Anole Central

20170808154949

Slangcollection

There're a number of slang military acronyms that are related to FUBAR. A somewhat standard group includes:
AMF - Adios Mother F-er
AMFYOYO - Adios Mother F-er, You're On Your Own (from urbandictionary.com: "Informal medical acronym used to describe belligerent patients who argue and refuse treatment.")
AMFOTDYOYO - Adios Mother F-er, Out The Door, You're On Your Own (from urbandictionary.com: "Similar to, but more complete than AMF YOYO")
BOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes Again
BOHIC - Bend Over Here It Comes
DILLIGAS - Do I Look Like I Give A S-
DILLIGAF - Do I Look Like I Give A F-
DILLIGAFF - Do I Look Like I Give A Flying F-
FIDO - F- It-Drive On
FISHDO (FISHiDO) - F-It, S- Happens - Drive On
FIFI - F- It-Fly It
FIGMO - F-it, I Got My Orders
FIIGO - F- It, I've Got Orders
FNG - F-ing New Guy (used for all new people in a squad.)
FUBAB - F-ed Up Beyond All Belief
FUBB - F-ed Up Beyond Belief
FUBISO - F- You Buddy, I'm Shipping Out
FUGAZI - F-ed Up, Got Ambushed, Zipped In
FUMTU - F-ed Up More Than Usual
HNIC - Head N- in Charge
HMFIC - Head Mother F-er in Charge
JAFO - Just Another F-ing Observer (guy who sits in the back of the vehicle)
JANFU - Joint Army-Navy F- Up
KMACYOYO - Kiss My A Colonel, You're On Your Own
LLMF - Lost Like a Mother F-er
SNAFU - Situation Normal: All F-ed Up
SNAFUBAR - Situation Normal: All F-ed Up Beyond All Repair/Recognition/Reason
SOL - S- Out of Luck
FUUSAB - F-ed Up Until Space And Beyond
REMF - Rear Echelon Mother F-er
SRDH - S- Rolls Down Hill
SSDD - Same S-, Different Day
SUSFU - Situation Unchanged, Still F-ed Up
TARFU - Things Are Really F-ed Up, or Totally and Royally F-ed Up
TAUFU - Totally And Utterly F-ed Up
IHELP - I've had enough of life pill.
NFG - No F-ing Good (Non-Functioning Gear)
WTF - What the F? - Spoke using the military phonetic alphabet as "whiskey, tango, foxtrot", often used as a rhetorical question.
WTFO - What the F? OVER. - Spoken using military phonetic alphabet over the radio, or other communications system, as "whiskey, tango, foxtrot, OVER", as a rehetorical question, expecting a response. Often used by Air Force personnel.

#1 - 2012-11-12 00:35:51 UTC
2
In honor of U.S. Veteran's Day, a short list of some of the military's fine contributions to the English language. A lot of them are useful for anybody who works in any normal, screwed-up organization. A short list of old, kind of polite ones. Vets and active service, let's hear some other good ones.

ARMY: Air Force Rejected Me Yesterday
ARMY: Aren't Ready to be Marines Yet
CYA: Cover Your Ass
DEH: Don't Expect Help
DILLIGAF: Does It Look Like I Give a ****
FIDO: **** It, Drive On
FIFO: Fit In or **** Off
FIGMO: **** It, Got My Orders
FILTAB: **** it, let's take a break
FNG: ******* New Guy
FRED: ******* ****** Extra Dumb
FUBAR: ****** Up Beyond All Repair
FUBAR: ****** Up Beyond Any Recognition
FUMTU: ****** Up More Than Usual
G2G: Good To Go
I&I: Intoxication and Intercourse
LGH: Let's Go Home
LOST: Looking Over Strange Terrain
MARINE: Muscles Are Required Intelligence Not Essential
MARINES: My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment
MRE: Meals Rejected by the Enemy
Navy: Never Again Volunteer Yourself
NBC: No Body Cares
OMGIF: Oh My God, I'm ******
****: Special High-Intensity Training
SNAFU: Situation Normal All ****** Up
SPFO: Some Place ******* Off
SWAG: Scientific Wild Ass Guess
TARFU: Things Are Really ****** Up
TURD: Trainee Under Rigid Discipline
USARMY: Uncle Sam Ain't Released Me Yet
USARMY: Used, Screwed, And Released My Ass, Yep
USCG: Uncle Sam's Confused Group
USMC: U Suckers Missed Christmas
USMC: Uncle Sam's Misguided Children
YMRASU (U.S. Army spelled backwards): Yes My ******** Ass Signed Up

MIL SLANG - FUBAR, SNAFU and all those other MIL Terms we use
Like any Veteran, I use quite a bit of Military terms in my daily discussions with others. I have been the butt of jokes because I usually answer questions in the affirmative with a " Roger That ".

It really got me in trouble once when I was talking with Mrs. Middleboro Jones at bedtime one evening as we were falling off to sleep.... she leaned over and told me she loved me and I absentmindly answered "Roger that..." which caused her to say " WHAT did you say???"

I was jolted out of my half-sleep with a "what's wrong??" and she stated " I just said " I love you" and you answered " Roger that???" Her tone let me know I was in a whole lot of trouble unless i chose my next words carefully. Luckily, I had just come off a three week field exercise and when I made my lame excuse of being over tired, etc., she let me off the hook.

I wanted to share some of my favorite MIL Slang as it is a major part of our language and you'll be surprised how many of these you actually hear in non-military discussions as it has creeped into our everyday lexicon.

A word of warning - This list is definitely NSFW ( Not Safe For Work) as we veterans, especially Sailors & Marines have a penchant for swearing.....after all " Swearing like a Sailor" is part of our traditions.

MIL SLANG

Ali Baba
(UK, US and Iraq) During the Iraq war, name for insurgents, local thieves and looters.

Alpha Mike Foxtrot
(Infantry) "Adios Mother Fucker" abbreviated using the phonetic alphabet. When used in garrison it is a friendly farewell. When used in combat situations it generally means that the person on the other end of the barrel is being wished a not-so-kind farewell.

Anchor Clanker
(USMC) Reference to US Navy sailors (pejorative).
(USN) Any Chief Petty Officer, whose insignia is an anchor.

bag nasty
(US) The name given to the fast food options in chow halls, ie; hot dogs and hamburgers. Also common reference for MRE's. In the Air Force, commonly a reference to pre-packed Flight Lunches intended for aircrew or personnel whose duties do not allow them to go to the chow hall to eat their meals.

BFE or Bum Fuck Egypt
(US) An isolated deployment, or any other extremely isolated or distant location; pejorative. Used mostly about the disgust at the distance or remoteness, but also implies that there could be little worthwhile in such an isolated place. The variants "Big Fucking Empty", "BFN" or "Bum Fuck Nowhere" are used in the same sense.

Big Chicken Dinner
(US) Bad Conduct Discharge, the less severe of the two types of punitive discharge that may be awarded by court martial (the more severe being a dishonorable discharge).

"Big Dick Contest"
(US) An argument that amounts to who's done or experienced more in terms of training or combat.

BOHICA
"Bend over, here it comes again." Used when wearily contemplating idiotic or malicious decisions by higher-ups.

Bravo Zulu
(Worldwide Navies) Means 'Well Done'. Comes from the Allied Naval Signal Book, conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio.

Clusterfuck
A disastrous situation that results from the cumulative errors of several people or groups. In semi-polite company this is referred to as a Charlie Foxtrot (from the NATO phonetic alphabet) . Also used as a slang term to describe the area effect nature of artillery or cluster bombs.

DILLIGAF
(US, Canada) Does It Look Like I Give A Fuck?! Usually a reply in Boot Camp when given a lame excuse for not being able to perform a duty or follow an order.
(Aus) Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck? Similar as above

fashion show
(USN) A punishment where the service member, over a period of several hours, dresses in each of his uniforms (work, dress, summer dress and summer work) to be inspected. Designed to prevent the punished from going on liberty for most of a day.

FIDO
"Fuck It, Drive On". i.e. What to do following a Charlie Foxtrot.

FIGMO
(US) "Fuck it, got my orders". "Finally I got my orders" Exclamation by one who is scheduled to leave a duty post.

fobbit
(US) Fairly new term used to describe soldiers who do not go outside their Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Iraq, or a soldier stationed in Iraq who has not seen combat. Derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit, a creature that didn't like to leave the safety of their homes or "The Shire."

FTN
(US Navy) "Fuck the Navy" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. Usually used in a simple game of "hide & seek" - FTN can usually be found in obscure places (like inside machinery) and the discovery of which usually pisses-off higher-ranking people and 'dig-it's.

FUBAR
(US) Abbreviation for "Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair)." Sometimes "FUBER" for "economical repair". See "SNAFU", below.

FUBIJAR
(USMCR & USNR) "Fuck you Buddy, I'm just a reservist".

goat rope/ing
A useless, futile, or foolish activity. A waste of time directed by higher authority.

goat locker
(US Navy, US Coast Guard) Room or lounge reserved for Chief Petty Officers (E-7 and above). Those who are E-6 and below would do well to steer clear unless expressly permitted inside. Also used to refer to the Chief Petty Officers assigned to one command.

Grinder
(USN) The outside tarmac, asphalted area or courtyard normally adjacent to a barracks which is used to perform musters, drilling, and sometimes "cycling" of recruits in boot camp.

grunt
(US) Originally, a derogatory term for Army or Marine infantrymen (referencing the sounds made by men carrying heavy gear). This term has become more acceptable over time, and today, most, if not all, infantrymen are proud to be "grunts," as opposed to other MOSes in the military. Also known as "Ground Pounders." Although "grunt" is not an acronym, common acronyms include: "Ground Replacement Unit, Not Trained" or "Ground Replacement, Usually Not Trained."
(Canada) Government Reject Unfit for Naval Training, usually refers to infanteer/combat arms.

GTFO
(US) Pronounced "GIT-foe". Acronym of "get the fuck out", nonspecific utilization in training/combat.

Guardian Angel
(US) A soldier or Marine placed in a high position in urban warfare to provide overwatch and cover to friendly units moving below.

Gucci
(US, UK & Canada) Hi tech/Non-issued kit or equipment bought by the soldier. " His gear is all Gucci'd up"

Hadji/Haji
(US) A general term used to describe Middle Easterners during the first Gulf War and subsequently during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (usually describing a friendly Iraqi/Afghan). Same as Habib--refers to people native to the Middle Eastern countries, India, and Egypt. Somewhat pejorative or dismissive. Considered by some as a racist remark, and has thus fallen under scrutiny. Also used to refer to local markets where servicemen can acquire cheap goods, possibly of dubious authenticity. Originates from an Arabic term of honor for a Muslim who has completed the Hajj to Mecca. Possibly from the Indian character Hadji in the 60s adventure cartoon "The Adventures of Jonny Quest"

hooah
(US Army/Canadian Army Infantry) A spirited cry, which can mean nearly anything positive. Exact origins are unknown. Paratroopers claim it as originating from the involuntary grunting sound one makes on contact with the ground during a parachute landing. Others claim that it is an acronym for "Heard, Understood and Acknowledged." Used normally in group instruction as acknowledgement of understanding rather than in one on one situations with an officer where "Yes Sir, understood sir" is still preferred. Pronounced "Who-Ah" in one short syllable by Rangers. In the Regiment ( 75th RGR ) , depending on its placement in the sentence or its inflection and tone, Hooah can an affirmative, a negative, a Verb, and or curse word. Its usage in the Canadian Army is somewhat debated, however, "seen" is used as the prefered affirmative. See also, HUA.

jacked up
(US) Screwed up, ruined, in trouble. "Jackness" is the quality of being in a jacked-up state; can also refer to a hapless individual: "Get over here, Jackness."
(Canada) - Used as a verb - to "jack someone up" refers to the process of remotivating an individual with often humourous content.

Man jammies
(US, Canada) Nickname for the traditional knee length button shirt worn by Afghanistani males.

Marine Proof
(US) - An overly simple task or way of doing things. Stems from the stereotype that Marines are slow-witted or unable to handle complex operations. Slightly perjorative.

"Operation Golden Flow"
The joy of visiting the health and wellness center to provide a urine sample for drug screen. Also known as " The Whiz Quiz"

Oscar-Mike
(US) On the Move, from the phonetic alphabet.

O silly hundred hours
(UK) Very early in the morning.
O Dark Thirty
(US Military) Very early in the morning
O Dark Stupid
(Can) Very early in the morning.

Overhead
(US Navy, Marines) The deck above you while aboard a ship; used ashore to refer to the ceiling of a room, as well.

Powerpoint Commando
A briefer notorious for producing overly complex briefs in Powerpoint that are too long and use too many effects, such as animations and sounds.

Rat Fuck
(US) Term used for the action of going through a MRE box before chow time selecting the best meal for oneself. Also used to describe taking prefered items out of MRE's. Could also be used to describe a random mess.

Screw the pooch
(US Military and civilian) To badly err or mess up.

screwed, blued and tattooed
(US Navy) Used to describe common liberty activities in some ports. Getting "Screwed, blued and tattooed" can imply a fun liberty, one where someone got in trouble for various reasons, or one where the sailors simply saw everything there was to see in a given port.

scrounge
(US Navy) A sailor who does not keep his body clean. (US Army) A very important member of a unit, a soldier who can obtain any materials and/or equipment, usually by other than normal channels.

scuttlebutt
(US Navy) Rumor or gossip, deriving from the nautical term for the cask used to serve water (or, later, a water fountain). See scuttlebutt.

seabag
(USN/USMC) Issue green canvas or cordura bag used to transport personal effects.

seabag drag
(USN/USMC) Routine of travel referring to the waiting period often encountered when transferring flights or waiting assignment to flight manifest.

Sea lawyer
(US Navy, Coast Guard, RN) A sailor, probably too smart for his own good, who thinks he knows all of the regulations and quotes them to get out of either work or trouble. Other US and UK military equivalent is "Barrack Room Lawyer" (UK), and "Barracks Lawyer" or, more crudely, "Shithouse Lawyer" (US).

Sierra Hotel
1. Shit's Hot- Refers to actions that are particularly awesome or high-speed. Used as a compliment when someone is doing well.
2. The NATO phonetic alphabet abbreviation for Shit Hot. It is considered high praise and is the pilot's favorite and all-purpose expression of approval. For example, "That Sierra Hotel pilot just shot down six MiGs and an ICBM!" This is the "polite" military way to say that something is very impressive, and has come into use outside the military.

Sierra Tango Foxtrot Uniform
Shut The Fuck Up (military phonetic alphabet).

SNAFU
(US) Acronym for "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up"; dating probably before World War II, Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "an expression conveying the common soldier's laconic acceptance of the disorder of war and the ineptitude of his superiors" [5]. It began to enter the everyday American lexicon shortly after the war. It also spawned other acronyms denoting increasing states of "fucked up":
FUMTU: Fucked Up More Than Usual
TARFU: Things Are Really Fucked Up
FUBB: Fucked Up Beyond Belief
FUBAR: Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition (or Repair)
JANFU: Joint Army-Navy Fuck-Up

snake eater
(US Army) Special Forces

soup sandwich
(US) Insult often used in Basic Combat Training, referring to an action, uniform or task done inefficiently or improperly. Example: "Your uniform is all messed up, looking more screwed up than a soup sandwich."

squid/squiddly
(US) A US Navy sailor. Often used with derogatory intent. Inspired naming of the cartoon character Squiddly Diddly, a squid in a sailor suit. Squidward has also been used in recent years, lifted from the name of a character from the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon.

suck, the
(US) The field, bad conditions, rotten duty, used to describe the military as a whole. One might say "embrace the suck" to tell someone to stop complaining and accept the situation.

Trigger puller
(US) A soldier or Marine who is regularly involved in actual combat. I wouldn't want to be out in the shit without the trigger pullers with us.

Turtle fuck(ing) (US Marines) Striking a Marine on his helmet with another helmet. The clunking of the two kevlar helmets sounds like two empty shells hitting. Sometimes done deliberately among friends, but often as a joke to an unsuspecting trooper.

Twentynine Stumps
(US Marines) Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. Often simply referred to as "the Stumps."

Latest acronyms:

BFO � Blinding Flash of the Obvious.

CFB � Clear as a ****ing Bell.

FM � ****ing Magic. Describes the phenomenon of a dysfunctional electronic device starting to work again.

GOBI � General Officer Bright Idea.

IYAAYAS � IF You Ain�t Ammo, You Ain�t ****.

AFI � Air Force Instruction. Also stands for Another ****ing Inconvenience.

BCD � Bad Conduct Discharge. Usually spoken as Big Chicken Dinner.

BCGs � Birth Control Glasses. Large, black plastic framed glasses issued to servicemembers in need of corrective lenses. Generally considered exceptionally unnatractive.

BFE � Bum **** Egypt, or Big ****ing Empty. Derogatory term for a place that�s very remote and tough to inhabit.

BFH � Big ****ing Hamnmer. Acronym referring to a difficult, mechanical job.

BFO � Blinding Flash of the Obvious.

BFW � Big ****ing Wrench. Refers to the wrench used to tighten the grounding nut on generators.

BLOB � Big Lump On Board. Used in aircraft to describe passengers without a clear function

BOHICA � Bend Over, Here it Comes. Recommended by user RichardCranium69.

BUFF � Big Ugly Fat ****er. Specifically refers to the B-52 Stratofortress. The Stratofortress is famously large, and capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of munitions.

BZ � Bravo Zulu. Shorthand for "great job!" Correction suggested by user 26374950.

CFB � Clear as a ****ing Bell.

CHT � Collection, Holding, and Transfer. Pronounced "chit," refers to sewage on a Navy ship.

CHU � Containerized Housing Unit. These are climate-controlled trailers which can house between 2 and 8 servicemembers. They can be connected to form a larger complex, may contain a bathroom, and are unarmored.

CK � Containerized Kitchen. Used for preparing food while in the field.

CM � Continue Mission. Recommended by user 12B30.

CMC � Command Master Chief in the Navy or Coast Guard. Recommended by 16708541.

CMC � Commandant of the Marine Corps. Recommended by user SMBerkowitz.

COB � Chief of the Boat. The senior chief petty officer on board a ship.

COP � Combat Outpost. A small base which can contain between 40 and 150 servicemembers and is usually placed in hostile locations.

CSMO � Close Station, March Order or Collect your **** and Move Out. Both are intend to get service members to close their stations and move out due to a mission ending.

DART � Dumb Ass Radio/Radar Troop.

DAT � Dumb Ass Tanker. An Army acronym.

DFAC � Dining Facility.

DILLIGAF � Does it Look Like I Give a ****. Recommended by user Michael Wood, SFC (Ret).

DONSA � Day of no scheduled activity. A U.S. Army acronym.

ENDEX � End Exercise. Used by the U.S. Army.

EOD � Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

FAN � Feet, Ass, and Nuts. A common acronym which describes the smell of a barracks.

FAN � Forward Air Navigator. Recommended by user Art Covello.

FIDO � Forget/**** it, Drive On. Recommended by user Michael.

FIGJAM � **** I'm Good, Just Ask Me. Originally coined by Australians in the Vietnam war, borrowed by American forces.

FISH � Fighting In someone's House. Acronym describing urban warfare.

FM � ****ing Magic. Describes the phenomenon of a dysfunctional electronic device starting to work again.

FNG � ****ing New Guy. A ubiquitous acronym for new members of a group.

FOB � Forward Operating Base. A base that is larger than a COP, but smaller than a superbase. They tend to be located in less dangerous areas than a COP, and offer luxuries such as varied meals and hot water.

FTA � In the U.S. Army: **** the Army. Usually written, and if asked about the meaning the proper response is Fun, Travel, and Adventure or Finest Training Available.

FTA � In the U.S.M.C.: Failure to Adapt. A reason why recruits may fail out of basic.

FTN � **** the Navy. Commonly used as graffiti in hard to find places as a type of game. While there are no clear objectives, the result of upsetting officers constitutes a type of victory.

FUBAR � *****ed up Beyond All Recognition. Recommended by user 27310865.

FUBIS � **** You Buddy, I�m shipping. Used by servicemembers during the Vietnam war when they didn�t have much time before shipping.

FUNGUS � **** You, New Guy, U Suck. Traditionally used in the Navy for new shipmates.

GIB � Guy In Back. Refers to an aviator riding in the backseat. Recommended by user 3437826.

GOBI � General Officer Bright Idea.

GTFO � Get The **** Out.

HANO � High Altitude, No Opening. Refers to a parachute jump where the parachute fails to deploy. This is usually a fatal situation.

HIC � Head in Clouds/Concrete. Used to describe officers who insist on ineffective courses of action.

HMFIC � Head Mother ****er in Charge. Recommended by user Michael.

HUA � Head Up Ass or Heard, Understood, Acknowledged.

IBM � Instant Boatswain's Mate. A sailor who has failed specialty school, and is an undesignated servicemember.

IBS � Inflatable Boat, Small. Typically used by landing parties requiring stealth, such as Navy SEALs.

IED � Improvised Explosive Device. A nearly ubiquitous method of attack in the Middle East. IEDs are hidden in extremely varied ways.

IDF � Indirect Fire. Any munitions delivered on a high-arcing trajectory such as mortars, rockets, and artillery. Usually used to describe enemy fire.

IFR � I ****ing Refuse. A means of emphatically displaying a lack of compliance. Generally considered impolite.

IYAAYAS � IF You Ain�t Ammo, You Ain�t ****.

JN � Japanese National. Used to refer to any Japanese citizen.

JO � Junior Officer. Usually reserved for insufferable junior officers.

KISS � Keep It Simple Stupid. Recommended by user David Snider.

LBJ � Long Binh Jail. A U.S. stockade built in Long Binh which is located in Vietnam. Recommended by user Tom.

LHO � Large Heavy Object.

LN � Local National. Army term for friendly locals.

LZ � Landing Zone.

MARINE � Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Expected/Essential. A derogatory acronym coined by the Navy. May also stand for Marines Always Ride In Navy Equipment.

MCPON � (Pronounced "mick-pawn.") Term for a Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy. Correction suggested by user 16708541.

MCRD � Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

MRE � Meal Ready to Eat. A 3,600 calorie meal packaged in a wrapper. Universally despised.

NAVY � Never Again Volunteer Yourself.

NEACP � National Emergency Airborne Command Post. Pronounced "kneecap." Boeing E-4 designed to serve as a mobile command post for the president and staff in case of nuclear war. The plane itself is set to be decommissioned in 2015.

NFG �NonFunctioning Gear. Label used on broken equipment in the Navy and Air Force. Can also mean No ****ing Good.

NFO � Naval Flight Officer. A weapons officer responsible for discharging weapons during flights, as opposed to the pilot who flies the vehicle.

PFA � Pretty Freakin' Awesome. A term coined by the band Willy Pete in the sont "PFA."

PFM � Pure ****ing Magic. Usually used by Airmen and Marines when explaining something the asker might not understand.

PLF � Parachute Landing Fall.

PMCS � Park the Mother and Call the Shop. Modified from the original meaning, Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services.

PMS � Preventative Maintenance Scheduled. Alternatively can mean Pure Meaningless ****. Recommended by user Jeff Blauch Sr.

POG � Person Other than Grunt. Carries a derogatory connotation. Recommended by user 30807389.

POL � Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants. An Army acronym to refer to gas, diesel, and other types of fuel.

POV � Privately Owned Vehicle.

RCPO � Recruit Chief Petty Officer. Pronounced "are-pock." Not inherently derogatory, but may be used in a dismissive way.

REMF � Rear Echelon Mother ****er. Recommended by user 24893093.

ROAD � Retired On Active Duty. Generally refers to any service member who is lazy and ineffective, typically those weeks or months away from leaving the military.

RTB � Return to Base. Recommended by user 12B30.

RFTM � Read the ****ing Manual. Usually an aggravated response to someone asking a precise, complex technical question.

SA � Situational Awareness.

SECAF � Secretary of the Air Force.

SECARMY � Secretary of the Army.

SECC � Survivable Enduring Command Center.

SECCLEAR � Security Clearance (Management System).

SECDEF � Secretary of Defense.

SECNAV � Secretary of the Navy.

SERE � Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.

SNAFU � Situation Normal All ****ed up.

SOCOM� Special Operations Command.

SOS � **** On a Shingle and Same Old ****. Both derived from the Morse code signal for distress. **** on a shingle refers to chipped beef on toast, while the latter definition is self-explanatory.

SP � Start Point. A U.S. Army term.

STUMP � Stupid Tankers Under Mortar Protection. Typically used by infantryman in a derogatory manner towards personnel in armored units.

SUC � Small Unit Coward. Imagined MOS for individuals deemed cowardly or unfit for duty.

SWAG � Scientific/Swinging Wild Ass Guess. Recommended by user rickparker.

TACAMO � Take Charge And Move Out. Also used by the Pentagon as designation for aircraft integral to the U.S. nuclear warfare program.

TARFU � Things Are Really ****ed Up. Or Things Are Royally ****ed Up.Recommended by user MacInMo.

THS � The Hooah Syndrome. An Army term for when a platoon leader or noncommissioned officer holds everyone to extreme technical standards.

Tocroach � Tactical Operations Center roach. The TOC is usually well protected and is a place of work for command and operational staff. Tocroach, subsequently, is a derogatory term.

TS � Top Secret. Recommended by user Chris Wagner.

USMC � Uncle Sam�s Misguided Children. Derogatory appropriation of the acronym signifying United States Marine Corps. Recommended by user Albert Milburn.

WAG � Wild-Ass Guess.

WETSU � We Eat This **** Up. Commonly used by those performing grueling labor. Recommended by user rickparker.

WTF � Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Military alphabet code for what the ****.

WTFO � What the ****, over? A question implying sharp disbelief. A common response is, "What the ****, out."

XO � eXecutive Officer. Recommended by user MacInMo.

YGFBKM � You Gotta ****in' Be Kidding Me.

Glossary of Military Terms & Slang from the Vietnam War K-P

This text, made available by the Sixties Project, is copyright (c) 1996 by Viet Nam Generation, Inc., or the author, all rights reserved. This text may be used, printed, and archived in accordance with the Fair Use provisions of U.S. Copyright law. This text may not be archived, printed, or redistributed in any form for a fee, without the consent of the copyright holder. This notice must accompany any redistribution of the text. The Sixties Project, sponsored by Viet Nam Generation Inc. and the Institute of Advanced Technology in the Humanities at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, is a collective of humanities scholars working together on the Internet to use electronic resources to provide routes of collaboration and make available primary and secondary sources for researchers, students, teachers, writers and librarians interested in the 1960s.

Go to: Numbers, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

k
kilometer
KBA
killed by artillery
K-bar
combat knife
KCS
Kit Carson scout
KIA
killed in action
killing zone
the area within an ambush where everyone is either killed or wounded
kill zone
the radius of a circle around an explosive device within which it is predicted that 95 percent of all occupants will be killed should the device explode
KILO
military phonetic for the letter 'K'
Kit Carson scout
former Viet Cong who act as guides for U.S. military units
khong xau
Vietnamese slang for "don't worry about it," literally, "not bad"
klick
kilometer
Kool-Aid
killed in action
KP
kitchen police; mess hall duty
KPNFL
Khmer People's National Liberation Front. The major non-Communist Cambodian political and resistance organization fighting against the Vietnamese occupation force. Formed in 1979 by former prime minister Son Sann, the KPNFL is responsible for caring for and protecting nearly two-thirds of the 250,000 Cambodian refugees on the Thailand border from attacks by both the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese. Also called the Sereika by Cambodians, the KPNLF joined the resistance coalition government (CGOK) in 1982 and shared Cambodia's seat at the United Nations.

L
a type of ambush set-up, shaped like the letter 'L'
lager
a night defensive perimeter
Lao Dong
the Vietnamese Workers Party
LAAW
a shoulder-fired, 66-millimeter rocket, similar in effect to a 3.5-inch rocket, except that the launcher is made of Fiberglass, and is disposable after one shot
lay chilly
to freeze; to stop all motion
LBJ
Long Binh Stockade, a military stockade on Long Binh post
LCM
a mechanized landing craft used in harbors and inland waterways
leg
slightly contemptuous term used by airborne-qualified troops when they are talking about regular infantry
lego
infantry unit
lien doi
company group. A Vietnamese military unit consisting of three militia infantry companies
lifer
career military man. The term is often used in a derogatory manner.
LIMA
military phonetic for the letter 'L'
lima-lima
land line. Refers to telephone communications between two points on the ground.
litters
stretchers to carry dead and wounded
little people
the enemy
lit-up
fired upon; shot and killed or wounded
LLDB
Luc Luong Dac Biet. The South Vietnamese Special Forces.
LMG
light machine gun. The Soviet made RPD, a bi-pod mounted, belt fed weapon similar to the American M-60 machine gun. The RPD fires the same cartridge as the AK-47 and the SKS carbine.
loach
a LOH
Log Bird
logistical (resupply) helicopter
LP
listening post. A two- or three-man position set up at night outside the perimeter away from the main body of troopers, which acted as an early warning system against attack. Also, an amphibious landing platform used by infantry for storming beaches from the sea.
LRRP
Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol. An elite team usually composed of five to seven men who go deep into the jungle to observe enemy activity without initiating contact.
LSA
small arms lubricant
LST
troop landing ship
LT
lieutenant
lurps
members of Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols
LZ
landing zone. Usually a small clearing secured temporarily for the landing of resupply helicopters. Some become more permanent and eventually become base camps.

M-1
World War II vintage American rifle
M-14
Wood stock rifle used in early portion of Vietnam conflict
M-16
the standard U.S. military rifle used in Vietnam from 1966 on. Successor to the M-14.
M-60
the standard lightweight machine gun used by U.S. forces in Vietnam
M-79
a U.S. military hand-held grenade launcher
MA
mechanical ambush. Euphemism for an American set booby trap.
MACV
Military Assistance Command / Vietnam. The main American military command unit that had responsibility for and authority over all U.S. military activities in Vietnam. Based at Tan Son Nhut.
mad minute
a weapons free-fire practice and test session
Main Force Battalion
the primary Viet Cong fighting force within each province of South Vietnam. These units were often large enough and well enough equipped to participate in direct attacks on large Vietnamese and American installations and units.
mama san
pidgin used by American servicemen for any older Vietnamese woman
MARS
Military Affiliate Radio Station. Used by soldiers to call home via Signal Corps and ham radio equipment.
Mas-Cal
mass casualty
MASH
mobile Army surgical unit
MAT
mobile advisory team. Five-man teams of American advisors who were assigned to live and work in the Vietnamese villages.
Mat Tran
the Vietnamese Liberation Front.
marker round
the first round fired by mortars or artillery. Used to adjust the following rounds onto the target.
mechanized platoon
a platoon operating with tanks and/or armored personnel carriers
Med Cap
Medical Civil Action Program in which U.S. medical personnel would go into the villages to minister to the local populace.
medivac
medical evacuation from the field by helicopter
mermite
large insulated foot containers
MFW
multiple frag wounds
MG
machine gun
MIA
missing in action
mighty mite
commercial air-blower used for injecting gas into tunnels
MIKE
military phonetic for the letter 'M'
mike-mike
shorthand for millimeter
million-dollar wound
a non-crippling wound serious enough to warrant return to the U.S.
Minigun
electronically controlled, extremely rapidly firing machine gun. Most often mounted on aircraft to be used against targets on the ground.
Mr. Charles
the Viet Cong; the enemy
MI team
military intelligence team
Monday pills
anti-malarial pills taken once a week
the Monster
a PRC-77
Montagnard
a Vietnamese term for several tribes of mountain people inhabiting the hills and mountains of central and northern Vietnam.
moose
a Vietnamese mistress
mortar
a muzzle-loading cannon with a short tube in relation to its caliber that throws projectiles with low muzzle velocity at high angles.
MOS
military occupational specialty
most ricky-tick
immediately, if not sooner
MP
military police
MPC
military payment currency. The scrip U.S. soldiers were paid in.
MR IV
Viet Cong military region surrounding and including Saigon
mule
small, motorized platform originally designed to carry a 106-millimeter recoilless rifle, but most often used for transporting supplies and personnel.

Nam
Vietnam
napalm
a jellied petroleum substance which burns fiercely, and is used as a weapon against personnel.
nape
napalm
NCO
noncommissioned officer. Usually a squad leader or platoon sergeant.
NDP
night defensive position
net
radio frequency setting, from "network."
New Socialist Man
Orwellian concept adopted by the Communists. The ideal collectivized citizen.
Next
the man who said he was the next to rotated home.
nickel
the number five
NLF
National Liberation Front
no sweat
easy, simple
NPD
night perimeter defense
number one
the best
number ten
the worst
number ten thousand
a description of how bad things can be
Nung
tribespeople of Chinese origin, from the highlands of North Vietnam. Some who moved South worked with the U.S. Special Forces.
nuoc-mam
fermented fish sauce used by the Vietnamese as a condiment
NVA
North Vietnamese Army

OCS
officer candidate school
OD
olive drab, a camouflage color
opcon
operational control
open sheaf
a term used in calling artillery, whereby the artillery rounds were spread along an axis rather than concentrated on a single point (as when it was desired to cover a treeline).
OR:

operating room

OSCAR
military phonetic for the letter 'O'
OSS
Office of Strategic Services
over the fence
crossing into Cambodia or Laos

P
slang for the Vietnamese piaster. One piaster was worth one cent or less.
P-38
a tiny collapsible can opener, also known as a "john wayne"
PAPA
military phonetic for the letter 'P'
papa san
pidgin used by U.S. servicemen for any older Vietnamese man
Papa Sierra
slang for platoon sergeant
Pathet Lao
the Laotian Communists who, from their inception have been under the control of the Vietnamese Communist Party.
PBR
river patrol boat. Navy designation for the fast, heavily armed boats used for safeguarding the major canals and rivers and their tributaries in South Vietnam.
peanuts
wounded in action
perimeter
outer limits of a military position. The area beyond the perimeter belongs to the enemy.
PF
Popular Forces. South Vietnamese National Guard-type local military units
PFC
private first class
Phoenix
intelligence-based campaign to eliminate the Viet Cong infrastructure
PIO
public information officer, or a person who works for that office
piss-tube
a vertical tube buried two-thirds in the ground for urinating into
platoon
a subdivision of a company-sized military unit, normally consisting of two or more squads or sections
pogue
derogatory term for military personnel employed in rear echelon support capacities, usually used by Marines
point
the forward man or element on a combat patrol
poncho liner
nylon insert to the military rain poncho, used as a blanket
pop smoke
to ignite a smoke grenade to signal an aircraft
pos
slang for position, usually meaning a friendly location
post-traumatic stress disorder
development of characteristic symptoms after the experiencing of a psychologically traumatic event or events outside the range of human experience usually considered to be normal. The characteristic symptoms involve reexperiencing the traumatic event, numbing of responsiveness to, or involvement with, the external world, exaggerated startle response, difficulty in concentrating, memory impairment, guilt feelings, and sleep difficulties.
POW
prisoner of war
PRC-25
Portable Radio Communications, Model 25. A back-packed FM receiver-transmitter used for short-distance communications. The range of the radio was 5-10 kilometers, depending on the weather, unless attached to a special, nonportable antenna which could extend the range to 20-30 kilometers.
PRC-77
a radio similar to the PRC-25, but with a cryptographic scrambling / descrambling unit attached. Very heavy. Transmission frequencies on the PRC-77 were called the secure net.
prick 25
PRC-25 radio
profile
a prohibition from certain types of military duty due to injury or disability
Proo
PRU
province chief
governor of a state-sized administrative te

QUAD-50s
a four-barrelled assembly of .50 caliber machine guns
Quantico
Marine training base in Virginia
QUEBEC
military phonetic for the letter 'Q'

RA
Regular Army, prefix to serial number of enlistees
rabbits
white American soldiers, according to black vernacular
rack
bed or cot
rallier
defector from the Viet Cong
R&R
rest and recreation. A three to seven-day vacation from the war for a soldier.
Rangers
elite commandos and infantry specially trained for reconnaissance and combat missions
RBF
reconnaissance by fire
react
for one unit to come to the aid of another under enemy fire
recon
reconnaissance. Going out into the jungle to observe for the purpose of identifying enemy activity.
Recondo School
a training school in-country for LRRPs. The largest was at Na Trang, where the training action was taken against the 17th NVA Division.
red alert
the most urgent form of warning. Signals an imminent enemy attack.
redball
an enemy high speed trail or road
red bird
a Cobra helicopter
Red Legs
slang for Artillery. In the Civil War, Union Artillery men had red stripes on their pants.
reeducation camps
political prisons and labor camps of varying degrees of severity and size that comprised the Soviet-style gulag system throughout Communist Vietnam
regiment
a military unit usually consisting of a number of battalions
Regional Forces
militia units organized within each district in South Vietnam to engage in offensive operations against local Viet Cong forces. RF units were better paid and equipped than PF units and could be assigned duties anywhere within the home district.
REMF
rear-echelon motherfucker
repo depo
replacement detachment
RF/PF
Regional and Popular Forces. The South Vietnamese National Guard-type units. Regional Forces were company-size and protected district areas. Popular Forces were platoon-size and guarded their home villages.
rice paddy racers
rubber shower shoes used by GIs
RIF
reconnaissance in force. A heavy reconnaissance patrol. Later, RIF came to mean reduction in force; an administrative mechanism for retiring career soldiers prior to the end of their twenty year term.
ringknocker
graduate of a military academy. Refers to the rink worn by graduates.
rock'n'roll
firing a weapon on full automatic
ROK
soldier from the Republic of Korea
ROMEO
military phonetic for the letter 'R'
Rome plow
mammoth bulldozer used to flatten dense jungle
RON
remain-overnight operation
rotate
to return to the U.S. at the end of a year's tour in Vietnam
ROTC
Reserve Officer's Training Corps. Program offered in many high schools and colleges, geared to prepare students to become military officers.
RPD
a 7.62 mm Communist machine gun with a 100-round, belt operated drum that fires the same round as the AK-47
RPG
a rocket-propelled grenade. A Russian-made portable antitank grenade launcher.
RTO
radio telephone operator. The man who carried his unit's radio on his back in the field.
ruck/rucksack
backpack issued to infantry in Vietnam
Ruff Puff
derogatory term used by Americans for RF/PF
Rules of Engagement
the specific regulations for the conduct of air and surface battles by U.S. and allied forces during the Vietnam war
rumor control
the most accurate source of information prior to the actual occurrence of an event

S-1
Personnel
S-2
Intelligence
S-3
Operations
S-4
Supply
S-5
Civil Affairs
saddle up
put on one's pack and get ready to march
salvo
firing a battery in unison
sampan
a Vietnamese peasant's boat
SAF
small arms fire
S&S
Supply & Service; designation of a support unit
sapper
a Viet Cong or NVA commando, usually armed with explosives
satchel charges
pack used by the enemy containing explosives that is dropped or thrown and is generally more powerful than a grenade
SeaBees
Navy construction engineers
SEAL
highly trained Navy special warfare team members
search and destroy
an operation in which Americans searched an area and destroyed anything which the enemy might find useful
SEATO
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
seminar camp
the Laotian Communist version of the reeducation camp for political prisoners
Sereika (Khmer Serei)
the non-Communist Cambodian resistance force
Sgt. Rock
a combat-scarred World War II comic book character
SERTS
Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School
set
a party
SF
Special Forces
shake'n'bake
sergeant who attended NCO school and earned rank after only a very short time in uniform
shamming
goofing off or getting by with as little effort as possible
shaped charge
an explosive charge, the energy of which is focused in one direction
shit burning
the sanitization of latrines by kerosene incineration of excrement
short
a term used by everyone in Vietnam to tell all who would listen that his tour was almost over
short-timer
soldier nearing the end of his tour in Vietnam
short-timer's stick
when a soldier had approximately two months remaining on his tour in Vietnam, he might take a long stick and notch it for each of his remaining days in-country. As each day passed he would cut the stick off another notch until on his rotation day he was left with only a small stub.
shrapnel
pieces of metal sent flying by an explosion
SIERRA
military phonetic for the letter 'S'
Silver Star
U.S. military decoration awarded for gallantry in action
sit-rep
situation report
six
any Unit Commander, from the Company Commander on up
six-by
a large flat-bed truck usually with wooden slat sides enclosing the bed and sometimes a canvas top covering it. Used for carrying men or anything else that would fit on it.
skate
a task that required little effort or pain; verb form means to take it easy
SKS
Simonov 7.62 mm semi-automatic carbine
sky
to leave
sky crane
huge double-engine helicopter used for lifting and transporting heavy equipment
sky out
to flee or leave suddenly
slackman
the second man back on a patrol, directly behind the point
slant
derogatory term for a Vietnamese person
slick
a UH-1 helicopter used for transporting troops in tactical air assault operations. The helicopter did not have protruding armaments and was, therefore, "slick".
slope
derogatory term for an Asian person
SMG
submachine gun
smoke grenade
a grenade that released brightly colored smoke. Used for signaling.
Snake
a Cobra helicopter
SOI
Signal Operating Instructions. The booklet that contained all of the call signals and radio frequencies of the units in Vietnam.
solacium payment
standard amount paid by the U.S. government to Vietnamese civilians when U.S. forces were deemed responsible for a wrongful civilian death. For a detailed discussion of a Solacium payment see Jim Lynch's artice, "Solacium Payment."
SOP
standard operating procedure
Sopwith Camels
slang term for a light, fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft
soul brother
a black soldier
Spec-4
Specialist 4th Class. An Army rank immediately above Private First Class. Most enlisted men who had completed their individual training and had been on duty for a few months were Spec-4s. Probably the most common rank in the Vietnam-era Army.
Spec-5
Specialist 5th Class. Equivalent to a sergeant.
spider hole
camouflaged enemy foxhole
splib
term originated by black marines to identify other black soldiers. Supposedly meant to imply superior qualities.
Spooky
a large propeller-driven aircraft with a Minigun mounted in the door. Capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute. Also used to refer to gunship helicopters with Miniguns.
SP pack
cellophane packet containing toiletries and cigarettes which was sometimes given along with C-rations to soldiers in the field.
squad
a small military unit consisting of less than ten men
staff sergeant
a E-6, the second lowest noncommissioned officer rank
stand-down
an infantry unit's return from the boonies to the base camp for refitting and training. Later, a unit being withdrawn from Vietnam and redeployed to the U.S.
Starlifter
a C-141, the largest military cargo transport airplane in the Air Force inventory
starlight scope
an image intensifier using reflected light to identify targets at night
steel pot
the standard U.S. Army helmet. The steel pot was the outer metal cover.
strac
smart, sharp, well prepared (from STRategic Air Command)
strategic hamlet program
a controversial pacification and village self-defense program implemented by the Diem government that attempted to turn all sixteen thousand South Vietnamese hamlets into fortified compounds.
strobe
hand held strobe light for marking landing zones at night
syrette
collapsible tube of morphine attached to a hypodermic needle. The contents of the tube were injected by squeezing it like a toothpaste tube.

