what are some slang terms for someone who was in the Navy?

Question

I know jarhead is used for marines. Do navy guys get razzed with any nicknames? I am looking for some humerous ones. Thanks.

Answer 1

When I was in back in the 70's and 80's, some of the common terms for sailors were:

Squid
Swab-jockey
Swabbie
Pelican-raper

And each rating had it's own brand of nicknames. Some of those were - Gunner's Mate (Cannon Cocker), Radioman (Sparks), Corpsman (Chancre Mechanic or Dicksmith), Boatswain's Mate (Boats), Signal Man (Skivvy Waver), Engineering Ratings (Bilge Rats or Snipes), Cryptographer (Spook), any SeaBee rating (Dirt Sailors), and so on.

Answer 2

Junior officers are sometimes called "Snotties" in the British and Canadian navies (not certain if this applies in the US navy)

The history behind the term is that during the era of masted sailing ships, junior officers (lieutenants) were often the sons of aristocracy or other wealthy citizens who would send their boys to serve in relative safety. Since they were often quite young (young teens) and from priveleged backgrounds they were often fragile and weepy crybabies.

That is why there are big brass buttons on the sleeves of Navy dress uniforms.

They were placed there to keep the young men from from wiping their noses on their uniforms!

Thus the expression "Snotties"

Answer 3

Squids, Swabbies, Salts , Tars

Answer 4

Deck (floor), overhead (ceiling), bulkhead (wall), butt kit (ash tray), skivvies (undershorts), cover (hat), boot (new recruit), etc. The common nickname for a sailor is "swabbie."

Answer 5

Squids is the main one but others include swabbies, salts, tars, and otters is one I've heard.

Answer 6

Seamen

Answer 7

common nickname for a submariner is Bubblehead

Answer 8

squids

Answer 9

shipmate

Answer 10

old salt!