AGI

Ship designation for Auxiliary, Intelligence Gathering. In the past this term was mainly used in reference to USSR based spy-ships.

Aground

Resting on or touching the ground or bottom (usually involuntarily).

Ahead

Forward of the bow.

Ahoy

A cry to draw attention. Term used to hail a boat or a ship, as "Boat Ahoy!"

Aid to Navigation

(ATON) Any navigational device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation. A good example might be a buoy or a lighthouse.

Aiguillettes

An ornamental braided cord most often worn on the uniforms of officers who are acting as an Aide de Camp. Derived from the Army, where the general's aide de camp wore wooden pegs over his shoulder, which he used to hobble the generals horse.

Air Start

The process of starting a large diesel engine using compressed air to turn the engine over.

Aircraft Carrier

A warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase.

Airy-Fairy

Vague or impractical suggestion.

AJAG

Assistant Judge Advocate General. A military lawyer.

Aldis

The brand name of a handheld signaling lamp.

Alee

1. On the lee side of a ship.
2. To leeward.

All about

To be clever, snappy and efficient.

All for George

One who holds by his duties and carries them out to the letter is said to be all for George. Common during World War II, but since King George VI's death in 1952, the phrase has fallen out of use; no subsequent variation for Queen Elizabeth II seems to have evolved.

All gate and gaiters

Gate as a slang term for talk and gaiters being the lower leggings worn by sailors. The phrase is used to describe someone or something that is all show with no real substance.

All Hands

Entire ship's company, both officers and enlisted personnel.

All Night In

Having no night watches. Also referred to as "All Nighters".

All Standing

To bring to a sudden or unexpected halt.

Aloft

1. In the rigging of a sailing ship. Above the ship's uppermost solid structure; overhead or high above.
2. Above the ship's uppermost solid structure.
3. Overhead or high above.

Alongside

In harbour. By the side of a ship or pier.

Amidship(s)

In the middle portion of ship, along the line of the keel. The centerline of the ship.

Amp Tramp

Ship's electrician.

An interview without coffee

A discussion with a senior CPO or Officer during which one's "horoscope" is likely to be read.

Anchor

1. An object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain; typically a metal, hook-like or plough-like object designed to grip the bottom under the body of water (but also see sea anchor).
2. The act of deploying an anchor ("She anchored offshore.")

Anchor Ball

Round black shape hoisted in the forepart of a vessel to show that it is anchored.

Anchor Buoy

A small buoy secured by a light line to an anchor to indicate position of anchor on bottom.

Anchor Cable

The chain connecting the ship to the anchor.

Anchor Clanker

1. Boatswain or Boatswain's Mate.
2. (RN) Ordinary seaman.

Anchor Home

When the anchor is secured for sea. Typically rests just outside the hawsepipe on the outer side of the hull, at the bow of a vessel.

Anchor Light

White light displayed by a ship at anchor. Two such lights are displayed by a ship over 150 feet (46 m) in length.

Anchor Pool

A betting pool on the actual time the ship will drop anchor or tie up.

Anchor Tattoo

A tattoo that is worn by a sailor that has crossed the Atlantic. Crossed anchors on the web between the thumb and index finger indicates the sailor is a Boatswain.

Anchor watch

A special watch while at anchor, especially during a storm, to detect if the anchor is dragging.

Anchor's Aweigh

1. What is said of an anchor when it is just clear of the bottom.
2. (USN) The name of the fight song of the United States Naval Academy, and as a result, the song is strongly associated with the USN.

Anchor-faced

Anyone who is enthusiastic about the Navy.

Anchorage

A suitable place for a ship to anchor. Area of a port or harbour.

Andrew

(RN) Traditional lower-deck slang term for the Royal Navy. Refers to press gang leader Andrew Miller who, it was said, owned the Royal Navy.

Angles and Dangles

Operating a submarine at steep angles of ascent and descent, as well as the performance of rapid turns.

Ansings

Pieces of material or metal left over from a job.