TA-50
individual soldier's standard issue of combat clothing and equipment
TAC
tactical air strikes; fighter bombers
Tail-end Charlie
last unit in a long column on the move
T&T
through and through wound. One in which a bullet or fragment has entered and exited the body.
tanglefoot
single-strand barbed wire strung in a meshwork pattern at about ankle height. A barrier designed to make it difficult to cross the obstructed area by foot. Usually placed around permanent defensive positions.
TANGO
military phonetic for the letter 'T'
Tango boat
U.S. Navy designation for an armored landing craft mounted with 50-caliber machine guns and a 40-caliber anti-aircraft gun used for direct fire.
TC
tactical commander
Tet
January holiday, Buddhist lunar New Year. Buddha's birthday.
Tet Offensive
a major uprising of the National Liberation Front, their sympathizers, and NVA characterized by a series of coordinated attacks against military installations and provincial capitals throughout Vietnam. It occurred during the lunar New Year at the end of January, 1968.
tee-tee
pidgin for very small
TFES
territorial forces evaluation system. The companion report of the HES. A computerized military evaluation system devised by American authorities in Saigon and used by them to assess the readiness of the militia forces. Each month advisors at the district level had to fill out the long computer print-out sheets and report on many different aspects of quantity and quality in the militia forces. Like all computer programs, the quality of this one's output was dependent upon the quality of the input.
thermite
a mixture of powdered aluminum and metal oxide which produces great heat for use in welding and incendiary bombs
Three
radio call signal for the operations officer
three-quarter
a three-quarter ton truck
tiger suits
camouflage fatigue uniforms
tight
good friends are close to ("tight" with) each other
TO
tactical officer
TO&E
Table of Organization and Equipment
TOC
tactical operations center
Top
a top sergeant
TOT
time on target. Prearranged mortar or artillery barrage, set to occur at a specific time in order to coordinate with an infantry assault
trach
a tracheotomy. Making an opening into the windpipe to facilitate breathing.
tracer
a round of ammunition chemically treated to glow or give off smoke so that its flight can be followed.
tracks
any vehicles which move on tracks rather than wheels
triage
the procedure for deciding the order in which to treat casualties
trip flare
a ground flare triggered by a trip wire used to signal and illuminate the approach of an enemy at night.
Tropic Lighting
the U.S. 25th Infantry Division
turtles
new replacements. They were called turtles because it took so long for them to arrive.
Two
radio call signal of the intelligence officer.
two-niner-two
the RC-292 ground plane antenna which was used to extend the range of the MAT and the district team's PRC-25.

unbloused
pants not tucked into boot tops
UH-1H
a Huey helicopter
UNIFORM
military phonetic for the letter 'U'
US
prefix to serial number of Army draftees
USAF
United States Air Force
USARV
U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam. Command of operations unit for all U.S. military forces in Vietnam, based in Long Binh.
USO
United Service Organization. Provided entertainment to the troops, and was intended to raise morale.
USOM
U.S. Operations Mission. Funded U.S. programs during the early American involvement in Vietnam.

V
a type of ambush set-up, shaped like the letter.
VA
Veterans Administration
VC
Viet Cong, the National Liberation Front
VCI
Viet Cong infrastructure. It was the aim of the Viet Cong to have a complete government in place when their victory was finally won. Thus, where manpower allowed, Communist cadres were secretly assigned positions as village chiefs, police officers, postment, District-level officers, Province-level officers, and National-level officers. The VCI were the "shadow government" of the National Liberation Front and were awaiting the day they could step forward and claim their offices.
VFW
Veterans of Foreign Wars. An American service organization.
VICTOR
military phonetic for the letter 'V'
Victor Charlie
the Viet Cong; the enemy.
Viet Cong
the Communist-led forces fighting the South Vietnamese government. The political wing was known as the National Liberation Front, and the military was called the People's Liberation Armed Forces. Both the NLF and the PLAF were directed by the People's Revolutionary Party (PRP), the southern branch of the Vietnamese Communist Party, which received direction from Hanoi through COSVN, which was located in III Corps on the Cambodian border. After 1968, as negotiations began in Paris, the NLF established the Provisional Revolutionary Government.
Viet Minh
Viet Nam Doc Lap Dong Minh Hoi, or the Vietnamese Allied Independence League. A political and resistance organization established by Ho Chi Minh before the end of World War II, dominated by the Communist Party. Though at first smaller and less famous than the non-Communist nationalist movements, the Viet Minh siezed power through superior organization skill, ruthless tactics, and popular support.
Vietnamese Popular Forces
South Vietnamese local military forces.
Vietnamization
U.S. policy initiated by President Richard Nixon late in the war to turn over the fighting to the South Vietnamese Army during the phased withdrawal of American troops. The term was coined by Nixon's Secretary of Defense, Melvin Laird to replace the policy of "de-Americanization" first enunciated by Nixon on June 8, 1969.
ville
Vietnamese hamlet or village
VNAF
South Vietnamese Air Force
VNQDD
Viet Nam Quoc Dan Dang, or Nationalist Party of Vietnam. A non-Communist movement formed in 1926, based on the doctrines of Sun Yat-sen. The VNQDD conducted the Yen Bai uprising in 1930, which began the modern struggle for Vietnamese independence. During World War II the VNQDD staged in southern China and were instrumental in gaining Ho Chi Minh's release from a Chinese prison to help with the resistance fight against the Japanese. Ho later broke with the VNQDD. By 1950, having lost their bases in southern China when Mao came to power, the VNQDD ceased to exist as an effective organization.
VSI
very seriously ill. Army designation for those troopers who may die without immediate and definitive medical care.
VVA
Vietnam Veterans of America. Veterans organization not affiliated with the Veterans Administration.
VVAW
Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Organization formed by Vietnam veterans who gathered to protest American involvement in Vietnam.

wake-up
as in "13 and a wake-up" -- the last day of a soldier's Vietnam tour.
walking wounded
wounded who are still able to walk without assistance.
Walter Wonderful
Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
wasted
killed
Water Taxi
small engine-powered boat with a sheltered passenger compartment. These native craft plied the major canals and rivers of Vietnam and provided a means of transportation from one village to the next.
web gear
canvas belt and shoulder straps for packing equipment and ammunition on infantry operations.
weed
marijuana
WHISKEY
military phonetic for the letter 'W'
white bird
a LOH
white mice
derogatory name for South Vietnamese police. The nickname came from their uniform white helmets and gloves.
white phosphorus
a type of explosive round from artillery, mortars, or rockets. Also a type of aerial bomb. The rounds exploded with a huge puff of white smoke from the hotly burning phosphorus, and were used as marking rounds or incendiary rounds. When white phosphorus hit the skin of a living creature it continued to burn until it had burned through the body. Water would not extinguish it.
WIA
wounded in action
widow maker
a MA
Willy Peter
white phosphorus
wood line
a row of trees at the edge of a field or rice paddy
World, the
the United States
WP
white phosphorus

X
a type of ambush set up, shaped like the letter
xin loi
a Vietnamese idiom meaning "sorry about that"
XO
executive officer; the second in command of a military unit
X-RAY
military phonetic for the letter 'X'

YANKEE
military phonetic for the letter 'Y'
YD
the grid 100,000 meters by 100,000 meters square from the Universal Transmercator (UTM) Grid Zone 48Q. The UTM map of the world dispenses with latitude and longitude in favor of a system of metric coordinates (usually six digits) which enable the user of the map to specify a location within 100 meters.

zipperhead
derogatory term used to describe Vietnamese
Zippo raids
military operations which involved burning down Vietnamese villages. Often Zippo cigarette lighters were used to ignite the huts.
zapped
killed
zit
derogatory term for Vietnamese people
ZULU
military phonetic for the letter 'Z'
zulu
a casualty report

Appendix:Australian English military slang
Members of the Australian military (known officially as the Australian Defence Force or ADF) use many unique slang terms. The ADF is made up of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Each have their own distinct traditions but share a defence force culture. Some military slang words, such as digger, have become widely used by Australians in general. However, most slang used in the ADF is restricted to its personnel. Keep in mind the lack of sources on this page.

