Why do they say that loose lips sink ships ?

Question

Is it because they don't form tight seals around the holes ?

Answer 1

go for a ride on my boat with me and ill tell you the long and short of it, mostly the long version.

Answer 2

The slogan was popular in WWII. The idea behind it was that both Germany and Japan had spies in the U.S. who were trying to gather information on sailing schedules for supply convoys, troop ships and war ships. The Germans, in particular, carried on a very active U-Boat campaign against allied shipping in the Atlantic. As U-boats were not particularly fast, and to fight effectively against a convoy it was beneficial to have several U-Boats involved in an attack (called a Wolf Pack) it was very much to the Germans' advantage to learn of departures and deployments of escorts (Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, Frigates, and later even Escort Carriers which were small carriers that had a handful of anti-submarine warfare equipped planes on board.

Contrary to the movies, U-Boat captains mostly attacked on the surface, and often at night, trying to manuver their boats nose in to the target to present a small hard to see profile. This enabled the submarine to go much faster than when submerged.

In any event, a significant advantage was to be had if one learned of when and where potential targets might be, so that you could manuver a force in place to attack them. Mindful of this, the government put out posters that said ":Loose lips sink ships" often with a sinking ship in the background, to remind civilian and military personnel not to talk about when ships were coming and going in U.S. ports.

Answer 3

No. Its a saying from World War II. It means that people shouldn't talk too much about what the troops are doing because if it got back to the enemy they would have an advantage. Like if a group of our ships was trying to sneak up on the enemy and someone of our side was blabbing it all over the place & it got back to the enemy then they would bomb our ships & sink them.

Answer 4

I am too tongue tied to know what to say. Holed that thought. Are you playing on a full deck? I don't want to have to be stern with you. So I will bow to my better judgement and remain even keeled. Actually, tight seals are in demand during breeding season. Bull seals who are looking for any port in the storm, look for tight holes in their mate as they flipper them over on their backs.

Answer 5

Yes, that is it completely. My ship sinks everytime the lips aren't tight for a prolonged period of time. But I have faith in that you, as a fine member of the WAVS, will not let our sailors down.

Answer 6

Honestly, during World War 2, there were spies everywhere, even in America listening..... sometimes people here talked too much and gave the spies information about our troops, ships, and their locations.

Answer 7

Because if your lips are too tight, then how am I supposed to sink my ship between your legs?

Answer 8

during the 2nd world war the enemy spies were in bars and other places the military people frequented listening for information on ship movements for info to the departure and arrival of war materials going to the war effort.

Answer 9

Goes back to war and strategy. If the opponent knew your strategy (because of loose lips), you'd risk your ship and being sunk.

Answer 10

It has to do with the fact that when the Captain is maneuvering the ship he needs total concentration on what he is doing. If some beautiful creature is ...you know...doing nice things for the Captain, he might lose concentration and wreck the ship.

Answer 11

It is a WWII slogan about keeping secrets that may give our adversary the advantage and ultimately cost the lives of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and others supporting the war effort. Idle talk can give out "clues" that can give away our secrets.