Speak Like a Sailor

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Speak Like a Sailor

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.