Navy Terminology

Question 1

Aft-end

Answer 1

Near or toward the stem of the vessel

Question 2

All Hands

Answer 2

The entire ship’s company, both officer and enlisted

Question 3

Allotment

Answer 3

An amount of money a member has designated to be withheld from pay and sent directly to another person or organization (i.e., bank or credit union)

Question 4

Aye-aye

Answer 4

Reply to an order or command meaning “I understand and will comply”

Question 5

Barracks

Answer 5

Building where sailors live

Question 6

Below

Answer 6

Downstairs

Question 7

Brightwork

Answer 7

Brass or shiny metal kept polished rather than painted

Question 8

Bulkhead

Answer 8

Wall

Question 9

Bunk or Rack

Answer 9

Bed

Question 10

Buoy

Answer 10

And anchored float used as an aid to navigation or to mark the location of an object

Question 11

Carry On

Answer 11

An order to resume work or duties

Question 12

Cast Off

Answer 12

To throw of, to let go, to unfurl

Question 13

Chain Locker

Answer 13

Compartment in which anchor chain is stored

Question 14

Chit, Chit Book

Answer 14

Coupon or receipt book

Question 15

Chow Hall (Mess Deck)

Answer 15

Place to eat

Question 16

Colors

Answer 16

Raising or lowering of a national flag, ceremonies held at 0800 and sunset for hoisting and hailing down the national ensign

Question 17

Deck

Answer 17

Horizontal planking or playing that divides a ship into layers

Question 18

Deep Six

Answer 18

To dispose of by throwing over the side

Question 19

Ensign

Answer 19

Nations flag, commissioned officer between the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and Lieutenant Junior Grade

Question 20

Fast

Answer 20

Snugly secured

Question 21

Fathom

Answer 21

A unit of length equal to 6 feet used for measuring the depth of water

Question 22

Field Day

Answer 22

General cleaning day, usually the day before an inspection

Question 23

First Lieutenant

Answer 23

Officer responsible to the XO for the deck department/division aboard ship, or the command maintenance supervisor ashore

Question 24

Flag Officer

Answer 24

Any commissioned officer in pay grade O-7 or above

Question 25

Galley

Answer 25

Kitchen

Question 26

Gangway

Answer 26

The opening in a bulwark or lifeline that provides access to a brow or accommodation ladder, an order meaning to clear the way

Question 27

Gear Locker

Answer 27

Storage room

Question 28

Geedunk

Answer 28

Candy, fun or cafeteria

Question 29

General Quarters

Answer 29

Battle stations

Question 30

Ground Tackle

Answer 30

All the equipment used in mooring or anchoring a ship

Question 31

Head

Answer 31

Bathroom

Question 32

Jack Box

Answer 32

Access box to sound powered phone circuitry

Question 33

Ladder

Answer 33

A device to allow movement of personnel from one level to another, stairs

Question 34

Leave

Answer 34

Authorized vacation

Question 35

Liberty

Answer 35

Permission to leave the base, usually not for more than 48 hours

Question 36

Life Line

Answer 36

Lines erected around the weatherdecks of a ship to prevent personnel from falling or being washed over the side

Question 37

Overhead

Answer 37

Ceiling

Question 38

Passageway

Answer 38

Hall

Question 39

Quarters

Answer 39

Assembling of all hands for muster, instruction and inspection

Question 40

Rating

Answer 40

A job specialty title

Question 41

Revellie

Answer 41

Wake up, start a new day

Question 42

Scullery

Answer 42

Place to wash dishes

Question 43

Scuttlebutt

Answer 43

Drinking fountain, a rumor

Question 44

Secure

Answer 44

Lock, put away or stop work

Question 45

Sickbay

Answer 45

Hospital or clinic

Question 46

Swab

Answer 46

Mop

Question 47

Taps

Answer 47

Time to sleep, end of day

Question 48

Tattoo

Answer 48

Five minutes before taps

Question 49

Topside

Answer 49

Upstairs

Question 50

Turn to

Answer 50

To begin work

Question 51

Working aloft

Answer 51

Working above he highest deck, generally performing maintenance in the ship's mast

Question 52

Adrift

Answer 52

Loose from moorings and out of control (applied to anything lost, out of hand or lying about).