Contents [hide]
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 D
5 E
6 F
7 G
8 H
9 I
10 J
11 K
12 L
13 M
14 N
15 O
16 P
17 Q
18 R
19 S
20 T
21 U
22 V
23 W
24 X
25 Y
26 Z
A[edit]
ACE, spelt ASM, Warrant officer Class 2 of a RAEME unit, Artificer Sergeant Major. "G'day ace, how are ya Sir?"
Ace fuckheads - headquarters in an armoured unit. Comes from the callsigns 9A, 9C, 9E, 9F, 9H. '90s usage. Being the 2ic, Tech. O, LO, SSM and SQMS, respectively.
ACMS - Army Capability Management System - Because entering all your data in three systems isnt enough (ROMAN, PMKeyS, and MILIS). ACMS excels at reversing the pareto principle, that is, instead of 20% of the work accounting for 80% of the assets, ACMS creates 80% of the work to account for less than 20% of the Army's assets.
Adgie - Refers to a RAAF airfield defence guard.
After fives - Refers to the plain black spit polished dress shoe worn by soldiers either with their pollies or after dinner to give their feet a rest from their boots.
Air Base - A RAAF Base as described by the Australian media, Army and Navy personnel. "Today, an Army C130 Hercules was seen landing at Air Base Amberly."
Airy-fairies - Refers to Air Force personnel, usually used by the Army or Navy. Rarely heard these days.
A.J. (A Jay) - Army Jerk. A derogatory term often used by civilians, RAAF and Navy personnel in reference to soldiers in townships with large concentrations of soldiers (particularly Darwin and Townsville). Also often used by soldiers in reference to other soldiers behaving badly in public, for example "He was being a real AJ" or "They were acting like a bunch of real AJ's and giving the rest of us a bad name". As in 'this was written by an A.J....'. Like many derogatory terms, AJ has been "taken back" by the AJs. In other words it's OK for us to say it, but you might get a slap if you say it, depending on tone and location.
A.J. fade-away - Refers to a soldiers ability to disapear when they are required to do something or attend something "after 1600 hr marridies did the A.J fade-away from the boozer". also refers to the habit of Army personnel to fade away when having a night out, usually in the form of leaving without saying goodbye to the people they are there with. Often used to describe the habit of Army males leaving the females they have been trying to become romantically involved with. As in "Where'd you end up last night, I didn't see you after dinner?" "Yeah I did the old A.J. fade-away"
AJAX Packet - Ajax packets were placed in the front windows of married quarters to indicate to single men that the man of the house was away, AJAX, AJ Away at Exercise. See OMO. See also FAB.
Angel Raper - Air Defence Regiment (Surface-Air Missiles) member, part of the Royal Australian Artillery.
Angry Chook - Army Chinook heavy lift helicopter.
Angry Palm Tree - Army or Navy helicopter.
APC - Armoured personnel carrier.
APC - Arm, pits, and crotch, a type of bath taken in the bush with limited water.
Arc-up - To initiate an engagement against an enemy force with offensive fire. Also to shout at, as in "Sarge arced-up at me for not ironing my DPCUs."
Arse-end Arnold - Used to refer to the person who is guarding the rear in any field patrol formation (typically used by Army).
Arse Ripping - RAN version of a Face Ripping. Also described as 'Getting torn a new one'
Argit short for Arghhh get fucked!
Army appreciation day - Pay day.
AusCam - An abbreviation of Australian camouflage, the standard camouflage pattern on Australian Military equipment.
B[edit]
Back-ups - Seconds (when having a meal).
Bag, the - Conduct After Capture (CAC) training. Formerly known as Resistance To Interrogation (RTI) training. Also referred to as "getting bagged" or "going in the bag".
Bagger - Air Force term for a married member living off-base. Refers to brown-bagging meals from home instead of eating in the Mess.
Bagus - From the Indonesian word for good, Bagus (pronounced in an Australian accent as baggis), is used by Indonesian linguists as an alternative for good.
Bait layer - An Army cook. Refers to a person who drops poison meat to kill dingos.
Balder- Refers to a conversation not worth having.
Bang Seat - Ejection seat.
Bang Stick - A rifle.
Banjo - Refers to a bacon and egg breakfast roll wrapped in tin foil and delivered in hot boxes typically to troops staying overnight at the range.
Barbecue - After firing weapons at the range, or on exercise, the unit will spend as long as it takes to clean all the weapons. This is called a barbecue. "After we finish here, we're going back to the barracks for a barbecue." "A barbecue! Great! Will there be beer and snags?" "Ha ha ha, no son, it's not that kind of barbecue." Derived from the similar appearance of both a barbecue and a weapon cleaning bath made from a 44-gallon drum that has been cut lengthwise.
Barracks lawyer - A soldier who professes to know everything about military law, who reckons he could have probably got David Hicks out of Gitmo by finding a technicality in his charge sheet.
Base Rat - A female civilian resident of a garrison town who can be frequently found on an Army barracks at the consecutive invitation of a high number of male soldiers.
Bash - To mould a KFF (q.v.) or beret into an acceptable, close-fitting shape.
Bastardisation - An archaic term used in reference to illegal initiations and punishments that often involved putting subordinates or peers in highly irregular situations.
Bat - Masturbation.
Bat cave - Secluded place adorned with or having access to pornographic material. (e.g., assemblage (Sigs Corps). connex, command bunker/pit (Infantry Corps, Engineers Corps), armoured command vehicle (Armoured Corps)). Usually used on long deployments or exercises. In training establishments, also denotes a supposedly secret location where dirty clothing and other contraband is hidden by recruits prior to an inspection.
Battle tranny - Refers to a portable device (cf. transistor radio) used to access FM/AM radio stations (often cammed up by individual soldiers).
Bayo - Bayonet Assault Course.
BBDA - Back blast danger area a term used when firing shoulder fired rockets such as the M72 or 84mm Carl Gustav. Also used in emails that are sent out that nobody wants anyone else to see "check your BBDA" you would then check your rear for any onlookers
BBDA Bag - A fabric sack designed to be attached to the rear of the 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Direct Fire Support Weapon to contain the back blast. Belongs to the same equipment set at 'left-handed screwdrivers' and 'long weights'
BBPAG - Big Black Plastic Army Gun - refers to the M60 GPMG (in contrast to the LBPAG (M16) and LGPAG (F88))
Bed Wetter - RAAF term for a RAAF apprentice who looks far too young to be enlisted
Bean counter - Refers to anyone that knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Can also refer to military accountants and unit resource managers.
Beasting - To Beast means to stand over or monster a subordinate. The expression is more commonly used by officers. For example, He copped a beasting off the Sergeant Major.
Bedpan scrapper - medic
Bear - EW Operator. From the location of 7 SIG REGT at Cabarlah, QLD as in Cabarlah Bears
Beer Issue - "Two beers per night perhaps" Refers to the practice of issuing each sailor two beers either on a special occasion or (rarely) when the time can be spared.
Bible - Pornographic magazines.
Bin-A-Raffie - A not so nice prank where members of the Army attached to the Air Force would throw intoxicated airmen in garbage bins and place bets on how long it takes for them to escape. Game first played at RAAF Williamtown by members of 16 Air Defence Regiment the night before the start of Ex ACES NORTH, late 1987 or 88. The term "Get me another Raafie: This one is ripped!" was coined at the same time.
Bird bath - Washing of Aircrft after coming back from a flight over water (salt water), Hygienic activity taken by a soldier in the field to clean body parts, utilising any available resources such as baby wipes or a small basin of water. This action replaces normal daily showering or bathing at home. Also refers to the airfield spray system used to wash salt residue from maritime patrol aircraft.
Bird gunner - Air Defence Regiment (Surface-Air Missiles) member, division of the Royal Australian Artillery.
Bird shit - Officer pips. Older style DPCU had rank slides on the epaulettes, inferring a bird has shit on the officers shoulder.
BJ - Big Juby.
Black Magic - A term used by infantrymen to describe any process or discipline which is incomprehensible to them (eg Computers, radios, shoe laces etc).
Blade - Descriptive term for an SAS soldier. "He's a blade'. (From the Winged sword/dagger beret badge of the SAS.)
Blair - A waste of Military funds
Black handers - Air Force term for maintenance personnel working on mechanical systems; i.e., those who get their hands dirty because they are not well educated(cf. gay traders).
Black hat or Blackhead - Refers to either Armoured Corps personnel (Black Berets) or to non-SAS personnel (who wear very dark blue berets that look black) posted to the SAS regiment.
Black plastic fantastic - slang for the M16 when the SLR and M16 were the common service rifles.
Blanket stacker/blanket counter - a Q-bloke. Trained to make large stacks of blankets in the Q-store, and to make sure that the blankets stay where they are. Fully aware of the risk of a collapsing stack of blankets, these highly trained warriors have the stealth of a ninja and the reflexes of a cat.
Blood bath - The US Meritorious Unit Commendation. Awarded to some Australian Army units for actions during the Vietnam and Korean conflicts. See Swimming Pool.
Blowie/blow fly - Refers to Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Environmental Health personnel.
Blow Flow � see Blowies. Also the civilian contractor who removes the contents of a Honey Pot (see below) when latrines are not allowed to be dug.
Bludging on the Queen's shilling - Derogatory term for any attempt to avoid overseas deployment. i.e. Being willing to serve and draw pay in peace time but not in war.
Blue orchids - Derogatory term for Air Force personnel (used by soldiers and sailors in reference to their preciousness and scarceness). Also a non-derogatory term used to describe RAAF personnel during WW2 due to their Service Dress Uniform appearing more glamorous than that of other Commonwealth Air Forces.
Blues - Navy or Air Force (Blue) Service Dress uniform. Also Blue Suiter or Blue job, a member of the RAAF (not necessarily wearing blues). Army full dress uniform, commonly used at the RMC. Once issued to all ranks from Sergeant upwards.
Blunt - A derogative term to describe anyone deemed not to be at the sharp end (i.e., front-line/operational). Always a favourite of fighter pilots, who believe that pretty much anyone that isn't strapped into a bang seat (q.v.) is a blunt.
Boffin - An Army electronics/communications technician.
Bog/date roll - Toilet paper.
Boggy - Short for bograt, the slang term for a Pilot Officer (the most junior commissioned Air Force Officer rank).
BOHICA - Bend Over, Here It Comes Again. Often heard prior to the delivery of a pineapple (q.v.); i.e., one is about to be lumbered with an unpleasant task.
Bomb up - To be issued or restocked with ammunition, equipment, or stores.
Boned in - To be yelled at for doing something wrong (RAN) e.g. 'The Buffer boned me in for being late on watch'.
Bongos - In general, equipment; often refers to field equipment, webbing and/or packs carried on the person. Pack up your bongos and get on that truck.
Bookie [Bukie] or Bookoo - Many. As in 'How many rounds do we need?' 'Bookie rounds, Boss' Presumably derived during the Vietnam period from the Indo China French 'Beaucoup'.
Boots - A suck up. Refers to somebody who is so far up somebody else's backside that all that you can see is his/her boots.
Boozer - Pub or Bar on an Army Base; usually a Soldiers' Boozer as distinct from a Sergeants' or Officers' Mess.
Boss - A complimentary term used by soldiers to refer to their immediate superior officer, usually their Platoon Commander, but can be other Officers in their unit, in the chain of command like the Company Commander or Company 2IC (Second in Charge). E.g., Do you know what we're doing today, boss? Implies respect: unpopular and/or incompetent officers remain 'sir' or 'ma'am'. Also used in the British Armed Forces.
Brass - A high ranking officer. Referring to the amount of brass on someone's uniform.
Brass up - To fire a lot of rounds at something.
Brew - Coffee or tea. Usually made in Standard NATO - Milk and 2 sugars.
Bubba - Useless Member of the Australian Air Force, and biggest RAAF Cock alive. See RAAF Cock.
Bucket - As in bucket of shit. An M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier.
Buckets - A-vehicles, tanks, APCs, ASLAVs, or the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in general. This usage is debated and appears to have been invented by a dumb grunt. Fuckin' smartarse buckets, why do we have to walk? (If we carried grunts, there'd be no room for slabs of coke, chocolate, salami, cheese, travel fridges or all the other stuff that the gentlemen of the Cavalry require when roughing it in the field. And we'd have to take our hammocks down. If you wanted to ride, you should have learnt joined up writing).
Buffer - The NCO who runs the seamanship department aboard a ship.
Bug - Someone with poor personal hygiene
Bug-mariner - A collegial term for submariners. Refers to their austere hygiene conditions.
Bug out - Leave an area.
Bullshit Castle - Headquarters Air Command, Glenbrook, New South Wales.
Bunghole (Bung'ole)- the very popular tinned fruit pudding in the old 10 man rat pack.
Bush Chook - RAAC member with initial posting to 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) because of the emu on their Unit Badge.
Bush hat - The floppy hat worn by soldiers in the field or in non-barracks training.
Bushie - The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) in use by the Australian Army.
C[edit]
Cake and arse party - Semiformal gathering of officers and / or senior NCOs where alcohol and nibblies are enjoyed. And or where an activity is being poorly run with multiple leaders not really doing a good job EG "Who the fuck is running this cake and arse party?"
Can anybody drive a tractor? - See Motorbike licence
Canteen medals - Beer or food stains on the breast of a shirt or jacket.
Cams - Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU), working dress for Army and Air Force and worn on exercises/deployment. Also used in the British Armed Forces.
CDF - Chief of Defence Force; also Common Dog F@#k, See Common Dog Fuck.
C-Dubs - Short for CWD, or Combined Working Dress; the obsolete, Hard Yakka-esque dark blue uniform worn by the Air Force as working dress until the turn of the century. Subsequently replaced by GPU (see Smurf Cams).
Cent - a Centurion Armoured Fighting Vehicle.
Chair Force - Derogatory term referring to the RAAF.
Champagne Showers - Expend ammunition.
Chicken strangler - An SAS soldier; refers to ability to live off the land.
Chief Wheelnut - Refers to a Warrant Officer of the Transport Corps.
Chit Monger - See Linger.
Civvy - (Pronounced "Siv-ie") The name given by members of the ADF to non-ADF members. Stems from the word civilian
Choco - (Pronounced "Chock-o") A "chocolate soldier". First used in World War 2 to describe CMF units joining the AIF units in the war in Papua New Guinea. Thought to come about when the CMF passed the AIF on the Kokoda Trail, the CMF would give the AIF that they were replacing, chocolates from their ration packs. Many interpretations of the name's origin include the AIF belief they would melt like chocolate in battle or the fact that they were constantly caked in mud. The name has continued on, referring to current Reservists.
Choc-wit - Term for Army Reservist.
Chooffer � Immersion Water Heater, so called due to the noise it makes when lit incorrectly and explosively � CHOOFF !
Chooffer Face � Last picquet to come off duty before stand-to in the morning (i.e. 3rd last picquet) who is required to light the chooffers by the mess tent. Also the typical singed hair and eyebrows resulting from incorrectly lighting a chooffer.
Chook � A signals operator. The term comes from the days of Morse code communications, where an operator transmitting a message resembled a chook pecking the ground. 108th Signals Squadron has the famous cartoon chook Foghorn Leghorn as their unit mascot. However, 108th Signal Squadron ran a not so close second to the most famous Signals Squadron in the Australian Army: 139 Signal Squadron, who were well loved by the Brigade Commander especially after "Chooking" his personal Armoured Command Vehicle in the early ninety's. Also well known for their singing ability and known far and wide for their early 90's classic hit song "139 is on the piss again"
Chook on a stick - the cap badge of 2nd Cavalry Regiment, - the 2 Cav cap badge is a wedge tailed eagle carrying a lance in its talon, with a guidon bearing the word "Courage". Also the term for the American-Australian monument at Russell Offices, Canberra.
Chookie Scrabble - a friendly competition at after work drinks where the prize is a portion of barbecue chicken. The format of the game is thus: The company/squadron retires early on a Friday afternoon (or on sporties) to engage in some inter-rank fratnerisation. Beer is drunk. Approx 30 minutes before the mess opens, when everyone is feeling quite hungry and suitably lubricated, a circle is formed and one or two barbecue chickens are produced, removed from their packaging and lobbed onto the floor. A companies worth of hungry soldiers (and it has been rumoured offices and SNCOs at time) race toward the chooks and compete - bodily and aggressively for a portion of chicken.
Clacker - The hand-held firing device for a 'Claymore' anti-personnel weapon. (As distinct from the mild Australian profanity meaning 'anus'.)
Clicker - RAAC member with inital posting to 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Also any person who is prone to angry and or crazy outburst, "Man that guy is a clicker"
Clicks - A measure of distance for grunts - how many clicks have we come? A click is a KM.
Clinton - Refers to a person with a soft almost fairy like telephone voice.
Cloud puncher � Refers to the Air defence branch of Artillery.
Clubs - Navy PT Instructor, aka Clubswinger. Derived from the Crossed Indian Clubs (from their category badge) used by the RN over 100 years ago as strength training equipment.
Cluster - Short for cluster fuck. A individual that has a tendency to get things wrong. Can also be used to describe the current situation in a negative light. E.g., Exercise Mantail Sword 2005 was an absolute cluster
Clutch Fucker - Transport driver, derogitory term, joking term
Clunge - Artillery term for a woman on the platform.
Cock Holster - Refers to mouth EG, "shut your cock holster"
Cockroach - An Ordnance Corps (Supply) person, also referred to as a 'ROACH'. From the Corps initials RAAOC.
Cockroach Farm - Term of endearment for 292 Squadron, RAAF; the training and support unit for the RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
Coffin nail - A cigarette. Also known as 'lung lollie'.
Coke medal - The Australian Defence Medal. Refers to the white and red ribbon colours. Also known as the 'thanks for coming medal', in reference to the eligibility requirements.
Colour, dash and daring- what the gentlemen of the Cavalry bring to war. Without it/them, war would just be a mindless shitfight amongst grunts.
Combat PJs - Term used to describe cams when well worn in the field. So known because they are never taken off, even when sleeping.
Combat Wombat Term used to describe infantry soldiers away from home location as he "eats, roots, shoots, and leaves". Also a common name for a digger who is rather short and chubby(resembles the shape and size of a wombat).
Comfy Num Num - the affectionate name given to the DPCU 'jacket' issued to Army personnel. Has a softshell type fabric with hardwearing cordura type fabric at the elbows and across the shoulders.
Common Dog Fuck Term used when describing how easy something "should" be to understand, "A common Dog would know that, Fuck"
Conehead - See "Boffin". Also refers to Airborne Electronics Analyst crew members on AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
COT Death - Derogatory Term used by RAAF Engineering/Trade Apprentices at Wagga to describe RAAF Technology Apprentices, derives from Certificate Of Technology the techapps graduate with. See "Spud App"
Crack the sads - To be sad or upset about anything "Johno why you cracking the sads mate?"
Craftie - A private in the corps of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) - short for "Craftsman".
Crap Hat - Name given to the slouch hat or any non Maroon beret by airborne soldiers who wear the beret. Also a derogatory term for a person who is not parra qualified. EG, Cav Black Berets are crap hats.
Cruds - Recruits in traiing at 1RTB, also can refer to poor quality food EG "This food is crud" or "Dinner was crud"
Crump in - To have a relatively bad landing when parachuting.AKA "Spudding" in.
CSM - Company Sergeant Major, AKA, Chief Sandwich Maker, usually out for the RSM's position.
Cunning Kick - literally 'secret pocket' but used in particular to mean 'money kept secret from one's spouse'. e.g. "The wife sees my pay slips but the travel allowance for this course goes straight into my cunning kick"
CUNT - A group of two or more officers. Cunt is also widely used in a non offence way EG When greeting a mate, "Whats going on Cunt, how ya been?"
Cunt Cap or Pencil Case - Term used to describe a RAAF garrison cap.
Cut Lunch Commando - A member of the CMF (Citizens Military Forces), precursor of the current Army Reserve.
Cyclone Training - To be spread out on ones bed as if to be holding down your bed in a cyclone. Term is widely used in the northern parts of Australia, particularly in reference to soldiers shirking away from work to their rooms and getting some quiet sleep. Also used at Kapooka when instructors tear a Recruits room apart like a Cyclone.
Chucking a fergo - To fall out of a unimog and break your back.
Champ - Whilst not an exclusively army term, within the army it takes on an entirely derogatory meaning; "Oh alright CHAMP!", "Listen up champ", "Fucking count Champ-ula'. Can also sometimes be substituted with 'chief' and very occasionally 'sports fan'.
D[edit]
Diesel Dyke - A female member of the Transport corps.
Dart thrower - A member of the Australian Intelligence Corps. Refers to the perceived method of identifying compounds/areas of interest for future operations, usually conducted eyes-shut with non-master hand to ensure statistically random results.
Dargan - a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer in the Army.
Dark Side - The Officer Cadre of the Australian Army. (To 'Cross over to the Dark Side' is to apply for appointment as an officer.)
Delta - female recruits at 1 RTB (now ARTC) as Delta company housed/trained the female recruits (see groundsheet). Also, "to make a Delta (or D)" is to make a decision. "What's your Delta, Sir?"
Delta Romeo - Direct Reflection. As in "your digger is a shit fight, delta romeo"
Diddly Bop - to run under fire or conduct a patrol (Vietnam Era) We took a quick DiddlyBop round the perimeter to see what Charlie was up to.
Digger � A soldier of the rank of private or equivalent in the Australian Army, for example Look after your diggers, Lieutenant. Term comes from the Anzacs.
Diggers Breakfast - Term used for a 'Smoke and coffee' undertaken during morning routine.
Digging With Your Eyebrows - Refers to the act of taking cover during contact when in open terrain.
DILLIGAF - Does It Look Like I Give A Fuck.
Dirked : To be assigned a task by a superior, it usually not being a task an individual would volunteer to complete. E.g., I've been dirked by the boss to sell Unit T-shirts at our social function. From the Scottish term for a stiletto or dagger : a Dirk. (See also 'Stabbed'). Also, to be assessed while giving a lesson, particularly on a promotion course.
Dirt Dart - A soldier undertaking Army parachuting.
Dirt Road Driver - 80s RAAF term for a male suspected of being homosexual
Dish Licker - Term used to describe a member of the Steward Mustering of the RAAF.
Dit - A DVD; i.e., "What's the Dit?".
Dixies - Small aluminium cooking and eating pans used by individuals in the bush; mess tins. Issued to all soldiers in the Australian Army and required for inspections during DP1 checks.
Dixie-bashing - Washing up pots and pans.
Dhoby - A wash, or shower, derived from 'Dhobi', a caste of launderers found in India and Pakistan.
Dhoby Dust - Royal Australian Navy term for Laundry powder.
Doc - Medic.
Doe - A name referring to Commandos, usually by the SAS.
Dog and pony show - A painstakingly prepared briefing, usually of little real substance or value, pandering to the whims of a senior officer. Also used to describe having to participate in some sort of display for civilians as a recruiting drive. E.g. 'The boys got stabbed to do a dog and pony at the footy on Friday night.'
Donk - Nickname given to engines by RAAF tradesmen. Can be aero or motor vehicle. 'CPL, go round up some troops to pull the left donk out of A8-109.'
Donkey Fucker - Nickname given to soldiers from 1RAR because their Mascot is a shetland Pony (refer to SEPPIE).
Donga - Term used to describe a sailors room on base. Also used by the RAAF to describe a small hut on the airfield or a workshop's SNCO office. "CPL have you seen the FSGT?" "Think he is in his donga, Sir"
Doona wrestling - a favourite "sport"; i.e., sleeping. (Doona is an Australian term meaning duvet or quilt). "What are you doing for sport this arvo?", "I'm doona wrestling." See Cyclone training.
Door kicker* - A member of the SAS who is trained in gaining entry by force.
DP1 - Draft Priority - One. The status of soldiers' equipment and personal administration which renders them available for immediate deployment on operations or exercise. Usually attained subsequent to the conduct of innumerable "DP1 Checks".
DP1 Check - An activity (the frequency of which is determined by the level of sadism prevalent in one's superiors) where soldiers present all of their personal equipment for inspection, lay it out on the ground, then stand around for several hours.
DPCU - Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform. see 'Cams'.
DPNU - Disruptive Pattern Naval Uniform. see 'Cams'.
Drabs - Air Force Tropical Dress which replaces Service Dress (see Blues) in tropical areas.
Draggie - Device for converting noise into lift/thrust. RAAF term of endearment for the now sadly departed Hawker Siddeley HS 748.
Drop shorts � An artillery solider,'Drop shorts' also implied that gunners dropped their rounds onto our grunts rather than the enemy by accident.
Drut - Driver Recruit Under Training, also a Backward Turd, A sometimes derogatory, sometimes affectionate description of an army recruit.
DS Solution - The correct answer to a problem. DS Comes from the term 'Directing Staff'
Durries/darts/darbs - A common army term for cigarettes.To smoke is to 'throw darts'.
Duty First - The motto of the Royal Australian Regiment. It was selected because, "The unhesitating and unquestioning performance of his duty is the fundamental requirement of a soldier."
E[edit]
Eating irons - Cutlery (mainly known in the army as KFS - knife, fork and spoon).
EABOD - Eat A Bag Of Dicks
EAD - term used when reminding someone of having been made to do something unpleasant or extremely time consuming and wasteful, ie 'Hey Davo you got stabbed for duty on Saturday, eat a dick!'
EADC - Eat A Dick Cunt
EAD Knyvett - Eat A Dick Knyvett
EADT - Eat A Dick Trent
EKO - Early Knock Off. Also 'Eventual Knock Off' when an announced early knock off is expected to result in working later than usual.
Elephant gun - L1A1 SLR Self Loading Rifle (not used while the SLR was the main rifle).
Elephant trackers - RAAF security police. A derisive reference to their supposed lack of investigative acumen.
Emu bob - A line of soldiers, under the control of a junior NCO, side by side, almost shoulder to shoulder, walking slowly forwards cleaning up an area, therefore bobbing up and down to pick up litter (usually cigarette butts or brass), which resembles an emu searching for food. Also known as an "Emu Parade".
Enemy Pam - Woman's fashion magazine
Ent Moot - an unnecessarily long bullshit meeting that achieves nothing and waste alot of fucking time. Often complemented with warries and the micromanaging of tasks that have already been done.
EX - Shorthand for an "Exercise" or training mission/deployment.
Extras - extra duties, used as a form of punishment, usually illegally awarded without hearing by NCOs. Can only legally be awarded after a trial by a summary sub-ordinate authority (i.e. OC level officer). But try telling that to your platoon sergeant. I dare you.
F[edit]
FAB - FAB packets were placed in the front windows of married quarters to indicate to single men that the Man of the house home, FAB, Fucking Arsehole is Back. See also AJAX. Also used to describe an ample bottomed WAAF: Fat Arsed Bitch
FAC - "Fucking ADFA Cunt", a Royal Military College Term used to describe ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy)Cadets, or Officers who have previously attended ADFA.
Face ripping - A one-way discussion, usually between a soldier and a superior, where the "face ripper" gets so close that the "face rippee" can see the pores on his forehead. This usually occurs on the drill square or in the CSM's office.
Fagpants - Refers to a company commander from the early 80s who dressed in lovely technicolour pants - peach, crimson, lime civie daks at all functions. Now refers to metros.
Fake - Refering to a civilian contractor usually working on a RAAF Base. 'That guy's fake.....'
Fang - Food. To eat or in reference to food. For example "Go and get a fang" or to "Fang out".
Fang Farrier - An Army dentist.
Fang Bosun - An RAN dentist.
Farter - Bed or sleeping bag. Normally refers to going to bed, for example "Hit the Farter". Also known as a Fart Sack, or in the RAN as a Rack.
Fatcans or Fat shop - Describes Australian Defence Force Canteens, for example "I'm going to get some food from Fatcans". Probably derives from AAFCANS - the Army Airforce Canteen Service, which used to run military canteens before Frontline.
Fat-truck - Vehicle used to supply hot food and cold drinks to soldiers in the lines. Driven by the "Fat-slut". Also known as the "Gut-truck" and "gut-slut" respectively or "pie-slut".
Fat, dumb and happy � To be complacent or less than vigilant.
Fat pills � Chocolate and lollies (sweets/candy).
Ferret - Beret
F.I.G.J.A.M. - Fuck I'm Good Just Ask Me.
Filled in - RAN term for getting beaten up.
F.I.N.C.L. - A Fucking Idiot No Cunt Likes. (See Also PTE Fry)
Fish head - Maritime patrol aircrew.
Fisty Cuffs - A term used when two soldiers fight over a disagreement, usually at the boozer. "Johnno and Smithy went fisty cuffs last night!"
Fitter and turner - An Army cook. It means "to fit good food into a pot and turn it into sh-t".
Fitted for, not with - Defence equipment can be expensive. In the interest of good economy therefore the Australian Government has developed the practice of purchasing defense equipment that has provision for certain facilities or features, but is not fitted with the afore said facilities or features. For example Guided Missile Frigates, without Guided Missiles. The idea being that should we even need them, we'll have plenty of time to procure them. And plenty of time will be needed, given the prodigiously spectacular lack of anything resembling movement at Russel Offices. The problem with this idea is of course that the enemy has on occasion been known to attack without letting their targets know (reference Blitzkrieg, Pearl Harbour, etc). This is referred to as a "surprise attack", because it is a surprise. The other problem is that we tend to buy equipment from the US, France, the UK, Sweden and other countries in the other hemisphere on the other side of the world. The ships and planes we'd need to import this equipment might not survive the voyage/flight, as they'd need to be escorted by frigates/fighters etc - most of which are fitted for, but not with key systems. To be fair defense has gotten better over the years and this practise is less common that traditionally was the case, but still occurs to some extent.
Flight Lewie - Nickname for Flight Lieutenant, Air Force Junior Officer rank.
Flight Stupid - Term used to describe a RAAF member of the former Flight Steward mustering.
Flogg Off - Spoken abbreviation for Flying Officer (FLGOFF), Air Force Junior Officer rank. Also used in the Army to describe the act of onaism. At least it was in the 90s.
Fobbit - A soldier who, when deployed, remains confined to the relative safety of a Forward Operating Base (FOB). See Pogo. See Out The Wire.
Foreigners - RAAF term for a job done for a mate as a favour or himself, by a specialist in that area such as a RADTECH fixing a mate's stereo or an MTFITT tuning a car. Usually in work time using RAAF facilities and tools. "Hey Dave, could you do a foreigners on my car tomorrow?" See also Rabbit (q.v.).
Fornicatorium - An armoured vehicle with a meeting room incorporated into its design or any office where (f***ed-up) decisions were made.
Four Star Hotel - The accommodation used by Air Force members on exercise whilst Army members reside in dirt pits or tents if lucky.
Fraudline - Another common name for the on base canteen monopoly 'Frontline'. The outrageous pricing of the canteen items could be investigated by ADFIS as fraudulent behaviour.
F.R.E.D - A small device which is a combination of a can opener, a bottle opener and a spoon. Officially named a "Field Ration Eating Device", but more popularly known as a "F--king Ridiculous/Retarded Eating Device". In the Air Force this acronym can also denote a 'F--king Ridiculous Electronic Device'.
Free balling/furring/snaking - Going without underwear. Often done in the field for hygiene and comfort reasons. Known also as "going commando". See also PTE McDonalds Pants
Frog - Derogatory Term used by RAAF to describe RAAF Radio Apprentices at Laverton, possibly a "play on Words" of "Sprog" and "RAAF Frognall" where there were considerable Radio positions.
Frontscam - Another common name for the on base canteen monopoly 'Frontline'.
Frozo - Pre-cooked frozen delicacy provided for the enjoyment and nutrition of RAAF aircrew, primarily AP-3C Orion crews.
Fruit salad - Medal ribbons.
Front Bum - Female, also denotes a sad soldier.
FONC - Friend Of No Cunt - An offensive term for anybody who is disruptive and who does not fit in.
FOX - Used in armoured units for the Squadron Sergeant Major
FTA - Fuck the Army
Fucktard found everywhere but mainly 2/4 RAR roll book or a certain P3 maintenance crew.
Fuck yeah Northy! The reply for when someone has a bad idea, or says something stupid.
Fudge factor to inflate and estimation for unexpected events. 'Carry an extra 50 rounds each as our fudge factor ' or 'Carry an extra 50 rounds as fudge '.
Full-track - Term used in place of the rank Corporal.
FOB - Forward Operating Base
G[edit]
Galah - Slang term for the in-service underslung grenade launcher (officially called a GLA).
Gammas - Go get some sunlight on the upper decks.
G.A.F. - Give A Fuck.
G'arn garn (go and) get fucked, also see Argit
Gash - Naval term for rubbish
Gat - Refers to a firearm e.g. 'Pass me that gat'. Apparently a shortening of Gatling Gun.
Gaz - Used to describe someone of unparalleled skill. Also used to describe SAS troops.
Gazontopede - An archaic term commonly used by the Army in the '70s and '80s used to describe somebody who was hopelessly uncoordinated in drill.
Gedunk Machine - refers to a soft drink/candy bar dispensing machine.
Get Your Shit In One Sock - Used to tell a soldier who is typically a shit fight to get orginised.
Getters - Sandals issued to sailors of the RAN. Modern use extends to personal thongs. Traditionally worn with long socks as part of the uniform, in the showers, or when catching gamma's on the uppers with some oppo's.
Get This - Used to indicate thugs from the scallop industry. "Get this! Damn those thugs from the scallop industry!"
Ghan, the - Afghanistan.
Giggle-hat - Bush head dress; '80s term that is fading from use.
Giggle-suit - Bush clothes.
Gin Jockey - Term used to describe a member of the RAAF who had sexual affairs with an Indiginous woman, usually on exercise at Tindal.
Ginger Beers - Term used to describe a member of the Royal Australian Engineers Corps or RAAF flight engineers.
Glenn Munsie - Glenn is a Sportsbet Market Adviser, his name rhymes with onesies (one-ers), to get a brew for oneself only. "Old Glenn Munsie, got himself a brew again".
Go fast - Unit or other baseball cap worn by RAAF members
Gob - To talk incessantly or in a manner which others find annoying or disrespectful. To Gob Off to a superior is to contradict or challenge them directly in a discourteous way. The term is derogative and usually implies that the soldier being Gobby is in the wrong.
God Botherer - The Padre or anybody remotely religious. (sometimes called "sky pilots" or "devil dodgers").
Goffa - Term used by the Royal Australian Navy to describe a salute.
Goffer - Soft drink.
Going commando - See "Free Snaking".
Goinker - Somebody who sucks up to people of superior rank. Also known as a rank watcher.
Golf bag - Accessory pouch for the obsolescent AN/PRC-77 manpack radio or the accessories bag used to carry spare barrels cleaning kit and other equipment for a machine gun.
Gold Tops - High Explosive Dual Purpose ammunition for the 40mm Grenade launcher.
Gomper/Gumpy Bar - A chocolate bar like a Mars bar or Picnic. "Have a goffer and a gomper mate."
Gong - Medal.
Gonk - To sleep. Also Gonking, the act of having a sleep.
Government Fat - Description of military (tax payer funded) exercise or activity which results in a high level of excitement for an individual - ie, "During tonight's attack, be sure to use all remaining blank rounds before the exercise ends and get your Government Fat on!"
Grabbing Your Ankles - To prepare for an unpleasant or inconvenient short-notice task. See also, Pineapple.
Green Slime - Nickname for personnel of the Australian Intelligence Corps, in reference to their green lanyards.
Greenie - Nickname for Electronics Technicians and WEEOs in the RAN. Originates from the green band that WEEOs had between the gold bands on their SRI/HRIs.
Grey Green Brown and Oakover - The names used whenever diggers get in trouble with police or the MPs. Made famous by Gra Gra Kennedy in the movie Odd Angry Shot.
Grey Kingswood - Term of endearment used exclusively by crews of the RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft; a comfortable and reliable means of transport. Previously "grey and white Kingswood" till someone discovered how visible they were through a submarine's periscope.
Grey-Man - A term used to describe a soldier within his unit who is barely noticed by either his peers or his superiors. This is either the result of him having no personality recognizable by human perception or because he is extremely skilled in the art of being ignored for a work party. Can be used either in a derogatory fashion (Oi cunt, have you been there the whole fucking time? You're such a fucking grey-man!), a respectful fashion (Oi cunt, have you been there the whole fucking time? You're such a fucking grey-man!), or a combination of both (Oi cunt, have you been there the whole fucking time? You're such a fucking grey-man!). Very useful skill when not out in the field.
Groundsheet - Derogatory slang for a female soldier. I.e., something you lay on the ground.
Greaser - A vehicle mechanic. AKA VM
Grumpy Old Cunt - Ralph Blewitt
GRUNT - An acronym meaning the same in Australia as it does everywhere else, a negative name for an infantry soldier. Often adopted with pride by the Grunts themselves. (Government Reject Unfit for Normal Training).
Gruntapede - The term Tank drivers use for Dismounted Infantry.
Gucci - A piece of kit that is really good or expensive.
Gun Bunny - An artillery soldier.
Gunny/Gunnie - Air Force term for an armaments fitter. No relation to the US Marine Corps rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
Gun Plumber - A fitter/armourer, usually those attached to armoured units.AKA Tiffie, See Tiffie and Artificer, fitter.
H[edit]
Half Screw/Half Track - Term used in place of the rank Lance Corporal. Also see Full Track.
Handbag � A signals operator (archaic usage). The term is derived from the satchel used carry a VHF dipole antenna known as an Antenna Lightweight for either a 'Seventy Seven Set' or its modern equivalents. Particularly applicable to Royal Australian Signals Corps personnel as their corps badge resembles the Interflora symbol. Also used to be used to describe medics whose medical kits looked like handbags and were often carried like a lady carries a handbag.
Handbaggers � Operator Movements, part of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. RACT soldier, who plans, coordinates, executes, controls and monitors the operational and strategic movement of personnel and equipment of the ADF.
Hard Corp - RAInf, the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. The final activity School of Infantry before passing out parade. A test of all skill learnt to date.
Harden up - A standard response to whinging or complaining, telling a person to shut up and get on with the job. Often provided in imaginary consumable form; e.g., here's a harden-up pill, have a can of harden-up or "drink some concrete and harden the f..k up!".
Hat, Fur Fishing - RAAF term for the blue "Slouch" style Fur Felt Hat that was issued in tropical zones in the 80s.
Head shed - Headquarters at any unit level.
Healthkeys - Medical data base system that in theory is supposed to make life better for medics but in reality is a tool for blood sucking bean counters and auditors that load up the medical system with even more work.
Heartilage - contraction of 'heart' and 'cartilage' - derogatory term used to describe an imaginary injury associated with a lack of Heart, Will and or any sign of weakness during moments of mental and or physical discomfort. Eg: "What Happened to Pte ****? Why did he not finish the 30 K stomp? Is he injured?" "Nah the weak linging cunt just pulled a heartilage!"
Heat seeker - A soldier who routinely draws unwanted attention upon himself and those around him from superiors, usually as a result of misconduct.
Helicopter pad - A badly bashed (q.v.) beret.
Helo � Army/Navy term for helicopter (pronounced HEE-Lo).
Helicopter piquet - Usually used when in the field, it refers to soldiers shirking away from work by lying down somewhere. From the idea of looking up for approaching helicopters. Similar to Cyclone Training.
Hilton Hotelers - Term used by the RAR to describe RAAF personnel at RAAF Tindal during exercise Pitch Black 90 and Kangaroo 89 on learning most RAAFies slept in their quarters after their shift
Ho Chi Min Shuffle - a slow run designed to conserve energy over long distances. The feet are not lifted very high.
(To get) Holes In Your T Shirt - To get shot, usually on a "Two Way Rifle Range".
Honey pot _ A cylindrical galvanized steel receptacle used for defecation out in the field. Usually emptied or replaced by soldiers lance corporal and below.
Hoochie/Hutchie - Individual shelter sheet used in the field. Presumably derived from hooch, a term for a Vietnamese rural dwelling.
Hook in - To perform a task aggressively or with gusto. "Hook in, get your work done and we'll have an early knock off". Army slang from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s.
House on back � To put on ones pack; because soldiers in the field are required to live out of their pack.
Hot box - The large plastic containers which bring fresh rations to Diggers in a field environment, which contains inadequately small portions of cooked vegetables and a small helping of whatever yesterdays leftovers were from the base mess packed into tinfoil trays.
Hungry Wagon, The - RAAF term for the mobile AAFCANS (later Frontline) canteen truck. See Roach Coach
Hurry up and Wait - The repurcussions of letting an officer organise an activity. Diggers are normally harassed to get their shit in one sock, only to wait as the PL COMD, OC, CO, and BDE Commander have all added a fudge factor into their planning numbers. Normally results in arriving at a rugby match at 0700 for a 1430 kick off.
Hurry up and Waiters - RAAF term for the RAAF Air Movements staff who demand that all personnel regardless of rank who are scheduled for a flight must arrive 90 minutes before boarding time.
Howard Green - An issued Khaki green Wooolen Jumper with material sewn on the elbows Pre - 1992 (DPCU Version issued post 1992). Also a Common name used by soldiers when introduced to a female they just met at a nightclub, knowing they would never see her again (Refer to AJ Fade Away)and (Sam Brown).
I[edit]
IFIIK - I'm Fucked If I Know.
Ink Stick - A pen.
Iron Lung - RAAF term for an airman who does little productive work, or shirks
J[edit]
Jack � To be selfish or to go it alone, for example Don't jack on your mates!, Going Jack, or Stop being jack and give us a hand. The term comes from digger jack...he didn�t put in.(PTE FRY)
Jack-up - going on strike (akin to a mutiny but unable to identify ring leaders - comes from the industrial background of the mass armies of the world wars)(potentially archaic)
Jack � A sailor, from the term Jack Tar.
Jackhammers � An elite section of technicians who not only strive to produce airpower but in fact succeed and excel.
Jack Rations - civilian food taken to the field to liven up the issue rations. As in "I'm all right Jack Fuck you" or "don't be jack, let me have one of your goffas".
JAFA - Just Another Fucking Admino (Administration Officer is a RAAF Officer Category).
Jam Shrewsbury - a magical mystical morale biscuit found in ration packs. Often discovered heartbrokenly crushed. Can be used as currency out bush. Golden Rule - Never ever fuck with a man's Jam Shrewsbury.
Jedi � An adjective or noun indicating respect for a colleague's military professionalism. Nick gave us a totally Jedi briefing on the Musorian ORBAT - he's an INT Jedi. A reference to the supernatural warrior caste depicted in a well-known film series.
