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

"J" Terms

Jack

1. (RN) General nickname for Royal Navy sailors. Derived from "Jack Tar".
2. The flag that is flown from the jackstaff. Traditionally, in the RN it was the Union Jack, whereby it received its name.

Jack Dusty

A naval stores clerk.

Jack Tar; Jacky Tar

A slang term referring to sailors in general; more specifically these days, male sailors. Derived from the old navy custom of sailors coating their outer garments with tar in order to waterproof them.

Jacklines

Lines, often steel wire with a plastic jacket, from the bow to the stern on both port and starboard. In heavy seas, a crewmember can clip his safety harness to a jackline, allowing him to walk along the deck while still being safely attached to the vessel.

Jackspeak

Language used by sailors.

Jacky

A sarcastic term for young sailors who are trying to act like experienced sailors.

Jacob's Ladder

A rope ladder, sometimes with wooden steps built in for ease of use.

JAG

Judge Advocate General.

Jag it in

To quit.

Jagged

Fatigued, tired, beat.

James the First

Another term for the Executive Officer, who is also known as "The Jimmy" and at other times "Number 1". In this case, the two nicknames are combined to create a third.

Jammie

A good deal. A nice easy job.

Jarhead

(USN) Marine. Reportedly, due to the "high and tight" haircut favored by many Marines their head may be jar-shaped.

Jaunty

The master-at-arms.

Jazzogram

A list of defects (Jazzes) Sea Training staff has noted for an HMC ship. The expectation is the defects will be addressed and corrected during workups.

Jenny Wren

Female members of the WRCNS (Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service). See "Wren".

Jerry Can

A metal 5-gallon fuel can. Its name was derived from the fact that the first ones seen were German, during WWII.

Jetsam

Stores or equipment deliberately thrown over side to lighten ship. Debris ejected from a ship that sinks or washes ashore. Also see "Flotsam".

Jettison

To cast overboard.

Jetty

A wharf or pier.

Jetty Jumping

Coming back from a trip on one ship and being posted to the next ship leaving port to cover off manning shortages. Sometimes happens while ships pass at sea with one incoming and the other outgoing. See "Pier Head Jump".

Jetty Sentry

A member of the ship's company who provides extra security for the ship by patrolling the jetty.

Jezebel

Anti-submarine passive sonobuoy system.

Jib

A triangular staysail at the front of a ship.

Jig Time

Something that is done very quickly.

Jimmy

The Executive Officer. More formally referred to as "The Jimmy".

Joe

(USN) Coffee. Derived from Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, who, on July 1, 1914, issued General Order 99 which banned alcoholic beverages aboard USN ships. Afterward, the strongest drink to be had was a "Cup of Joe".

Jollies

(RN) Traditional Royal Navy nickname for the Royal Marines.

Jolly

A pleasant side trip.

Jolly Roger Tattoo

A tattooed symbol for someone who is consistently getting in trouble and going to Captain's Defaulters.

Jonah

A bringer of bad luck. A person (either a sailor or a passenger) who carries a jinx, one whose presence on board brings bad luck and endangers the ship.

Joss, Joss Man

Master at Arms.

JOUT

Junior Officer Under Training.

JTF2

Joint Task Force
2. The super soldiers of the Canadian Forces.

Julie

A technique used to turn passive anti-submarine sonobuoys into active sonar by dropping explosive charges into the water.

Jumper

1. Nickname for a person with the surname Collins.
2. A sailor's pullover top jacket in traditional RCN square rig.

Jungle Deck

The tank deck on a replenishment ship.

Junk

Old rope.

Jury Rig

Temporary, make shift. A jury rig would be built at sea when the original rig was damaged. Then it would be used to sail to a harbour or other safe place for permanent repairs.

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