Anti-Rolling Tanks

A pair of fluid-filled, usually water, tanks mounted on opposite sides of a civilian ship below the waterline. Fluid would be pumped between them in an attempt to dampen the amount of roll.

AOR

Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment. A naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry cargo holds designed to replenish other ships with fuel and supplies while underway. See Tanker.

Aport

Over to the port side.

Apparent Wind

The combination of the true wind and the headwind caused by the boat's forward motion. For example, it causes a light side wind to appear to come from well ahead of the beam.

Arc of Visibility

The portion of the horizon over which a lighted aid to navigation is visible from seaward.

Archboard

The plank along the stern where the name of a ship/boat is commonly displayed.

Arm the Lead

To place some wax in the cavity on the bottom of the hand lead-line so that a sample of the ocean bottom can be brought up for inspection.

Armament

A ship's weapons.

Armstrong (lever)

A nice way of put the fact that a sailor has to do it by hand, and achieve the task without mechanical aid.

Articles of War

Regulations governing the military and naval forces of UK and USA; read to every ship's company on commissioning and at specified intervals during the commission.

Artificer

Engineering technician.

As the crow flies

A direct line between two points. When lost or unsure of their position in coastal waters, Viking ships would release a caged crow. The crow would fly straight towards the nearest land thus giving the vessel some sort of a navigational fix. The tallest lookout platform on a ship came to be know as the crow's nest.

As You Were

A command which contravenes a previous command. Usually the term "as you were" is used to correct an erroneous command.

ASDIC

An acronym for early model sonar sets meaning "Allied Submarine Devices Investigation Committee".

Ashcan

An older style depth charge which is cylindrical in shape.

Ashore

1. On the beach, shore, or land (as opposed to aboard or on board).
2. Towards the shore.
3. "To run ashore": To collide with the shore (as opposed to "to run aground," which is to strike a submerged feature such as a reef or sandbar)

Assisting Officer

The officer assigned to assist the accused in the time of a service tribunal such as a summary trial or court martial. Though assigned to assist, the assisting officer never acts as a lawyer for the accused.

Astarboard

Over to the starboard side.

Astern

1. Toward the stern (rear) of a vessel.
2. Behind a vessel.

ASW

Anti-submarine warfare.

Asylum Harbour

A harbour used to provide shelter from a storm.

At Loggerheads

A serious difference of opinion. A Loggerhead is two iron balls attached by an iron rod, which was heated and used for melting pitch. Sailors sometimes used them as weapons to settle a grudge.

At the Dip

A flag signal is considered to be at the dip when it is hauled halfway up the halyard. Usually indicates an action which is about to take place. Someone who is ready to do something is "at the dip".

Athwart, Athwartships

Running from side to side. At right angles to the fore and aft or centerline of a ship.

Aussie

Common term for members of the Australian Navy, or anybody from Australia for that matter.

Autorotation

A method of making an emergency landing in a helicopter which has experienced engine failure.

Auxiliary ship (or auxiliary)

A naval ship designed to operate in any number of roles supporting combatant ships and other naval operations, including a wide range of activities related to replenishment, transport, repair, harbour services, and research.

Avast

Stop, cease or desist from whatever is being done. From the Dutch hou' vast ("hold fast"), from houd ("hold") + vast ("fast").

Awash

Level with the surface of the sea. So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the surface.

Aweigh

Position of an anchor when it is just clear of the bottom.

Awning

A canvas cover that is rigged over quarterdeck, focsle or flight deck to serve as protection from the sun and rain, especially when the ship is hosting guests.

Axial Fire

Naval gunfire oriented towards the ends of the ship; the opposite of broadside fire.

Aye Aye

1. Reply to an order or command to indicate that it, firstly, is heard; and, secondly, is understood and will be carried out.
2. Technically the correct reply from a boat to a challenging ship on being hailed when there is an officer onboard. If the captain of a ship is in the boat the reply is the ship's name.

Azimuth Circle

Circular instrument which is fitted on top of a compass and used to take bearings of objects.

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