Have you ever listened to a person in the military talk, and it feels like they’re speaking another language? That’s because they basically are. The different branches all have their own way of speaking, officially and unofficially. We all know about the NATO Phonetic Alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie…), but do you know all the slang terms they’ve coined?
The Navy is famous for its codewords, insults, and acronyms. We’re going to dive into ten of those today and teach you some sailor slang you’ve probably never heard of. Depending on how long someone has been in the Navy, they’ve probably had a whole list of unofficial titles. You’ll learn all about “sea daddy,” “salty dog,” and “swabbie” (hint: all of these are positive).
We’ll share the origin of these ten terms and teach you how to properly use them. Although we wouldn’t recommend calling anyone a “yardbird” unless you really mean it.
Gedunk
The term "gedunk" didn't start in the Navy. It actually came from a 1920s comic strip called "Harold Teen." The cartoonist got the word from a joke about German immigrants dipping cakes in coffee, which they called "gedunking."
In the comic, "gedunk" was a popular ice cream sundae. By the 1930s, sailors started calling the ship's soda fountain or snack shop the "gedunk bar." Today, gedunk can refer to the sweets themselves or any place on a ship where you can buy candy, ice cream, or other treats.
Sea Daddy
In the Navy, a “sea daddy” is an experienced sailor who acts as a mentor to a younger crew member. They teach skills, share advice, and look out for their mentee, almost like a parent.
A sea daddy is also there to give advice, cheer you up when you’re homesick, and maybe even teach you how to properly fold your laundry. It’s an unofficial title, but one that shows how sailors look out for each other.
Salty Dog
A “salty dog” is a sailor who’s been around for a while and knows a thing or two. They’ve seen it all, done it all, and probably have a few wild tales to prove it. They might be a little rough around the edges, but they’re well-respected.
Age doesn’t always factor into being a salty dog. It’s all about experience and attitude. They’ve earned their stripes (and their salt) through years of hard work. They’ve weathered all the storms and know their way inside and out of a ship.
Chit
“Chit” is a confusing one, but it refers to basically any piece of paper. Doesn’t matter if it’s a pass, official form, or currency—it’s a chit. Most often it’s used for request forms. Wanna leave the ship? Get a hotel? Married? A house? Everything needs a chit.
The Navy history museum keeps a record of the origin of the word. Hindu traders referred to the slips of paper they used as money as “citthi.” British sailors shortened the word for their vouchers and turned it into what it is today.
Swabbie
Ever heard the phrase” swabbing the deck” in an old pirate movie? Yeah, it’s a real thing. It means to clean the ship’s floors because a “swab” is another word for a mop. From that comes the term “swabbie.”
A “swabbie” is a new or junior sailor. It comes from the phrase “swabbing the deck” because it’s usually the job for the new guy.All sailors were once a swabbie, though, because we all have to start somewhere!
Yardbird
A “yardbird” usually refers to a seaman who is assigned shore duty or who works in a shipyard. This is because they’re confined to a specific area and don’t have the freedom on the high seas that sailors usually do.
It can also mean a new recruit who’s stuck doing basic tasks because they don’t know anything else. It can be a derogatory term for any sailor, though, if someone is mad enough.
Navy Shower
A “navy shower” is basically the opposite of an “everything shower.” While an everything shower means you do all the self-care you need and don’t worry about the time, a navy shower is stripped down to the basics.
The water is only on when you’re actively rinsing yourself off, not as you’re soaping up. Water on, water off, soap, water on, water off. It’s used to conserve water on the ship, and it’s effective.
Don’t Nuke It
“Don’t nuke it” means to stop overthinking a task. A “nuke” is a sailor whose job it is to maintain nuclear reactions. They have to think through every detail time and again, but not every sailor should.
The Navy magazine All Hands says this: “The phrase is often used by sailors as a way to say stop over thinking things in the way a nuclear officer might. Don’t dissect everything down to its nuts and bolts. Just stop thinking. But that’s the thing; sailors who are part of the nuclear Navy can’t stop. They have no choice but to nuke it.”
Sea Lawyer
Have you ever met someone whose main passion in life seems to be disagreeing with you? Well, the Navy has a term for it. A “sea lawyer” is someone who will argue about anything.
They love to nitpick and challenge orders. Officers generally don’t appreciate this, telling them they should just fall in line. But sea lawyers love to argue their case.
Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children (USMC) and Never Again Volunteer Yourself (NAVY)
The military loves a good acronym, but there are a couple of unofficial ones that are our favorites. Sailors tend to call Marines “Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children,” saying it’s what USMC stands for. The different branches will take any opportunity to get in a dig at each other.
Sailors will sometimes lovingly refer to their branch’s acronym as “Never Again Volunteer Yourself.” Joining the military can oftentimes feel like your greatest accomplishment and biggest regret, but most sailors wouldn't change it for the world.
