Loose Lips Sink Ships ...?

Question

Where does this phrase come from and what does it mean?

Answer 1

Fall Out Boy's song "XO"

Answer 2

I have no idea where the phrase comes from, but it refers to information being offered up involuntarily or that which was not directly requested, that affects persons or events in such a way, as to "upset the apple cart", or to "disrupt the flow of", or to cause "rack and ruin". In otherwards, the "loose lips" refers to the revealing of a truth as regards a lie, the result of which, "sinks ships", leading to some sort of destruction or ruination or obliteration or nullification concerning the object of said revelations.

Answer 3

It comes from WW2, on the U.S, allies side. Goverments fighting the Nazis and whatnot were afraid of spies that might sabatoge their efforts, they were afraid that the people would talk about war efforts would give inklings to the enemies, so they had propaganda to stress a hush hush attitude so nothing would leak out. They were telling people that if you talked about what ship your son was on and where it was heading (assuming your son is on a war ship obviously) that it would help the enemies and, thus sink the ship.
It's been a while since I've studied WW2 but that's the best summed up answer lamen's terms I can give, hope it helps!

Answer 4

"Loose Lips Sink Ships"

M illions volunteered or were drafted for military duty during World War II. The majority of these citizen-soldiers had no idea how to conduct themselves to prevent inadvertent disclosure of important information to the enemy. To remedy this, the government established rules of conduct. The following is excerpted from a document given to each soldier as he entered the battle area.

WRITING HOME
THINK! Where does the enemy get his information -- information that can put you, and has put your comrades, adrift on an open sea: information that has lost battles and can lose more, unless you personally, vigilantly, perform your duty in SAFEGUARDING MILITARY INFORMATION?
THERE ARE TEN PROHIBITED SUBJECTS
1. Don't write military information of Army units -- their location, strength,, materiel, or equipment.
2. Don't write of military installations.
3. Don't write of transportation facilities.
4. Don't write of convoys, their routes, ports (including ports of embarkation and disembarkation), time en route, naval protection, or war incidents occurring en route.
5. Don't disclose movements of ships, naval or merchant, troops, or aircraft.
6. Don't mention plans and forecasts or orders for future operations, whether known or just your guess.
7. Don't write about the effect of enemy operations.
8. Don't tell of any casualty until released by proper authority (The Adjutant General) and then only by using the full name of the casualty.
9. Don't attempt to formulate or use a code system, cipher, or shorthand, or any other means to conceal the true meaning of your letter. Violations of this regulation will result in severe punishment.
10. Don't give your location in any way except as authorized by proper authority. Be sure nothing you write about discloses a more specific location than the one authorized.

TALK
SILENCE MEANS SECURITY -- If violation of protective measures is serious within written communications it is disastrous in conversations. Protect your conversation as you do your letters, and be even more careful. A harmful letter can be nullified by censorship; loose talk is direct delivery to the enemy.

If you come home during war your lips must remain sealed and your written hand must be guided by self-imposed censorship. This takes guts. Have you got them or do you want your buddies and your country to pay the price for your showing off. You've faced the battle front; its little enough to ask you to face this 'home front.'

CAPTURE
Most enemy intelligence comes from prisoners. If captured, you are required to give only three facts: YOUR NAME, YOUR GRADE, YOUR ARMY SERIAL NUMBER. Don't talk, don't try to fake stories and use every effort to destroy all papers. When you are going into an area where capture is possible, carry only essential papers and plan to destroy them prior to capture if possible. Do not carry personal letters on your person; they tell much about you, and the envelope has on it your unit and organization.

BE SENSIBLE; USE YOUR HEAD
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How To Cite This Article:
"Loose Lips Sink Ships," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1997)

Answer 5

It also stands for gossip. Loose lips is gossiping and sinking ships explains what happens to those who are gossiped about.

Answer 6

in case you assert too plenty, you need to get somebody in worry. that's such as you're asked to maintain a secret. in case you tell somebody the secret (unfastened lips), you would be getting somebody in worry (sinks ships).

Answer 7

It's from WWII and it was intended to warn service men not to tell loved ones back home or people they met overseas any mission information they may have. Letters could be intercepted or someone you thought was trustworthy could be a spy.

Answer 8

It refers to drunken sailors that would talk about battle plans in town. Spys would know ship movements and be prepared to sink them.

Answer 9

It was posted in factories that built war weapons during WW ll,
simply meant that 'talking about what you are doing on the job can give valuable info to the enemy'

Answer 10

WWII posters. Urging soldiers/sailors and even factoru worker not to talk about what they doing in fear of spies