Jellybean-dispenser � F1 sub-machine gun. Derived from the jelly-bean like appearance of low velocity bullets that may be observed leaving the barrel.
Jellybean-suit - Offensive term for army camouflage used by RAN or RAAF. No longer offensive, now used by Army just to describe their cams.
Jet - A soldier who consistently performs well in one or all aspects of training. If you're struggling with nav, talk to Johnno, he's a jet at it.
Jet Pack - Refers to the small shitty day packs issued at 1RTB Kapooka, as they resemble gay little cartoon jetpacks.
Jockstrap or Jock - A digger who is renouned for sporting prowess and his inability to go bush, or do his job with his mates.
Jube - A new or inexperienced soldier, thought to be because they are soft and sugarcoated. Phonetically: Jewb, Joob, or Just Out Of Basic
Jubie juice - Fruit flavoured cordial, for example, Have a drink of jubie.
Jundie - Arabic word for soldier. E.g. 'That Jundie had a set of balls on him.' The term originally came into usage during the Iraq War and eventually evolved in meaning to refer to anything foreign. E.g. 'Have you tried these Jundie durries? They're fucking rough.'
Jungle - Green, Thick and Dense
Jundie-Off - Hand sanitiser.
K[edit]
Kelloggs Corporal - RAAF derogatory term for an airman who received the rank of CPL "on time" after the introduction of "on time promotion" rather than "promotion on merit", ie he got his stripes out of a cornflakes box. See Plastics
Kepi - Refers to a small peaked cap worn by some members of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps often closely resemble those worn by the German Afrika Corps.
KFF - Khaki Fur Felt (Hat). More official term for the Slouch Hat.
KFS - Knife, Fork, and Spoon. A piece of equipment which hosts all three cutlery items.
KFS Course - A six week induction course undertaken by specialist officers who are not required to undertake 18 months training at Duntroon. Named so because pretty much all that can be taught in six weeks is how to use a knife fork and spoon.
Killick - Pronounced Kelleck. Informally denotes the rank of Leading Seaman in the RAN, the word itself describes a type of anchor made from wood and stone and is applied as a result of the rank insignia of a Leading Seaman being a fouled anchor. A Killick is also know as a Leading Hand, or Leader. [Also known as the worst fucking rank in the Navy]
King-of-the-Shits - a WO1, usually the RSM [See also Shit-of-the-Kings].
King Shitter - A recruit at ARTC Kapooka who is charged with overseeing the cleaning of the lines during morning routine (specifically the SALs, or shitters).
Kip - A short sleep or nap.
Koala Bear - Refers to somebody who is generally considered a protected species and useless in the greater scheme of things. Usually accompanied by the phrase "Not to be exported or shot at" was used to refer to 1st Armoured Regt.
Knob Tickler - Anyone who puts shit on 1RAR .
Knock-off Bird - an action where soldiers within a group call "Knock-off!" in a high-pitched voice like a cuckoo clock, usually suggesting that they knock off for the day whilst remaining anonymous.
Knuck - A fighter pilot; short for 'knucklehead'. Also used in US military slang. Also used to denote fighting, ie "going the knuck on that guy".
Klingon - Term used to describe a waring race of aliens in the science fiction series Star Trek, and used to describe a RAAF member attached to a Squadron/formation/unit for a period of time. "Corporal, who are those numpties? Klingons Sir, from 10 SQN.
L[edit]
Lance Jack � Term used in place of the rank Lance Corporal. E.g., We have 3 Corporals and 2 Lance Jacks in this unit. The term comes from a VC winner. Also used in the British Armed Forces.
Lance Propeller � Derogatory Term used in place of the rank Lance Corporal for RAAF personnel.
Legend - A Legend of the regiment - generally over used, but traditionally used to describe characters like Warry George, Richo Richardson and Blue Telford at the Battle School.
Legendary Battalion - They believe they are legends when essentially they're reserve infantry. Leave it to the big boys.
Legend in their own Lunchbox - A person who beats their own drum or has an over inflated opinion of their own abilities. See Squeezers, Fucktards, Legendary Battalion
Leave App Loser - Term used to describe a Clerk in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Leslie - Term to describe an insufferable ginger snake.
LBPAG - Little Black Plastic Army Gun - refers to the M16 when the SLR and M16 were the common service rifles.(in contrast to the BBPAG (M60) and LGPAG (F88))
LGPAG - Little Green Plastic Army Gun - refers to the F88 Austyer when the SLR and M16 were the common service rifles.(in contrast to the BBPAG (M60) and LBPAG (M16))
Lid - Live-In Divorced and Single. Comes from Soldiers post-Vietnam. Also used to denote a new/ the most junior member of a section, ie 'Limited Intelligence Drone.Or Rhyming slang(for Kid) "Billy Lid" or shortened to Lid, eg "I'm not cleaning the shitters, let the Lids do it".
Lifer - RAAF term for a member who loves everything Military about his/her job in the RAAF and is "in for life" ie serves until forced age retirement
Linger - Abbreviation of w:Malingering. Also pronounced as Lingering or Lingin. Refers to soldiers faking an injury to get our of certain activities. He's a linger or he's Lingin again (See Kav)
Light Colonel, Half Colonel - Lieutenant Colonel
Limers - Navy term for cordial fruit drink.
Living the Dream - Sarcastic catchphrase used to express dissatisfaction with unpleasant duties.
Lobster - Refers to a Physical Training Instructor, usually meaning "Hard on the outside and head full of sh-t" or "Great body, sh-t for brains". Also refers to their bright red training uniform.
Love Hearts and Bunny Rabbits - Term used to describe DPCU's due to its camouflage pattern resembling that of love hearts and bunny rabbits.
Luncheon Meat Type 2 - An inedible can of pink stuff issued in some Ratpaks. Do not attempt to eat. Do not attempt to feed it to a dog - dogs won't eat it.
M[edit]
Maccas - Chips, crisps, chocolate bars and other food sold in canteens or messes
Maggot - A 2 RAR mortarman. Thought to come from Vietnam when after a contact they were found by the CO blind drunk who labled them maggots. Also, a term used for an Army Cook, due to the white working dress uniform they wear.
Maggoty - Short for "maggot bag", meaning a meat pie.
Makan - Pronounced Muc-Karn. From Bahasa Malaysia for meaning "eat."
Makers - Naval euphemism for an early stand-down from work. Derived from the naval custom of 'make and mend', whereby sailors were allocated 'free' time to repair personal clothing and equipment.
Mango - Term for Army Reservist. Green on the outside, yellow on the inside and too many of them give you the shits.
Manky - Term for something/someone vile and disgusting with bad personal hygiene. For example, "Mate he's manky as!" or "Mate, that's manky as!"
Mattel Toy - Term for the M16 and later the Steyr F88 when the SLR was in service, due to the use of plastic parts
McShit - Modular Combat Body Armour System (MCBAS). Generally regarded as protective apparel inferior to any other ever devised in the history of mankind. Precursor to the superior Tiered Body Armour System (TBAS).
Mas - Indonesian word for "brother" used by elderly to describe males of younger age or lower status, or by younger men to each other. A term of endearment used by Indonesian linguists as a substitute for "mate".
Meat Bomb - See "Dirt Dart".
Meat Heads - Derogatory term referring to Military Police (well in use before their red berets). Also known to refer to Army Physical Training Instructors (PTIs).
Mike-Mike millimetre; often used to describe 9 mm ammo.
MIMMS - A convoluted computerised materiel management system (Mount Isa Mines). The bane of the existence of RAEME and RASIGS trade personnel.
MILIS - A 400 million dollar system that replaced MIMS and SDSS (Standard Defence Supply System), created to stop the Supply system. Very successful (see sarcasm).
Mog - Referring to an ADF medium transport truck the Mercedes Unimog.
Morale Sponge - Usually refers to any individual who complains excessively, attriting the morale or happiness of anyone nearby.
Mordor - Canberra, the Australian National Capital and location of Army Headquarters.
Motion thickness - Involuntary erection experienced by male personnel when sitting over the wildly vibrating wheel arch of a Unimog truck. A traveller (q.v.) or travel fat . The sort of pun you find really funny when you're 18 years old.
Motorbike licence - A ruse to get diggers to volunteer for something. Sgt: Has anybody here got a motorbike licence? (Two or three new diggers jump to their feet) "I have Sergeant!" Sgt: Good. Grab these shovels and go dig a latrine. Diggers: What about the motorbike? Sgt: GRAB THOSE SHOVELS AND START DIGGING!
Muppet - an un-coordinated or unintelligent individual. Usually used in terms of "fucking muppet" or "Bloody Muppet". Also an old apprentice Neumonic - "Most Useless Person Pussers Ever Trained"
Muppet-Arms - someone who is either woefully inaccurate or incapable of throwing or carrying objects. Most often heard in grenade throwing when someone doesn't throw the grenade far enough from the bunker.
M&M's - (Medals and Money) A term used to denote those in the RAAF who got a three month non-formation rotation to East Timor, and later other areas of operation (ie, a Flight Sergeant from Defence Personnel Canberra sent to East Timor in 2000 for guard duty) to get their M&Ms.
N[edit]
Nard or Ratpack Nard - A turd, particularly one that is layed after subsisting for days or weeks on Ratpacks,usually resembles a log, extremely dense, hard and painful to excrete.
Nard Roll - Toilet Paper.
NATO - White with two sugars (Coffee or Tea) as in Standard NATO - The 'normal'.
Navigation Aid - bright blue or yellow potaloos placed in the field, usually located at checkpoints during a nav ex ensuring no one gets lost.
Nav Ex - RAAF term for a "Navigation Exercise" usually an excuse for the aircrew to fly somewhere and overnight at the casino at public expense...
NFI - No fucken' idea. Or No Fucken' Interest. Can be both. You choose.
Nigel - Inhabitant of the area immediately surrounding Butter worth Air Base, Malaysia. Also use to describe Vietnamese during Vietnam conflict; i.e., "Nigel Nog", possibly from the very common Vietnamese family name Ngyuen. Also used by the RAAF to describe an airman with no friends, "Nigel No Mates".
Nine Mile Snipers - Artillery
Nuk - A RAAF Airman's Club Disco Night. "Are you going to the Nuk tonight mate, the topless barmaids are on for the raffles again?" Derived from Knuckles, ie an airman either gets into a Knuck or gets a Fuck. See Knuck
Nog - Vietnamese person (not necessarily enemy). Used during the Vietname conflict. See also 'Nigel'.
Numpty � An individual who just doesn't get it, for example This numpty recruit forgot his boots. Also used in the British Armed Forces. From the Scots, as in, "He's a numpty heid" normally used in reference to the English.
Nungas � Term for Canungra.
O[edit]
Off Cut - Nickname for an Officer Cadet, derived from the abbreviation OFFCDT.
O.F.W. - See Other FEG Wang
Other FEG Wang - Nikname used by Air Force Maintainers to describe a person posted in from another Squadron or Force Element Group who endevours to change the way the gaining squadron conduct maintenance to suit the way they are accustomed to doing things. Usually to the detriment of the gaining Squadron. Often heard saying "When I worked on fighters we did it this way." Response... "Fucking OFW!"
Oci Dot - Nickname for an Officer Cadet, derived from the abbreviation OCDT.
O Group - A meeting conducted by a commander where orders are distributed. The shortened form is an 'Owey'.
Old Mate - Any person about whom you speak, for example "Old mate over there isn't working that much" or "Old mate came up and tried to bum a few ciggies off me."
Oncers - RAN slang for tomato sauce - from something that happens to women "once a month".
OMO-relates to an omo laundry detergent box being placed in a window in a married patch to indicate "Old Man Out" See AJAX & FAB
OP - Shorthand for an "Operation".
On the pill - to get with with, smarten up (used in the 1960s and 70s)
On the peg - to suck up to or otherwise ingratiate oneself with superiors in order to seek better treatment or reward. Refers to the act of fellatio. See Peg Pirate.
One-ers - Naval term for making tea or coffee solely for oneself, without offering to make a cuppa for your mates. A jack (q.v.) practice.
Onesies - Army term for making tea or coffee solely for oneself, without offering to make a brew for your mates. A jack (q.v.) practice. Also referred to as a Glenn Munsie. Also beers for RAAF SNCOs, from the time in the 80s the SGT Mess Bar opened, with SGTS often staying after lunch until knock off time
Onion - Air force nickname for a P-3 Orion.
Oppo - A friend or comrade, usually also in the military.
Orangutans � Uniformed pay staff (RAAPC). From the replacement of pay books with computerised pay system, when the then head of pay corps told programmers that he needed a �soldier proof� system. They assured him they would give him �a system that an orangutan couldn�t stuff up�. They lied.
Orphans � Living In members of an Army Sergeants Mess. By the time they get promoted to Sergeant they should be married. If they are living in, they must be bloody orphans.
Oska - The name of an infamous baitlayer in the Big Blue One who was alleged to have organised a long remembered function at the Copper Refinery in Townsville which led to financial and professional losses.
Other enemy - Archaic term for Military Police or Provost, now little used.
Out the wire - Refers to the area on the outside of the protective boundary of a Forward Operating Base.
Oxygen thief - A person who is so useless that his/her existence deprives the rest of the human race of oxygen.
Operator - Refers to special forces members.
P[edit]
Packed lunch commando - a member of the CMF or Army Reserve.
Pam - Military doctrine manual (from "pamphlet")
Pams, excitable - Pornographic material. Derived from the army use of the term pamphlet to refer to a training manual.
Pam 19 - War comic. Usually the quarto sized 'Battler Britton' style. So called as there was no Pamphlet numbered 19.
Pansies � Australian Intelligence Corps (AUSTINT) personnel. From their hat badge, �A rampant pansy, resting on its� laurels�. Also, a reflection on their sexuality.
Paper, scissors, rank - Similar to paper, scissors, rock, however rank always wins.
Parramatta Medal - Older medal given for Long Service or Long Service/Good Conduct. Named for its stripe colours being similar to that of the Parramatta Rugby League team's colours.
Passion fingers - A clumsy/incompetent soldier, sailor or airman, i.e. 'everything they touch, they fuck.'
Peanut Gallery - Used when referring to a group of soldiers in a classroom environment.
Peg Pirate - A soldier who routinely sucks up to or ingratiated himself with superiors in the hopes of receiving reward.
Penguin Swarm - Where soldiers huddle closer together when standing outside in the cold. Often occurs when soldiers return from operations in tropical or desert areas to southern Australia during winter.
Pies and Beers � A play on the term Ginger Beers. Refers to Pioneer specialists from the Royal Australian Infantry Corps who carry out less technically demanding engineering tasks than Royal Australian Engineers Corps personnel.
Pig Battalion - The Seventh Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (because the first words spoken to it on parade by its first CO Lt Col. Eric Smith in 1966 at Puckapunyal Barracks was " you're nothing but a bunch of pigs" after a bad weekend by most ranks on the turps. As a result, their mascot is now a pig and adorns thier APCs. They used to own a pig as a mascot but it died after spending years drinking beer and eating bacon, cigarette butts and hotboxes (including the tinfoil container). Much like 7RAR soldiers.
Pig - An officer (within the RAAF, Snorker has become a popular alternative, to avoid confusion with the aircraft).
Pig - An F-111 aircraft. Also an Australian RAAF nickname given to SAAF's Piaggio "Albatross" aircraft.
Pig pen - The officer's mess, Or a F-111 Hanger.
Pineapple - A term used to describe an odious task or command, delivered by a Sergeant or above. Akin to having a pineapple jammed up one's arse. To get 'pineappled' or receive a pineapple.
pissaphone - A conical metal funnel partially stuck into the ground for soldiers to urinate into. It looks a bit like a five foot long loud hailer, but those who use it for that purpose usually regret doing so.
Pit - One's bedding.
Pixie shirt/greens - 'Old school' name for the 'tropical' jungle green field uniform, distinguished by pockets on the shirt sleeves and slanted chest pockets. Refers to its tight-fitting cut compared to earlier versions; i.e., only a pixie could fit into it comfortably. Replaced by DPCU (q.v.) from the late 1980s onwards.
Plastics - RAAF derogatory term for an airman who received the rank of CPL "on time" after the introduction of "on time promotion" rather than "promotion on merit". See Kelloggs Corporal
Plastic fantastic - Steyr F88 rifle, standard assault rifle for Australian infantry. Not used as often now, but was once popular when the rifle was first introduced due to the (for the time) revolutionary use of plastics in construction.
Pleasure fingers - A technical or mechanical challenged RAAFie who "fucks whatever he/she touches."
Pleb - A derogatory term for somone who may be a good bloke, but is challenged for life experience, generally a recruit or junior rank. If a member who has been in for more than four years is called a pleb, its particularly derogratory, and implies the member shoukd sort their life out.
PMKeyS - The succubus Defence computer database that consumes 60% of all human endeavour. A staff officer's wet dream, it is particularly useful for creating nice pie charts to impress the CO (see also: dog and pony show).
Pollard - Term of endearment for a retired Grunt who has lost most of their hair and has trouble drinking Shirley Temples.
Pollies � The polyester dress, for example Iron your pollies, dig!. The term comes from the material they are made from (polyester). Also known as polys.
POETS Day - Friday - Piss Off Early Tomorrows Saturday
POM - 80s RAAF sarcastic term for a member who is suspected to have gained rank by dubious means rather than being "Promoted On Merit", ie "that bitch knob gobbled the WOFF to get a good 207, bloody POM my arse!".
Pongo - A derogatory name for a soldier. "Where the army goes, the pong goes."
PONTI - "Person Of No Tactical Importance" A derogatory term used to describe rear echelon staff
Pogo, Pogue or Poag � A soldier not involved in combat. Usually in protected areas well behind the front lines. Comes from POAG (Posted On A Garrison) or POGO (Posted on garrison operations). Also the term was used in the Vietnam era as rhyming slang for 'Pogo Stick' (rhyming with 'Prick'). This term is often used by any soldier against any other soldier or group who he/she perceives as living an easier life than their own. Can also take the form "pogue" (Person Of Greater Use Elsewhere), same spelling as used for "Person Other than Grunt".
Poo tickets - Toilet paper.
Poof Mat - Insulating sleeping mat used out field.
POR - Privilege of Rank
POS - "Piece Of Shit" Originally conceived for a particular cadet whilst he was undergoing training, now commonly used to describe someone who is a social retard who makes everyone cringe when they open their mouth. Also used when someone does something stupid, annoying or Jack "You are such a POS". POS acronym can be extended if need be (i.e. Friend of POS = FPOS).
Prayers - Orders group for example The Boss has called us in for prayers. - See also O Group
Prove - Raising your hand on command - e.g. "All those with a Mog driver's licence - prove!".
Pop smoke - To leave an area or an activity. Refers to the conduct of a withdrawal, using a smoke grenade for obscuration.
Popey - Term used by clerks when problems occur with simple filing or lost documents. Named after a grossly incompetent Lance Corpral clerk.
PTE FRY - Soldier with no concern for his mates welfare, especially on ops".
Pucka Tucka F-cka - The Army Cooks at Puckapunyal.
Pusser - A sailor, also used in the Royal Navy; derivative of 'purser'. Originally used to describe just the supply branch. ( Pussers rum was issued to the British Navy )
Put�nTake � A hot water system made from a 200 litre drum on a frame over a fire for bush showers. You put a bucket of cold water in to take a bucket of hot water out.
Q[edit]
Q - Quartermaster - An officer who has the enviable job of making sure that the Q-store is always full of every kind of stuff ever invented, and making sure that those dirty diggers don't get any of if because they will break it for sure. Delegates these tasks to ordinary Q-blokes.
Q-blokes / Q-wallah / Quey - People who work in the Q-store.
Q-store - Quartermaster's Store - A large building full of stacks of every kind of stuff you could ever want or need. If you ask for any of it, you will be told: "Sorry mate, I've only got one left and somebody else might want it." You may be offered a few consolation tins of Luncheon Meat Type 2, or if you're really lucky, Ham And Egg In A Can.
Quarmbie - Used by the Army, it refers to a highly uncoordinated person lacking in motor skills. Usually in relation to drill or weapon handling. E.g., A Drill Quarmbie
Queer Trader - An Avionics Technician. Boffin on aircraft(generally Army) Smart enough to stay clean whilst working. (Cf: "Blackhander")
R[edit]
RAAF Cock - An RAAF member who displays a lack of healthy disdain for RAAF values. also shows a disgusting level of enthusiasm in regards to his employment and RAAF assets. Example: Bubba: "gee! did you see that hornet doing a full AB takeoff!? how cool was that?!" Ryan: "Pfft Hornets are gay! your such a RAAF Cock!" See Lifer
RAEME Officially stands for Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, although members of the infantry claim it stands for Regularly at the Arse End of Military Engagements, referring to their success in avoiding any combat situations.
Rabbit - RAN term for a job done for a mate as a favour or himself, by a trade specialist in that area such as a technician fixing a mate's stereo or repairing a car. Usually in work time using RAN facilities and tools. "Hey Dave, could you do a rabbit on my car tomorrow?" See also Foreigner
Racing spoon - A large spoon carried by most front line soldiers for use in a group meal or "train smash". The bigger the spoon the more you can get in one go. Usually carried for weeks at a time, and cleaned by wiping it on your cams.
Rack - Term used to describe a sailor's bed onboard a ship. See 'Farter'
Raffie - Used by the Army and RAN to identify Royal Australian Air Force personnel ..."He's a Raffie."
RAAF-nob/Ronnie RAAF - Used to describe those RAAF personnel who take their job too seriously, examples include: MSIs (Military Skills Instructors, formally known as GSIs, General Skills Instructors) and WODs (Warrant Officer Discipline).
Rank Skank - A female soldier who sleeps her way through the Chain of Command.
Ration Assassin - An Army cook.
Rat-catcher - Common and affectionate term for Royal Australian Air Force's Environmental Health members or hygienists.
Ratpak - Refering to an ADF ration pack.
Redders - Tomato sauce. A tomato sauce stain on one's uniform is a redders medal.
Red Roper - A leading recruit at the RAN Recruit school. Distinguished by a red lanyard worn around the neck and an overinflated ego.
Red Tabs - Referring to Senior Officers in the Army: Colonel and above. They are distinguished by the red tabs worn on their collars.
Resup - a resupply, usually in the field of water, food and ammunition. AKA Replen.
Retread - A soldier that is changing trades. Used while they on course to distinguish them from Initial Employment Trainees. Also refers to Officers who commission from the ranks.
Reg - (rhymes with "egg") A regular (full-time) soldier.
Regi - To be extremely regimental. E.g. Someone/something who is very down the line and extremely strict, ie '4 field is the regiest unit ever.' or ' Fuck I cant stand the RSM, he is so regi.'
Rick O'Shay - (A.K.A) The Mad Irishman - slang for ricochete.
RIP - Relief In Place. The handover/takeover process which occurs when a deployed formation is rotated back to Australia and replaced by the next formation.
Roach Coach, The - RAAF term for the mobile AAFCANS (later Frontline) canteen truck. See Hungry Wagon
Roach, or sometimes Cock Roach Ordnance Corps soldier, from RAAOC.
Rock, The - Common name for Penang used by personnel at Butterworth Air Base, Malaysia
Rock show - Used to describe a poorly planned or managed activity..."That exercise was a complete Rock show" or "This is fast turning into a Rock show"
Rocking horse shit - Term to describe something that is rare.
Rocket Pod - The two rear gun hatches on a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. Refers to the tendancy of the occupants to be forcibly ejected from the hatch recess in the event of a rear-wheel IED strike.
Rockers - Wolloomooloo bay hotel, Wolloomooloo.
ROCL and ROCTFA - Relief Out of Country Leave and Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance. Refers to the leave taken by Defence members part-way through an operational deployment.
ROCL Trip - An operational deployment, usually of shorter duration than normal, where the member is assigned to relieve other troops departing on mid-tour leave.
Rodeney - A bloke who spells with a stutter, once again, more than likely associated with 2/4 RAR"
Rong Hill - The name used to describe officers who cannot navigate.
Roofing Nail - The modern, wide-brimmed hat for wearing out bush. Also used to describe such hats when still new- ie the brim is still straight.
Rooted - To be very very tired or when someting is broken. "God Im rooted after that pack march" and or "That Land Rover is rooted after Johno drove it"
Roppers - Also known as ROPs. Refers to Restriction of Privileges. A common punishment awarded for minor infractions.
RQMS - Old warrant officer storeman who is convinced he is smarter than everyone and has all the answers to questions you didn't even ask.
ROP - Restriction Of Privileges. A type of punishment handed to a person who has been found guilty of a military offence (a defaulter).
ROs Part 2 � ARMY Newspaper. E.g. �If your name is in ROs (Routine Orders) you are on duty. If your name is in ROs Part 2 you owe anyone who spots it a beer.�
RP - A Regimental Policeman. The sycophantic arse-lickers who follow the RSM around and lap up tasks like drilling defaulters and nailing parade ground markers into the ground. Out of the same stable as a "Meat Head".
R.H.I.P - Stands for "Rank Has Its Privileges", sometimes quoted as "Rank Hath Its Privileges".
Rupert - An Army Officer (from British Army - newly commissioned officer and therefore very inexperienced).
Rum Ration - Term for the daily issue of Grog or Rum the used to be given to sailors, unfortunatly they no longer issue rum and it doesn't come daily. See "Beer Issue"
S[edit]
Sack - Sack of shit. All units have a few
Sad-on - To be unhappy. What's up mate? You've had a sad-on all day.
Sads - To whinge, as in Crack the sads.
S.A.L- Shit At Life- A nickname refering to a solider whom fails at everything: "Oi Sal, get over here". Also "showers and latrines" - old skool way of saying bathroom.
Sally Man - A Salvation Army Officer. A term of endearment.
Sam Brown - Leather Belt and shoulder strap worn by Army Officers when wearing polys and their ceremonial swords. Also a Common name used by soldiers when introduced to a female they just met at a nightclub, knowing they would never see her again (Refer to AJ Fade Away)and (Howard Green).
SAS - Special Air Service or when used to describe Army Reservists means 'Saturdays and Sundays'.
Scablifter - A medic.
Scope Dope - RAAF term for Airborne Electronics Analyst crew members on AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
Scungies- Number 4 Cams, or just the shittest worn out crap looking DPCU you have, normally given to recruits for 'Shits & Giggles (see below)'
SCRAN - Term used to refer to food - "Sultanas, Currants, Raisins and Nuts" and "Shit Cooked by the Royal Australian Navy".
Scran-bag - Lost clothing bag. Also used metaphorically to describe a slovenly, disorganised or incompetent sailor: I don't want 'X' on my watch, he/she's a complete scranbag.
Screw - Corporal.
Screws - Another derisive term for RAAF security police. Quick, the screws are coming!
Sea Squarie - Navy term for the cloth needed as a result of indulging in self satisfaction, typically used when in ones rack (bed).
Secco - Section Commander.
Second Class Ride - what armoured corps soldiers get. Better than a first class walk, which is what crunchies do ('Crunchies' refers to anyone on foot near a moving armoured vehicle, as they make a crunching noise when they get run over).
Second To None - The motto of The Second Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR)
Seppie - 1st Battalion RAR Mascot (Shetland Pony)
Sergeants Mess - Where sergeants go to aviod work, talk smack about their troops or sometimes eat... Also a place where RAAF Cocks are in high abundance. - See 'RAAF Cock'.
Seventy-Seven Set - AN/PRC-77 manpack radio.
Sharpies - Full Metal Jacket ammunition for any weapon system. Used to distinguish from blank ammunition.
Shit fight Used to comment on the way a soldier looks, how his/her room looks or how something is turning out; e.g., 'You're a shit fight Gunner Dickson, sort your shit out' or ' This is turning into a shit fight'. Can be upgraded to fuck fight as necessary. Also known as SIG Robertson's room.
Shit-locker Used to describe a large stomach of a service person; e.g., "Get that dog's eye into your shit locker".
Shit-of-the-Kings - a 2nd Lieutenant. [See also King-of-the-Shits]
Shit pit - A latrine. You'll be digging lots of these if you admit to having a motorbike licence.
Shits & Giggles- Anything done for the sheer fuck of it
Shit tickets- Toilet paper
Shit Job - RAAF term for a task not popular, usually having been "volunteered by a senior rank" ie Guard Duty, Funeral Guard for a crusty old Senior Officer, Parking Attendant for Air Displays...
Shmooey-Tue - A Vue-Tue filled with pornography.
Short arm parade - Inspection of soldiers' genitals to discover any VD infection.
Show Bags - Someone who is full of shit. Derived from the easter show gimmick bags full of usless crap.
Sig - A private in the Royal Australian Signals corps, for example Sig Smith go to the Q-Store to collect our equipment for the EX. Abbreviation for Signalman.
Singo- Location of the School Of Infantry,Singleton NSW home of the Australian Infantry. So when did you go through Singo mate?
SLATTERY - refers to an individual weak in nature and non productive, also a dick (see woftam).
SL(u)R - A name for the L1A1 rifle. It was a Real Man's Weapon... but then again our ancestors lamented the passing of the boomerang & spear.
Skippy Badge - Hat or beret badge insignia for the Royal Australian Regiment (Regular Army Infantry organisation) Skippy for the kangaroo in the centre
Sleeve Trash - Enlisted ranks. Prior to new DPCU's issued circa 2005, enlisted personnel wore rank on their sleeves, opposed to Officers wearing on shoulders.
Slouchie or Slouch Hat - Unique form of wide brimmed khaki/light brown coloured fur-felt hat worn by Australian Soldiers with the left brim turned up for ceremonial occasions. A KFF.
S.L.U.G. - slow, lethargic, unco-ordinated, grot. Often used for those who are physically challenged or endemically hopeless.
Smellie - A Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle .303 (in Australian Service No1 MkIII or its varients in the main) (archaic).
Smock, psychological- a camouflaged nylon rain garment intended for field use, issued from the 60s-early 90s. Provided only psychological protection from the rain.
Smoko - RAAF term for officially sanctioned short breaks from work for a cuppa and a smoke if so inclined.
Smurf Cams -Refers to RAAF GPU, a replacement for c-dubs. Origins of the term refer to there blue appearance or the ability to "not even cam a smurf -movie character"
S.N.A.F.U. - Situation Normal All Fucked Up.
Snake - Term used to refer to Sergeants. Also refers to Naval Police Coxwains in the RAN.
Snake Pit - Term used to refer to the Sergeants Mess. Also shortened to "the pit". E.g., "See you down the pit."
Social Climber - Derogative, used to describe a person who tries to mix and socialise in with higher ranking persons and groups.
Soggy Sao - Equivalent to the British "biscuit race". "SAO" is a brand of cracker biscuit made by Arnotts.
Sombrero - Refers to the new bush hats which have extremely wide brims. "look at that jube with a sombrero. Get some time up."
Space Cadet - 1). Name for a Staff Cadet(Officer in training) with rank abbreviated as SCDT. 2). An individual who has no idea, 'is off with the stars'. Nickname of SIG Zunker.
Spanner - A member of the corps of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME).
Spam in a Can - Occupants and crew of an APC or tank. The after effects of being hit by anti-tank weapons.
Sparky - An electrician or electronics tech of the RAEME. Also an "Electrical Fitter, Electrical Systems Specialist in the RAAF
Splat-cat - See 'Dirt Dart'.
Splat-cats - 3 RAR
Splice The Main Brace - Order given by the Queen for the 'Rum Ration' to be doubled, this is only done only rarely done to celebrate occasions such as the birth or marriage of a member of the Royal Family.
Sponge - Term of endearment for Russell Offices, Canberra. Also "The Grey Sponge", "Big Grey Sponge" or "Sponge Factory"
Spook - A name used generally for personnel involved in an intelligence role. E.g. "Yeah, that FLTLT's a spook."
Sporty - RAAF term for officially sanctioned down time for Sporting Activities, in the 70s and 80s usually just an excuse to have a BBQ and several beers and socialize with workmates, occasionally a tennis ball may have been hit by a cricket bat to please the boss.
Spring-Butt - Derogatory term for a student, usually staff college, who loves to show the world how much he knows by asking interminable questions of guest lectures at every opportunity, usually preceded by a preamble demonstrating their own exemplory level of knowledge of the subject in question.
Sprog - 1st year Army Apprentice. Used by "Senior" RAAF Apprentices to describe first year RAAF apprentices at Wagga, also used by civilians of Wagga Wagga to describe RAAF Apprentices
Spud - "Spud and Spud App" Derogatory Term used by RAAF Engineering/Trade Apprentices at Wagga to describe RAAF Technology Apprentices, unknown origin. See COT Death
Square Peg - Short for "Square Peg Round Hole", See F.O.N.C.
Squashed Moth The aircrew brevet - the 'wings' badge worn on a pilot's uniform. By extension, derogatory slang for aircrew.
Squeezer - A jocular term of derision used to describe another soldier or person who is suspected of malingering (e.g., Old mate is a f#cking squeezer)
SSM - Senior Sandwhich Maker the same as CSM but 2nd in charge of a SQN
Stabbed - To be assigned a task by a superior, it usually not being a task an individual would volunteer to complete. E.g., I've been stabbed by the boss to sell Unit T-shirts at our function.
Standard NATO - Milk and two sugars.
Stars - Infantry sleep under them, RAAF select their accommodation by the rating, Navy claim to navigate using them.
Steamer - A crap.
Steppers - Clothes worn while on shore leave by sailors of the RAN. (e.g. Bomber got filled in last night, we found him in the gutter outside rockers bleeding on his steppers!)
Stinger - RAAC member with initial posting to B sqn 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment.
Stomp - A pack march and or a patrol.
Subbie - An officer of subaltern rank; i.e., Army Lieutenants, Air Force Pilot/Flying Officers, and Navy Sub-Lieutenants.
Subbie-wings - An honorific title conferred upon enlisted soldiers who manage the significant achievement of convincing a commissioned officer to sleep with him/her. Guess what. I got my subbie-wings on the weekend.
Sumpie - A RAAF Engine Fitter
Super-grunt a member of the Special Air Service.
Super-Sub-Lieutenant or Super-Sub-Lewie - RAN term used to describe a RAN Commodore as their rank (now sleeve rank) resembles that of a super large Sub-Lieutenant's rank.
S.W.A.T - refers to the reserves. Some Weekends And Tuesdays
SWAT - Students Wanting A Taste refers to gap year members
Sweating like an ADG in a spelling test or Sweating like a whore in church - To perspire excessively.
Swimming Pool - The US Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation. Awarded to some Australian Army units for actions during the Vietnam and Korean conflicts. See Blood Bath.
T[edit]
Tail-end Charlie a soldier who is bring-up or protecting the rear of a platoon, or formation (same as "Arse-end Arnold").
Tailor mades - Mass-produced cigarettes; i.e., bought as is, as opposed to rolling your own ('rollies').
Tally - RAAF term; originally denoted visual acquisition of an airborne target, but has become frequently used in a bar/nightclub scenario. 'Ya see that brunette in the red dress?' 'Tally.'
Tanker/Tanky - Member of the Armoured Corps.
Tankwit - RAAC member with initial posting to 1st Armoured Regiment. Comes from the term "Dimwit" meaning that a crew is locked up inside their Tank and has no idea whats going on around them. "Oh he's a Tankwit"
Target - Naval surface vessel according to submariners and aircrew.
Tazzed - (aka Getting Tazzed) - RAAF officer term for drinking alcohol to excess and throwing up after a big night "you were really Tazzed last night"
Tea and medals - A successful conclusion to an operation. From the British TV series 'Blackadder Goes Forth'.
Tea and Sticky Buns - A one-way conversation during which a wayward member (usually an officer) is reminded of his or her short comings by a senior commander.
Ten That Cunt - a card game played by members of 11PL "ZULUs" of Delta Coy 2RAR
Ter - An Indonesian prefix generally meaning something is the "most" eg. "Terbesar", Besar = big, terbesar = biggest. Ter is used by Indonesian linguists in everyday English to add emphasis to something. eg. "I'm terhungry" or "that chick is terhot."
T.H.E.M. - SAS
The Train - Often a Domestic operation served by at least 3 diggers but usually as many as a young lass can handle in quick succession, i.e., "Did you end up picking that bird up last night?" "Yep, me and the boys ran a train on her, she just couldn't get enough."
Throw Smoke - To throw smoke is to cover a tactical withdrawal from a sticky situation, also to make a strategic withdrawal during a civilian outing with AJs (see also AJ Fadeaway)
(A) Thick - An army tradesman who did not serve an army apprenticeship (generally in the days when Army Apprentices School existed)
Three-oh - A Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle .303 (in Australian Service No1 MkIII or its varients in the main) (1950's RAAF term) (see: Smelly)
Throw Down - a enemy weapon held by a section for emergency legal reasons.
TIC - Troops In Contact.
Tiffy - Artificer, a member of the RAEME who works on and repairs Artillery and Tank guns. "My gun is rooted, took it down to the tiffies and they said it will be fixed in 3 to 5 hours"
Tillie - An M548A1 Tracked Load carrier - member of the M113 family used for cargo/resupply duties.
Tink Tink - A member of the army who wears glasses. 'Tink Tink' is the sound of the rounds from the sniper rifle finding their mark, as the the glasses reflect light and draw attention to the wearers location.
TK - Tarin Kowt. The capital of Uruzgan Province, in southern Afghanistan.
TOADs - Army Reserve. Tuesdays Only After Dark.
TOC - Tea or Coffee, refers to self funded canteen of a unit.
Tooth Fairy - A member of the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps.
Train Smash - A meal made by combining any ingredients from one or more rat packs into a pot and heating. Usually eaten by a group.
Training Pam or Training Manual - hard core pornography.
Traveller or travel fat - Used to describe an erection caused by vehicle motion / vibration. Also known as 'motion thickness'.
Trail Ape - A gun line member of Royal Australian Artillery.
Trip - An operational deployment.
Trooper Seiko - When you use a watch to do your picquet (preferably not on Ops).
Tubbin - Thumb Up Bum Brain In Neutral.
Trash haulers - Transport aircrew. Often shortened to 'trashies'.
Trashies - Slang for AAFCANS, a RAAF canteen. (Trashies referring to the low quality fried food served there).
Triple Points - An attractive female officer. Derived from the HMAS Success event in 2009.
Trucky - A slang term used for soldiers of The Royal Australian Corps Of Transport.
Truckwit - Used as a derisive term to describe a Transport Corps soldier (by other corps to describe an inept Transport Corp member).
Tubs - A shower.
Tucker fucker - An Army cook. 'Tucker' is an Australian word for food.
Tully - Tully, home of the Field Force Battle School, with the highest rainfall in Australia. Run in the early 80s by a true legend - Warry George Mansford, and with great staff like Blue Telford, Blue Gleeson and some other ring ins. Renouned for the toilet humour, mostly left by depressed poges on their first visit away from their base, e.g. TULLY - Totally Unbelievable Lets Leave Yesterday.
Tupperware - Steyr F88 rifle see Plastic fantastic. Derived from the name of a plastic kitchenware manufacturer ( Tupperware is the name of the plastic kitchenware company which also makes the butt group and trigger mech of the rifle).
Turd Burglar - A soldier from 2/4 RAR same as a Poo Pirate , Shirt Lifter or Nugget Puncher.
Turd toucher - A plumber/gasfitter tradesman from the RAE.
Turps - Any form of alcoholic beverage drank to excess.
Turret-head - Member of the Armoured Corps.
Two-way rifle range - The battlefield.
Two-dads - A generic name for someone with a hyphenated surname. I.e., two surnames, therefore two fathers.
Tyre Biter - A term used to describe a driver within the Tranposrt Corps.
U[edit]
Uckers - A board game from the Royal Navy, similar to Ludo and thought to have originated in India. [1]
Underwater Panel Beating - See 'Dixie Bashing'.
UNSWR'd - To get completely screwed over regardless of actual successes. The obscuring of results in order to make someone feel spesschal. that result last Saturday got completely UNSWR'd [2]
V[edit]
Vege bin - An armoured personnel carrier. Implies that the troops carried in the vehicle are 'vegetables'.
Veggies - Royal Australian Armoured Corps Assault Troopers. Depending on the context the term can be one of endearment or derision.
Veggie Patch - 2/4 RAR at Lavarack Barracks.
Vue Tue - Pronounced 'viewee toowee'. Refers to a small green plastic folder with clear plastic sleeves for inserting notes and cribs commonly used by the Army. Aussie equivalent of a 'Nirex' (UK) or 'dope book' (USA).
W[edit]
WAG - 'Wild Arse Guess'. Usually made by an Officer when "navigating".
Wagtail - Sometimes affectionate term for the "Wagtail" radio due to its long antenna.
Wank booth - A soldier's room on base.
Wanking chariot - A single bed on base.
Wanking spanner - Your prominent hand. E.g., "Stick your wanking spanner in the air if you ....". (Also known as (c__t scratcher").
Warned Out - to be notified of an impending task.
Warry/warrie - A colourful (if somewhat embellished) anecdote about military service 'back in the day'. Usually recited by a senior NCO after a surfeit of alcohol. The best warries eventually transmute into urban legends. Australian equivalent of the USN/USMC term 'sea story'.
waste of space - A member of the ADF that fulfills a posting that could be better done by a blind and mute primate. Usually fails the basics regarding ADF life, BFAs etc. Commonly throws junk food down their gullet and is a chain smoker yet talks about selection plans.
Wheelbarrow with a... - Used by Army personnel when confronted with a long and/or difficult to pronounce name. E.g. a Corporal at 1 RTB might be calling out the roll and be confronted with the name 'Tsimbouklis', which he would then call out as "wheelbarrow with a 'T'"
Whiskey Tango - A term that refers to a female from another country. White Trash.
White Handers - Air Force term for maintenance personnel working on electrical systems; i.e., those who don't get their hands dirty.
Whore's bath - A quick wash taken in the field with little water- i.e. armpits and crotch.
Willy Foxtrot - The Whimp Factor, Willy Foxtrot. Usually used when someone dogs it from a hard activity - he got a dose of the Willy Foxtrots.
Willy Pete - White Phosphorus (WP).
WOFTAM - 'Waste Of Fucking Time And Money'. Once used by Regulars to describe Reservists, but you don't hear it so much these days.
WOMBAT - As a nickname, Waste of military budget and time. Also an insensitive male, "he eats, roots, and leaves."
Wombat gun - M79 grenade launcher. Because of the large bore, like looking down a wombat hole. More common now is the GLA (Grenade Launcher Attachment) for the in service F88 AUSTEYR.
(W)RANS - A derogatory term for female sailors. Prior to 1985 women could only serve in the Women's Royal Australian Navy Service e.g. WRANS. Referring to a group of female sailors as (W)RANS or a single female sailor as a (W)RAN(S) singles out their service as being different than that rendered by male members, as it was done prior to 1985.
Wreckie mech - An RAEME soldier who operates motor recovery equipment; i.e., a wrecker. Generally NOT very bright. Known as the LEGENDs of DRONG in RAEME. Also known as Bogoligists or Tow-rags.
X[edit]
Xongabong - refers to the act of using marijuana while on active duty. ie- John got discharged because he was xongabong
Y[edit]
Yowie suit - Heavily camouflaged garments worn by snipers, resembling a mythical creature of the bush. Australian term for a Ghillie suit.
Yardie - Glorified blanket stacker, also able to stack items on lage wooden pallets.
Yarma - Bloody big hill, as in we just patrolled up that f%^&ing big yarma!
Z[edit]
Zeds or Zees to sleep is to "punch out zeds".
Zoom bag - A flying suit.
Categories: Australian English appendicesEnglish military slang

