Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy
Jackspeak: Certain words or terminology that are commonly used in the Canadian Navy.
The Canadian Navy has it's own terminology and slang that is still evolving to this day. Much of the language used is still derived from the Royal Navy, although as Canadians many local customs and slang have come about.
This list was compiled over the years and was finally published in 2014 as "Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy (2015 edition)" In 2018, a completely revised 2nd edition was released. The 2018 edition featured expanded and revised definitions, many more example sentences, and over 400 new terms.
"U" Terms
- U/S
- Unserviceable.
- UA
- Underage. These two leters are usually stamped on the mess card of an underage member.
- Uckers
- The navy name for the game of LUDO.
- UHF
- Ultra high frequency. Used for short-range ship-to-ship and secure radio transmissions.
- UIC
- Unit Identification Code. Every unit has a unique code that is used for logistical purposes.
- Under the weather
- Working on the weather side of the ship, exposed to wind and spray.
- Underway
- A vessel that is moving under control, and neither at anchor, made fast to the shore, aground or adrift.
- Undetected Crime
- A term that is used to indicate good service. The Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) is awarded after twelve years of "undetected crime".
- Uni-Bags
- The green uniforms the navy wore from unification in the late 1960s until the Distinctive Environmental Uniforms were issued in the late 1980s.
- Unsat
- Unsatisfactory.
- Unship
- 1. To remove from a vessel.
2. To remove an oar from its normal position. - Up Channel Night
- The last night at sea before the ship returns home from a long journey. Usually there is a celebration, often legendary. The name is derived from the Royal Navy who would normally be sailing up the English "Channel" on their last night at sea. See also "Channel Fever."
- Up Spirits!
- The age-old call for the sailors to prepare to receive their daily rum ration. See "Tot".
- Up the Hawsepipe
- An officer that has been commissioned from the seaman ranks.
- Up-and-down
- The relative slackness of an anchor chain where the anchor chain is slack and hangs vertically.
- Upbound
- A vessel traveling upstream.
- Uptake
- The correct term for a warships funnel.
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