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More Naval Terms and Phrases Trivia Quiz

Here's ten more terms to test your knowledge of sailor-speak. Good luck.

A multiple-choice quiz by cryppie. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
cryppie

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
285,001

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
892

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What are marlinspikes and fids? Hint

Types of liquor made from marlin's blood.

Tools used in linework.

Compound used in polishing brightwork.

Types of knots used in mooring lines.

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Question 2 of 10

2. When overtaking a senior officer, what do you say to that officer? Hint

Gangway!

Outta' my way, shipwreck!

With your permission, sir (or ma'am).

By your leave, sir (or ma'am).

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the ONLY response given to acknowledge a report while you have the conn? Hint

Roger.

Very good.

Very well.

Thank you.

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Question 4 of 10

4. We're "passing the port." What, precisely, are we doing? Hint

Keeping underway. No shoreleave, again.

Participating in an after-dinner drinking ritual.

Assuming position forward of an aircraft carrier.

Assuming position aft of an aircraft carrier.

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Question 5 of 10

5. The conning officer orders "right standard rudder." How many degrees is "standard?" Hint

5 degrees off centerline

15 degrees off centerline

10 degrees off centerline

12 degrees off centerline

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Question 6 of 10

6. The captain just ordered Ensign Jones to dock the ship "handsomely." What does "handsomely" mean in this use? Hint

Slowly and carefully.

Quickly and deliberately.

Quickly and carefully.

Slowly and sloppily.

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Question 7 of 10

7. "Scuttle butt" is a synonym for rumors and gossip. What is the original meaning of the term? Hint

A large pail used to drain the bilges.

A large cask for holding fresh drinking water.

A manually operated elevator used to lower cargo into the hold.

A large cask for holding grog.

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Question 8 of 10

8. Petty Officer Jones just slipped his cable. What has he done? Hint

Lost his grip on the line he was working.

Gone absent without leave (AWOL).

Gone mad.

Died.

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Question 9 of 10

9. Lieutenant Jones is called a "brown shoe." What does that mean? Hint

He's the administrative officer.

He's a submariner.

He's an aviator.

He's always sucking-up to the captain; the nautical equivalent of "brown noser".

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Question 10 of 10

10. Lieutenant Commander Smith was just fleeted-up. What happened to him? Hint

Was assigned to fleet headquarters.

Vomited.

Was assigned as the admiral's aide.

Was assigned to a new position.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What are marlinspikes and fids?

Answer: Tools used in linework.

A fid is used to loosen tight knots, unlay lines, etc that are made of fiber. A marlinspike is used for the same purpose with wire that the fid is with line.

2. When overtaking a senior officer, what do you say to that officer?

Answer: By your leave, sir (or ma'am).

If covered - wearing a hat to you lubbers - you should render a hand salute as well. The senior should respond "very well."

3. What is the ONLY response given to acknowledge a report while you have the conn?

Answer: Very well.

The standard command is common throughout the Navy to minimize confusion in shiphandling. The four parts of a standard command are the command, the reply, the report, and the acknowledgement. For example.

1. Command: "Right standard rudder, steady on course 250."

2. Reply: A verbatim restatement of command. "Right standard rudder, steady on course 250, aye."

3. Report: The report is given when the command has been carried out completely. "Sir, my rudder is right standard, coming to course 250."

4. Acknowledgment: "Very well."

4. We're "passing the port." What, precisely, are we doing?

Answer: Participating in an after-dinner drinking ritual.

British naval officers originated the custom of "passing the port" by passing the port from "port to port" - that is clockwise. The precise details of the ritual vary, but in most messes the decanter of port is placed in front of the president of the mess who first serves the guest to his right and then passes the decanter to the guest on his left.

The port is then passed to the left all the way back to the president. In some variations, the decanter may not touch the table until it is empty.

5. The conning officer orders "right standard rudder." How many degrees is "standard?"

Answer: 15 degrees off centerline

"Full rudder" is 30 degrees off centerline and "hard rudder" is 35 degrees off centerline.

6. The captain just ordered Ensign Jones to dock the ship "handsomely." What does "handsomely" mean in this use?

Answer: Slowly and carefully.

Being an ensign, Mr. Jones will likely perform the docking procedure slowly and sloppily.

7. "Scuttle butt" is a synonym for rumors and gossip. What is the original meaning of the term?

Answer: A large cask for holding fresh drinking water.

The scuttle butt was connected to larger water tanks in the ship's hold, and a pump in the scuttle butt provided the fresh water -- a far cry from the refrigerated drinking fountains aboard ship today.

It was around the scuttle butt that the men would pass unconfirmed information.

8. Petty Officer Jones just slipped his cable. What has he done?

Answer: Died.

This is the sailor's analogy of a ship being free from all attachments to land and able to sail as intended, representing the soul being free from earthly ties.

9. Lieutenant Jones is called a "brown shoe." What does that mean?

Answer: He's an aviator.

From WW-II through Vietnam, naval aviators wore a uniform called aviation working green. Brown shoes were prescribed for wear with AWGs. Once the AWG was removed from the seabag, aviators continued to wear brown shoes.

While all other officers and chief petty officers are authorized to wear brown shoes, most choose to wear black shoes. Being envious of aviators, black shoe sailors use the term brown shoe derisively.

Submariners are referred to a bubbleheads, and surface sailors are called skimmers.

10. Lieutenant Commander Smith was just fleeted-up. What happened to him?

Answer: Was assigned to a new position.

To fleet up means that you've been assigned a position of greater responsibility without benefit of promotion. For example, if the division leading petty officer transfers and you're picked to replace him, you're "fleet-up" to division leading petty officer.

Source: Author cryppie

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