Appendix:Canadian English military slang
(Redirected from Appendix:Canadian military slang)
The following is a list of colloquial terms and expressions used in the Canadian Forces.

280 ladies-Sailors serving on Iroquois Class Destroyers (280,281,282,283 Hull numbers)
5 by 5�Loud and clear, everything is working 100% (only used by Air force, Army uses Loud and clear. Originally from U.S. usage where it referred to signal strength and readability on radio-teletype circuits; Canadian procedure used "5 by 1," indicating signal strength and level of interference.
60 - The now-retired 60mm mortar.
84 - The 84mm recoilless rifle, manufactured in Sweden, named for Swedish King Carl Gustav.
after supper soldier�Reservist who conducts training on weekday evenings.
air force gloves�see American gloves
aldershit�a term used to describe LFAATC Aldershot, where whenever there is training, the weather takes a nosedive. AKA Alderschwitz
American gloves�pockets; "I see you're wearing your American gloves today."
American proof�Refers to any equipment or technique that is idiot proof to a degree that it may even be mastered by our colleagues from the US military �also 'Yank Proof'. "Infantry Proof" and "Officer Proof" are also common versions of this saying.
ammo tree�An imaginary tree planted in a densely bushed part of a training area using spent casings and links as the seeds and fertilizer.
amphibious training�Army slang, particular to the summer, meaning to screw off early from work and head to the beach.
anchor cranker �naval personnel
...And a Wakey �Count-down to the morning you leave someplace. 'I'm out of here in 5 days and a wakey.'
antenna farm �Reference to a field headquarters or vehicle with many antennas mounted on it: A conspicuous target in a combat zone. Also see missile magnet
armourers�Weapons Techs, aka gun plumbers
around when Centurion was a rank, not a tank�old NCO ( also referred to as having been Jesus Christs fire team partner or been in since Christ was a Corporal.
Arty Sim �A reserve artillery soldier, particularly one working full time. Simulator Projectile Ground Burst C1A1: a pyrotechnic device containing photoflash powder and a whistle composition, used in training to simulate an artillery strike!
awaiting parts�Refers to one who displays a lack of courage or intestinal fortitude.
bag drive�an extensive, excessive activity marked by great levels of physical and mental strain.
bag of hammers�see bag of shit.
bag of shit�someone or something that is or appears to be sloppy, clumsy, incompetent, useless, et cetera.
bag of smashed ass holes�Referring to a group that is all fucked up.
baking brownies�member needs to defecate.
balls to nut sack�members grouped uncomfortably close together.
band fag CF musician
band geek�musician
band-aid tech�Slang for medics who are notorious for their medical skills.
bandie, bandy�musician
bang stick �Term used for C7 rifle
base bunny�in reference to buckle bunny, a bull-rider's girlfriend, who wears his trophy buckle out of pride for her man. A base bunny likes to show off that she has a military man.
battalion bicycle�see shack rat
full battle rattle �Full Fighting Order (FFO); helmet flak jacket and tacvest.
bear march�To march with the left leg and arm swinging in sync, and the right leg and arm in sync. Generally only seen being performed by recruits.
beers down range�to drink socially.
belt fed cock�any punishment or hardship high in intensity, and long in duration. Also used when the punishment or hardship is a structured component of the activity.
belt fed from the factory - Uttered in frustration by those trained in the proper use of small arms upon viewing just about any action movie.
biff�traitor, backstabber. See buddy fucker. (also for those members of the CF hailing from Cape Breton means to throw something or biff it)
bin rat�supply technician.
birth control glasses�Canadian Forces-issued combat spectacles that, while appropriate for eye protection in a tactical situation, are downright hideous.
bird gunner�Air defence artilleryman, see also Cloudkiller.
black Cadillacs�Combat boots. Used ironically in reference to use as a mode of transport.
black hatter�Armoured crewman. Named after the black berets worn by the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Does not apply to Navy personnel although they too, wear a black beret.
blade -Backstabber, rat. This kind of individual screws others over simply for the sake of screwing people over, or is otherwise untrustworthy. "Stay away from Josh, he is a FUCKING BLADE!" Can be used as a verb: "Josh bladed me!" See also: Blue Falcon.
blanket stacker�supply technician.
block leave�A period of leave during which an entire unit or command is nowhere to be found. Usually happens in summer and at Xmas, but is forbidden to units or commands who work on a 365 basis (i.e. the Air Force).
Bloggins-name used in place of actual people to describe a situation i.e. "Sgt. Bloggins was seen drunk outside the base and was issued a 129." much like the civilian "John Smith"
Blue Falcon - Buddy Fucker. See also: Blade.
blue rocket�standard portable toilet that can be found everywhere on a base. Has a rather nasty habit of tipping over when occupied and people are bored�if they're angry, on the door.
blue rocket-Reservist, "Expensive to rent and full of shit."
boat�ask any sailor, "it means submarine you idiot". If it sails above the water then it's a ship.
boat-Slang for the AVGP Cougar, Grizzly and other Piranha LAV-style vehicles. In reference to the shape of their hulls and the fact that the earlier models could float and had propellers to cross water obstacles.
boat person, dory plug or fish head�slang for sailor.
BOHICA�bend over, here it comes again. A term used when complaining of monotonous and pointless activities
bomb bunny�derogatory slang for a junior, unqualified or near-useless solider (see numpty or cornflake ) who loads and unloads ammunition (and other heavy stuff) all day long. Specifically, a member of an armoured regiment's support squadron who loads ammunition onto tanks. See bomb up
bomb up�to load a tank or other fighting vehicle with ammunition (and fuel and other stores). See bomb bunny
boonie cap�CADPAT floppy field hat worn in field environment.
boot camp�basic training. For soldiers, this can also include the Soldier's Qualifications Course.
boot fucked�Severe punishment, Sometimes the real boot up your ass, usually coming from a SGT or above. (Not legally used after 1994 harassment policy.)
boredom�refers to CFB Borden, also in the geographical vicinity of Angus (Anguish)
bos'n pay �bananas
box kicker�supply technician.
brain fart�Slang for a period of forgetfulness, e.g. "I can't remember where I put my rifle, I just had a brain fart"
brain housing group�Slang for the skull.
brat�Military Brat�someone who has spent their youth being raised by a regular-force member, almost always having lived on numerous bases and major cities across the country (if not abroad).
Brit Hay Box�refers to the "portable shitters"�British mess food is the shits
Bubble Head�refers to Combat Divers, a secondary role of Field Engineers
buck she�Slang for anything you can get for free.
buddy fucker�describes someone who, whether intentionally or not, acts in a manner totally inconsiderate to the welfare of his/her peers, potentially harming them in the process.
bumblefuck�engage in activity with no purpose or end benefit.
bunny suit�chemical defence suit, used for defence against chemical warfare.
canary�Air force.�too pretty to shoot, too yellow to fight.
canine fornication� see dogfuck
can opener�Any anti armour weapon.
canteen queen�Someone who always volunteers for the canteen.
careborne�Slang for SAR Tech
career mangler�Career Manager. A senior member of your occupation at NDHQ who makes the decisions about your career development and your geographical and/or unit postings. Depending on his/her decisions, they are thought of as a great friend or your worst nightmare.
Carl G - The 84mm recoilless rifle, manufactured in Sweden, named for Swedish King Carl Gustav.
cad pat garden - army way of learning things (goes right along with )
CE - Construction Engineers. Now defunct category of support personnel assigned maintenance on CF bases (facilities and PMQs). Associated with the riddle: Q: "What's yellow and sleeps six?" A: "A CE truck."
Cage Monkey - see Supply Technician. See Bin rat
cement head�Infanteer�as in need a chisel and mallet to penetrate the thick skull.
CFL�corporal for life; someone at that rank that either lacks the potential to be promoted higher OR has no desire to pursue the promotion and intends to keep it that way. Also captain for life.
CFR� "Commissioned From the Ranks", after the Commissioning From the Ranks Plan or Captain for Life, Remember. An officer who was promoted from NCM ranks, rather than entering as a Regular Officer Training Plan or Continuing Education Officer Training Plan Officer Cadet or Direct Entry Officer. Facetiously nicknamed Captain for life because they seldom are promoted past that rank.
CFSCE-Common Fucking Sense Cannot Exist; rarely - Canadian Forces School Of Cock Enforcement (Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics)
chairforce�Air Force.
chairborne ranger�Anyone whose primary duties are performed behind a desk.
charlie foxtrot�the phonetic letters CF, abbreviation of cluster fuck.
checked-out�See "closed up".
cheesie�slang for SAR Tech, due to the bright Orange suits they wear.
chemist�the cook who conducts chemical experiments with food
chicken fuckers�a most offensive nickname given to The Royal Canadian Regiment.
chicken ranch� Building Y-101, CFB Petawawa, home of 1RCR. See also chicken fucker.
chief�the senior-most officer appointment of a branch, staffing, element, etc. (Chief of Staff, Chief of Land Staff); can also informally refer to a particular Chief Warrant Officer or Chief Petty Officer. It is also the correct form of address for Chief Petty Officers First or Second class.
chimo!�a form of greeting or war-cry used by the Canadian Military Engineers. Can mean the following: "Hello!", "Cheers" et cetera. It is normally shouted in unison after engineers are dismissed from parade, or as a compliment in place of "good job" or "have a good night!"
""chit bag"" - see MIR Commando
chuggernuts�Used as a nickname for stupid soldiers (e.g. "Take a look at chuggernuts there" or "Going to find chuggernuts, be right back")
chunky soup sandwich�used to describe a solder who is all messed up, or has sloppy drill. also see bag of hammers
Cinderella leave�Shipboard leave expiring at, or before, 2359hrs. Usually only for junior members of the Ship's Company or if the ship is sailing early.
circus battalion�a Service Battalion, coined by not just how it rhymes, but also the nature of certain Service Battalion as being severely disorganized: "they set up tents, and are staffed by clowns".
civvies�civilian attire; civilians.
civvy street�the civilian sphere, as referred to by a member of the Regular Force (e.g. "You're a reservist? What do you do on civvy street?") See also real world.
CLAG�Collection of Ladies And Gentlemen; Officers.
clear as mud�Usually used to ask if you understand something which is being taught during a military lesson. Used a lot when students have the blank look on their faces and they are asked about what they just learned.
closed up�someone who is competent, alert and deports oneself in a professional manner. Essentially, someone who embodies the necessary traits of a good member or officer. The opposite of shit pump.
club Ed�Slang for Edmonton Detention Barracks.
cloud killer�Air Defence Artilleryman.
COCK�confirmation of combat knowledge. Can mean to put a round into the chamber of a gun. such as "cocked and loaded" Also, heavy-handed discipline. It is known to be "BELT FED COCK" for extreme circumstances. Also, a form of discipline given for reason or not. Can also be given anytime, see cockmeat sandwich and double cock.
cock tech�Female hull technician.
cockmeat sandwich�A form of discipline received from more than one superior at more than one occasion for the same incident.
Come Fuck Students At This Establishment�Refers to the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE).
combat florist�Slang for the Signals trade, refers to the Hermes on their cap badge, resembling the FTD florist symbol. aka Herpes
combat lingerie�Term used to describe the former olive-green combat dress once they were so faded and worn that you could see the wearer's underwear through the fabric -See Green Pyjamas
cornflake treatment�the cornflake is normally a sign that the member is new to the Canadian Forces and is given according treatment: superiors will supervise them with more scrutiny, to note and correct their mistakes, discipline when necessary and behave as an example to follow, et cetera. see Cornflake reference Meaford PAR+PAT
cornflake�a tri-service cap badge affixed to a new CF member's beret in his or her early recruit stages, prior to wearing the badge of a given branch or regiment, or regimental headdress. It displays the crossed swords (Land), bird (Air), and anchor (Sea). Its shape and colour resembles a piece of corn flakes cereal, hence its name. Recruits wear the cornflake until they have reached a certain level of qualification, and its application differs from one branch or regiment to another�some replace it once finished their trades qualification, others replace it as soon as their basic training is finished. "Cornflake" also serves as a term for a member in this early stage of his or her career.Most commonly worn by members in LFCA TC Meaford. PAR PL (persons awaiting release) and some PAT members (persons awaiting training) usually found gaggle fucked somewhere on base. Some of which have been awaiting status for prolonged periods of weeks to years (AKA Holding Platoon).
cowering inferno�NDHQ
Crafty - Short for Craftsman, it applies to any member of the RCEME branch who has not completed their QL5 training. Usually only Privates are referred to as Crafties, however unqualified Corporals also fall into the category. Also spelled Krafty, it's the same as the designation Sapper or Trooper for other trades.
CRAFT- Can't Remember A Fuckin Thing.
Crazy 8s - A nickname for The 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's), after the card game.
cripplers�Mark 3 combat boots.
crocker cocker�A derogatory term used for the poorly designed ambidextrous cocking handle latch on the upgraded C7A2 rifle which has the bad habit of getting caught on everything and breaks frequently. Named after the rumoured developer of the latch.
crunch�To go to the bathroom number two, see also MOVEMENT.
crunchie�an armoured term; dismounted infantry. Derived from what it is imagined to sound like when a tank runs over an infantry soldier.
crystal palace�Nickname given to the 1 Canadian Air Division based on the all-glass front of the building.
CUNT-"Candidate Under Normal Training", goes hand in hand with COCK. I.E. "I'm going to give those CUNTS some COCK!". Candidates Undergoing Normal Training shall receive Confirmation Of Combat Knowledge.
death before dismount�unofficial Armoured Corps motto, usually used by non-Armoured types as humour. Also "Speed, Violence Arrogance".
death by Powerpoint�an overly long, excruciatingly boring class or presentation that makes overuse of said program.
deck ape�boatswain.
deKAFinate�A KAFer who is sent outside of KAF while on tour. Generally kicking and screaming.
dhobi�Navy term for washing/laundry. That basket's gettin kinda full...better put the dhobi on. Get the dhobi dust (laundry detergent). Borrowed from the RN, which at one point had members of the Indian Dhobi caste aboard HM Ships to do the laundry.
diaper wiper-An offensive term to describe an officer of the Cadet Instructors Cadre.
dirty cowboy�A member of Princess Patricia's light infantry (PPCLI).
Disneyland joke�a recurring joke often used by instructors on students during a recruit course, in order to gain volunteers for a mundane task. This can also involve ice cream or candy.
Disneyland on the Rideau�National Defence Headquarters.
dogfuck�engage in severe laziness, or severe procrastination.
dogfucker Means someone who lets others do all the work, an individual who looks for ways to avoid working
donkey�a foolish individual.
domestic niner� a service person's spouse, usually a wife. A play on the call sign 'niner'.
double cock�Getting twice the amount of discipline. Or receiving discipline from two people at the same time.
dozer�Aviation Technician.
drip pan�a female soldier in a Service Battalion who engages in promiscuity. Coined from the literal definition: a pan laid underneath vehicles as a means of collecting dripping fluids. Its association with the Service Battalion stems from the large company of vehicle repairmen and drivers present in any service battalion or similar area support unit.
Drives the short bus for the special kids� A pilot who flies with 427 SOAS.
drop ass�to expel intestinal gas through the anus; break wind.
drop shorts�the artillery who supposedly drop rounds short onto friendly troops.
duff�what sailors call dessert
EIS�Properly Equipment Issue Scale, slang terms are Extra Included Stuff or Extra Infantry Shit. Additional parts that accompany a piece of kit that is signed for. Generally small and easy to lose.
Fags Gays and Homos�Derogatory nickname given to the Fort Garry Horse reserve unit.
fantasians-fictitious forces used in training exercises, derived from fantassin
fart sack�sleeping Bag.
fat pills�slang for dessert items, i.e., cake, candy. Also known as; Jim booglies, fizzy pops; licky chewies
FEBA -Forward Edge of Battle Area,
FIGJAM- Fuck I'm Good, Just Ask Me. Used when one has confidence in their ability and it shows.
FIGMO�fuck it, got my orders, generally refers to someone who is posted and has received their posting message and their lack of interest in their current position. Would hear someone who is posted say they are "Figmoed" means they are done.
fill your boots�take as much as you want. Help your self.
Filthy Strat�Reference to Lord Strathcona's Horse(Royal Canadians) or Strats, followed by the member spitting on the ground. Generally by a Royal Canadian Dragoon.
fitter & turner�a cook as he fits perfectly good food into pots and turns it into shit.
fitter�An aircraft Engine Tech.
FK9�Slang for "F...ing the Dog"
Flag fag� Refers to Navy Signalman / Naval Communicator
flat face civvy - a civilian, especially one who has no idea what the military does
float testing - when sailors throw something overboard (or when something fell overboard)
floor chimp - Refers to Vehicle technician on account a trained monkey can do what they do.
FLOP-Fucking Little Odd-jobs Person.
FML�term used when tasked with a job that is considered to be un-good. Standing for Fuck My Life.
FNG�fucking new guy.
FOBIJAR�Fuck Off Buddy I'm Just A Reservist. Might be heard from a reservist if given an undesirable task by a Regular Force member.
FOBit�Also FOB Hobbit- a soldier who never leaves a forward operating base (FOB). See also KAF'er, Hesco Hobbit.
foot in your ass�severe discipline. "If one of you isn't pulling your weight here, you will feel the shock of my foot in your ass!!!"
Four by Two - A cotton small arms cleaning patch. The term dates back to the days of .303 calibre small arms, when the cleaning patches actually were 4" by 2". Not to be confused with lumber.
Four Fan Garbage Can�C-130 Hercules
Fort Fumble- National Defence Headquarters
fragiles�avionics techs (pronounced like fraggle)
frozen Chosen�slang term for anyone having served a sentence at the end of the world, commonly known as CFS Alert. Originated in the Korean war, from the Korean name for Korea. Particular to Air Force types.
FUBAR -Fucked Up Beyond All Repair, or Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition.
FUBIS -Fucked Up Before It Started, or Fucked Up Before It Starts.
fuck o�an incompetent, obnoxious, bumbling oaf. Like a bag of shit but even worse. Perhaps a play on common officer titles such as 'Admin O' or 'Sup O'
fuck off�an auxiliary superlative. "Reference that big fuck-off tree at 2 o'clock."
full time retard�Member of the regular forces
funnel faggot�any member of the Marine Engineering Branch.
GAFF�Give a fuck factor i.e. 'My GAFF is pretty low right now'
GAFF Meter� imaginary device used to measure GAFF. i.e. 'My GAFF Meter is on empty' (also GAF Meter).
gaggle fuck�a disorganized mass of people who aren't doing anything productive. Reference Cornflake MEAFORD PAT+PAR
gagtown � a term used to refer to CFB Gagetown.
gen- a term used to refer to information, knowledge or a review of upcoming tests in the air force
get on the dog, get the dog on�to put one's best effort forward. Derived the naval term "Dog" which is what sailors use to control the sail of a ship.
glom on�grab on to, "Glom on to that bench" see muckle
glue bag�A person who is a moron.
go to ground�To go to bed.
GPIG- GPMG C5 used 1958 to 1989.
grape smugglers�Slang for the swim trunks you get issued in basic training.
gravel technician�infantry soldier. Created on grounds that the Infantry spend much time digging trenches.
grease monkey�mechanic.
green light�Paratrooper. Taken from the 'Go'/'No Go' lights when jumping.
green pyjamas�collective term given to the former olive-green combat dress.
ground pounder�infantry soldier; gunner.
ground sheet�See drip pan. Taken from its literal form of noun� a padded mat on top of which soldiers sleep. Normally said in combat trades. See also Drip Pan.Also refers to any female in the combat arms trades who is notorious for her promiscuity.
growlies�Slang for food.
grunt�a large Bornian ground-dwelling ape that digs holes for no apparent reason (PONGO) �infantry soldier. Also: Government Reject Unfit Naval Training
gucci kit�non issued kit or equipment bought by the soldier.
gun plumber�weapons technician, responsible for repairing firearms. Also gun doctor, gun fucker.
gun bunny - A member of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery generally, may specifically refer to a soldier serving as part of the crew of an artillery piece.
gun number - A soldier serving as part of the crew of an artillery piece. The positions are designated by numbers, with the gun crew being commanded by the "Number 1."
gunner�a trained private in the Royal Canadian Artillery, although the term can informally refer to an artillery soldier at any rank: "once a gunner, always a gunner." This term has also been used as a call sign for the machine gunner in a formation of members who bear rifles.
guppy�Navy
gut truck�Slang for the Coy Canteen vehicle. aka Roach Coach, Goodie truck
gut wrenches�aka cutlery
ham fisted�Something that is so unbelievably tight that the person who installed it has hams for fists.
hang dump�Slang for hovering over a cold blue rocket seat while defecating.
hatless dance�summary trial under the Code of Service discipline.
haybox�a large insulated container used for serving and storing food in field operations.
head shed�Any headquarters element. Also used in reference to the portable toilet.
head shrinker�Slang for the base therapist.
heads�Sailor's term for toilets. "Gotta use the heads"
headspace and timing check�Slang for a visit to the base therapist.
Helmet Fire� A situation where a pilot aggravates a minor emergency by over-reacting.
Herbie-Artillery soldier. Possibly a reference to Bing Coughlin's Second War era Canadian Army comic strip character in the Maple Leaf. Originally reserved for the regular Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA) and may refer to their use, before the advent of the CF green uniform, of Herbert Johnson of New Bond Street, London, as their source of headgear.
Herbie beater-A stout stick for threatening idle soldiers.
Herbie helper-Any member of a support trade posted to a unit of the RCHA.
Herman the German�figure printed on figure 11 targets at a rifle range.
Hesco Hobitt� A timid creature who never strays from the protective embrace of an area surrounded by Hesco Bastions- see also FOBit, KAFer.
hindquarters and pigs� Headquarters and Sigs (Signals) Squadron of any brigade.
honey wagon�Slang term for the chemical toilet maintenance vehicle
hooah!, HUA!�heard, understood, acknowledged, borrowed from the U.S. Army term or the USMC's "OOO-RAH!]]Used in a ironic manner, for a idiotic task that you have no enthusiasm in doing.
hootchy-Slang for a half shelter
Hootchy Hotel-Slang for two or more half shelters fastened together housing two or more personnel
Hop on her-Derogatory term for Op Honour, the anti-sexual harassment guidelines. How Op Honour sounds with a French accent.
horse cock�a flexible spout used for pouring fuel from a jerry can to a vehicle.
hump�carry or lift a load, originally an Australian term meaning "to carry one's swag,"; also a forced march carrying full equipment loads.
hurry up and wait�denotes a situation where something isn't well organized, is rushed into by personnel and some form of delay makes them all wait in the end.
I must puke�Individual Meal Pack (IMP), referring to a dislike for the pre-packaged food.
Individual Magic Pantry�Individual Meal Pack (IMP), field rations based on Magic Pantry or Freddie Chef "boil in the foil" packaging used in the 1980s.
ILS - Imaginary Lats Syndrome, refers to little man syndrome where the soldier forces his chest and arms out as if to have enlarged lats (latissimus dorsi muscle) while he struts.
infantard�Infantry Soldier. Based on the belief that most infantry soldiers are not quite as bright as their peers.
infantillery�Artillery Solider employed in an infantry role; artillerymen performing infantry-like tasks.
iron fist�hat badge of the Armoured Corps.
jacked up�to have one's faults corrected in a swift and severe manner.
JAFO - Just Another Fucking Operator
JAGs - Officers of the legal branch of the CAF, equivalent to a judge. They can make or break your day.
jag on�To get a jag on; to hurry up.
jammie�everything is good to go
Jesus ______�an item that is of monumental, singular importance. For example, if a particular computer in an office should not fail or be tampered with whatsoever, it is the "Jesus Computer".
Jimmy Jesus�St Andrew holding the cross
Jimmy�a member of the Signals branch. The Executive officer of HMC ships�from RN "Jimmy the One." Also the nickname of the statue of Mercury at the CFB Kingston main gate
JOUT�Junior Officer Under Training.
jug fuck�a disaster in the making.
KAFer�A soldier who never leaves the Kandahar Airfield while deployed in Afghanistan. See also FOBIT.
KAFass�Weight gained on tour by KAFers due to lack of exercise, the dining halls in KAF and repeated trips to Tim Hortons.
Kandahar Kruds-The shits related to acclimatization to Kandahar province, in Afghanistan.
keener�Someone who is always too enthusiastic to do any task.
kit bomb-A soldier who is unable to keep control of their belongings, as though a bomb went off scattering their kit about.
KFS�Knife, Fork, Spoon.
killick�Naval slang for a Leading Seaman. Really means spare anchor, from the anchor on the rank badge back in the pre-1960's Navy.
KIT- Kings In Trust, or Kings Issue Temporary.
knuckle dragger� Vehicle Technician
lawn dart�Paratrooper.
LBRT- Little black rubber thingy. Used to tie down vehicle tarps.
LCF�Look Cool Factor. Used in reference to the look of a piece of equipment and its affect on fashion
'LFCA TC Meaford-Located north of Toronto into hell- "Where happiness goes to die home of The forgotten (PAR members)RCR DP1 training base. (Again, its LFCA TC Meaford...dumbass)
leaf of grief�Slang for one being promoted to Master Corporal, often accompanied by a large amount of extra responsibility and little reward.
leather personnel carrier-Combat boots
leg�term used by members of the Airborne to refer to non-jumpers. Means "lacks enough guts".
light colonel�lieutenant-colonel. Used referentially, never when addressing the officer.
light up�Shooting an enemy, for example, "enemy to the front: light him up!".
line ape�a member of the Lineman trade, in army signals.
living the dream - a term quite often sarcastically used when situations dictate the direct opposite
log, log wog�a member of the Logistics branch. See Ren & Stimpy's 'Log Song' for more details.
lone bone�a Private bearing one chevron.
loser�Reservist term for a Regular Force member. Usually used because Regular Force personnel have no personalities and are boring to talk to.
loudership�refers to the art of leading by screaming
lung in a bag�I.M.P. (field ration) meal of omelette in mushroom sauce, referring to its appearance. Originally referred to the old Ham Omelet IMP from the 80s
ma'am�see "Sir".
Mach Schnell/Mach Chicken]- To move at high speed on the ground. "Grab your shit and mach schnell up to the OP!"
Maje - Diminutive of the rank Major. Frequently heard in the RCAF. Less frequently heard in the Canadian Army. Much less frequently...
malingerer�Slang for a soldier who constantly uses the MIR to avoid work. See Sick, Lame and Lazy.
Man-Love Thursday-Used in many jokes. Refers to observations in Afghanistan of the prolific male homosexual relations among the local population on Thursday nights.
map sail�slang for a junior officer in the field. Refers to a junior officer getting lost and unfolding their entire map and having it flutter in the breeze like a ship's sail.
master jack�Master Corporal.
mayor of Tune Town�Band Officer
meatbomb�Paratrooper
Meaford Range Control It is thought that range control has a weather machine at their control for when troops enter the training area so they can cook up the worst possible training conditions by setting it to "suck". It can be sunny in the town of Meaford yet full out wrath of a snowstorm in the training area.
meathead�a member of the Canadian Forces Military Police. Likely a reference to the scarlet beret that an MP wears, though it has said to have been used prior to the scarlet's wearing. May also refer to the contents of the beret. As in the joke: "What is a meathead?" A: "A PERI who failed the swim test."
Meat Wagon - term used during the second world war for ambulance
metal bashers�Aircraft Structures Technician.
mess tin syndrome�premature onset Alzheimer's in sergeants and warrant officers caused by years of eating from aluminum mess tins.
MFWIC- "Mother F...er whats in charge", pronounced "mifwic" eg. "Who's the MFWIC around here?"
Mickey Mouse Brigade Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
milverado�Slang for MILCOTS.
MIR Commando�A member of your unit who goes to the MIR (medical inspection room) frequently attempting to get out of work.
missile magnet�A command (HQ) tank or vehicle which can have as many as 6 antennas on top of it: Refers to command and control vehicles drawing a lot of anti-tank missile fire in a combat zone. Also known as 'sagger magnet'. See antenna farm
ML-acopter�Slang term for MLVW, when used on exercise to transport troops, when the budget is too small to pay for helicopter transport.
morale booster�a female soldier who engages in promiscuity with multiple members of her unit
morale tech 00069�a promiscuous female soldier
movement�To go to the bathroom number two.
mover -Traffic Technician
Mo�A militia soldier.
Mo-COTS� MILCOTS, as in MILitarized Commercial Off The Shelf, used primarily by the reserves.
MRE�abbreviation for Meal Ready to Eat (a soldier's food in the field) aka Meal Rejected by Ethiopians
MSE Op - Means Mobile support equipment Operator, Also referred to as "ME Start Engine Sometimes...Maybe" Refers to Military Truck Drivers,
muckle on�The act of sorting out troops, or solving a problem. i.e. "Pte Bloggins, muckle on to that broom and start sweeping"
Mudford�term of 'endearment' for LFCA TC Meaford. Said to be where 'happiness goes to die.'
N/S�non-serviceable, non-functioning, broken, official jargon.
NATO standard� a Tim Hortons (also referred to as Tango Hotel) Large regular or 1 n 1 coffee. (A NATO Standard is a Double Double NOT a Regular.)
navy gravy�ketchup.
nervous battalion�refers to service battalion troops who go to the field or outside the wire.
newfy steak�navy term for bologna slice.
Niner�the pronunciation of the number "9" in radiotelephony procedure. The added syllable is to reduce confusion with the number "5" when the signal is poor. Used in the callsigns of unit and subunit commanders.
Niner domestic�A soldier's spouse ("Don't confuse your rank with my authority" is their motto). Refers to army radio communications call sign '9', pronounced 'Ni-ner' that is a commander of a formation.
ninjas�the special-forces arm of the CF.
no hook�a Private below his or her qualification course specific to trade, who does not have a chevron or "hook" on his or her epaulet (or on any other means of display), unlike Trained Privates who do. Can also apply to an Ordinary Seaman, which is the naval equivalent to a no-hook. -MEAFORD PAR
not on�used to describe something that is unacceptable, or something that shouldn't happen�"that is NOT ON."
numpty�someone who is 'none too swift', see 'bag of shit'.
OD - Slang for Ordinary Seaman
oh dark stupid�Refers to the hour that most military personnel wake up
Old Man/Old Lady-Refers to the Commanding Officer (CO)
Omar the tent maker - Refers to Materials Technician
one hook�a Trained Private, whose hook signifies competency in his or her trade. Also denotes an Able Seaman in the Navy.
OPI�Usually referred to as Office of Primary Interest, but in this case it refers to "Only Person Interested".
Orders Parade - A military summary trial.
Other Ranks/ORs�an older term for Non Commissioned Members of the Forces used by officers; it is considered very inappropriate today.
PAFFO - Public Affairs Officer (PAO) from the former acronym for the occupation: P Aff O.
pallet pusher -Traffic Technician, specifically a member of line crew
paperclips�refers to the crossed chain links on the badge of the Canadian Forces Logistics Branch, which to the untrained eye appear to be paperclips. This refers to the administrative and paperwork-heavy nature of many of that branch's trades. Can be either joking or derogatory, depending on context.
part changer/wrench bender�Slang for mechanics.
Peanut Butter Eater�Slang for AES OPs.
[[Peanuts, Popcorn, Caramel, Licorice, Ice Cream-a play on the acronym PPCLI.
pecker checker�medic.
pee pee slapped�to get yelled at or a talking to for a minor mishap.
pencil-pusher/desk jockey�admin clerk
Personnel Receiving Extra Thick Cock�refers to members who are sent to CFB Borden's Post Recruit Education and Training Centre to sit and wait for their next training phase to commence
picklie/pickly�a member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (from PPCLI)
piddley shit�that which does not matter.
pig�term used for machine gun due to its weight, and appetite for ammunition.
pigboat�Named given to the former Gate Vessels of the Naval Reserves. All 5 were decommissioned in the mid 1990s. Originally used to open harbor gates during WWII. It was said they were made of "Pig steel"
pimps & drunks- slang offensive tern for Pipes and Drums.
ping bos'n- slang for Sonar Operators
ping pong champions of Long Island�Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
please protect Canada's little idiots�Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
plug�a very stupid or incompetent person. From the fuze plug/lifting eye that is screwed into the front of an artillery shell until the actual fuze is installed. See also "Shit Pump"
POC�Point Of Contact
point, press, and pray�also known as marksmanship principles
PONTI�person of no tactical importance. See OCDT.
Pole Monkey- CF Lineman "See line ape"
Poor Pathetic Pricks Couldn't Lick Italy- very derogatory reference to PPCLI
poultry molesters Politically correct term for the RCR's, also known as poultry fornicators.
princess Picklies �long slang for a member of the PPCLI. Not generally said to their faces.
private Bloggins, gunner Bloggins, sapper Bloggins etc.�the CF's Everyman.
pull pole Tearing down the Arctic Tent, getting out of location, leaving the military.
Qs�slang. short for PMQ, or Private Married Quarters.
Quickest Out of Ridgeway - Derogatory nickname for the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, alluding to the Battle of Ridgeway during the 19th Century Fenian Raids.
puzzle palace�slang for National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.
quarter-inch admiral�a derogatory term for a CF Officer Cadet, whether Army, Navy or Air Force; refers to the thin gold rank braid worn by these members on their tunics. By comparison, a CF Admiral (or General) wears a wide gold rank braid on their tunic.
queers on the run�offensive nickname for The Queen's Own Rifles Regiment (QOR).
rabbit�work done for free; as in "I have so many work orders to complete but all I do are rabbits".
rack out�Go to sleep, or take a nap/ lie down. see rock out with your cock out Reference LFCA TC Meaford PAR members they are deemed professionals in this field of expertise.
rag picker�supply technician.
ration-powered space-heater-soldier who's greatest skill is turning food into thermal energy for his tentmates. See Shitpump.
real world�the civilian sphere, as referred to by reservists (e.g. "You're a reservist too? What do you do in the real world?") See also civvy street.
recce by death�unofficial motto of armoured reconnaissance. Refers to the chance of survival of an unarmed, unarmoured Iltis, or G-Wagon, upon encountering the enemy (e.g. If junior call sign does not report back after taking a bound over that crest and smoke is rising, you know there are bad guys over there"). Jocular parallel formation to the professional term reconnaissance by fire (abbr. recce by fire) = U.S. speculative fire, spec fire
Reconditioned Drunks - Derogatory nickname for The Royal Canadian Dragoons, based on the unit's abbreviation "RCD."
red lead�Fire Fighters
regimental air mattress�see 'Ground Sheet'.
relish suit�collective term for the new CADPAT.
REMF-Rear Echelon Mother Fucker. Derogatory term used by combat arms to describe all other members.
rental�reservist.
reserve cock�Normally discipline coming from a Sgt thinking that everything has to be stressed out. Or a tasking done to kill time that shouldn't really be done. Denoted this because in the regular force, most senior NCOs are relaxed, and don't need soldiers to do meaningless tasks. This is probably due to experience. Can also refer to the hard time reservists get when working with reg force soldiers.
Residential Sergeant-Major�One's spouse, a play on Regimental Sergeant-Major, and used in speech with the same abbreviation: "I gotta check with the RSM before going to the mess; I think she wants me to pick up something for supper."
ring knocker�one who has attended RMC.
rigger�An aircraft airframe technician.
rock out with your cock out�Just finished a job, or duty, and now having nothing to do. You can relax and relax. see rack out, and smoke and joke.
Rocking Chair Rangers - The Royal Canadian Regiment.
roger dildo�Slang for Roger Wilco
RTFO�Stands for "Right the F... Out of er". Also known as the soldier "Ray Oliver"
rubber head�Term used for Communicator Research Operator.
rubber chicken rapers - term used to refer to the Royal Canadian Regiment
run chicken run - term used to refer to the Royal Canadian Regiment
SALY - "Same As Last Year", "And no kidding, as a junior officer training my gun battery in Germany, we took last year's training plan, changed the date and did it again," quote from retiring Lt-Gen Beare, CJOC Comd. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/retiring-lt-gen-stuart-beare-says-the-world-needs-more-diplomacy-1.2736710?cmp=rss
sand box�refers to Afghanistan
sandwich clamp�Infanteer term for hands.
sapper�a trained private combat engineer, or informally a combat engineer of any rank.
sarge�Sergeant; used informally and with familiarity between the two people.
SAS�Reference Reserve members defined Saturdays and Summers.
Saturday soldier�reservist.
Saturdays and Sundays Fucked - The former Special Service Force, now 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
sausage fest�Slang for a situation where there are no women, only a lot of men.
Sea Thing - Sikorsky Sea King helicopter.
Seagull-A bird who shows up at your work, flaps around, squawks, shits over everything you're doing, then flies away as quickly as it showed up. A term for any ranking member in a supervisory position.
Secret Squirrel Force - The former Special Service Force, now 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
secret squirrels�members of JTF2, more commonly used as a reference to the Int Op and Comm Rsch trades, due to the high security clearance needed and the secrets that go with such.
self-packing luggage�Pilots' reference to ground crew.
sergeant major moustache�term used to describe a moustache styled with wax in a manner that resembles the Pringles logo character. It is normally worn by senior non-commissioned members, such as Sergeants, Warrant Officers, hence its name. They are most popular in combat arms regiments.
shack hack�any illness that has spread quickly in quarters.
shack rat� a serviceman who is left in barracks to do extra clean-up for the day. any female who enters quarters to engage in promiscuity with those living in the housing unit. Alternately, a soldier who seldom leaves his quarters in his free time.
shack whore�a civilian female who comes to the shacks to engages in promiscuity with anyone who will give them a beer or a smoke. More commonly called a Shack Rat.
shacks�quarters of any time, not a reference to quality/comfort.
SHADS�Summer Holidays After Dinner Sailors. Originated from WW2 era Naval Reserve recruiting poster urging potential recruits to "shadow" RCN regulars. Term used for Naval Reservists.
Shilo-Factored�being so drunk as to cause you to do something stupid enough that it will have you standing before the CO the following morning
Shilo two-step�Summary trial under the Code of Service Discipline, usually by a delegated officer in a training setting for poor turn-out (cf. Shilo winds).
Shilo winds-A sudden localized indoor windstorm that scatters a soldiers belongings about when they leave their locker unlocked during training. Also Wainwright and Dundurn winds.
Shino Boys - A Great War-era nickname for The Royal Canadian Regiment, from the name of a popular brand of brass polish. Based on the regiment's habit of maintaining very high standards of personal dress and deportment, regardless of conditions.
Shit Faced-an individual who has consumed way more then they can handle.
Shit Hook - Chinook helicopter.
shit pump�an individual marked by gross incompetence or stupidity, whose only skill is converting rations into feces.
shit rat - a soldier who is always in trouble
shit, shower, 'n shave�the first three things that follow morning PT.
shit the bed�to fuck up something, make a gross mistake or otherwise disappointment. Also asked of personnel you rarely see at work. "What happened? did you shit the bed?"
shit tickets�Slang for Army toilet paper. aka poop-on coupons
shitter-Any facility than one may defecate in, portable toilet, indoor toilet with plumbing, etc.
shitter fitter�Naval Hull Technician
sick, lame and lazy�A group of soldiers who are medically exempt from participating in physical activity.
siggies�signals
Sigs Pig�Member of the Signals branch, Sig Ops / Rad Ops who are checked out and party hard.
silly servant�civil servant- civilian that works for DND
silver bullets/Cornwallis cripplers�The high speed running shoes you get issued in basic training aka ankle breakers.
sir�someone who is addressed as 'Sir' (or 'Ma'am') by subordinates, (i.e., Master Warrant Officer and above). Usually a response by a Warrant Officer or below when called sir�"I am not a sir/ma'am; I work for a living."
SISOL�Success In Spite Of Leadership
skirt - A member of a kilted regiment.
slack and idle�personnel without motivation or grossly out of shape
sliders�Naval term meaning to screw off early. Particularly applicable to Fridays and before lunch.
SLJO�shitty little jobs officer.
SLUGs�students learning under guidance.
SNAFU-situation normal all fucked up. pronounced as one word.
SOL�shit out of luck. pronounced by spelling out letters.
SOAP�as in SOAP Opera. Term used by Reservists to describe Regular Force Personnel. Meaning, Drama all week, off on weekends.
spare dink�someone who, at the time being, really does not have a job to do.
spark chaser�avionics technician
spinner�someone who has a tendency to 'panic' when put under even the slightest stress and can't make a decision, i.e. 'they spin'.
split arse�female.
Sprog� New Combat Engineers, see "Sapper". A subspecies of "Thumperhead's" inhabiting troop bays and Canteen's. They spend most of their daylight hours complaining about how "gay this is" and "why are we even here" due to the general lack of work outside of sweeping the parking lot on a day to day basis. Ironically most will resist vehemently if told they must take part in anything that removes them from the safety of their respective bay and especially if it involves any training or learning.
SPUTS�Self Propelled Pop-Up Targets, Armoured slang for infantry-see crunchie.
squiggly amps�The overly technical language of a Sig Op as perceived by all other personnel; that which does not make any sense but to the person speaking often due to their inability to dumb it down.
squishie�see crunchie
standards�"There is only ONE standard!" Problem is, everybody has one.
standby to standby�expression for waiting
stake truck�"Used to describe a civvy truck usually used to move pers kit to and from exercises, taskings or courses.
Subbie - A Second Lieutenant or Lieutenant, diminutive of "Subaltern."
super sailor�nickname for members of the Boatswain Naval trade, so called as they are more involved in seamanship than other Naval trades which are technically oriented.
super stoker�a member of the Marine Engineering Branch who attended the St. Lawrence College (or equivalent) Marine Engineering Programme. Entering the 2 year course as a recruit and exiting the course as a Master Seaman
SUSFU-Situation Unchanged, Still Fucked Up.
Swamp donkey -Female resident of Petawawa
SWASS-Sweaty ass.
SWAT-Refers to the reserves. As in Some Weekends And Tuesdays (Tuesday evenings are typically used for training).�See also SAS, Toon, and Weekend Warrior.
switched on�See "closed up".
TARFU-Things are royally fucked up.
Tater Head- Avionics Technician. Referring to removal of a broken light bulb by using a potato.
Terp-Civilian interpreters in use by the Canadian Forces, especially in Afghanistan.
TGIF-Thanks God it's Friday
The Old man- when combat arms units refer to the RSM or when sailors refer to the Commanding Officer of the ship
The Old woman-when a sailor refers to his wife
three-M club-The three 'M's are meals, movies, and mattresses. Meant to denote somebody who is spending most of their time slacking off or sleeping.
thudfuck�someone who is totally useless due to stupidity
thumper head�slang for Field Engineer or Combat Engineer
thunder box�refers to one of two things: 1) a makeshift toilet out of cardboard in a field setting, 2) portable toilet.
thunder chicken�refers to the thunderbird on the Canadian Forces Military Police badge.
thunder in�refers to someone who passes out. Usually during long periods of physical exertion i.e. parades, ruck marches, etc. Refers to a paratrooper who hits the ground far too fast, usually due to parachute malfunction, but also sudden down-draft, wind gusts, collision or an inexperienced jumper who steals his air by moving beneath jumper.
Timmi Taliban�refers to Taliban enemy
TI- Time in, or experience.
Time Machine- A reference to a sleeping bag during a long field exercise. "I'm gonna hop in my time machine to tomorrow"
Timmie- someone who is completely useless due to being too nervous or timid
Timmie on crutches - someone who is even more useless than a Timmie
Timmie in a wheelchair - the ultimate useless prick, too timid to breathe
torquing floor boards-A pointless waste of time would be to torque the floor boards of the Lav III APC used by The RCR. When given a bullshit 'Make work' or kill time, pointless type of task, it may be referred to as torquing floor boards.
to step on one's own dink�to really screw up.
TOCroach�A soldier who works in the Tactical Operations Centre. Often noted for their tendency to avoid sunlight and scurry about after crumbs
TOET-Test Of Elementary Training. The Test you have to do on a C7 before a range.
toon�refers to the reserves. As in Cartoons. Not real, and only seen on the weekends. See S.A.S.
toque head�The effect encountered when it's too cold to take off your toque for fear of brain freeze (e.g. on winter Ex's). Symptoms include excessive build up of grease on scalp and extremely sensitive hair.
Trapper -A term for Traffic Technicians that's mostly used by old NCO's
trooper�a trained private armoured soldier
Trunk Monkey- Flight Engineer.
tuba tech�a CF musician, regardless of the instrument they play.
tune tech�any CF Musician
tune town�the band room or practice area
Turret Fairy�Derogatory term for an Electronic/Optics Technician
twenty mile sniper�Artillery gunner
twin tailed plastic fag jet�A CF-18 Fighter Jet
un-fuck�to fix something or someone that's broken.
Valcatraz�Slang for Valcartier, Quebec. Once you're in, you never come out.
Van-don'ts-Slang term for the 5 Brigade Vandoos. The term refers to their lack of enthusiasm for training and missions taking place outside of Quebec. When used in past tense they are referred to as the "Van-didn'ts".
vomi, or camp vomi-Slang for Camp Vimy, in Valcartier. The first guys tho trained there drank the water and all got sick with it.
volun-told�A supposedly optional event, award, assignment, or activity in which a person (or persons) are required to attend either by persons-in-charge nominating them or their peers expecting them to be there. The individual often has no say in the matter, and non-attendance in frowned upon.
Wainwrong- Common name given to LFWATC Wainwright.
war pig�almost exclusively used in the Infantry, the term describes a very large, girthy and masculine female soldier. Occasionally used within the RCN to describe the Iroquois Class Destroyers due to the extreme age, condition and lack of fuel economy.
Wash-Infantry Slang for doing leopard crawling and pepper potting through a swamp.
weather machine�rumoured device installed at LFCATA Meaford which provides the base with abysmal weather while all surrounding communities enjoy beautiful sunshine. Generally believed to be controlled by range control as it is set to "suck" when troops are in the field training.
weekend warrior�reservist.
watch dogs - military police
whiskey tango foxtrot�the phonetic letter WTF; has the same meaning as the modern textspeak WTF�"What the ....?"
whiskey tango- white trash
Whistle head �officer
white elephant�an officer who works hard and holds the welfare of his/her men in high regard (extremely rare and rarely seen).
white whale�large, white moving-company style wagon used to transport goods in a non-combat environment.
Wobbly Pop�Slang term for beer
WOG, wog�without guts/without guns. A derogatory term for a solider who is not a member of the combat arms. Can also be interpreted as "Without Gun." Sometimes "Western Oriental Gentleman" aka "Worn Out Grunt"
WWMDD �What Would Mike Dwyer Do? The act of decommissioning equipment past the point of repair. Acronym devised after Cpl Dwyer�s persuasion techniques involves physical kicking of non-serviceable equipment coinciding with heavy profanity.
Yank proof�see 'American Proof'.
yellow bedroom�CF Crewcab truck which has a black hood and referenced in the joke: "What's black and yellow and sleeps four?"
YMCA�the navy
"you can't see me!" suit�See relish suit.
zip 'em up�the act of firing a close range burst at an enemy and the recoil causes successive shots to travel upwards, much like the zipper on a jacket.
zipper head�Armoured Crewman. From the old leather helmets used by early tankers. The pattern of stitching gave the appearance of a zipper running across the top of the head. Folk etymology: from the zippers on armoured-vehicle crew suits (re-purposed pilots' flight suits). Also from the supposed scars on a crewman's head that he received from smacking it on a part of an armoured vehicle while crawling through the hatches and small compartments.
zoomie�pilot or any members of the Air Operations branch.
zombie�the nickname for conscript soldiers during WWII.
zunter�name of someone whose natural gait sees their left arm swing in synch with their left leg, and right arm with right leg, rather than the normal opposite, requiring them to be re-educated in Basic in order to march. Physical impairment said to affect about 1 person in 10,000.

Appendix:Glossary of U.S. Navy slang
(Redirected from Appendix:U.S. Navy slang)
Template:dynamic list

Wikipedia has an article on:
List of U.S. Navy acronyms
The following are some examples of the slang of the United States Navy, you will also see references to the United States Marine Corps as well because of their use of naval terminology sometimes also referred to as NAVSpeak. Note that in the Navy, many ships and units have nicknames; these are listed separately, in Appendix:Glossary of U.S. Navy slang/Unit nicknames.

Table of Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

0-9[edit]
0-dark-hundred, 0'dark-hundred (pronounced "oh dark hundred", because the "zero" in time expressions was verbally pronounced "oh" in the US Navy and US Army as late as the 1980s: A slang term for any time between midnight and daylight. Used to convey that the time is when people are usually asleep. e.g. "We have to get up at 0-dark-hundred." It is not a reference to any particular time.
0-dark-thirty, 0'dark-thirty: A slang term that is used to describe that the commencement time of an operation or exercise is after midnight and before daylight; most typically when people would be deep asleep. It is not a reference to any particular time.
13 button salute: When a sailor in dress pants pulls down on the top two corners and all 13 buttons come unbuttoned at once, usually done just before sex.
1D10T: A mythical substance that new Sailors are sent in search of as a joke. Pronounced as "one dee ten tee" or "idiot".
1MC: The General Announcing system on a ship.
1st Division: The division, in most aviation and afloat commands, which is responsible for the material condition and cleanliness of the ship. On ships equipped with small boats, the First Lieutenant or "First" (First Division Officer or Deck Department Head) is in charge of these boats and the sailors who maintain and run them. On small boats, the "First" is in charge of boatswain mates and deck seaman. On larger ships, the "First" may be in charge of air crew. Work for 1st division varies among ships depending on size. Small ships only have one division, while larger ships like carriers or amphibs can have 5 or more. On Submarines the 1st Looey (1st Lt) is usually an non-qual Ensign and he runs "seaman gang" responsible for, among other responsibilities, all the gadgets necessary for handling and storing of mooring lines, materiel condition of Topside (chipping and painting), escape and rescue equipment like life vests and Steinke Hoods back when they were carried. Seaman gang, the 1st Lt's folks, are often non-quals who are e-4 & below with a first class or senior second class petty officer as leading petty officer. When the wardroom is short on baby Ensigns and/or in shipyard overhaul periods the 1st Lt may be a Chief Petty Officer.
2JV: Engineering sound-powered circuit. (Growler)
2MC: Engineering loudspeaker circuit. It's like the 1MC but restricted to Engineering Spaces.
7MC: On submarines this is generally the Ship's Control Comms Circuit (between the OOD on the bridge and Helmsman below in Control.
21MC: Ships command intercom circuit, mainly used between the bridge, combat, and flight decks. Also known as the Bitch Box.
2-10-2: A female, perceived to be unattractive otherwise, out at sea on a ship which has many more males than females and who is consequently paid more attention than she would be paid on land. "She was a 2 before going to sea, a 10 out at sea, and back to a 2 when she returned."
2-6-10: Abbreviation of "It's gonna take 2 surgeons 6 hours to remove 10 inches of my boot from your ass." Used to motivate someone who is not pulling their weight.
43P-1: Work center Maintenance manual; prior to OPNAV numbering the current guidance 4790/4(series) it was 43P. The series of books; 43P-1, 43P-2, 43P-3 & 43P-4 were separate books covering all aspects of maintenance. The 43P-2, 43P-3 & 43P-4 books were replaced in the mid 1980's with one book. the new book was a three ring binder, blue in color and had "3-M" all across the front & side. The 43P-1 book containing MIPs stayed in the work center and was a deep red color with 43P-1 across the cover. Officially no longer named the 43P-1, the fleet continues to name and refer to their work center maintenance manual as the 43P-1.
4JG: Communications circuit used by V4 Fuels Division to coordinate flight deck fueling operations between the flight deck and below decks pump and filter rooms. Also used to pass information between a flight deck fuel station and flight deck control as to status of fueling operations for individual aircraft. Found on aircraft carriers and similar vessels.
4MC: Emergency communications circuit that overrides sound powered phone communications to alert controlling stations to a casualty.
5MC: A circuit similar to the 1MC, except that it is only heard on the flight deck of an air-capable ship and in engineering spaces. It is EXTREMELY loud to overcome the jet noise on the flight deck. Do not stand near one of the speakers without hearing protection.
8 (or) 6 boat. Preferred term by Amphib sailors for LCM-8 or LCM-6 boats, as opposed to "Mike" boat.
90 Day Wonder, 90 Day Miracle: OCS graduate (as opposed to a graduate of four-year Naval Academy or ROTC training).
96er: A period of five nights and four days off of work due to special liberty or holiday. Very rarely occurs due to duty.
180� Amnesia: Occurs when a sailor has been deployed and selective memory is desired to deal with questions asked by his or her significant other. "Whatever happens on WESTPAC stays on WESTPAC."
4 acres of sovereign U.S. soil: An aircraft carrier.
A[edit]
Abu Dhabi (used attributively / as an adjective): Labeled in Arabic aboard a ship; used of any product, but especially soda cans. "We've been home from cruise for 8 months and we still have Abu Dhabi Cokes in the vending machines!" (More common synonym: Hadji.)
Acey-Deucey Club: A recreational facility that serves alcohol for first and second class petty officers, or any Enlisted Club that caters mostly to First and Second Class Petty Officers, but still allows all enlisted personnel.
Admin: Aviation,Pre-arranged meeting point, or shared hotel in-port.
Admin Warfare Specialist (humorous, sometimes derisive): A yeoman, personnelman or holder of another Navy administrative rating. Used especially of a sailor who does not have a warfare pin.
ADCAP Advanced Capability Torpedo that began life as the Mk 48 torpedo (21 inch diameter) launched primarily by submarine platforms. After the 3rd Mod, advances in computer technology and circuit miniaturization brought about the ADCAP which is a truly remarkable torpedo.
ADSEP: ADministrative SEParation: Release from Naval Service for administrative reasons. (The list of reasons is very extensive and can be found in BUPERSINST 1900.8C, Enclosure (2).)
AD: Aviation Machinist Mate, one who throws wrenches at aircraft and prays to mech gods for a favorable outcome.
A-Farts: (AFRTS)American Forces Radio & Television Service. A-Farts is received via satellite all over the world and offers a variety of shows. Some of the most entertaining offerings are the propaganda commercials it frequently airs since regular advertising is not permitted.
AFTA: Advanced First Term Avionics: Part of the advanced electronics schooling package, reserved for AT's AQ's and AX's for advanced training. Basically, they taught the PO2 exam for 6 months.
A-Gang: The Auxiliaries Division of the Engineering Department. Members are known as "A-Gangers." Also called "Fresh Air Snipe."
Ahead Flank Liberty: The fictitious speed at which a ship travels after a mission or patrol is completed with high marks and the ship is headed into very nice foreign ports that cater to visiting US Forces.
AIMD: Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department. A department on aircraft carriers and Naval Air Stations responsible for maintaining aircraft sub assemblies. On an aircraft carrier, this consists of 5 divisions: IM1 - AIMD Admin, IM2 - Airframes and Power Plants, IM3 Avionics, IM4 Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Aviation Ordnance, IM5 IMRL.
Air Department: Consists of 5 divisions, usually manned by Aviation Boatswains Mates. V0 Division: Admin offices. V1 Division: Aircraft Handlers on the flight deck. V2 Division: Maintenance of Catapults and Arresting Gear. V3 Division: Aircraft Handlers on the Hangar Deck. V4 Division: Aviation Fuels.
Air Boss: Air Officer. His assistant is the "Mini Boss."
Air Force Gloves: Pockets. Used when a sailor has his hands in his pockets.
Air Force Salute, Airman Salute, Airedale Salute: An "I don't know" shrug of the shoulders. Also called an Ensign Salute.
Airedale: A sailor who works on or around aircraft.
Airstart: (1) An attempt to restart an aircraft's engine(s) after in-flight failure. (2) A blowjob.
Air Wing: The aviation element on board an aircraft carrier consisting of various squadrons.
A.J. Squared Away: (name for) a sailor who is always "squared away," meaning always having a perfect shave, perfectly ironed uniform, spit-shined shoes, haircut with less than 1mm of hair, spotless uniform, etc. Anyone who has been designated with this nickname is most likely a lifer who has no life outside the navy. Compare to "dirtbag." The more derogatory "A.J. Squared the fuck Away" is often used by those that can't attain A.J.'s high standards.
All Ahead Bendix: Attempt more than full speed ahead, e.g. by bypassing limiters or subjecting the engine motors to overvoltage, on the assumption that the risk of defeat would otherwise outweigh the risk of engine damage.
Alpha Dogs: Refers to Alpha Company, a division of vehicle operators and mechanics within the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, also known as the Fighting Seabees.
Alpha Inspection: Formal inspection of uniforms and living spaces. Often performed with a white glove and a black sock.
Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Adios, motherfuckers.
Aluminum Cloud: The F-14 Tomcat.
Already Broke: The USS Arliegh Burke.
Anchors and Spurs: The famous dance club at NAVSTA San Diego where many a lonely Navy wife has broken the seventh commandment. Many sailors find this amusing until it happens to them. Also called "Cankers and Sores."
Angles and Dangles (Submarine Service): (a reference to) placing a submarine at crazy angles and in crazy positions soon after leaving port, to see if anything breaks loose. Known as "at sea" by the surface Navy.
"Another Fine Navy Day!": An expression said (in a very cheery manner) on occasions when, in fact, it is not a Fine Navy Day at all.
Anymouse (adjective): Anonymous. Used to describe the safety system whereby sailors can drop anonymous recommendations into a locked box.
AO: Aviation Ordnanceman, personnel assigned to Aircraft Carriers, Helicopter Carriers and Aviation Squadrons that store, handle, assemble, transport and load all weapons and drop tanks along with electronic counter measure pods, dispensers and sono-bouys on Navy and Marine Corps aircraft. Other duties include storing and maintaining unit small arms as well as training and qualifying squadron member in their use and the use of deadly force. Aviation Ordnancemen are expected to have a broad knowledge base of the rate and and be able to perform any duties of the rate.
AOCS: Aviation Officer Candidate School; since discontinued pre-commissioning program at NAS Pensacola, FL that trained both prior service and non-prior service college graduates to become naval officers and to subsequently qualify as either Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, Air Intelligence Officers, or Aircraft Maintenance Duty Officers - program merged into Officer Candidate School at NETC Newport, RI in the late 1990s
AOL: Absent Over Leave; Navyspeak for AWOL. See UA, the correct Naval term.
AOM: All Officers Meeting, held for a variety of reasons like training, port calls, mess issues, etc.
Armpit of the Med: Naples, Italy. So called on account of its unique smell and the overall (un)cleanliness of the city.
ASH Receiver: An "ash tray." Newbie sailors are sometimes sent all over base to locate an ASH Receiver as a joke.
ASMO: Assignment Memorandum Orders. Mostly issued in boot camp to set a recruit back in training due to poor performance.
Assholes and elbows: The only things which should be seen by a boatswains mate when deck hands are on their hands and knees holystoning a wooden deck.
Asshole of the Navy: Norfolk, Virginia, home of the fabled "DOGS AND SAILORS KEEP OFF THE GRASS!" sign. The cold shoulders from civilians persist in certain Navy towns. See also "NoFuck, Vagina."
ASVAB: The Navy's enlisted entrance exam. (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
ASWOC: Anti-Submarine Warfare Operations Center - shore-based briefing/debriefing/analysis/operational control center for VP aviation. See also TSC.
Aviation Queer: The enlisted rating AQ, Aviation Fire Control Technician; since merged into Aviation Electronics Technician (AT).
AW: The enlisted rating previously known as Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare Operator, now known as Aviation Warfare Operator; sometimes preceded by the adjective "fuckin'" by non-aircrew sailors
AWOL: Absent Without Official Leave; this is a US Army and USAF term, not a Navy term, see UA.
AX: The enlisted rating Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Technician; since merged into AW rating (often forgotten but masterful to behold).
Aye: Yes (I understand)
Aye, aye: Yes (I heard the order, I understand the order, and I intend to obey/carry out the order). "I understand and I will comply."
B[edit]
B1RD: Pronounced: Bravo One Romeo Delta. Nomenclature used to identify a bird to boot sailors. Similar to CGU-11.
Baby Beater: A small sledge hammer
Baby Birdfarm: A helicopter carrier/amphibious assault ship.
Baboon Ass: Corned beef. The nickname is based on its color and flavor. See also Monkey Butt.
Back Alley: Card game of trump played by 2 to 4 players (mostly "snipes"). Players are first dealt 1 card each then 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13, 13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. Players bid on the number of tricks to be taken, trump is determined by draw. Score is kept by awarding 3 points for bids made and taken and 1 point for each additional trick. A player unable to make their bid goes set 3 X the bid. Game can be played by partners.
Bag (noun): Flight suit.
Bag (verb): To issue demerits at the Naval Academy.
Bag it: Hit the bricks, take off. "Liberty is down." "Let's bag it."
Bag of Dicks: An unwanted or extremely tedious task, e.g. one that is given one hour before shift change and will require at least 3 hours to complete. Someone who has been given a "Bag of Dicks" has been "bagged," which is quite similar to getting 'sand bagged'.
Bag Nasty: A pre-packaged bag lunch usually consisting of a cold cut sandwich, piece of fruit, and juice box or can of soda. Served at galleys in lieu of regular chow for sailors on the go.
Bagger: A sailor who is chronically late for watch relief. Also known as a "shit bag."
Ball Button: The fourth button down on the new Service Uniforms, so called because it has a tendency to come undone.
Balls O'Clock: Any unspecified time late at night when it is absurd to be awake and having to do things, be on watch, etc.
Balls Thirty: (1) The time 00:30, when there is a security sweep on some bases. (2) Any time late at night that doesn't qualify for Oh Dark Thirty.
Balls to Two: A short watch stood from 0000-0200. Not generally seen outside of Boot Camp.
Balls to Four: A four hour watch technically stood from 0000-0400, though in practice begining at 2345 and ending at 0345. Most commonly seen on a "Dogged Watch" schedule.
Balls To The Wall: see Wiktionary's mainspace entry on the term "balls to the wall"
Bandit: An aircraft which has been positively identified as hostile.
Bar fine: Fee paid to the manager ("mamasan") of a bar (generally adjacent to the former Naval Base Subic, former Naval Air Station Cubi Point, or former Clark Air Base in the Philippines) for letting a "hostess" take the night off. If a longer term "relationship" is desired by both parties, the "bar fine" can be paid in advance as "steady papers." Sex is universally expected, although technically not required. The hostess will expect some entertainment (dancing, dinner, etc.)
Barely Trainable: Derogatory term for a Boiler Technician (BT).
Barney Clark: A slider topped with a fried egg. Also called a "One-Eyed Jack." Named, due to its apparent high cholesterol content, for Mr. Barney Clark, who in 1982 received a "Jarvik" artificial heart.
Barricade, Barrier: The huge nylon net strung across the landing area of a carrier to arrest the landing of an aircraft with damaged gear or a damaged tailhook.
Bar Stool Technician: A term labeled to the former AQ rating, Aviation Fire Control Technician. The rating badge icon looked like a bar stool.
Batphone: A dedicated outside telephone line (not for personal use) typically for shore power or security purposes. Sometimes used to connect CIC to Engineering.
Battle Group (BG): A group of warships and supply ships centered around a large deck aircraft carrier and that carrier's airwing. Usually consists of one cruiser, one supply ship, and one or two destroyers, frigates, and submarines. More recently referred to as a Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
Battle Racks: (term for) when mission-exhausted Aviators are allowed to sleep through General Quarters.
Battle rattle: body armor and helmet.
Battle Stations: A manning condition involving (usually) all hands. Assignments are planned out prior to setting the underway watch and posted in the Watch, Quarter, and Station Bill. Assigned personnel go to their assigned stations to do their assigned task in support of fighting the ship in a battle or when there is a credible threat of attack for which the ship must be prepared to fight against.
Battlewagon: Battleship.
B.B. Stacker: Crew that handles and maintains the air launched weapons, Aviation Ordnancemen (Red shirts)
BCG's: Birth Control Glasses: Standard Navy-issue corrective eyewear for non-flight crew and non-flight deck personnel. So named because they are so thick and hideous that one is guaranteed never to have sex while one is wearing them. Term has become obsolete due to more normal looking frame choices now offered (outside of enlisted recruit training, at least). (Also known as CGL's � Can't Get Laids.)
B.D.N.W.W.: Broke Dick No Worky-worky. See Broke Dick.
Beer Day: On many navy ships, even in the present day, all hands are given 2 beers if they are underway without a port call for a given period of time � generally 45 days. Both beers are opened when they are given to the crewmember to prevent them from being hoarded.
Beans, bullets, and black oil: Supplies of all sorts needed by a warship.
Bells:
Naval method of indicating the time of day aboard ship, usually over the 1MC. One bell corresponds to 30 minutes past the hour. Bells will only be rung as a single strike, or a closely spaced double strike, with a maximum of eight bells (4 sets of 2). Bells repeat themselves every 4 hours. For example 2 sets of 2 bells, followed by a single bell (5 total) could be 0230, 0630, 1030, 1430, 1830, or 2230.
Method of requesting speed changes from the Engine Room using the Engine Order Telegraph (EOT), normally from the Bridge. (example: 1/3, 2/3, Full, Standard, Flank, B1/3, B2/3, BI, BEM)
Benny: A treat or reward, derived from "Benefit."
Benny Suggs: The Navy's Beneficial Suggestions program, a method where DON employees, and Navy and Marine personnel can make suggestions to improve various programs and operations.
Bent Shitcan:
Someone below Naval standards.
An angry or particularly unpleasant attitude, such as one might have if their only job onboard was to collect and retain everyone else's refuse, and then on top of that some asshole got mad and kicked him, leaving a big, ugly dent in his side. "We got a new XO and he had an attitude like a Bent Shitcan."
Big Chicken Dinner: Slang for a Bad Conduct Discharge, a punishment awarded to a sailor who has committed a serious infraction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Bilge Juice: Non-sanctioned alcoholic beverage created while on long deployments by mixing yeast, water and sugar.
Bilge Rat: Someone who works in the engineering spaces. On submarines the bilge rat is usually the smallest non-qual in the division, although bilges are great places for a field day assignment (good for napping) so a senior second class petty officer might call dibs on a bilge.
Bilge Troll: Engine room lower level watchstander; junior enlisted nuke machinist mate on sub.
Bilge Turd: Derogatory term for "Boiler Technician", typically from Machinist Mates who attend the identical A school
Bilge Water: Something spoken that is nonsense or ridiculous.
BINGO: Minimum fuel needed to return to base (RTB).
Binnacle List: The daily list of ship's crew who are sick in quarters (see below). So called because in the old days of sailing, this list was posted on the binnacle, the casing that housed the ship's compass.
Bird: Aircraft.
Birdfarm: Aircraft Carrier.
Bitchbox: Intercom or amplified circuit used to communicate between spaces of a ship. (example: 2MC, 5MC, 23MC, 26MC)
Bitching Betty: The computer generated female voice heard in an aviator's headset when something is not as it should be. She is usually worried about unsafe flight conditions or an enemy threat.
Black beret: Worn by Swift Boat and PBR Sailors, originally in Vietnam. The tradition has sporadically been followed by modern small boat sailors. (See "Brown Water Navy.")
Black box: Repair, in primarily for electronic equipment, where an entire card or subsystem is replaced, rather than individual components. As a noun the said card.
Black and Decker Pecker Wrecker (derogatory): A female who has orthodontic braces.
Black gang: A ship's engineers.
Black Hole, The Black Hole: The Navy's main base at Norfolk, Virginia, so called because "it's where sailors' careers go to die."
Black Pants: An enlisted sailor below the rank of E-7 (Chief Petty Officer). So named because of the black and khaki working uniform. See also "Blue Shirt."
Black Shoe: Sometimes shortened to just "Shoe." Term used to describe shipboard or 'surface' officers and senior enlisted members, due to the black footwear worn while in khaki uniform. See also BROWN SHOE
Blanket Party: A beating administered to someone whose head has been covered with a blanket (to prevent that person from identifying the attackers), in boot camp (and usually at night), because the individual is perceived to have harmed the group by not being squared away.
Blivit (or Blivet) (derogatory): A person who is full of shit; ten pounds of shit in a five pound sack. Often starts bullshit stories with 'believe it or not'
Blowing the ___ Fleet: Performing oral sex on a prostitute (in reference to the fact that said prostitute may have had sex with the entirety of the named fleet). "You just blew the 7th Fleet."
Blowing Shitters: An act by which an HT uses straight firemain pressure on a clog in the sewage line (CHT/VCHT) that cannot be removed by ordinary means. Normally a last resort, yet used more often than not, that when not done properly causes one hell-of-a mess� especially on CHT lines when some unfortunate soul is on the crapper when the full force of the firemain comes through.
Blowing a Shitter (Submarine Service): Inadvertently "flushing" a toilet (see "Shitter," below) while San Tanks are being blown overboard by charging the sanitary tank with enough air pressure to overcome sea pressure; this could be a considerable pressure if the boat is deep which is costly so it's usually a housekeeping evolution at periscope depth.
Blue Falcon: (Also known as a "Bravo Foxtrot") Slang term for "Buddy Fucker", also, "Noble Order of the Blue Falcon" for those who are true masters of Blue Falconry.
Bluejacket: An enlisted sailor below the rank of E-7 (Chief Petty Officer).
Bluejacket's Manual: The handbook of seamanship issued to recruits.
Blue Roper (also: Blue Rope): A sailor that is in training to be a Recruit Division Commander, so called because of the blue rope they wear on the right sleeve.
Blue Side: The figurative side one is stationed at if one is stationed at a Naval Command; contrasted with the "Green Side" (Marine Corps Command).
Blue Shirt: Aviation Boatswain's mate, usually seen chocking and chaining birds to the deck. Precursor to Yellow Shirt. Same as Bluejacket, referring to the blue utility shirt worn by those personnel.
Bluenose: An individual who has crossed the Arctic Circle.
Blue Dick: The Navy, AKA (I've been f-ed by the Blue Dick again)
Blue on Blue: (1) Fratricide, friendly fire, so called because blue is the color associated with friendly forces during "workups" and exercises, while the fictional enemy country is usually orange. (2) (in port) A girl-on-girl stripper scene, porn scene, etc.
Blue Tile: An area of the aircraft carrier on the starboard main passageway, O-3 level, where the Battle Group (now called Carrier Strike Group) admiral and his staff live and work. As the name implies, the deck is indeed blue tile there. Passing through, especially by junior enlisted sailors, is highly discouraged. During wartime, armed guards may be posted on both sides of the blue tile. Pictures of bare-assed drunken aviators standing on the blue tile during port calls are highly prized keepsakes.
Blue Water: Deep water far from land. Only larger, self-sufficient ships can operate on these waters. Also called the "high seas." See "Brown Water."
BMOS: Big Man On Ship: Often refers to the ship's Captain. The closest civilian equivalent is BMOC (Big Man On Campus).
BMW: Big Maine Woman: One of the large women in the Brunswick/Bath Maine area who like to pick up sailors from the former Naval Air Station Brunswick or pre-commissioning destroyers at the Bath Iron Works in local bars.
Boat:
Boats list (lean to the inside of a turn), Ships heel (lean to the outside of a turn). "Turn to Port, heel to Starboard" Word passed from the bridge to PriFly indicating a turn and to warn the flight deck crew of deck angle changes.
A water craft small enough to be carried on a ship (ships themselves may only be called boats by members of the crew who have completed a deployment).
A submarine (submarines are called boats, with only limited exceptions).
Boat Goat: A female sailor onboard a ship.
Boat School: Nickname for the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis, MD.
Boats: A sailor in the Boatswain's Mate rating or the Aviation Boatswain's Mate rating, or the ship's Bosun or Air Bosun, the latter usually a CWO or LDO.
B.O.C.O.D: "Beat Off Cut Off Date": The date prior to returning home from a deployment on which a man should stop masturbating in order to save himself up for his wife or girlfriend.
Bogey: An unknown aircraft which could be friendly, hostile, or neutral.
B.O.H.I.C.A.: (Bend Over, Here It Comes Again). Often used when situations, as can be normal, repeat themselves but more often when you just know you are about to get it again from the Command.
B.O.H.I.C.A Key � Naval Air Station Key West was located on Boca Chica Key, Florida.
BOHICA Boat � Derogatory name for USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) BOHICA our screws never stop. A ships bumper sticker was authorized by the CO and were printed by the thousands until the CO found out what BOHICA meant. Circa 1981.
Bolter: Failed attempt at an arrested landing on a carrier by a fixed-wing aircraft. Usually caused by a poor approach or a hook bounce on the deck, this embarrassing event leads to a go-around and another attempt to "board."
Bonnie Dick: USS BONHOMME RICHARD * (CV/CVA 31, LHD 6)
Boomer: Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
Boomer Fag: Crewmember of a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
Boondockers: The standard workday steel-toed boots.
Boondoggle: An inefficient meeting, event, or evolution; one that it is more fun than productive. Telling the LPO you're going up to the calibration shop for awhile but head up to the roach coach instead? That's also a boondoggle. "Shithead is on a boondoggle again."
Boopdiddley: All-purpose, virtually meaningless expression, used as an exclamation i.e. "Boopdiddley!" or " Aw, Boop!" (1974)
Boot Camp: Term used to refer to the eight week basic training course held at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. Can also refer to a green or inexperienced sailor, officer or enlisted person, e.g. "Boot ensign."
Boot Chief: Nickname given to a Chief during their first year as a Chief. Only used Chief to Chief.
Booter (usually derisive): Any sailor who has very little time in, or a lot less time than the speaker.
Boot Topping: Black paint used to paint the water line on ships.
B.O.S.N.I.A.: Big Ol' Standard Navy-Issue Ass (from the apparent widening of the hips due in part to the cut of the working uniforms)
Bosun's Punch: New sailors on ship are sometimes assigned to find this mythical tool in the office of one of the ship's Bosuns (Boatswain). The sailor is then typically punched very hard in the shoulder by the Bosun in question.
Bottom blow:
To open valves in the mud drum to allow boiler pressure to force accumulated sludge out of the boiler.
To take a shit.
Bounce Pattern: When several aircraft are practicing touch and go landings at the same airfield.
Boxing your coffee: Using two paper cups and pouring back and forth to mix creamer and/or sugar.
Box kicker: Supply clerk.
Box of Rocks: Derogatory term for more than one sailor that has performed their work in an unsatisfactory manner.
Brain Fart: A condition when, under stress, one cannot recall or perform something that would normally be easy or second nature.
Brain Housing Group (chiefly in the USMC): A skull.
Branch: Lowest organizational level in most naval commands. Below department and division.
Bravo Bozo: Derisive term that is the opposite of Bravo Zulu. Given for something done poorly. Also used when a sailor gets a BZ from the command, shipmates will call it a Bravo Bozo award.
Bravo Zulu: Originally, "BZ" was a signal meaning "Well Done." It is sometimes used by seniors praising subordinates in one form or another. ([1])
Breakaway Music: Music played over the 1MC after "breaking" away from an oiler following UNREP. Can be outdated classic rock that was never really popular in the first place, or cool music, depending on the ship's commanding officer. It is played to "motivate" the crew after an UNREP, VERTREP, etc. Usually played at a level that would normally get you a ticket in town and is so distorted as to make it impossible to identify the song.
Bremerlo: A husky (large) female. Derives from Bremerton, Washington, where there is a base at and around which such females are common. The name is a concatenation of Bremerton Buffalo described as weight a 'bremer-ton'.
Bremerton: How much a Bremerloe weighs.
Brig: Jail.
Brig Chaser: The sailor who escorts a prisoner to the brig.
Broke-dick: Technical term describing malfunctioning or inoperable equipment. Example: "The fuckin' aux drain pump is fuckin' broke-dick."
Brown bagger: Married sailor who brings his lunch from home in a paper bag.
Brown Nose: Sailor trying a "little too hard" to make rate by sucking up to superiors. Can also refer to those who wear khakis (Chiefs, Officers) since it is assumed that most have "brown-nosed" to obtain their present position. Mythical rates include "Chief Brownnose" and "Brow Nose First Class." Also known as a "Butt Shark."
Brown Shoe: Term used to describe aviation community officers and senior enlisted members, due to the dark brown footwear worn with khaki uniforms and aviation winter working green uniforms.
Brown Trout: Occurs when some Hull Tech blasts the sewer lines, causing raw sewage to be disbursed onto the decks of lower level berthing areas. Called that for the fact the turds could look like a rumpled brown fish.
Brown Water: Shallow water close to land; littoral water in which smaller ships can operate. Sometimes specifically: the portion of Vietnam where Navy patrol boats operated.
Brown Water Navy (Sailor): Any Sailor who operates a small boat in inshore areas.
Brown Water Puddle Pirate: Affectionate name given to the US Coast Guard by their brethren blue water sailors.
Bubble (or The Bubble):
The edge of passing or failing at something, or "the fence": when someone is on the edge of passing or failing at something, or is undecided, that person is "on the bubble."
(Submarine Service) The indication of the ship's angle fore and aft. The Diving Officer of the Watch (DOOW, pronounced "Dive") controls the angle on the ship by various means. The original ship's angle gages were liquid filled glass tubes with an air bubble that indicated the trim angle. If the angle becomes too large, he will be ordered "mind your bubble." In rough weather near the surface, maintaining the angle on the ship can be very difficult. When the Dive can no longer control the angle on the ship by the means at his disposal, he is said to have "lost the bubble." (3) The area on an aircraft carrier where the Catapult Launch Officer sits. So called because it is raised only a few inches above the flight deck and has angled windows. (4) (in the expressions "have the bubble" and "lose the bubble") A grasp of the situation; understanding or control of what is going on.
Bubblegummer: A newbie or young sailor just out of boot camp or school.
Bubblehead: A sailor in the Submarine service.
Budweiser: Nickname for the SEAL Trident insignia.
Buddy Fucker: Someone who fucks over their shipmates, and who is not to be trusted with any information or watch swap.
Buffer Tech: A junior enlisted who polishes the deck with a buffer, a duty normally assigned to shore duty personnel or those attending "A" School.
Bug Juice:
The Kool-Aid-like beverage dispensed on the messdeck, in the CPO Mess, the Officer's Wardroom or the Flag Mess. Typically Orange or Red. Before the turn of the century, bug juice was also used to clean decks when cleaning agents were not available. It is still used for removing corrosion from brass fittings. Allegedly also because the powder used to make the juice attracted bugs.
(USMC) A 50/50 solution of Skin-So-Soft & alcohol used during drill to repel sand fleas at Paris Island.
Bug Juice Sunrise: Orange with a splash of Red.
Building 1: USS Brooke (FFG-1), so called because she had so many problems with her P-fired boilers that she was regularly unable to get underway from her long-occupied berth at NAVSTA San Diego. When she did get underway she was typically towed back in, whereupon she was referred to as "USS Broke".
Building 20: Derogatory term used to describe the U.S.S. Mt. Whitney (LCC-20), as it rarely goes to sea.
Building 36: The USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36). Home ported at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, she left port only on rare occasions (so her crew could collect sea pay); when she did, she had to be towed back in.
Building 39 (1990s-era Norfolk slang): The USS Emory S. Land (AS-39). So called because, during that time period, she rarely left port.
Building 38: The USS Puget Sound (AD-38).
Bulkhead: Wall.
Bulkhead remover: A fictional substance veteran sailors often task new sailors with getting, as a joke.
Bull, Bull Ensign: The seniormost Ensign onboard a surface ship, a submarine, or in an aviation squadron other than in the Training Command. This Ensign is charge of various wardroom duties, often including mentoring the juniormost Ensign (see "George") and setting up the wardroom's movie night while at sea. Originated during World War II when Admiral "Bull" Halsey designated one officer to oversee wardroom functions.
Bull Nuke (Submarine Service): The senior most enlisted nuclear sailor, usually the Engineering Department Senior Enlisted Advisor.
Bullet Sponge: U.S. Marine.
Bully Big Dick: The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The name is a corruption of "Bully Big Stick", the Roosevelt's shipboard news program.
Bumfuck, Egypt: The middle of nowhere; an out-of-the-way duty station.
Bun: A sexually active female sailor.
Burn (verb):
To smoke a cigarette.
(as "burn a copy") To make a xerox copy of a document or sheet of paper.
Burn a flick (verb): To watch a film while underway.
Burn holes in the sky (verb): To fly monotonous patrol flights over a given area.
Burnbag: (1) One of the red-and-white-striped paper bags which are used to hold classified material meant for destruction. (2) An underperforming Cryptologic Technician or "CT" Shitbag.
Burn Run: An organized evolution to dispose of the material stored in burn bags.
Busted: Reduced in rank as a result of Captain's Mast.
Buster: Proceed at max possible speed.
"Bust Me on The Surface" (Submarine Service): An expression used when a subordinate strongly disagrees with an order given by a superior (who may be under heavy situational pressure) and the subordinate takes actions which are correct but counter to the order. The expression references the disciplinary action which could result in the fresh air of safety that would not be reached if the original order were carried out. Rarely used.
Butt Kit: Ash tray. Aboard a ship, it is a can with a hole in the lid, usually hung from the bulkhead near watch stations.
Butt Puckering: A term used to describe a harrowing or scary experience. "It was a Butt Puckering experience."
Butt Shark: A Sailor who is obviously brown-nosing in hope of receiving favorable evaluations.
Butter Bar: The single gold bar on the khaki uniform of an Ensign (Navy) or 2nd Lieutenant (USMC) By extension, an Ensign, or any new officer fresh from OCS, the Naval Academy, or NROTC.
C[edit]
Cadillac: A mop bucket, usually with wheels and a wringer. See also "Swab."
CAG: Title used when addressing the carrier air wing commander. It is a holdover from the days when air wings were called air groups and stood for Commander Air Group. Can also refer to the air wing itself, as in CAG-1, CAG-5 or CAG-14. See "air wing."
Cal PO: Calibration Petty Officer: Collateral duty position, typically filled by the most junior and inept sailor in a division, responsible for ensuring a division's test equipment is delivered to the cal lab on time.
Carl Prison: "America's Favorite Carrier," the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).
Captain's Asshole: The XO. In general, the CO makes policy, the XO enforces it, hence the name.
CASREP: Casualty Report: Report to higher authority something which is inoperative, OOC (out of commission), and the impact on readiness. Often jocularly applied to broken minor items not requiring any report, or to personnel who are on the binnacle list. Also applied to those who have been killed.
CAVU: Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited: Perfect flying weather.
CF (pronounced Charlie Foxtrot): clusterfuck.
C-GU11 (pronounced "See-Gee-You-Eleven"): Seagull. Similar to the code for "bulkhead remover." A common joke is to ask inexperienced personnel on watch to "keep an eye out for signs of C-GU11s in the area, over." Sometimes spelled C-6U11, Z-6UL1 or various 1337-like combinations.
Cake Eater: Sailor who reenlists. So called because most commands present sailors with cake at their ceremonies if they reenlist.
Canoe Club: The U.S. Navy.
Canoe U: United States Naval Academy
Captain's Mast: Navy term for non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Depending on the rank of the commanding officer involved, the name of the procedure may change to Admiral's Mast, OIC's Mast, etc. "Mast" for short.
Cannon balls: Baked, candied apples served to midshipmen at the Naval Academy on special occasions. Twelve are served per table. If one person at the table is willing to eat all 12 apples and succeeds, that person is given the honor of "carry on" (lack of harassment by upper classmen) for the remainder of the semester.
Carrier Strike Group (CSG): See "Battle Group."
Carry on: An officer's reply to a junior person's call to "attention on deck", meaning all present rise and come to attention as a sign of respect. "Carry on" allows personnel to continue whatever they were doing. Also see "cannon ball."
Cell Block 70: The USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), so called on account of her never ending berthings and overall resemblance to a prison.
CGU-11: Nomenclature for a Seagull to boot sailors. Usually used as part of a goose-chase.
Channel Fever: Anxiousness, felt when approaching port, to get leave. It is sometimes cured by a "Channel Fever Shot," a slap or kick to the backside.
Chaps: Chaplain.
Checks Five-Oh: Excellent, in proper working order. Things can also be repaired and gotten into proper working order and then referred to as "checks five-oh." Derives from the 5-point evaluation system used in the navy, in which a score of five is given to individuals who perform exceptionally well.
Check Valve: A person who "does for himself or herself, but not others." None of the goodies get past that person. Similar to a real check valve which only allows fluid to go one way.
Chem Wipe: Also known as Kim-Wipes, though they bare no resemblance to the far more delicate Kimberly-Clark product. These are heavy duty paper towels purchased in bulk, and are used in every cleaning situation imaginable.
CHENG: Chief Engineer. (Pronounced much like Chang and used as the officer's name.)
Chicken Switches (Submarine Service): Switches in the overhead above the Dive Officer's station that release 4500 lb air into the main ballast tank, initiating the Emergency Main Ballast Tank blow (EMBT blow) causing the tanks to fill with air and the submarine to rise to the surface in a real hurry. Sometimes, engineering drills may cause the sub to go near test depth (the depth the submarine has been tested to); this may be caused by a delay in recovering the reactor, or many other reasons. If the Dive Officer (or whoever has the Con) blows the tanks, they were "chicken" � afraid of sinking.
Chief: Title given to enlisted personnel who have achieved the rank of E-7 and who have completed their transitional training and indoc.
Chilly Willy: USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54
Chit: The document a sailor fills out to make various types of special request (i.e. for emergency leave, or to move off base to civilian housing). A "My Wife Chit" is a special request that uses one's wife as an excuse/justification for needing to be absent.
Chit Chipper: Paper Shredder. So named because one can't do anything with a chit, especially one that is "lost in routing"
CHT Tank/Shit Tank/Chit Tank: Collection, Holding and Transfer system, which collects all ship's shower and toilet runoff/sewage until such time as it can be pumped or dumped.
Chokers: Service Dress White Uniform worn by Officers and Chiefs.
Chop: Supply Officer. Taken from the Supply Corps' porkchop-shaped insignia. (Submarine)
Chow: Food.
Chow Boss: Food Service Officer.
Chow down: Eat.
Chow Hall: Dining room.
Chowdale: An airwing member who spend all their time in line for chow, holding up others who actually have things to do.
Chub Club: The mandatory physical training to which sailors are assigned if they are overweight.
Chuckie V: The USS Carl Vinson.
Chuck Wagon: (yet another name for) the USS Carl Vinson.
ChuHai: A Japanese alcoholic beverage made by mixing sake and the equivalent of Kool-Aid. Can be bought in most Japanese convenience stores or at a ChuHai stand in the Honch.
ChuHai Stand: One of two standing-room only drinking establishments in the Honch. Named for the affordable alcoholic beverage it sells to junior sailors and contractors, ChuHai.
CINCHOUSE: Commander-in-Chief of the House. Used to refer to a sailor's spouse. Also COMHOUSE, COMHOME, CINCHOME, HOUSEPAC, etc.
Cinderella Liberty: Liberty that expires at midnight.
Circular firing squad/circular ass-kicking: An attempt by all command levels to find someone/anyone to blame for a problem for which no one wants to take blame.
CIWS: Close In Weapon System. Jocularly re-interpreted as "Christ It Won't Shoot" or "Captain I Was Sure." See "R2D2." Pronounced "See Whiz."
CIVLANT/CIVPAC: Home, or where you go to when you leave the Navy.
Civie cut: A civilian haircut worn by males who live around military towns to distinguish themselves from military personnel. Usually just an inch or two longer than what military allows, but enough to let the females know who's who.
Clap Line: Line of men in front of sick bay which often forms shortly after pulling out of a foreign port where women provide sexual services to sailors (at cost). The Clap Line consists primarily of men who are waiting to get treated for venereal disease.
Cleaning Stations: An hour-long field day evolution in which everyone drops what they're doing and cleans their spaces. See "XO's Happy Hour."
Clobbered: of a landing pattern or comms frequency at a field or ship: filled to capacity, such that one can't get an aircraft or a word in edgewise.
Cluster Fuck: The situation which arises when a group performs some task in a severely disorganized manner, usually with poor results. Also, any person or thing that is in a state of general disarray: "That kid is a walking cluster fuck." Can be indicated using the NATO phonetic "Charlie Foxtrot" for "CF." More severe than a Goatrope, but not as severe as a Monkey and a Football.
CNO: Chief of Naval Operations. The Navy's senior admiral and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
CO: Commanding Officer. The head of a ship, submarine, aviation squadron or shore command; usually no lower in rank than a Commander, often a Captain, the Commanding Officer is in charge of most of the everyday things that happen on board the ship, in the squadron or aboard the shore installation, from corporal punishment (Captain's Mast) to common everyday maintenance, and upkeep of the ship, squadron or shore command. The Commanding Officer usually wears a special pin on his pocket designating him Command Afloat, or Command Ashore.
COB (Submarine Service): The senior chief aboard: The Chief of the Boat.
COC: Chain of Command: The hierarchy of officers a sailor takes orders from, the order in which supervisors are in charge. Goes from lower ranking (Seaman, Fireman, Airman) to higher ranking (LPO, LCPO) up the chain of command.
COD: Carrier Onboard Delivery: The C-2 Greyhound, which ferries people and supplies to and from a carrier on a regular basis.
Coffin Locker: A personal storage area located underneath a sailor's rack.
Cold Shot, Cold Cat: A catapult launch from a carrier in which insufficient speed is attained to generate lift. Often fatal for the aircrew if they do not eject in time.
Color Company: The recruit company in boot camp that maintains the highest score through the entire eight week evolution; they are given three days special liberty unmonitored. Color Company is also given the honor of being the first company to Pass in Review if there is not a Hall of Fame Company that graduates Boot Camp at the same time.
COMMO: Communications Officer: The officer in charge of the Communications Division. Usually the most junior officer aboard ship.
Commodore: Historically, the designation given to a one-star admiral (presently called Rear Admiral Lower Half). Presently, "Commodore" is the unofficial title of a Captain (O-6) in charge of a squadron of ships or submarines, a wing or group of the same type of aircraft, or a group of SEAL Teams.
COMNAVSNACPAC, COMNAVSNACLANT: A sailor who stores a lot of junk food in their rack. "PAC" refers to the Pacific Fleet and "LANT" to the Atlantic.
COMNAVWIFEPAC: A male sailor's wife.
Comp Time: Compensation Time, time/days off during week for shore-based sailors who had weekend assignments, above and beyond mere watch-standing.
COMRATS: Commuted rations pay.
Coner (pronounced "Cone-er") (Submarine Service): A submarine crewman who is not part of the engineering department (see "Nuke"), especially a Torpedoman, because such crewmen are stationed in the forward cone of the Sub and are pretty much prohibited from wandering into the rear engineering spaces. Also known as "Forward Pukes" (as opposed to "Fuckin' Nukes") or "M.U.F.F.s" ("My Up Forward Friends").
Constant Bearing Decreasing Range (CBDR): A term used to indicate that an object or ship viewed on radar, or visually from the deck or bridge of one's own ship is getting closer but maintaining the same relative bearing. Without a change of course, this will ultimately end in a collision. CBDR is also used as a warning to shipmates heading into trouble or danger (not necessarily physical collision) they might not see or be aware of.
Constipation: Derogatory name for USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64).
Corpsman Candy: Sore-throat lozenges handed out at sick bay in lieu of any substantive treatment. Sometimes accompanied by two aspirin.
Cover: Term for any sort of headgear worn with a uniform in USN, USMC and USCG
Countersunk Sailor: A female sailor.
Cow: A refrigerated fixture in the galley that dispenses something like milk.
CPO: Chief Petty Officer. Often refers to all chiefs, E-7 through E-9.
CPO Spread:
(Submarine Service) The world's most useless and uncomfortable rack sheet. Once thought to be solely for the elite khaki club, it is in fact a very cleverly disguised spy tool for a chief or officer to see if sailors have been sleeping (by checking for "Rack Burn").
Weight gain apparent in senior enlisted men and women who have taken desk jobs.
Cracker Jacks: The dress blue uniforms worn by sailors below the rank of E-7.
Crack House: A designated smoking area aboard ship that is not a weatherdeck space. So called because it quickly fills with a haze of smoke. Also called "Crack Shack."
Crank:
Penis.
(also called a "Mess crank"; see also "Mess cranking"): A mess deck worker,E-3 or below, assigned to mess deck duties. Generally each division must supply a sailor on a rotating basis. May also refer to a new transferee assigned to the mess decks while qualifying for a regular watch. The term has always been discouraged, despite its frequent use. (3)Arcane Main propeller (screw) shaft, "whatever turns your crank." (Whatever makes you happy.)
Crapper: A toilet, see also shitter and pisser.
Crash & Smash (team): Permanently assigned flight deck firefighting personnel. Also, a game played by aviation personnel involving several long tables and a great deal of beer, wherein the aviators attempt to replicate with their bodies the arrested landings their aircraft make.
Crazy Ivan (Submarine Service): A maneuver, demonstrated in the movie The Hunt for Red October, used by Russian submarines: It involves quickly turning 180 degrees while underway, so as to see if any enemy (American) submarines are following. Collisions occasionally resulted.
Creamed foreskins: Creamed chipped beef. See also "SOS," "Shit on a Shingle."
Crotch crickets: Scabies or lice.
Crow: The eagle which adorns the Petty Officer rank insignia.
Crow happy: Newly appointed petty officers that are drunk with rank, think they are in charge, and can order subordinates around.
C.R.U.D.: Corrosion products found in reactor coolant. An acronym for "Chalk River Unidentified Deposits."
Cruise: A ship deployment from her home port, usually lasting between 5 and 8 months.
Cruise boo: A sailor's underway spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend. Typically not the same person as the sailor's ashore spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend (i.e. one or both of the sailors is currently in a relationship/marriage with a person not stationed on the ship).
Cruise sock: A sock, sacrificed early in a deployment, which one uses to clean up after one masturbates. It is usually kept under the mattress and can stand up on its own by the end of cruise. Also called an "Underway Sock" or "Happy Sock."
Cruise widow: A sailor's wife. See also WESTPAC/LANTPAC widow. May frequent enlisted/officers clubs upon her husband's deployment, assuming her husband is similarly engaging in infidelity during deployment.
Cryppy, Cryppy Critter: Cryptographer.
CSO: Combat Systems Officer: Officer responsible for maintenance of a ship's combat system (gun, missile, radar, command control and communications systems).
Cum Dumpster: A shameless sycophant. A kiss-ass or a military base whore.
Cumshaw: The art of trading something that doesn't belong to you, to someone, for something that doesn't belong to them, not necessarily for personal gain, but to circumvent regular supply channels, or to obtain something not available through supply channels.
Cunt: A tear drop shaped piece of metal placed in the bottom loop of sail rigging to keep the rope from chaff wear during tie-down of open sails. i.e. "cunt ring".
C.U.N.T.: (1) Currently Unqualified Naval Trainee. (2) Civilian Under Naval Training. (3) Control Unit No-go Test.
Cunt Hair: A very small unit of measurement, used when eyeballing something. "How much more till the pipe is in place?" � "Oh, about a cunt hair." A "red cunt hair" is a slightly smaller unit of measurement. A "Royal Cunt Hair" is the finest unit of measure.
Cu Shing: The sound of shit when it hits the fan. Derogatory name for USS CUSHING (DD-985), especially with the Commodore embarked.
CVN 7 on 2: The USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72. A play on words that hints at the escapades her crew may have been involved in.
CWO:
Chief Warrant Officer (W1�W5): A "Super Goat," a highly qualified senior enlisted (E-7/E-8) person who has earned a commission through a competitive process and continues to work in their technical field. By definition, a technical specialist.
Communications Watch Officer.
D[edit]
Dago: San Diego or Diego Garcia.
Dammit: Proper way to read an exclamation point quietly. "You are a shitbag!" becomes "You are a shitbag, dammit."
Dain Bramaged: The USS Bainbridge.
Danger nut: A "fun" game in which one or more sailors place a washer or nut around a rod or similar metal device and then hold it to a steam vent. The washer or nut spins wildly due to the high pressure of the steam. Once it reaches a high enough speed, the rod is turned so that the steam blows the object completely off the rod and likely at another sailor, who then has to dodge the "danger nut."
D.B.F.: Diesel Boats Forever: (marking on an) unauthorized pin showing a non-nuclear submarine.
Dear John (or Jane) Letter: A letter (or nowadays, e-mail) that a sailor receives in which his or her significant other breaks up with or leaves him or her whilst the latter is deployed.
Deck: Floor.
Deckplate: Derogatory term for the lowest worker.
Deck Plate Leadership: That level of leadership greatly appreciated by commanding officers and the ward room: Enlisted personnel who know what needs to be done, how to do it well and right, and who are able to lead the people working for them to get the job done. This is the expected norm in the United States Navy.
Deck Ape: Non-designated enlisted person serving on the deck force.
Deep Six:
Term for throwing something overboard; refers to the "deep six", the lowest fathom (six feet) before the ocean floor. Has been mostly replaced by Float Checking (see below).
To permanently dispose of something as if it never existed. Example: if told to "Deep Six" a piece of paper you would burn or shred it instead of just throwing it away (round filing or file thirteen).
Delta Sierra: "Dumb Shit": A stupid mistake or poor performance, the opposite of "Bravo Zulu."
Department: Highest organizational level in most naval commands. Common departments are combat systems (combination of some operations/weapons department divisions) supply, admin, deck, engineering, operations, and maintenance. These are broken up into divisions.
Dependopotamus: Term used for overweight dependents of sailors.
Deuce and a half: a 2.5 ton truck.
Dickbag: "douche bag" or "dirt bag."
Dick Skinners: Hands. "Get your dick skinners off my white hat." Other terms include: Peter clamps, Meat hooks, Dick beaters.
Dicking the dog: Putting "half-assed" effort into a task. (Refers to improperly securing the "dogs" on a watertight hatch when passing through. Such a lax procedure could spell doom for a sinking ship if hatches were not absolutely watertight.) Also said as "poking the poodle" or "screwin' the pooch." Not to be confused with "screwing the pooch" which refers to royally messing up a task.
Dicksmith (derogatory): A hospital corps member.
Diddy Bag: Small white cloth bag with a drawstring. Issued in boot camp, used to store loose items, shoe polish stuff, etc.
Diddy Bopping: Walking around with no particular purpose.
Diggit:
Term used mostly by disgruntled Nukes to refer to an "A.J. Squared Away" sailor. Utterance of the term is usually accompanied by the McDonald's tune followed by "I'm diggin' it" instead of "I'm lovin' it."
A multi-tool (aka Gerber, Leatherman, etc), while not authorized to perform ANY maintenance, is nonetheless carried by most engineers in Reactor spaces.
Dilbert: Fictional and clueless cartoon character used in WWII era training material to demonstrate what NOT to do in naval aviation. Dilbert often paid dearly for his ignorance, lack of attention to detail, or carelessness.
Dilbert Dunker: Device used in water survival training ("swims") to teach aviators how to get out of the cockpit of a fixed-wing aircraft that has crashed or ditched at sea. Much easier than the dreaded "helo dunker."
Di-LDO: (Direct input Limited Duty Officer) Term students use for a loathed LDO instructor. Some Instructors at Naval Nuclear Power School are Limited Duty Officers, but are commissioned immediately upon completion of college, as opposed to LDOs that have spent time in the enlisted ranks. These Direct Input LDOs have not spent time "in the fleet"
D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F: (Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck?), A term indicating supreme indifference; "Gaffer." Can also have a second F added to the end, when used in this context it means "Do I Look Like I Give A Flying Fuck?"
Dimed/Diming out/Dropping dimes: Comes from dropping a dime in a pay phone to make a call. To throw someone 'under the bus', or to out someone as being the one who did something wrong or made a bad call. Usually done to avoid getting in trouble at the expense of someone else. Example: Chief Coffeedrinker: "Why did you do this? You know that is unauthorized." AMAN Nobody: "AM3 Schmuckatelli said to, Chief."
Dining-in/Dining-out: Social functions, usually for officers and chiefs, where dinner dress is worn and certain "rules of the mess" are followed. Generally presided over by the Executive Officer (XO) and run by a Chief or Junior Officer (JO) called "Mr. Vice," these events can become quite rowdy and raucous. The difference between the two is that significant others may attend dining-outs. Dining-ins are for the service-members only.
Dinner plate for Marines: The front buttoned flap on enlisted dress blues. See crackerjacks.
DinQ: Delinquent in Qualifications, or some other admin requirement, "on the dinq list for tetanus shot..."
Dipper: An anti-submarine helocopter with a variable depth dipping SONAR. See "Dome."
Dipsy Dumpster: what a shitbag sailor crawls out of, before going up to quarters, watch, liberty, etc. "You look like you just climbed out of the dipsy dumpster, Seaman Timmy!"
Dirtbag: A term often used by an annoying lifer who has no life outside the navy to insult a sailor for having a few wrinkles in his uniform, having missed a spot while shaving, having a small spot on his uniform, having hair barely touching his ears, etc. Compare to "A.J. squared away" above.
Dirty-dick: To rub genitalia on someone�s cup or soda can as an act of retribution or to be funny.
Dirt sailor (not pejorative): A person who primarily works ashore in a camouflage uniform (e.g. in the expeditionary forces). Not used to describe a SeaBee.
Dirty-shirt wardroom: (Aircraft Carrier): Forward wardroom immediately below the flight deck for pilots wearing (sweaty) flight gear and working ship's officers. As opposed to formal ship's wardroom.
DISBO: Disbursing officer on ship.
Ditch: To intentionally crash land an aircraft as "gently" as possible � usually into the water. This is generally done when fuel is almost all used up with no hope of making it to a safe landing area, or when a slowly developing but potentially fatal emergency is going on.
The Ditch: The Panama Canal.
Ditty-bop: A Radioman or Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR), from the sound of Morse code. Also "ditty chaser."
Division: Middle organizational level in most naval commands, below department and above branch. Usually headed by a junior officer (JO). Common divisions are powerplants, airframes, 1st Lieutenant, etc... Divisions are sometimes divided into branches or work centers.
DIVO: Division Officer.
Ditty bag:
Any mesh bag, but so named because usually used to contain soiled laundry.
A container (usually zipper-closed) for toilet articles such as soap, razor, shaving cream, deodorant, etc; especially for expeditionary sailors. ;dop kit; douche kit.
Dixie Cup: The canvas white hat sailors wear with their dress uniforms.
DIW: Dead in the Water. No longer moving through the water, which means rudder control is lost as well. Often the result of a serious engineering casualty. Can also be used to describe the status of a person whose plan has gone awry. "The MPA signed his chit for an extra three days of leave in San Dog, but the Cheng wouldn't let him go, so now he's DIW."
Doc: Nickname and term of respect given to Hospital Corpsman by their shipmates and Marines.
Dock jumpers: The unfortunates who would have to leap ashore to tie up when no "line handlers" are available.
Dog:
A soft-serve ice cream machine (named because the chocolate flavor resembles the excrement of man's best friend). Also called an "auto dog."
A pivoting latch, usually one of several, for locking down a water-tight hatch.
Dog and Pony show:
A special show put on for inspecting senior officers.
Apocryphally, a show in which women have sex with dogs and ponies: Sailors may claim to have witnessed such shows in Tijuana or the Philippines.
Dog watches: The 1600-2000 evening watch is customarily split into two two-hour "dog" watches, so that the watch sections rotate rather than being stuck with the same schedule every day. Also permit everyone to get evening chow at a reasonable hour (although First Dog watchstanders usually find the better chow is all gone).
Dog zebra: Closing fittings or doors for light discipline at night.
Dolphins (Submarine Service): Submarine Qualification Device, called dolphins because of the dolphin fish used in the design.
Dome: A SONAR transmitter/receiver. It may be fixed, as in those mounted on the bow of a ship below the waterline, or mobile like those "dipped" by anti-submarine helocopters.
Donkey dick:
A helicopter and/or fixed-wing refueling nozzle. "Grab the donkey and fuel the bird." "Go grease the donkey dick."
(Submarine Service) The head valve indicator (a rod which shows if the snorkel's intake valve is open), the hose fitting used for the towed array sonar, or anything else that is roughly round and longer than it is wide;
these items have very limited use--one specific evolution--and therefore could also refer to a sailor with only one skill or is qualified on only one watch station. "That donkey dick is about as useful as tits on a boar hog."
A concrete vibrator used to remove air bubbles.
A hot dog or sausage.
A spout connected to a 5 Gallon fuel can.
Donut: A floating device used to store oily waste pumped out of the bilges in port.
DOR: Disenroll at Own Request, Drop at Own Request. To drop out of a voluntary program such as aviation or submarines.
Douche down: To wash, usually using fresh water.
Double Digit Midget: A short-timer, someone who is less than 100 days from retirement, EAOS, or being discharged to civilian life.
Double Nuts: Aircraft flown by the squadron or air wing commander, typically has "00" (zero zero) painted on the nose and also printed on routing slips for correspondence.
Down: Not working, out of commission, broken, "broke-dick." In aviation, non-flyable, usually for maintenance reasons. When applied to an aviator, it means not allowed to fly. This can be for a variety of reasons: Medical, personal, disciplinary, etc. In flight training, a down is a failed flight.
DRB (Disciplinary Review Board): Step in the NJP process in which the accused attempts to prove his innocence by being screamed at for 2 hours.
Drift Count: Monitoring the movement of the ship while at anchor.
Drifty: Lacking the ability to stay focused while attempting to perform a given task. (Petty Officer to Sailor: "is there something the matter with you? You are acting drifty today!")
Drill Rodeo: A game in which a screwdriver is inserted head first into drill where bit should go and battery is removed. The trigger is taped down and once someone holds the end of the screwdriver, the battery is slapped in and the player must attempt to hold on to the screwdriver for as long as possible. Best used with higher voltage drills.
Drifter: Sailor who at all times lacks the ability to stay focused. Also called drift-pack, or in the very extreme case "COMNAVDRIFTLANT/PAC", a parody of COMNAVSURFLANT/PAC.
Drop a Chit: The act of filling out a request chit.
Drop your cocks and grab your socks: A saying that the petty officer of the watch yells in the sleeping quarters when it's time for everyone to get up. Often done in boot camp. Alternatively, "stop your grinnin' and grab your linen."
D.U.B. (Dumb Ugly Bitch): woman enrolled in the Naval Academy
Ducks (Submarine Service): The time 22:22. Refers to the resemblance of the numbers in a digital display resembling a line of ducks. At times, ducks will be marked by the ship control team (Diving officer of the watch, Helmsman, Planesman, and Chief of the Watch), sonar shack (Sonar Supervisor, Broadband, Narrowband, Class), and fire control team (Fire Control Technician of the Watch). "Stand by to mark ducks ... Mark. Quack Quack Quack Quack." Leave it to Bubbleheads :)
Durka (used attributively / as an adjective, derogatory): Related to the Middle East.
Dynamited Chicken: Chicken a la king or chicken cacciatore.
E[edit]
Eagle Shits (noun + verb): "the eagle shits" = "the military pays (me) today", "today is payday."
EAOS: Expiration of Active Obligated Service.
Easter Egg Hunt: An especially rigorous investigation or inspection in which the inspecting officer seems unduly motivated to find everything wrong he possibly can, even if it ridiculous--"The XO held an Easter Egg Hunt at Messing and Berthing today." Sometimes used as a threat of punishment or retribution - "Do what I told you to do or I may have to hold an Easter Egg Hunt in your locker."
EAWS: Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. (Often pronounced "A-wis.")
EB Green: Green duct tape acquired from Electric Boat in Groton, CT; can be used to fix almost anything, temporarily.
EB Red: Extreme, nuclear grade version of EB Green. Conforms to MIL-STD-2041D to prevent corrosion to nuclear components.
Ed's Motel: Navy filmmakers' acronym for Editorials, Motion Picture and Television Department.
EIDWS: Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist.
Emerald Shellback: One who crossed the Equator at the Greenwich Meridian.
Emergency Blow: When a sub rapidly blows all of the ballast out of the ballast tanks, resulting in a rapid ascent and an impressive display as the sub breaks the surface.
EMO: Electronic Materiel Officer, line officer or electronics CWO or LDO responsible for maintenance of the unit's radar, radio, and command and control equipment. Extra Man Onboard
Enlisted Puke: Derogatory term used sparingly and very privately among junior officers to describe a particularly worthless and disliked enlisted subordinate. The opposite of a highly respected and particularly valuable "Good Man." "Gadoozlefrank is an enlisted puke. Schmuckatelli is a Good Man."
ESWS: Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. (Often pronounced "E-swas.")
Eternal Patrol: The last and still on-going patrol of a submarine lost at sea. The subs and the sailors are on eternal patrol.
Evil Planet Notorg: Groton CT. (Notorg is Groton spelled backwards.)
Evolution: Any scheduled event.
EWO: Electronic Warfare Officer.
Eyeball liberty: Ability to see but not interact with something pleasurable, especially members of the opposite sex; For example, male sailors may joke that they have eyeball liberty ogling a boat full of women while exiting port, or in view a port itself where no actual liberty is allowed.
F[edit]
FAG: (1) Fighter Attack Guy: F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet pilot or naval flight officer ("NFO"). (2) Former Action Guy: Any SO, SB, EOD, ND, or FMF Recon Corpsman or any other parachute-qualified member who is in a position where they cannot maintain their jump quals, or goes into a different warfare community. (3) ("Submarine Service") Forward Area Gentleman: A crewman serving in the forward part of the submarine, a non-Nuke.
Family Gram: A 40-word personal communication from the family members of an Officer or Sailor on a Strategic Deterrent Patrol assigned to a Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarine. Each crewman was allocated a limited number of these messages during each 3-month patrol and they were severely censored to protect the submariner from news that could negatively effect the emotional condition of the recipient. All Family Grams were screened by the CO/XO upon receipt, prior to distribution to the individual. A similar system was used for surface ships.
Fan Room (see "X-Ray fitting"): (1) A room with a fan or blower, A "closed" space which is often utilized for general mischief away from watchful eyes.
F.A.W.C.U. (pronounced "fuck you") (Submarine Service): Focused After Watch Clean Up, usually between 1 to 2 hours of "Field Day" after every watch rotation.
Fart sack: Canvas mattress cover (In cold conditions sailors sleep inside them for extra warmth.) or a dirt sailor's sleeping bag.
Fart Suit: Dry suit worn by aviators when flying over cold water. So called because of the rubber seals at the neck and wrists which keep water out in the event of water entry. These seals also keep all flatulence inside the suit, where it remains hot and mixes with ball sweat, pitstink, and various other foulness. This foul air is released by removing the suit, or more amusingly by pulling one of the wrist seals open while squatting and pointing at an unsuspecting individual, thus forcing all the stench in his direction.
Farting dust: Getting old.
Fashion Show: A series of individual personnel inspections conducted in each uniform the sailor owns. Usually this form of Extra Military Instruction is reserved for the most severe dirtbags who are either consistently failing uniform inspection or look like crap on a daily basis.
FASOTRAGRULANT/PAC: Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Atlantic and Pacific. Specialized training for Aviation Administration (AZ) and Aviation Anti Submarine Warfare Operators (AW) ratings.
Fast Cruise: Pretending to be underway while moored to a pier. Usually an all day event to get the crew ready for a real underway.
Fat Boy: Derogatory term for Amphibious Ships used by bridge officers on cruisers and destroyers. "We better slow down or the fat boys won't be able to keep up."
Fat boy program: FEP (see below).
FEP: Fitness Enhancement Program. Mandatory physical training regimen designed to return sailors to within physical readiness standards. Also refers to sailors who are enrolled in the program... Fat Enlisted People / Forced Exercise Program. See "Chub Club."
FFG: Forever Fucking Gone: A Guided Missile Frigate which spends more time underway than in port.
Field Day: All hands clean-up. Usually lasts on a good day about 3-4 hours. (30 min of cleaning and 2-4 hours of fucking off.)
FIDO: Fuck It! Drive On! An expression used in the face of adversity, meaning that regardless of the setback you are going to continue anyway!
Field expedient ___: Anything that is made or done ad hoc in the field. E.g. a "field expedient Frappuccino" might be made by putting all the MRE coffees, sugars, and creamers into a 2-liter bottle and mixing.
Field Survey: The nominal survey taken before discarding a worn-out item "in the field" (often off the end of the pier) instead of submitting it for a proper, formal "survey" to determine if it should be redistributed or disposed of. (Sometimes, a field survey results in an item being handed down to a needier local unit, thrown off the fantail at sea, or sold ashore for booze money.)
F.I.I.G.M.O.: Fuck It, I Got My Orders: A refusal of a long or tough assignment near the end of a duty rotation. Also seen as a name badge at this time, so officers/petty officers will forget the wearer's real name.
FIG: An FFG is called a FIG.
Fighting gear: Eating utensils.
Five by five: nonstandard Radio speech indicating "loud and clear." Derived from an arcane method of reading signal strength.
Five and Dimes: A watch rotation where the sailor or watch team stand five hours of watch, then have ten hours off (to clean, perform maintenance, train, get qualified, conduct drills, take care of divisional business or their collateral duty, eat, shower, and occasionally sleep). This follows from a three-section watch rotation, and results in the sailor standing watch at a different time every day and night, repeating every three days.
Fish (Submarine Service): See Dolphins, above. Also "torpedo."
Fit Boss: Officer designated by the Commanding Officer to be responsible for the command Physical Readiness Program. Can be a collateral duty for a commissioned officer or more frequently, a civilian contractor's primary duty.
Flag, Flag Officer: Rear Admiral (Lower half) and higher ("flag" rank, because they are entitled to show a flag with an appropriate number of stars on their car, ship, building, etc.) A person with such a rank can also be referred to by number of stars they have; so a "three star" is a Vice Admiral, and so forth.
Flag Deck, Flag Bridge: Command level on large ships for Admirals if they are present, see Flag.
Flare to Land, Squat to Pee: Navy pilot's derisive description of aircraft landing technique used by (primarily) Air Force aviators; used in comparison to the nerve-wracking controlled crash that is the typical carrier landing.
Flattop: Aircraft carrier. Also the haircut worn by truly motivated sailors.
Flavor Extractor: Standard equipment in all Navy galleys.
Fleet Up: When a second in command takes his senior's place upon that senior's transfer, retirement, or other re-assignment.
Flight Deck Buzzard: Chicken (food).
Flight Line: The area on a ship or station where aircraft are made ready for flight. Also used as a prank on gullible new sailors, as in "Go get me 100 feet of flight line from the crash shack."
Float Check (also Flotation Testing, Float test): Throwing something overboard. "Take that and give it the float test"
Floating Bellhop: Derisive Army term for sailor.
Flying the Bravo: Menstruating; from the signal flag, which is all-red, one meaning of which is "I am discharging dangerous goods." Also used to indicate one who is in a bad mood "What's wrong with him?" "Oh, he's just flying the Bravo"
Flux capacitor: New members of a CVN's MMR will be sent to retrieve the "flux capacitor" from the OOW in the reactor control room. A flux capacitor ran the time machines, particularly in the car, in the Back To The Future movies...
Forecastle: (Pronounced "foc-sull") Forward most part of a ship.
forecastle zoo: Game of naming everything on the forecastle which has an animal name, e.g. "Bull nose," "Wildcat," "Pelican hook," "rat guard, rat lines," "deck Apes."
Foc's'le Follies: A gathering of all the aviators in the airwing in the carrier's foc's'le (forecastle). The CAG, ship's CO, and battle group admiral are also usually invited and present. The "official" reason for this event is to hand out awards to the top aviators. The most enjoyable parts are the "roll calls" from each squadron, and the skits that two or three of the squadrons perform. If the roll call or the skit fails to amuse the rest of the airwing, the offending squadron is booed and belittled mercilessly. Follies are held about every 6 to 8 weeks while on deployment.
FM: Frequency modulation, or Fucking Magic, sometimes referred to as the FM Principle
FNG: Fuckin' New Guy � self-explanatory
FOAD: Acronym, Fuck Off And Die, traditional response to MARF see below.
FOD: Foreign Object Damage. Caused by Foreign Object Debris, such as nuts, bolts, or anything that could be sucked into a jet engine, damaging it. At aviation commands, FOD can also describe a worthless individual, i.e. "If Airman Smith isn't in this shop in 5 minutes, write that piece of FOD up."
FOD Walk Down: A periodic, organized search on an aircraft carrier flight deck or hangar deck looking for debris that a jet engine might ingest. The OIC of this evolution is sometimes referred to as "the FOD-father."
Four (4) by Eight (8) Watch: The worst watch section to be in because one's first watch is 0400 to 0800, then one works one's duty station until 1600, followed by second watch 1600 to 2000, every day. Note, on some ships, the 0400-0800 is the 0400-0700, see "Seven to forever" below.
Fourballs: Midnight, entered as 0000 when writing logs; The "Fourballs watch" is midnight to 0600 when underway on a submarine, using a 3 person x 6 hour shift, 18 hour rotation "day" for each watchstation. Most engineering daily chores are performed on the 0000 watch, after which one is relieved at 0530 for chow, followed by drills at 0700, chow at 1200, followed by drill review at 1300, collateral duties at 1500, chow at 1700, followed by the 1800 watch; a very long "day" underwater � 24+ hours. The Sub equivalent to the Four by Eight watch mentioned above.
Freeball: To wear no skivvies.
Freeboard: On a ship or boat, this is the vertical distance between the waterline and the "gunwale" (see below).
F.R.E.D.: Fucked Up Ridiculous Educational Device: The computer that graded the teletype capabilities of those going through Radioman "A" School. So called because it used to grade based on keystrokes rather than words per minute.
Fresh Water Navy (derogatory) members of the US Coast Guard.
Fried Calamari: A sailor who has been electrocuted. This term derives from the nickname "squid", meaning "sailor."
Fried horse cock: Fried baloney.
Frocked: Advanced in rank or rate with no pay increase. See BOHICA.
Frog Hog: A female who hangs around Navy SEALs.
Fruit Salad: Numerous ribbons on a dress uniform.
FTN: Fuck the Navy (common epithet used when complaining about naval policies or regulations). Often scrawled on the walls of toilet stalls by sailors who have been assigned to clean it for a reason. Also can refer to "Free The Nukes," referring to sailors in the nuclear power field. Also refers to a mythical rate or ship type an "FTN Striker" says he/she is trying to get in (i.e. Fleet Tug-Nuclear, Fire Technician-Nuclear). Also stands for "Fun Time Navy" around higher chain of command to save face in front of said chain of command, yet "secretly" means "Fuck the Navy." In nuclear commands, can sometimes be seen as KEY when over-nuked (the last letters of the same three words are used.)
FTN Striker: Sailor whose stated goal/desire is to get discharged.
F.U.B.A.R.: Fouled up beyond all repair, Fucked up beyond all recognition. (Foobar)
F.U.B.I.J.A.R.: Fuck You Buddy, I'm Just A Reservist
F.U.B.I.S.: "Fuck You Bitch I'm Short": Slogan indicating lack of care since the one uttering it or wearing it will be leaving soon.
Fuhgowee's: Code word for ditching work and going home at lunch time, so as not to be suspected by PO1, Chiefs, etc (used in Newport News Drydock). Sailor 1: "What are you having for chow?" Sailor 2: "Fuhgowee burger sandwiches."
Fulmer: A sailor that desperately tries to win various games (ping pong, pool, etc.), but does not have the skills to compete successfully.
FUNGUS: Fuck You, New Guy, You Suck.
F.U.P.A. (pronounced "foop-uh"): Fat Upper Pelvic Area: The buldge that protrudes from ill-fitting pants worn by an overweight sailor, or by extension, the sailor him- or herself. (When describing a female, it may stand specifically for "Fat Upper Pussy Area"; when describing a male, "Fat Upper Penis Area.")
FuckingNuke (always one word): A sailor who is trained to operate the boat/ship nuclear power plant.
Fuckface: Any person or thing which has a face.
Fuck the mission, clean the position: Break out the swabs.
Fuck You, strong message follows: Seen on a numerical list of epithet substitutions (the unauthorized "Falcon Code," derived from the "Charlie Echo" code), especially transmitted over radio, which has to stay clean
[A] Full up round: Operational or (of a person) fit for duty, a fully operational projectile to be fired from a gun.
Fun Boss: Morale, Welfare and Recreation Officer.
F.U.R. (derogatory): Fucked Up Recruit: A boot camp recruit who constantly makes mistakes.
Fuzznuts: A young sailor, one not long out of puberty.
G[edit]
Gaff Off: To ignore or purposely fail to show proper respect to someone more senior, such as by blowing off an assigned task, by not saluting, or by using improper forms of address.
Garden Party: A semi-formal social gathering requiring dress whites from the waist down and dress blues from the waist up.
Gator: Gator Navy vessel or sailor. Or, the ship's navigator.
Gator-Freighter: A ship used in amphibious warfare, or generally the transportation of Marines and their equipment, especially, a carrier-like vessel (amphibious assault ship) whose primary purpose is to put ass in the grass.
Gator Navy: The part of the surface Navy that exclusively supports embarked Marines and amphibious operations. Conducts operations near shore. Contrast with the "Blue Water" Navy or "CRU-DES." Note, an amphibious command ship may also coordinate supporting arms from non-gators, such as destroyers or aircraft.
Gator squares: Putting a square on a chart, often 3 miles by 3 miles, in the middle of a body of water, and steaming around in it for hours. Common overnight activity for ships underway. "Do we have any nighttime evolutions this underway?" "No, just gator squares."
Galley: Crews' mess, or dining area. Place where food is prepared for consumption.
GCE: Gross Conceptual Error, an instructor's comment on student work wherein the student has clearly misunderstood a concept.
Gear adrift: (1) (said when there is) loose or unsecured gear or equipment. (2) (said of) an incompetent sailor, one who has a screw loose. "Seaman Jones is gear adrift!"
Geedunk: (1) Candy, or a place that sells candy (namely Gedunk bars). (2) Ice cream. From the Harold Teen comic strip. From the sound that a coin makes when put into a candy machine.
General Quarters (GQ): Set to prepare a ship for battle or during a serious casualty such as a main engineering space fire. Every sailor has an assigned duty station to be manned; the ship is set for maximum water tight integrity. On submarines, the term "Battle Stations" is used.
George: The juniormost officer onboard a surface ship. Also spelled "JORG", meaning Junior Officer Requiring Guidance, or "JORGE," meaning Junior Officer Requiring General Education.
George jobs: Nit-picking paperwork jobs given to George because no one else wants them. Examples: Morale Officer, Mess Officer.
Gerbil Alley: Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. The only guaranteed port visit during any deployment.
Gerbil Gym/Gerbil Room: Exercise space on board ship with treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical trainers � all pieces of equipment on which one performs motions that should move one to another place, though one remains in the same position like a gerbil on its wheel.
"GFO": Goat Fuck Operation.
Ghetto: Open-bay barracks, usually reserved for single sailors who are in transit or otherwise temporarily assigned there.
G.I. Shower: In boot camp the recruits are inspected frequently. If they are found to have soiled clothing as a result of not showering, several of the company will take the recruit into the barracks shower and scrub the persons bare skin with floor broom heads.
Gigged: Having suffered a point deduction in Boot Camp for an unsatisfactory personal, uniform, or bunk or locker inspection. Deduction is usually one to five points per infraction, depending on the severity.
Gig line: The visual line formed by uniform zipper, belt buckle, and buttoned shirt seam. Also used as another in-joke to send new sailors on a wild goose chase. See bulkhead remover.
Girl Scout: A sailor with an inordinate amount of decorative patches on spotless poopysuit, or a sailor regarded as overly concerned with appearance; a dandy.
Girl Scout Training Aid: A complete pepperoni (a sausage roughly 1-2 inches wide and 2-3 feet long).
GITMO: Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.
Glow worm: A surface fleet name for nuclear machinist's mates.
Goat Fuck Operation: A situation in which every possible aspect fails or goes "sideways". Not a single aspect is successful.
Goat locker: A lounge or galley for the exclusive use of "Chiefs."
Goatrope: A confusing, disorganized situation often attributed to or marked by human error.
God, Junior-Grade (derisive): A superior.
Gold Crow: A 12+ year PO1 with good behavior.
Gold Locker: A locked cabinet in the Engineering Spaces wherein the most valuable, precise, fragile, or one-of-a-kind tools are kept. "I could have fixed it but I don't have a key to the Gold Locker."
Golden Dragon: A sailor who has crossed the Prime Meridian or the International Date Line into the Eastern Hemisphere.
Golden Shellback: A sailor who crossed the International Date Line and Equator at the same time.
Golden rivet: The rivet, made of gold, which according to folklore every ship is built containing one of.
Golden Screwjob: Used when a sailor has 12 years or more of honorable service, and, for reasons unknown, does not have his Gold rank device. A Golden Screwjob is never spoken of when the sailor in question is within hearing range.
The Goo: Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). When an aviator flies an aircraft into the clouds, can no longer see the earth or the horizon, and is dependent on instruments for navigation, he is said to be "in the goo." This is usually done intentionally when flying with an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan, but can lead to high "pucker factor" when it is done accidentally.
Good Deal (Submarine Service): When a sailor recieves an assignment that is viewed by others as better than theirs, despite the fact that this may not be the case.
Good Humor Man: Reference to the Summer White uniform. This is an all-white short sleeve uniform that makes the wearer look suspiciously like the ice cream man.
"Got your six": looking out for your or your buddy's ass.
Gouge: The inside scoop, the skinny, the low-down. Only the information one needs to know in a given situation, with nothing else to waste one's time. Some black shoes say "Live by the gouge, die by the gouge." Aviators say "Live by the gouge, excel by the gouge."
Grape:
(Submarine Service) Easy as pie, man. Examples: "This is fuckin' grape duty." "That was a fuckin' grape sig, you cocksuckin' asshole piece of shit." The latter example can be translated as "Bravo Zulu, shipmate!" (See Bravo Zulu, above. Also see "sig" below.)
(Aviation Service) A sailor in an aviation fuels rating; so named because of the purple flight deck jersey such sailors wear.
USMC: A person's head. "....then you smash his fucking grape!"
Great Mistakes: Common epithet used when complaining about RTC/NTC Great Lakes Illinois. Commonly used by old school sailors to complain about the quality of sailors after the Navy shutdown RTC San Diego and RTC Orlando. It was "mistake" to keep RTC Great Lakes, as the sailors have continually failed to measure up.
Green Scrubby: Mildly abrasive scouring pad. Also called a "Greeny Weeny." It's green, of course.
Green Side: The figurative side one is stationed at if one is stationed at a Marine Corps Command; contrasted with the "Blue Side" (Naval Command).
Grip and grin: A public affairs or awards event in which some member of the command must shake hands, smile, and have their photo taken.
Grog: Initially, this referred to the watered down rum ration given daily to sailors in the Royal Navy. Presently, in the USN, it refers to the alcoholic brew offered at social events like "dining-ins" and "dining-outs." Depending on the wardroom and in particular on the person preparing the grog, it may be pleasant and delicious or one of the most foul and disgusting beverages ever conceived.
Grok (Nuke Field Geek): To understand completely. From Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (USNA '29).
Gronk (Submarine Service): To tighten a bolt or nut so much that the operator of a wrench or ratchet who tries to tighten it further or to loosen it sees stars. "Who the fuck gronked this nut on so tight?" See "Star tight."
Grotopotamus: The rather large ladies that graze around the Groton, CT area. Similar to a Bremerloe.
Grottweiler: See Grotopotamus.
Growler: A sound-powered phone, which is used like a telephone to call specific dialed in stations. It has a hand cranked dynamo which will produce a whirring sound on the other station, hence the "growl."
Ground-Pounder: Navy term for Marines, specifically infantry. Generally pejorative.
Gundeck: To juryrig something; falsifying or misrepresenting records and reports. Occasionally, gundecking (while technically wrong) may have to be done to satisfy an inspection of an otherwise nonessential or useless program. Gundecking any reports constitutes falsifying an official document, and can be punishable by Captain's Mast or even a Court-Martial, should the person gundecking be caught, which they almost always are.
Gun Boss: Weapons Department head.
Gunner: Term applied to and used in addressing (informally) an Ordnance Technician Surface Warrant Officer.
Guns: A sailor in the Gunner's Mate rating.
Gunwale: (pronounced "gunnel") The top of the hull portion of a ship that runs down the port and starboard sides.
Gut: The section of a port city or town where visiting sailors can find cheap booze, games of chance, ladies of the night, a bar brawl or two, and other entertainment. Often placed off limits by the captain.
Gyrene (derogatory, Navy term): A U.S. Marine; a "jarhead."
H[edit]
HAC: (pronounced "hack") Helicopter Aircraft Commander: the pilot in command of a helo.
Hack: Unofficial punishment where an officer is confined to his stateroom, usually during a port call. During this time, the officer is not allowed to leave the ship (all officers must have permission from the Commanding Officer, or his appointed delegate before debarking the ship at any port call, including their home port).
Hall of Fame Company: A recruit company during boot camp that maintains perfect marks through the entire eight-week evolution; harder to get than Color Company, the company that rates Hall of Fame Status is given three days special liberty, as well as the week prior to shipping out to the fleet as downtime. They are also given the privilege of wearing their winter blue, or summer white uniforms, or, as an alternate, their dress uniforms, for the week before shipping out to the fleet. Hall of Fame Companies are also given precedence above Color Company, and are given the honor to be the first recruit company to Pass in Review.
Haji: Racial epithet for a Middle Eastern individual, or anything Middle Eastern. For instance, pull-tab sodas are referred to as "Haji Sodas" due to their ubiquitous presence in the Fifth Fleet AOR.
Halfway-Night (Submarine Service): Party night on predetermined 1/2 length of boat�s patrol. Tenderloin and lobster, frozen, but good.
Happy Hour: The hour during which the ship is cleaned every day.
Hamster: Chicken cordon bleu, a common chow entree.
Haole: Pronounced "How-Lee" Hawaiian term for non-native. A dangerous thing for a sailor to be around Pearl Harbor, as some of the natives see them as easy targets for crime, especially when local law-enforcement doesn't seem to care.
Happy Sock: A sock used for masturbation.
Hatch: Any watertight door on a Naval vessel. Sailors call all doors "hatches," but the term literally means only the watertight ones.
Have a Navy Day: Has two separate meanings. 1.)"Have a great day"! From your Navy superiors. 2.) �Get Fucked or Fuck-Off� from your Navy equals and lower in rank.
Haze Grey: The color painted on Navy ships.
Haze Grey Motherfucker: Sailor (or CO) who prefers to be under way as much as possible, or a ship and crew that spends a great deal of time under way�e.g, �We were haze grey motherfuckers.�
Heads and Beds: An inspection performed daily at sea by the XO or a designated replacement, usually the MAA.
HCO: Helo Control Officer, talks to each pilot as he makes his approach to a small boy (See LSO)
Head: Bathroom (the term comes from the days of sail, because wind would blow from the rear of the ship forward the bathroom would be located at the front �head� of the ship to carry the foul smell of excrement away from the crew). �Head call� means to use the head.
Helmet Fire: When a pilot becomes so task saturated in the cockpit that he loses the big picture and situational awareness (SA). Often leads to mistakes that can produce lethal results.
Helo (pron. hee-low): Term applied to all naval helicopters (from the standard message abbreviation HELO). Calling a naval helicopter anything other than a helo, and especially a �chopper,� is grounds for a serious beat-down.
Helo Dunker: Dreaded training device that all naval aircrew and pilots must endure every few years when they complete water survival training, or �swims.� Designed to simulate crashing a helo at sea, it is basically a huge metal drum with seats and windows that is lowered into a pool and then flipped upside down with the �passengers� strapped into it. There are generally four runs that must be successfully completed. Two of these are blindfolded. It is not fun and even scares the hell out of Marines. (F)AWs enjoy it though.
Here today, GUAM tomorrow: Received orders from one island to another island, as in ADAK to GUAM.
Hinge: Slang for an O-4, or lieutenant commander (LCDR). So called because of the lobotomy that is supposedly mandated as soon as a naval officer is promoted to this rank, in which half of his brain is removed. A hinge is then inserted that allows for reattachment of the removed gray matter later. The hinge also limits the LCDR�s head movement to the fore�aft axis. This is clearly demonstrated as the O-4 is constantly nodding in the affirmative and saying, �Yessir, yessir� when in the presence of the CO.
H.M.F.I.C. : Head Mother Fucker In Charge. Refering to the senior ranking person for an assigned duty or task.
Hockey pucks: Swedish meatballs (also, trail markers, porcupines, road apples).
Hollywood Shower: To take a long shower that wastes water (See Navy Shower). It is permissible to take one when a ship is pierside connected to pier water and sewer, if no one else is waiting for the shower.
Holy stone: The stone or the act of using one. A pumice stone for cleaning a wooden deck. The name derives from the sailor stating that "anything that would cause a seasoned sailor to bend his knees, and curse the name of his maker must surely be holy."
Honch ("the Honch"): Entertainment district just outside the main gate of Yokosuka Naval Base. Famous for masagi girls, karaoke and Kirin beer.
Honey-ko: A reference to a male sailor or his �girlfriend� for the evening. It is expected that the sailor will not have another �girlfriend� that same evening and not get caught with another on a subsequent evening. Used primarily at the former Subic Bay and Clark bases in the Philippines. �Cheating� was not allowed, and some how would be found out quickly by means of the "honey-ko telegraph."
Hooch: (1) A living environment, such as a tent, made more comfortable by innovation. (2) Illicit homemade alcohol.
Hooligan Navy: WWII Navy pejorative for the Coast Guard, from its flexibility in enlisting men discharged from other services to rapidly expand for Prohibition. (Term endures within CG.)
Hot Footed: Carefully placing matches under the toenails of a sleeping shipmate and then lighting them all at the same time, after which the perpetrator(s) immediately hide or attempt to look innocent, leaving the victim to wonder what asshole did this to him.
Hoover: The S-3B Viking, mostly due to its unique engine noises
Horse Cock: Large log of baloney or overcooked kielbasa usually put out for lunch or midrats. Horse Cock sandwich is one of the least favorite boxed lunches served to helo crews when visiting other ships.
Hot box: Ship's engines are lit off, but ship is not underway. Refers to the shape of a gas turbine module.
Hot Dog: A sexually active male sailor.
Hot Racking or Hot Bunking: Submariners share racks. When one goes off, the other takes his place (three men share two racks). In the aviation community, �hot racking� refers to an individual who has not taken a shower before retiring to his bunk, usually after working a 12-hour shift on the flight deck.
HR Puff and Stuff: A nickname given to Hospital Corpsmen who regularly appear for duty in a disheveled manner with their uniform in disarray. It is a combination of a rank (Hospital Recruit, the most junior Hospital Corpsman rank) and a name that connotes the obesity and stresses placed on the uniform of just such an overweight and careless sailor. Also used as an admonishment to junior Corpsmen and Dental Techs in order to motivate them to perform regular uniform maintenance.
HTC: Known as a Hull Tech Chief or slang for "Head Turd chaser" or �Home Town Civilian,� a term designated to any active-duty sailor about to retire.
HT Punch: A mythical tool newbies are asked to fetch from the engineering spaces. They usually return with a sore arm, courtesy of a Hull Technician who is in on the joke.
Hummer: Slang for the E-2C Hawkeye, mostly for the sound of its props. May also be used to describe a blowjob.
Humped the bunk: Screwed up. Also known as pounded the pooch or popped the puppie.
I[edit]
'I Believe' Button: A fictitious button to be pressed when complex technical details are not immediately understood, but there is not time to go into laborious explanation. "Just press the 'I believe' button for now and we'll talk about it later."
IBM (Instant Boatswain's Mate). Term used to describe a sailor who has just failed out of a rather difficult A-School (Nuc, ET, AT) and will now head to the fleet (and obvious deployment) undesignated. Phraseology: Instant Boatswain's Mate, just add water.
Ice Cream Social: Ice cream that is typically served at 2100 on the mess decks on Sundays when underway.
ID10T: Idiot, pronounced "Eye-Dee-Ten-Tango." Similar to "bulkhead remover," an inexpensive way to derive enjoyment from inexperienced personnel. "Recruit, go get me an ID10T form, and step on it!"
IFNAG: (Derogatory) Ignorant Fucking Naval Academy Graduate.
Ikeatraz: Derogatory term used to describe the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).
Irish Pennant: Loose thread on uniform.
Iron Bottom Sound: A term used to this day to describe the waters between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island in the Solomon Island chain, because of the large number of ships sunk in that area during World War II. It is considered by the Navy as sacred waters, and, every year during the commeration of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, a ship in the area will put out to sea, and drop a wreath in the area to honor the dead.
INT WTF: Letters Pronounced Individually. INTerrogative What The Fuck. See WTFO. Usually used in a text/teletype medium where WTFO is over voice communications.
I Want One Jammed In My Ass, Little Pricks Hurt 2. The USS IWO JIMA LPH-2
IYAOYAS: Unofficial acronym commonly found on the uniforms of airedales who specialize in ordnance handling. Read as "If you ain't ordnance, you ain't shit" Pronounced "eye-OH-yahs" and yelled out during ceremonies; also known as "If you're ordnance, your ASVAB sucked."
J[edit]
Jack-o'-the-Dust: A ship's cook in charge of keeping track of the ship's food stores. Originally referred to the night baker who would often be seen by waking crew members covered in flour from his nightly duties.
Jack Off Curtain: The small privacy curtain hanging on the outside of a rack. Usually the only small bit of privacy found on a ship. Also known as a "Splash guard."
JAFO: "Just Another Fucking Observer," given to new recruits who are fresh in the fleet and have not cleared any training.
Jarhead: U. S. Marine.
JARTGO: Just Another Reason To Get Out. "A grain of sand on the beach of reasons to get out of the Navy."
JANFU: Joint Army/Navy Fuck Up.
JEEP- Junior Enlisted Expendable Personnel- Submarines- Slang for Casualty Assistance Team members � "Send in the JEEPs."
The Jellystone: USS Yellowstone.
Jesus Nut: The assembly which keeps the rotary wing attached to a helicopter.
Jim Jim: The nickname for the computer that aided avionics ratings through Basic Electronics and Electricity (B double E) and AVA's self paced courses.
JO: Junior Officer
JO Jungle: Pronounced "J-O Jungle; term for the berthing assignments of Junior Officers which consist up eight racks and associated berthing facilities. Due to the [more] lax treatment of officers, termed a jungle because of their constant disarray.
JO-JO: Pronounced "joe-joe." Derragoratory term for a JO.
Jody: (1) (generic name for) the guy who is imagined to be seeing one's partner while one is underway. (2) Any of the songs (which all have the same rhythm/melody, and three notes) which are "talksung" during a quicktime march in order to keep cadence.
Joe (Cup of Joe): (A cup of) coffee. One popular folk etymology suggests that the name derives from Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels' reforms of the Navy, specifically his abolition of the officers' wine mess and institution of coffee as the strongest drink available on Navy ships. For more, see joe.
Joe Shit-in-the-rag Man / Joe Shit the Rag man / Joe Shit Charlie the Rag Man: An under-performing sailor.
Joe Navy: Another term for a lifer with no life outside the Navy.
Johnny Cash's: The (defunct) Winter Working Blue uniform; so called due to the fact that they were all black (black being called navy blue) and Johnny Cash was the man in black.
John Wayne: (1) A can opener supplied with "C" rations. Often still used by a "dirt sailor." (2) Somewhat derogatory reference to a sailor that takes too many chances, or attempts to constantly play the hero. "John Wayne it." (3) to John Wayne (a helmet): To leave one's helmet's chin strap undone, the way John Wayne often did in movies.
John Wayne toilet paper: Toilet paper that is rough, tough, and takes shit from no one.
JOPA: Junior Officer Protection Association. An ad-hoc organization of young division officers onboard some surface ships and in most aviation squadrons, assembled to provide a means of guidance and escape from overly-demanding Department Heads. When JOPA is unified it can control some wardroom social functions, but little else.
JORG: Junior Officer Requiring Guidance (see "George")
JORP: Junior Officer Rest Period. See also SERP.
Jughead: US Marine, so called because their "high and tight" haircuts make their heads look like inverted jugs in profile. Also "Jarhead."
Junior Chief: Pejorative term to describe junior enlisted person who is kissing ass for a promotion or on a power trip, or both.
Junk on the Bunks: A type of inspection wherein a Marine places all of his/her issued clothing and 782 gear on a bunk (bed) so that an inspector can verify they have a full complement of uniform items (a full seabag).
K[edit]
Kamikaze: A hetero male Marine who is so gung-ho that he can only be sexually satisfied by another male Marine.
Khakis: Term used to describe senior enlisted members (E-7 and above) or officers, due to the khaki-colored working uniform typically worn by them.
Khaki Brigade: chiefs who start taking over an engineering casualty or going over to see what is going on. "Here comes the khaki brigade."
Khaki Clad Bastards: See Khakis.
Khaki Sacker: See Brown bagger
Kick start (a deck seaman): Surreptitious corporal punishment applied by driving one's boot down the shin of the offending seaman to encourage better and faster work.
Kiddy cruise: officially a 'minority enlistment'. Enlisting at 17. Active duty obligation expires the day before the enlistee's 21st birthday.
Killer Tomato: A large reddish-orange inflated ball used in gunnery practice at sea.
King Neptune: Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main, Ancient Order of the Deep. Signs the card of slimy pollywogs after crossing the line, making them Trusted Shellbacks.
Kiss the Camel: To fall between ship and pier onto the camel, a floating log chained to the pilings as a fender. Such a mishap is frequently fatal.
Klingon Death Watch (Submarine Service): The 6 hour watch following 12 hours of continuous drills.
Knee-deep navy: Epithet (usually friendly) for the Coast Guard or coastal patrol vessels . Also knee-deep sailor, or just knee-deep(s).
Knee-knockers: A passageway opening through a bulkhead. The lower lip of the opening sits at shin height.
Knuckle Box: A medium sized, usually red, rectangular metal box widely used in the navy to move supplies to/from the ship. These boxes seem to have been designed by some sadist for maximum difficulty when carrying them aboard ship. They have small, useless metal handles on the side, and are perfectly sized so that one has to turn them at an angle to get through a knee knocker without grazing one's knuckles.
Knuckle Buster: A pneumatic tool for removing perfectly good paint from steel.
Knuckle Dragger: A member of the engineering department or a mechanic on a nuclear powered vessel. Usually used to describe a Boatswain's Mate on a surface vessel.
L[edit]
Ladderwell: Stairs. (This is a holdover from when all climbing was done by ladders.)
Lady Lex: Either of the two aircraft carriers named "Lexington."
LBFM (derogatory): Little Brown Fuck Machine: A foreign prostitute or B-girl, especially an Asian one.
LBFMPBR (derogatory): Little Brown Fuck Machine Powered By Rice. See "LBFM."
LBGB (derogatory): Little Bitty Gook Boat: One of the small indigenous fishing boats occasionally run over by the craft of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.
LDO: Limited Duty Officer: generally a senior and highly qualified enlisted person (E6�E8) who has earned a commission through a competitive process and continues to work in their field. By definition a technical manager.
LDO Security Blanket: Good conduct ribbon. Even though an LDO can choose to wear only his/her top three ribbons, they never do; because they always have at least three higher than Good Conduct and they need to have that one on display lest they be mistaken for a real junior officer. LDOs need their Good Conduct ribbons every bit as much as Linus needs his security blanket.
Leading Airman/Seaman/Fireman: "Honorary" title for an individual who cannot seem to make PO3 within the first six years of his enlistment.
Leave: Vacation time
LES: Leave and Earning Statement. A monthly review print-out of one's pay record, time-in-service, amount of leave on the books, and other important record keeping information.
LHO: Large Heavy Object. Useless piece of machinery.
Liberty: Free time away from work or the ship, usually after working hours or in port. Differs from leave (see above) in that one must stay close to one's home station and it is generally much shorter.
Liberty Boat: Boat assigned to transfer sailors to and from their ship when in a port that requires the ship to drop anchor instead of pulling pierside. Trips to the beach are generally low key. Trips back to the ship in the wee hours of the night are usually very entertaining.
Liberty Hound: A sailor who conspires to or is able to take extra liberty, or who enjoys liberty more than anything else. Also sailor(s) who head for the quarterdeck immediately after "shift colors."
Liberty Risk: A sailor who loves liberty a little too much, so much so that he puts himself in danger by drinking too much, getting into fights, or pissing off the locals. Such a sailor will likely be restricted to the ship at the next liberty port.
Lieu-fucking-tenant: Illustrates Navy practice of including a swear word INSIDE another word.
Lifer: A name given to both officers and enlisted men who love the Navy and make it clear they want to be in for 20 or more years; lifers will try to convince others to re-enlist. Also lifers say things like "there is nothing a sailor needs that is not in his sea-bag"; this usually is a comment implying a sailor does not need to see his spouse or children, more rarely acronym associated with people coasting through their Navy career, stands for "Lazy Incompetent Fuck Expecting Retirement", or "Lowly Indignant Fuck Evading Reality" see also "The ROAD program."
Lifer cup: A coffee cup stained brown by repeated use. Never washed, except as a prank by disgruntled juniors.
Lifer Dog: (See "Lifer," above) "Call me an asshole, call me a cocksucker, call me a son-of-a-bitch; just don't call me a Lifer Dog."
Lifer Locker: Lounge used by E-6's onboard ship.
Lifer Stripe: The stripes located just above the cuff of the right sleeve on the service dress uniform that indicates four years of service per stripe.
Light off: To literally light the fire in a boiler. Incorrectly, but nearly universally, applied to turning anything on.
Like a Big Dog: Doing something in a big way; Something larger than life that is happening; Being aggressive, mean with a loud growl.
Limp Dick: A sailor who can't do the simplest job. "Schmuckatelli is a Limp Dick." Can also be used to describe someone or something that stopped functioning. "So what happened on your watch?" "Well, one alfa main feed booster pump went limp dick so we put one bravo online."
Living the Dream: A sarcastic term used when someone is asked how they are, they reply with this which sounds upbeat and a positive term, and they are actually miserable. "How are you doing today PO Jones" "Living the dream Captain"
LMN: Lima Mike November. Lick My Nuts.
Load: (Always referred to as "the load.") Generally refers to the ship's engineering plant being online, e.g. producing adequate electricity, steam, etc.
Lobster: A female sailor. So called because most of the meat of a lobster is in its tail.
Loop, Looper: An officer, usually a LT or LCDR, who is an admiral's aide. So called because of the gold braided loop that they wear around their arm.
LOST: Line Of Sight Tasking: when a senior officer, usually the XO, tasks the first poor bastard JO who walks across his path with some time-consuming, inane project that he knows absolutely nothing about.
Love Cookie: A deposit of semen left on a sailor's pillow.
LPOD: Last Plane On Deck: The time when all aircraft should be on the ground.
Love Boat: (1) A sub tender crewed primarily by female sailors; see also "Tuna Boat." (2) Nickname for the CVN-69.
LSO: Landing Safety Officer or Landing Signals Officer. On a carrier, this officer stands just to the port side of the landing area and talks to each pilot as he makes his approach for an arrested landing. On a "small boy," the LSO sits under a bubble on the flight deck and talks to helo pilots as they attempt to land in the Rapid Securing Device, or "trap." Both types of LSO are referred to as "Paddles."
LSD: Dock landing ship, or Large Sitting Duck, so called due to their slow speed and absence of any significant offensive weaponry. "I survived a six-month trip on LSD", commonly heard slogan from sailors who have made a deployment aboard such a vessel.
LST: Tank landing ship, or Large Slow Target, a now disused type of amphibious warfare ship.
L.T.D.B: "Living the Dream, Baby." Often used sarcastically in reference to Naval lifestyle.
Lucky Bag: Collected unclaimed personal items, or such things confiscated as gear adrift, which were auctioned to the crew on paydays.
Lucky Charms: Nickname for w:Tripler Army Medical Center, which due to its coral pink color and location in the Moanalua hills of Honolulu, is used as a navigational aid for ships sailing into Pearl Harbor.
M[edit]
MAA: Master-at-Arms. A rate in the Navy similar in duties to a police officer.
MAD Boom surfing: Struggling to complete or barely passing required evolutions in training on the P-3 Orion Patrol Aircraft. Named for the Magnetic Anomaly Detector that sticks out from the tail of the aircraft. Variations include clinging to the MAD boom or water-skiing from the MAD Boom.
Mae West: (Old) term for a life jacket.
Mad Shitter (AKA Phantom Shitter): A sailor who does not flush a toilet. A prankster who defecates in public areas of a ship.
Mail Buoy: A fictitious bouy that mail for a ship is left on. Usually new sailors are given a mail buoy watch for the entertainment of the more seasoned sailors.
Magic Smoke: Substance that makes naval electronics work. Equipment failure is usually caused by letting the smoke out.
Mags: Place to store ammunition and weapons in warships and fortifications.
Mamasan: Proprietor of a bar or other such establishment where sex may be procured or negotiated. Generally found in the Western Pacific. A "madame."
Man Pleaser: Mouth
Manatee: A dependent wife, usually in Pensacola or Jacksonville that is Manatee fat even though her husband has maintained the same basic size during their marriage. Related to the Whidbey Whale.
Mandatory Fun: Any command sponsored social event that everyone HAS to attend, or get into big trouble.
Mando Commando: Sailor assigned mandatory physical training (Mando PT) for being overweight or failing the Physical Readiness Test.
MARF: Acronym used by a superior to a roving watchstander, means Make Another Round, Fucker. Also Modifications and Additions to Reactor Facility, an unusual and impractical research reactor in NY, later turned into a training platform (also phrased as My Ass is Royally Fucked.) (FOAD is what most nuke students wish the platform would do.)
Marine: A Sailor who failed to evolve.
MARINE: Acronym for Marines Always Ride in Navy Equipment...or Muscles are Required Intelligence Not Essential... or My Ass Really Is Navy Equipment..or My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment...or Muscles are Required Intelligence Not Expected.
Marine Dinner Tray: Derogatory description (to the "eldest service branch") of an enlisted sailor's 13 button flap on the front of his dress blue uniform trousers.
Marine Mattress: A female who likes to "socialize" with the Marines.
Marine Shower: No soap and water, just deodorant and cologne
Marine Table Cloth: See Marine Dinner Tray
Masagi Girl: A prostitute (typically Chinese) found in the Honch. So-called because they urgently whisper "Masagi?" as sailors wander past in search of libations.
M.A.S.H.: Make A Sailor Hurt: (used in boot camp to describe) any physical training on the time of the Company Commander. Such training usually resulted in the recruit hitting the rack with several aches and pains he would not normally have had.
Mast: Common abbreviated form of "Captain's Mast" or "Admiral's Mast." A form of non-judicial punishment in which a sailor finds himself standing tall in front of the old man when he has really screwed the pooch. Green felt is usually abundant.
Mast Crank: A fictitious crank, usually impersonated by a Bull Gear crank from engineering, which is to be collected by a junior enlisted to crank down the mast while passing under a short bridge. It is typically made to disappear 30 seconds before it is needed, sending junior enlisted crewmembers into a panic that the mast will hit the bridge under which the ship is about to pass.
Material condition: Status open or closed, of various fittings, hatches, etc, which are denoted by a letter. Generally X(X-ray): always closed, Y(Yoke): closed while underway, Z(Zebra): closed while at GQ. ("Set material condition Zebra throughout the ship" is part of the standard GQ alarm.)
Mat Man: Electronics Maintenance Man.
Maverick Can: The perfect place to sleep in a weapons magazine.
"M-Crud" MCRD: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Meat Gazer: Unlucky individual designated to make sure the urine in a "Whiz Quiz" actually comes from the urinator's body. This is accomplished by spending all day meat gazing, or looking at dicks while guys are pissing. Also a man who stares at or is perceived to stare at another man's genitals in a communal shower.
Meat Identifier: A side dish during chow that helps in identifying usually nondescriptive looking main dishes. i.e. Applesauce: Indicative of pork chops, Horseradish: Prime Rib Beef...etc.
Meatball: (1) Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System, a visual landing aid used by naval aviators landing on a carrier. Aviators "call the ball" as a reference guide to their positioning in the landing sequence. (2) The pennant flown to denote the ship has won the Battle "E" competition.
MEDCRUISE: A float (operational cruise) in the Mediterranean Sea. Atlantic Fleet equivalent to a Pacific Fleet WESTPAC.
Mess Crank or Mess Bitch (pejorative): A sailor who works on the mess deck, not rated as a cook.
Mess Decks: Chow Hall or Eating Establishment on board ship.
Mess Deck Intelligence: Rumors (mostly false) that spread throughout the ship like wildfire. Often concern radical changes to the ship's schedule. See "Rumor Control" or "Scuttlebutt."
Mess line: The straight line of the buttoned shirt over the fly of the trousers. Also, a joke played on new sailors, who are told to obtain a coil of it (line being the Navy word for rope).
Mid: Midshipman at the US Naval Academy or Naval ROTC; "Middie" is considered derogatory.
Midnight Ops: The best time to get something done when there are not as many witnesses around.
Midnight Requisition: To "borrow" (with varying degress of consent) a needed item from another unit. Often condoned when essential to get underway.
MidShitHead: Enlisted common term for a Naval Academy or ROTC Midshipman on their summer cruise on a ship or a command, gaining real Navy experience between academic class years.
Mid-Rats: Short for midnight rations. Food served to the midwatch. Generally leftover lunch and/or dinner.
Mid-Watch: Watch from 0000-0400 (2345-0345), usually results in no sleep before or after this watch.
Mighty Battle Pig: Nickname for USS WS Sims (FF-1059) � "Mighty Battle Frigate."
Mighty Mo: Nickname for the USS Missouri (BB-63), now a museum ship at Pearl Harbor.
Mike boat: see "8-boat."
Missile Sponge: Usually a frigate or destroyer with limited air defense capability stationed on the outer ring of a battlegroup, as they are the ships most likely to be hit in a convoy.
Miss Shit Can: The USS Michigan (SSGN-727).
Mobile Chernobyl: USS Enterprise (CVN-65), due to it being the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. See "Quarter Mile Island" below.
Monkey Butt: same as civilian usage; rash or other anal condition caused by less than sanitary field conditions.
Monkey and a football: Short for "A monkey trying to fuck a football, and the football is winning." An utterly epic goatrope (quod vide), more serious even than a clusterfuck.
Monkey cum: White scrubbing liquid used to clean grease pencil from status boards.
Monkey fist: A knot tied in a rope useful for handling said rope.
Monkey Mate: Derogatory term used by Boiler Technicians to describe their brethren in the much cooler Engineroom on the other side of bulkhead from their Fireroom. "Being a Monkey Mate is a lot easier than being a BT."
Monkey shit: (1) A mix of a clay and fibers, used to plug up small holes around cables as they pass through a bulkhead. (2) A type of putty used to seal the large steel access panels to the air casing on a steam boiler.
Motrin: A magical pill dispensed by hospital corpsmen capable for minor owies or to hypochondriacs; "take two aspirin and call me in the morning." Also called Vitamin M and Grunt Candy, the latter especially when dispensed to Marines.
Mouse House (Submarine Service): (1) (Ballistic Missile Submarine description of) those areas which are usually occupied by Missile Technicians. (2) MCC (Missile Control Center).
Mung (Submarine Service): Any dark green/brown plant residue with snot-like consistency found in/on scuppers (mostly in engineering spaces).
Mustang: An Officer who came from the Enlisted ranks.
Mystery Shitter: An intoxicated sailor who returns from the beach and is unable to safely reach the head, defecates in random locations prior to climbing into his or her rack to sleep it off.
N[edit]
NAMI Whammy: Slang for the incredibly in-depth two-day flight physical given to all prospective aviators at the Naval Aeromedical Institute at NAS Pensacola. Called the Whammy b/c many aspiring naval flight careers are ended before they even begin due to some unknown ailment.
NAMTRADET: Naval Aviation Maintenance Training Detachment. Specialized training for Avaition maintainers.
Nasty City: Slang for National City, California, just outside the gate of Naval Station San Diego. Its cheap dive bars were a noted hangout of "West-Pac Widows." Also answers to the name "National Shitty."
NAVCIVLANT/NAVCIVPAC: Described as where a soon to be departing sailor from active duty's next station will be.
NAVCOMM: Navigator/Communicator. Usually the junior NFO on a patrol aircraft.
NFG: Non-Functioning Gear: Used typically on Tags placed on electronics indicating malfunction description. Also called No F'n Good.
NFO: Naval Flight Officer: flies alongside the pilot as weapons officer. Also referred to as a "talking kneeboard." No Fuckin' Option is term used for NFOs who would rather be pilots, but don't qualify.
NAVY: acronym used by disgruntled sailors for "Never Again Volunteer Yourself","Need Any Vaseline Yet."(Naval Air wing) �No Aviator Values You�.
Naval Infantry: Derogatory term for the U.S. Marines, although historically some of the original colonies/early states had "naval infantry" or "naval militia."
Navy Shower: Not a form of punishment. While underway, fresh water must be manufactured. A common-sense way of saving it is to wet down while taking a shower and then TURN OFF THE WATER. Lather up and wash. Finally, TURN ON THE WATER to rinse off. Continual disregard WILL attract a punishment shower with scrub brushes.
Navy World: RTC Orlando was referred to as "Navy World" on its water tower due to Disney World and Sea World being close by.
NEC: The Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) system, of which the NEC coding system is a part, supplements the enlisted rating structure in identifying personnel on active or inactive duty and billets in manpower authorizations. NEC codes identify a nonrating wide skill, knowledge, aptitude, or qualification that must be documented to identify both people and billets for management purposes.
Night-Ops: The throwing of trash or other unneeded items overboard at night to avoid the longer process of properly getting rid of it.
NMOP: (common on Boomer Subs) No More Patrols Ever. Some times worn on T-Shirts by sailors who are on the last patrol and getting out or going to shore duty. (see EAOS above and Short timer below.)
NON: "Needs of the Navy" a priority over anything to do with one's family or person; as in God, Country, Family.
NQP: "Non-Qual-Puke": A non-qualified crewman who is not yet able to stand watch. Also applies in the Submarine Service to a crewman who is not yet qualified in submarines.
No Balls: An expression used to suggest that a person does not have the balls/guts to do what he (or she) is boasting he (or she) will do.
NO Boat: The USS New Orleans (LPH-11).
No-Fuck, Vagina (pejorative): The city, rather than the base, of Norfolk, Virginia. For the base, see "Black Hole."
No Load: A useless sailor. One who does not pull his share of the load. Named for the maintenance catapult shots where only the shuttle is moved down the track with no aircraft attached. Also possibly named to represent a generator that is providing no power to the system and therefore not taking on its share of the load. (Onboard Submarines, often used as part of the phrase "Air Breathing No Load," meaning a useless sailor or rider who is using up resources and providing nothing in return.)
Non-Comm: A non-commissioned officer, E4-E9.
Non-skid: A rough epoxy coating used for grip on weather decks.
Nonskid Wax: A fictitious substance used for waxing non-skid decks, something junior sailors are sent looking for.
Non-Qual (Submarine Service): A sailor who has not yet earned his Submarine Warfare Qualification (Dolphins).
Noodle: Commonly referred to as a goofy, borderline retarded sailor with a big head (like a meatball) and a small body like a noodle. Sometimes used especially of the sailors from the USS Mathers.
Noodle-winger: Helicopter pilot.
Norfucked: What you are when you get orders to Norfolk, Virginia. "[I/You] just got Norfucked!"
Noted: Usually passed down from an officer to a blue shirt, when the blue shirt tells the officer of something that will have little or no positive effect on the officer, but may have a great effect on the blue shirt. "Sir, if we do this thing now I can go home as soon as it's done." Officer: "Noted." Can also be said to an officer, but beware of over-usage.
No-Shitter: A sea story which is mostly (never completely) fictional, and unverifiable as well. Examples: "Hey, this is no shit, but I once blah blah blah..." or "Hey this is a no-shitter, I got a buddy who once blah blah blah..."
NUG: New Useless Guy. Term referred to newly reported sailors with no qualifications or experience. Usually tasked with dirty and nasty jobs often referred to as "Shit Work."
Nugget: First tour aviator
NUB:
Non-Useful Dody) A sailor who has not completed any qualifications and is therefore of no use to their division.
A sailor that has not yet earned their Submarine Warfare Qualification (Dolphins).
Nuclear Waste: A pejorative term for sailors who exit the Nuclear Power training program without successful completion.
Nuke (or "Nuc") (Submarine Service, CVNs): Engineering Department crewmember responsible for turning main shaft via atom-splitting. Also refers to ordnance type that is neither confirmed nor denied, which may or may not be handled by a different Department (See "Weaponettes," below). Also describes nerds (generally anyone who is/was a candidate for Naval Nuclear Power Training Command).
Nuke it out (or simply "nuke it"):
To overthink an easy task. Alternately, often used by nukes to suggest someone ought to put forth at least a little thought before giving up on a problem.
The act of solving a problem by applying numbers and units and various known and assumed quantities to calculate an approximate answer.
Nuke Milk: A disgusting powdered milk used when the fresh milk runs out. Said to be preserved by irradiation.
Nuke Striker: Perjorative term used by nukes to describe a coner that asks endless questions about the operations of the nuclear power plant. Strikers are sailors that enlist without a guaranteed rate (job), with the intention of floating around until they find a department where they fit in. However, one can't strike for Nuclear Field.
Numb Nuts (Derogatory) Nick Name for the USS Nimitz (CVN68)
Nut to butt: Standing in line, close quarters, body to body, each man's chest pressed to the back of the man ahead, or "nut to butt."
O[edit]
OBA: Oxygen Breathing Apparatus. Used mostly to supply breathing air to shipboard firefighters before civilian firefighter equipment was approved and adopted. Before OBAs the Navy developed and used RBAs--Rescue Breathing Apparatus.
OBE: Overcome By Events. Moot.
OBNOB: Only Black Nuke Onboard. Self-explanatory. Usually only found on submarines due to a significantly smaller number of nukes stationed onboard a submarine vis-�-vis a carrier.
Occifer (derogatory, pronounced "ossifur"): Any officer, especially a junior officer.
Officer's Candy: Urinal cakes.
Officer's Country: The area of the ship where the Officer's berthing area and Wardroom are located; Enlisted men are not allowed into Officer's Country without permission, with certain rating exceptions.
O-Gang: The wardroom. Officers are O-Gangers. See also A-Gang.
O I (wish I was asleep): Derogatory remark made by any non-OS rate whenever a OS complains about how bad they have it while underway, because OS's are almost always "Port & Starboard" when underway. OS's constitute "OI Division."
Oil King - An enlisted engineer responsible for fuel, oil, and water, also their quality, quantity, and transfers around the ship.
Old Man: The Commanding Officer or Admiral in command. The term is used, regardless of the officer's age or gender, when the officer has gained the respect of subordinates. RADM Grace Hopper is a female "Old Man."
Old Salt: A naval veteran. See also "Salty," below.
On my six: Naval aviation expression referring to having someone or thing at my back, on my tail, directly behind me, relative to the hours of a clock; 12-dead ahead, 3-starboard or to the right, 6 aft or behind and 9-port or to the left.
O-N-O-F-F actuator (or switch): The on/off button or switch on any device, usually used in the context of a subordinate not grasping how to power a device up or down.
One-eyed Jack: See "Barney Clark" A. tasty treat served at midrats consisting of a slider topped with a fried egg.
OOC: Pronounced "oh oh see." Used to describe a piece of equipment that no longer functions and is "out of commission."
OOD: officer of the deck
Operation GOLDENFLOW: A command-wide urinalysis test.
OPS: Operations Officer: Head of the Operations Department on board a ship or shore command. The Operations Officer is usually third in command behind the Captain and the Executive Officer.
OS trainer (derogatory): A large popsicle; so called because Operations Specialists are expected to "brown-nose" with officers more than other ratings.
Oscar: The buoyant dummy used during man-overboard drills. Named for the Oscar flag that is flown during a man overboard evolution. If a sailor is "nominated for an Oscar", someone has suggested that sailor be thrown overboard.
Oscar Sierra: Radio brevity code for a nuclear weapons mishap. Supposedly from the first letters of the words "Oh Shit."
Ouija Board/Wee-Gee Board: Flat board with small airplanes, bolts, etc. that can be moved around to indicate aircraft position and status on an aircraft carrier
Out of sight hi/lo: Steam boiler casualty in which the water level in the steam drum gauge glass goes out the top/bottom, requiring the boiler to be immediately shut down to prevent water hitting the turbine blades (hi) or melting boiler tubes (lo). If operating on one boiler at the time of the casualty, the ship then goes "dark and quiet" as all power and propulsion is lost.
Overhead: Ceiling.
P[edit]
P-way: A passageway or a hall.
Package Check (Submarine Service): A common form of greeting where one man shakes another man's crotch. This is done not only to test the 'mettle' of the one receiving the greeting but also as a sign of comraderie. However, ever since hazing became increasingly unpopular over the last few years this greeting has occurred less often. Much more common in the submarine service due to the impossibility of discharge while underway.
Paddles: Code word for the LSO (see above)
Papa Chuck: The P-3C Orion patrol aircraft. Also called "Four fans of freedom," a desirable platform for airedales who have no wish to spend any time whatsoever at sea.
Paper Assholes: Gummed Reinforcements (office supplies); Paper Ensigns.
P.A.P.E.R.C.L.I.P.: People Against People Ever Reenlisting Civilian Life Is Preferable. Term used to show dissatisfaction with enlistment or unity amongst a brotherhood of bitter and disaffected sailors, specifically submariners. Often symbolized by the wearing of a paperclip on the uniform in varying levels of prominence to indicate the sailor's level of disgruntlement. May also be burned into the skin. C.L.I.P. also used as Civilian Life Incentive Program.
Pass in Review: The ceremony of graduation from boot camp into Navy life. Pass in Review ceremonies are always held on a Friday, meaning that there is a Pass in Review held every week, except during federal holidays i.e. Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, etc.
Patrol Sock: See "Cruise sock."
P.B.: Short for Pacific Beach, California, suburb of San Diego
P.C.O.D.: "Pussy Cut Off Day": The last day of a long deployment on which male sailors can get laid and still obtain Venereal Disease cures from the Hospital Corpsman, and have those cures be effective, before returning to their partners at home.
PCU: Pre Commissioning Unit: What a ships company is called before a ship is commissioned. These personnel go on to become Plank Owners.
PD-8: Fictitious valve requested to be found by junior sailor in order for an engineering qualification to be signed off. Valves are named with the initials of the system they belong to, ie Seawater valve 1 is SW-1. PD-8 is actually a chemical additive used in the evaporator to aid distillation of fresh water. As opposed to other in-joke shipboard goose chases, this one can go one for weeks while the nub spends his free time poking around the distillation plant.
Peanut Butter Shot: A painful shot normally given in the back of the hip or gluteus maximus.
Pecker-Checker: The Hospital Corpsman.
Pencil whip: (1) Filling out a form with mostly imaginary data or fluff. (2) Editing a poorly worded memo or document for clarity.
Penis Anus: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS).
Penis Machinist: The Hospital Corpsman.
Periscope liberty (Submarine Service) : Looking through the periscope to see the world outside after being underwater for a long time. Surface equivalent: "Eyeball Liberty."
Permanent Help: Slang for a PH (Photographer's Mate) in a fighter squadron.
PFA: Physical Fitness Assessment: new name for PRT. Situps, pushups and a run/bike/swim/elliptical trainer.
PFM: "Pure Fucking Magic", term applied to when things work, but one doesn't know how or why � but they work. Other usage: "PFM circuit" for electronics in depot level repair only equipment whose inner workings are not required to be known. See also "Black box" and "Transistor Theory".
Phantom Shitter: A freaking weirdo that thinks it's funny to shit in the shower, or to take a shit in the shitter and not flush.
Phrog: CH-46 Sea Knight helo. Also referred to as the "Whistling Shitcan of Death" or a "Flying Anvil."
Piece: Rifle, as used in manual-of-arms (rifle drill)
Pier 20: Derogatory term used to describe the U.S.S. Mt. Whitney(LCC-20), as it rarely goes to sea.
PIERPAC: Pretending to be on deployment while moored to a pier. (like WESTPAC referring to a Western Pacific deployment.)See Fast Cruise.
Pier-Queer: Air Force term for "Sailor." (The Navy term for Air Force personnel is simply "Queer.")
Pier tender: A ship that never gets under way. See "USS Neversail."
Pigs in a Bucket, Fuck it: Colorful rhyming term used when a sailor wants to forget what they have heard, seen, or done.
Pillows of Death: Canned ravioli, usually burned, served for midrats.
Piped Aboard: (of a CO, VIP or other dignitary) Recognized upon entering a ship or land installation by the Boatswain's Mate blowing 2 notes (low, then high) on a boatswain's pipe, followed by sets of two bells, depending on the rank. After the musical introduction, the dignitary's rank and sometimes name is announced, followed by "Arriving" or "Departing." The Commanding Officer and embarked Admiral are piped aboard with the Ship's name or the Group name. For other dignitaries, the office is used (e.g. "Department of Defense, Arriving"). Senior officers may be "bonged on board" as a courtesy; in this case, the introduction refers to their rank and service only, e.g. "Colonel, United States Marine Corps, arriving." The CO of the particular ship [and the embarked Flag Officer] or installation gets a "stinger", a single bell ring after "arriving"/"departing." Bells may be used alone (without a pipe) in the absence of a boatswain's mate.
Pirate Navy: Small boy crafts generally referring to the smallest of the vessels, such as Minesweepers, Coastal Patrol boats, and sometimes Frigates.
Piss Cutter: A folding uniform cap.
Pisser: (1) A urinal (not a toilet). (2) An unpleasant situation "that's a pisser."
Pit: A sailor's rack or bunk. Usually used among those who aren't particularly pleased with shipboard life.
Pit Sword: A sword-shaped device that protrudes below the ship to measure it's actual speed.
Pineapple Fleet: The Pacific Fleet, usually refers to the Seventh Fleet (in the western Pacific) and specifically to ships stationed in Pearl Harbor. Somewhat confusing term, as Pearl Harbor is considered part of the Third Fleet's area, and not the Seventh.
Ping: To emit a pulse of sound energy from a SONAR transmitter.
Ping Jockey: Term used to describe Sonar Techs
Plank Owner: Term used for original crew personnel assigned to ships company during commissioning. Plank Owners are "Piped Aboard" when shown proper certification.
Plastic Fantastic: F/A-18 used in the 1980's.
POD (Plan of the Day): An official document issued by a command that states all activities going on that day, from 0000 to 2359. Also contains the Uniform of the Day. Also called the Possibilities of the Day or Plan of Deception because the plan can change without notice.
POG: (Person Other than Grunt) A term often used by Marine Infantry (Grunts) to refer to anyone who is not them. Specifically anyone in an Admin Field. Originally, "pogue".
Pogey Bait: Candy, sweets, ice cream, etc., so called because such items are used as "bribes" for a pogue.
Pogue: A homosexual who may be called a "twink", usually under-aged. This term may be used pejoratively (see Pogey bait), as no one but Marines are interested in pogues or baiting homosexuals.
Polish a Turd: Make the most of a bad situation e.g. Karlene Golding wearing make-up.
Pollywog: An individual who has not crossed the Equator, who must go through rituals, that sometimes cross the line to be hazing, to become a shellback. This practice can be traced back hundreds of years and is conducted in many countries' Navies across the globe. See crossing the line.
Poopsick: Anything undesirable, specifically feeling seasick
Poopysuit: Blue overalls worn when deployed out to sea. May also refer to the anti-exposure suits used by aircrews in the case of a water landing in cold environments.
The Pond: The Deep Blue Sea. Where deep-water sailors ply their craft, "The Pond" may be Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, or Other. Used in slang expressions such as "Talk to me when you've got some Time On The Pond."
PQS: Personnel Qualification Standards, a card carrying various qualifications for a warfare badge or similar. Must be signed off by a superior or expert.
Port: Left side of the boat or ship (when facing the bow). Left side of an aircraft when facing the nose from inside. Place of arrival for ships.
Port and Starboard: A rotation of two duty sections or watch teams, one designated port, and the other starboard. Generally not considered to be a good situation. (Usually six hours on duty, six hours off duty. During the six hours off you eat and sleep. The usual cycle is: get up, eat, go on watch, get off watch, eat, go to bed. This results in about four hours of sleep per cycle.)
Port and Report: A watch stood without relief. One designated Port, and the other... there is no other, only Port once again, hence the term re-Port.
Portable Air Sample (Submarine Service): A snipe hunt gag inflicted on "newbies." Normally, portable air samples are regularly collected by a hand-held device operated by a highly qualified crewmember. In this snipe hunt gag, however, a plastic garbage bag is inflated like a balloon and sealed, sometimes with "official" forms taped to the exterior; the newbie is then dispatched to take this important atmospheric sample to the Executive Officer (NEVER the Skipper). Depending on that particular XO's sense of humor, the newbie could possibly come back with interesting counter-orders.
Portable Pad Eye. A pad eye is a recessed anchor point found in the decks of U.S. Navy Ships. They are a permanent fixture. Typically, as a hazing ritual, sailors fresh out of boot camp are sent out on a wild goose chase to retrieve a, "Portable", Pad Eye.
PosMo: Positive Motivation. Punishment for screwing up or being a Rock. Also known as Extra Military Instruction (EMI).
Powder Monkey: Term referring to a sailor sent back and forth for an item, usually tasked to retrive something from below-decks; derives from young boys who served on wooden ships that retrieved powder for broadside firing.
Power troll: A name for any officious person, usually used by engineers. Comes from the Powertrol valve used in AFFF firefighting systems.
PPC: Patrol Plane Commander. Usually the senior pilot on a patrol aircraft, having been previously designated a 2P (second pilot). 3Ps are relatively new pilots in a patrol aircraft. No-Ps are pilots who have not qualified for 3P.
Pri-Fly: Primary Flight Control. A room located high in an aircraft carrier's island where the Air Boss and Mini-Boss run all flight operations within a five mile radius of the ship.
PRT: Physical Readiness Test. A sailor is required to perform a certain number of situps, pushups, and a 1.5-mile run in a given time (which varies based on age and gender). Replaced with the PFA.
PT: Physical Training. A required exercise regimen.
The Pubic Mound: USS Puget Sound.
Pucker Factor: Tension caused by high stress during a difficult or dangerous evolution. So named because one's sphincter tends to tighten up or "pucker" involuntarily during such times. Example: Pucker factor was high when he landed that Turkey single engine with complete AC power failure at night.
Puddle Pirate (derogatory): A members of the US Coast Guard.
Pull chocks (verb): To leave.
Pump and Dump: A term in Boot Camp, normally used by RDCs allowing Recruits time to use the Head. This was normally either 5 or 10 minutes in duration (never long enough). Sometimes used to call for pumping bilges and waste tanks overboard outside coastal limits. Originally used in reference to the daily order for a ship underway to go out past the 50-mile-from-shore line in order to legally pump oily water from bilges and dump trash, this can no longer be done.
Pushbutton: Term applied to a 6 year enlistee with advanced schooling. The Enlistee is immediately granted E-3 rank upon completion of basic training, and E-4 rank upon completion of "A" school. Frequently the Enlistee also has an opportunity to extend to 8 years, and immediately gain E-5 rank within 2-3 years total service, like "pushing a magic button to gain rank."
Pussy patch: Transdermal scopolamine patch for seasickness.
Pussy pills: Seasickness pills.
Q[edit]
Q: (prefix denoting) (1) The BEQ [Bachelor Enlisted Quarters]/Unaccompanied military personnel housing. (2) The Quartermaster rating.
Quack: Hospital Corpsman
Quadball: Any sailor with a 0000 NEC. See "Quadzip" below.
Quadzip: Four numeral zero's in a row. Example: 100007 would be read aloud as "one quadzip seven." Also refers to sailors who have yet to attend any schools that assign NEC (Navy Enlisted Classification) codes upon graduation. The untrained sailors have a quad zip NEC of 0000.
Quarterdeck: Ceremonial area of the ship used while in port for either boarding, or disembarking the ship, usually found at the main deck level, mid-ship.
Quarter Mile Island: CVN-65, USS Enterprise, and all eight of her reactors.
Quarters: A gathering of all the people in the organization. Quarters can be for the entire command, or just the department, division, or branch. Quarters is used to present awards, pass information, and make every sailor squeeze into their ill-fitting, rarely-worn uniforms at least once a year. "Quarters" also refers to the daily morning muster for each division, announced as "Quarters...Quarters...All hands to Quarters for muster, instruction, and inspection."
Queer: Nickname for the EA-6B Prowler. Also Air Force Personnel.
R[edit]
R2D2: Dome-shaped Phalanx CIWS system, after the visually similar Star Wars droid. Also called "R2D2 with a hard-on."
Rack: Bed.
Rack Burns: Reddish marks seen on the face of a sailor who has just emerged from sleeping in his/her rack. Scorned upon if he/she was not supposed to be there.
Rack Hound (derogatory but usually with a hint of envy): Sailor that spends more than his/her fair share of time in the "Rack." Usually spoken when seeing somebody with Rack Burns. "You are such a Rack Hound!"
RADCON Math:
Term used by Nukes to describe a method of estimation to arrive at an answer.
Used to prove a desired numerical answer with substantiated math, either correct or incorrect. Example: Watch Officer-"What is pH?" ELT-"What do you want it to be?"
Radioactive Rudolph: Reindeer meat brought onboard in Scandanavian Ports, especially soon after the Chernobyl meltdown. Now, just Rudolph.
Radio girls: Derogatory term for Radiomen used by personnel in engineering ratings who do not believe they do any "real work." OSs, STs and other Twidgets that don't, for example, stand any rate-related watches in port (in the days of steam ships especially) get even less respect.
Radioing the logs (Submarine Service): Recording engineering log data via mental telepathy (see "Xoxing Logs" below). (Surface ships sometimes use the term "blazing the logs" or "gundecking.")
Rain Locker: Shower.
Raisin: Recruit or junior sailor, predominantly heard at Naval Training Commands. This is used in boot camp to refer to those boots who have received their dungaree uniforms so recently that they haven't been ironed, just washed, they are therefore wrinkled, like a raisin. Usually used by seasoned boots to refer to sailors with one or more weeks less time in service. Fleet equivalent is "Nub," "Newbie," or "Hey Shitbird."
Ramp Strike: When an aircraft gets drastically low while attempting to land on a carrier and strikes the "round down," or stern of the ship, with devastating results.
RAS: Replenishment At Sea: The act or process of moving cargo and fuel from a supply ship to a warship via cable while underway.
Rate Grabber: Enlisted member with the goal of (and succeeding in) making rate (promotion) quickly.
Rating: Refers to an Enlisted man's job description, i.e. Radioman, Electronic's Technician, etc., usually denoted as part of the rank insignia, found in the center of the rank device on the summer, and winter uniforms only.
RATT Shop: Place for flight deck personnel to cool off in the AC and take a nap while they get their "RATT" fixed.
'Rats: Short for "mid-rats"
Ready Roller: a sailer who wakes up, "rolls" out of his rack- without washing or brushing- "ready" to head to the Mess Hall to start his day. Ready Rollers are generally thought of in a negative scense due to their poor hygene and lack of respect for themselves, while in close quarters or proximity to other shipmates.
Ready Room: Large space aboard a carrier that is the focal point for each of the squadrons in the airwing. Each squadron has one on the O-3 level, and each pilot has his own seat. Used for a variety of reasons such as training, "AOM's," "Roll-ems," etc...
Red-Roper: Slang for a Recruit Division Commander (RDC), in reference to the red rope worn around the left shoulder. Used to be called "Company Commander."
Red-Tag, also known as "Tag Out" (verb): (1) (of a Calibration AT with no nuclear training) to do something to a piece of nuclear reactor machinery which should put part of the plant down. (2) To de-energize a piece of electrical equipment or to cease usage of any tool or machine.
Red-Tag (noun): The tag placed on a piece of electrical equipment to prevent it being energized and injuring someone.
Red Wagon:
Reefer: (1) A refrigeration ship carrying frozen foods. (2) A large freezer of the type found on most ships, usually in auxiliary spaces.
Render honors to port/starboard: A custom in the Navy to honor a ship passing with a salute, it is also used when passing by the Arizona Memorial, an announcement is made "Prepare to render honors to port/starboard," a Bo'sun's pipe signal is then given to stand at attention, to salute, to drop the salute, and finally to "carry on." Honors are rendered from the junior to the senior by referencing the Lineal Number of the Commanding Officer.
Rent-A-Crow: A sailor advanced to E-4 because they graduated top of their "A" school class. The Navy "rents" them for an extra year in return for promoting them. The term is also used of sailors who enlist in Advanced Electronics or Nuclear training tracks, as these also require a 6 year commitment.
Reveille: An announcement over the 1MC at 0600 local time, bugle call, trumpet call or pipes call, most often associated with the military; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise. The name comes from "r�veill�" (or "r�veil"), the French word for "wake up."
Rick, Ricky: A "recruit" or sailor-to-be who is still in boot camp.
Rickety Rocket: USS Richmond K. Turner (CG-20) Commissioned 1963, decommissioned 1995, sunk as a target 1998 by USS Enterprise Battle Group.
Ricky Boxing: Masturbation. The term is used in boot camp to refer to male masturbation. Compare "Ricky Fishing."
Ricky Fishing: Masturbation. The term is used in boot camp to refer to female masturbation. Compare "Ricky Boxing."
Ricky Forklift: A boot camp term for a dust pan.
Ricky Girlfriend: A male sailor's hand, used to masturbate.
Ricky Crud: (1) A one-night sickness which sailors acquire in bootcamp after receiving their smallpox vaccinations. (2) The constant cold that sailors suffer from in bootcamp because they spend 8 weeks confined with 80 people from all walks of life.
Ricky Dive: Fast, effective method of cleaning in boot camp, consisting of wearing smurf suits inside-out and sliding, or being dragged, on the floor to pick up dust.
Ricky Heaven: A number of restaurants and entertainment venues found in a single building at boot camp, so called because only graduates of boot camp may go there.
Ricky Iron: Using one's right hand to press one's uniform flat.
Ricky Lawnmower: Nailclippers, used to trim stray threads from uniforms. See "Irish Pennant."
Ricky Ninja: Within minutes of lights out, the entire division is asleep, except for the Ricky Ninjas, dressed in their ski masks and sweaters, sliding from rack to rack, Gullivering, dirty-dicking, and spitting in the RPOC's canteen.
Ricky Ray-Gun: The cheap, disposable flashlights Recruits use while standing night watch in the barracks.
Ricky Sweep: Use of a bare hand to gather dustbunnies and other dirt from a deck.
Ricky Rocket: A boot camp "energy drink" made from an assorted mix of sodas, sports drinks, coffee, sugar and artificial sweetners used to help keep the recruit awake. Also known as "Go-Go Juice." Or half a glass of coffee, half chocolate milk and a shit ton of sugar.
Rider: (1) Most often associated with the submarine service; an individual aboard a submarine not a member of the crew who is assigned to the sub for a period of time to perform a specific mission; usually intelligence related. (2) On surface ships, any member of the ship's company who is not assigned to the Engineering Department. "There are two kinds of people on a ship: Engineers and Riders. When the Engineers cause the ship to move through the water, everyone else goes along for the ride."
Ring Knocker: A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Used pejoratively if the officer in question is overly proud of this fact.
River Rat: Crew member of a brown water boat or patrol craft.
Roach Coach: A snack or lunch truck that stops at each pier where the ships are berthed. Usually announced over the 1MC � "Navy Exchange Mobile Canteen is on the pier" or at great risk to the announcer: "The Roach Coach is making its approach."
Road Mark: Also referred to as a "Street Mark," a form of point deduction during Boot Camp, when a sailor is either out of step during marching, failure to salute an officer, or an RDC, or any other form of noticeable infraction, the infraction usually results in a deduction of five points form the company's overall score.
R.O.A.D. Program: Retired On Active Duty, refers to someone who is approaching retirement so they don't care about getting any real work accomplished.
Roast Beast: Roast Beef, or any meat served aboard the ship that even the cooks who prepared it don't know what it is.
Rock: Term used to describe a sailor that acts as though he hasn't learned anything.
Roger That: A term of understanding and acceptance when given an order or other information. Can be used with varying inflection and tone without consequence to signify enthusiasm or disgruntlement without stepping outside the bounds of professionalism.
Roll-em's: Movie night, usually shown in the ready room or the wardroom
Rollers: Hot dogs.
Rope and Choke: Highly advanced and ultra accurate way the Navy determines the body mass index of people who are deemed too heavy for their height. Consists of an overweight fitness "guru" measuring one's waist and neck.
Ropeyarn: Original-Taking an afternoon off, usually a Wednesday, to take care of personal matters, such as repairing one's uniforms. Today- taking an afternoon off to take care of 'personal matters'.
Rot-Cee: Slang for ROTC, Reserve Officer Training Corps. Also "Neurotic" for a midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC).
Rot-Cee Nazi: Derogatory slang term for an ROTC member who has let power go to his or her head; primarily used when such ROTC members board a ship for training, and start pushing around enlisted sailors, who hold higher ranks and/or have had more time on active duty.
Round Turn: To put some elbow grease into it; to work hard at it and make a strong effort to finish the job
Rotor Head: Sailor who flies or maintains rotary-winged aircraft (helicopters).
Royal Baby: Originally the fattest man on the ship, chosen as part of Neptune's court during Shellback initiation.
RPOC: Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RCPO or RPOC). A recruit chosen in boot camp to "be in charge" when the Company Commander, or other authority figure, are not present.
R.T.F.M.: Read The Fucking Manual, or "Read Those Fine Manuals" if you are talking to your mother.
Rubber Hooeys: Condoms
Rumor Control: The often wildly inaccurate rumors that concern fictitious changes to the ship's schedule. Usually takes the form of "Hey, did you hear (insert ship name here) had a fire in their main machinery room and can't get underway so our cruise got extended by a month?" See also "Mess Deck Intelligence."
S[edit]
Sack-o'-Lantern: A scrotum stretched across a battle lantern that has been energized. Smiley-face art optional.
Saltpeter: Chemical supposedly added to "bug juice" aboard ship to stifle libido.
Salt and Peppers: Refers to the old style working white uniform, where the sailor wore a white shirt, and black pants. Today, Salt and Peppers are worn by cooks that work in a ship's wardroom.
Salty: Old and experienced (or simply old and sea-worn, as in "my salty hat"). Can also refer to the traditionally profanity-laced language patterns of sailors.
Sandblower: A person of very short stature.
Sandbox, The pier liberty facilities at Jebel Ali. Sandbox Liberty means travel outside the port of Jebel Ali is not authorized. All one gets is a "beer on the pier." See "Gerbil Alley."
Sand Crab: Civil servant working for the Navy. As in "side stepping beach creature"
San Dog: A sailor stationed in San Diego, or the base itself.
Savy Sue: The nickname of the USS Savannah AOR4, given by her ships' company.
Screaming Alpha: A sailor who is on fire and is running around screaming. Alpha fires leave ash. Bravo fires burn flammable liquids. Charlies are electrical fires, and Deltas burn exotic materials, often metals like magnesium.
Scrambled Eggs: Gold embroidered decoration on a Commander's/Captain's cover. Admirals have Double Eggs. The similar silver clouds and lightning bolts addition to an Air Force Major's/Colonel's hat is called Farts and Darts.
Screw: Propeller
Screwing the Pooch: Making a huge mistake. "You really screwed the pooch this time."
Scullery: The washroom on board a ship for eating implements such as knives, forks, trays, and cups.
Scupper: (1) (Surface Navy) Opening in a bulwark which allows water to drain overboard. (2) (Submarine Service) A funnel-like device used to collect rogue liquids (usually from overflowing tanks in engineering spaces), as free openings to the outside are frowned upon in submarine design.
Scupper Trout: Sewage solids which have washed overboard, or have been pumped overboard. Also called "Cornbacked Gator" or "Brown Trout."
Scuttle: A smaller, sealable, opening in a larger, heavier door or hatch.
Scuttle (verb): To discard something over the side of the ship.
Scuttlebutt: (1) A drinking fountain. (2) Generally reliable but incomplete information about a subject. (3) A rumor (because rumors are spread when crew members gather around water fountains). This is the only thing in the universe that can travel faster than light.
SCWS: Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist
Sea and Anchor Detail: Every sailor has an assigned duty station to be manned when the ship is either pulling into or out of port. On submarines it's called the Maneuvering Watch. (Coast Guard: Special Sea Detail.)
Seabag: A large green canvas bag issued to the sailor during boot camp as part of his uniform issue, the nearest civilian equivalent would be a suit case or several pieces of luggage, the seabag is constructed to hold close to 150 lbs.
Seabag Inspection: Formal uniform/personal item inspection for an E-4 and below sailor upon check in to a new command. In reality, consists of an E-5 signing a piece of paper and giving the warning, "if you go up for mast, I will testify under oath that I inspected and saw every item."
Seabag locker: A room, usually on board ship, where extra uniforms, or item materials are placed until needed.
Seabee: A member of the Construction Battalions
Sea chest: A trunk or storage container used for a sailor's personal property.
Seachest: Ballast intake/discharge portals below the waterline of a ship.
Sea Daddy: Senior, more experienced sailor who unofficially takes a new member of the crew under his wing and mentors him. Senior Enlisted Advisor, a CPO in charge of one's career.
Sea Lawyer: (1) A sailor or his buddy, making eloquent but completely spurious arguments at Captain's Mast, or in response to some disciplinary action. (2) An argumentative, cantankerous or know-it-all sailor. A sea lawyer is adept at using technicalities, half truths, and administrative crap to get out of doing work or anything else he doesn't want to do, and/or to justify his laziness.
Sea Otter: SeaOpDet-er; a member of a Sea Operational Detachment (SEAOPDET).
Sea Pussy: A yeoman or personnelman � akin to a secretary � who does clerical work. See "titless wave." Also, a wet dream induced by ship's motion.
Sea Stories: Often exaggerated or embellished tales from previous deployments or commands told by seniors to juniors. Sea Stories almost always involve alcohol. (1) Good sea stories should involve creative embellishment, inasmuch as one should tell it better than the guy one heard it from, with oneself (or an un-named "buddy") as the new star. Add some contemporary details and those youngsters are mesmerized, as they should be. Should always begin with "No shit, this really happened," or "This is a no shitter." (2) Reminiscence among older sailors, not necessarily with embellishment but often times a mutual exaggeration and perhaps colorful language: "Remember the time we were in the Gulf of Thailand for that ...?" "Yeah that was fucking crazy; we came damn near..."
Seaman Schmuckatelli: Generic name for a sailor, used in a similar manner as "Joe Blow" or "John Q. Public." Example: "You're working on an electrical system without tagging it out, when along comes Seaman Schmuckatelli, who energizes the circuit and ZAP, you're fried calamari."
Seaman Timmy/Fireman Timmy: Used in similar fashion as "Seaman Schmuckatelli" except with a slightly more negative connotation of a sailor who is not too bright, or could be expected to do something stupid without any malicious intent. Can also be used to refer to any sailor not expected to be very bright, who is young and naive, or one who has screwed up in some way: "And you've got Seaman Timmy on the .50 cal."
Sea Warrior: Used by naval personnel whom have never set foot on a ship, usually in response to being called shipmate.
SEAL: The United States Navy's Sea, Air, Land Teams, commonly known as the Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command and United States Special Operations Command. There are currently two Coast Guard SEALS, who completed SEAL training before the program was cancelled.
Secure: To turn off, end, or make tighter, e.g. "secure the forward diesel" or "secure from general quarters"; can also be used to to prepare something for sea, as in "secure for sea."
Senile Chief: Slang for Senior Chief
Service Dress Bozo: Service Dress Blue uniform with a bow tie worn by a junior officer to a formal event for which he was too cheap to buy a formal mess dress jacket.
SERP: Senior Enlisted Rest Period. The Chief is going to his rack for an hour or so after chow, sometimes includes a "drink."
Set Zebra: Sex involving double or triple penetration.
Seven to forever: the 0700-1200 watch, which is longer than the normal four hour watch.
Sewer Pipe Sailor: Diesel Submariner
Shallow Water Sailors: Coast Guard
Shallow Water Surface Pukes: members of the Coast Guard, from the viewpoint of a bubblehead.
Shark shit: A sailor who has fallen overboard and is lost forever.
Shark bait: A package of bright green dye, attached to a life vest. Used to attract the attention of a rescue helicopter in the event of a man overboard by the victim in the water.
Shillelagh / Shillalah: A piece of fire hose, sometimes soaked in saltwater, used as a cudgel to hit wogs on the buttocks during Shellback initiation.
Shellback: An individual who has crossed the Line/Equator.
Sherwood Forest (Submarine Service): The missile area on a boomer.
Shinbuster: Same as knee-knocker.
Ship over: Re-enlisting
Shipmate: (1) Any fellow sailor. (2) (derogatory) Any junior enlisted about to get chewed out.
Shipwreck (derogatory): Any fellow sailor.
Shit in a Seabag: Stuffed green peppers; chiles rellenos.
Shitbag (also Shitbird, Shitbrick, Shithead, Shitstain, Shitstick, Shitrat, Shitweed): (1) (not necessarily derogatory) Any fellow sailor. (2) (derogatory) A sailor who has been awarded punishment at mast, or any less-than-par sailor.
Shitbird: (1) (derogatory) A shipyard worker (when in port). (2) A useless sailor (compare "Dirtbag", above).
Shitbomb: Extremely unpopular topic brought up at the end of a (usually long and boring) meeting that requires a lot of work from everyone present. The worst ones are "drive-by shitbombs," where someone pokes their head in, "throws the shitbomb" and leaves.
Shit Can, Shitcan: Either the name for a trash can, or the act of throwing something into the trash. As in "Shit can that chit, you're not getting any liberty."
Shit Can Liner: Plastic bag to put in a shitcan.
Shit Locker: An ass, or rear-end. "Nice shit locker!"
Shit River: The extremely polluted (mostly with sewage) canal just outside the Subic Bay main gate.
Shit-on-a-shingle: Creamed chipped beef on toast.
Shit Storm: Severely unpleasant aftermath. As in, "They just found a dead rat in the deep fat fryer and now the cooks have a shit storm on their hands."
Shit Street: Hotel street in Honolulu.
Shit Suit: Aka "Poopy Suit" A white disposable set of coveralls used mainly for sewage use, painting, bilge diving, or void inspections.
Shitter: (1)A toilet (not a urinal); also known as a crapper. (2)A referance to the restroom or locker room in general. See �Blowing Shitters�
Shitty Kitty: Derogatory nickname for the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Also "Shitty Hawk."
Shoe: (1) (when used by Navy SEALs) Anyone in the Navy who is not a SEAL. "Look at those stupid shoes with their haircuts and fat bellies." (2) (when used by Naval Aviators) Surface Warfare Officers, so called because of their noticeable black shoes.
Short arm inspection: The inspection a ship's corpsman performs on a sailor's penis, looking for visible signs of any venereal disease, if the sailor suspects he may have contracted one.
Short Seabag or Without a Full Seabag: Reporting aboard without a full uniform; deficient in aptitude or intelligence.
Short Timer: A sailor with less than 90 days until discharge or transfer and an attitude to match.
Short Timer's Chain: A chain that hangs from the belt of a "short timer" for all to see, with one link representing a day, signifying too short to care, and usually starting with 30 links. Verbal equivalent is "__ days and a wake-up." The chain may also be taken from the small brass chain keeping a sound power phone jack cover attached to the jack housing.
Shower Party: An involuntary scrub-down of a submarine crew member who hasn't been practicing good hygiene.
Shower Tech: Sonar Technician (Submariner)
Shutterbug: A Photographer's Mate (PH).
Sick in Quarters (SIQ): When a sailor is too ill or incapacitated to perform his duties, he is thus required to report to his rack (quarters), where he will remain until healthy again. For personnel aboard ship, this means to remain in bed, while onshore this may simply mean to stay home for the day. Only qualified medical personnel can recommend SIQ, and only the command can authorize it.
Sierra Hotel: Phonetic letters for SH, which stands for "Shit Hot." Refers to anything impressive or greatly exceeding what is required.
Sig (Navy Nukes): A signature on a qualification card. There are many, many "qual cards" in the Sub Service, especially if you're a Nuke. (see "Nuke" above).
Sig: NAS Sigonella, Sicily
Sigs: A Signalman (SM); a former rating, now merged with Quartermaster. May also refer to the Signal Bridge on the intercom.
Sims: Simulators
Single-Digit Midget: Sailor with less that ten days left before their EAOS (end of active obligated service).
Single up: To remove one 'loop' line of a doubled-up line, so that only a single line remains. During the act of getting underway, an order to "Single up all lines" is given, because the lines that are used to keep a ship moored to the pier are often doubled up, such that removal of first one 'loop' of line, then the other, is necessary before a ship can move away from the pier.
Sinker: Loss of contact with a submarine being tracked by a surface ship when the submarine submerges. Also refers to a friend who has become non-responsive. "John and I were buds on the but then he went sinker and I never heard from him again."
Sinking Sarah: USS Saratoga, which had issues with sinking while tied up alongside the pier.
Skate (noun): A sailor who avoids work in general while not being detected.
Skate (verb): To get out of work undetected, e.g. while being assigned to a 15 man working party.
Skate Golden (verb + adverb): To "skate" out of work while being assigned to a 5 man working party undetected.
Skater: A skate (see above).
Skateboard: A clipboard full of random papers carried as a skating prop, to provide a visual "excuse" for wandering around the ship.
Skeds-O: Schedules Officer.
Skidmark: The shit stains that one gets in one's underwear (see Skivvies) that are the result of wiping with cheap government toilet paper.
Skimmer, Skimmer Puke: Surface sailor.
Skipper: Term used in reference to the Commanding officer of any Ship, Unit, Platoon, or Detachment regardless of rank. Generally only applied to someone who has earned the speaker's respect.
Skittles: Sailors who work on the flight deck of a carrier. So named due to the different colored jerseys they wear. For the same reason, they are sometimes referred to as "Wiggles."
Skivvies: Underwear.
Skivvy waver: Signalman (because of signal flags)
Skosh: Perilously close to minimum acceptable levels. Example: The F-5 usually lands skosh on fuel. Derived from "sukoshi," the Japanese word for "a little."
Skylarking: Messing around or not doing assigned work. Everyone else working while you watch the clouds go by.
Sky pilot: A chaplain or priest.
Slick Sleeve: A sailor in the E-1 paygrade who does not have a rating, and who has not yet graduated from Apprentice training. Therefore, his left sleeve is "slick", or has no rate or rating insignia at all.
Sliders: Mess deck/chow hall hamburgers/cheeseburgers, so named for their high grease content and purported ability to 'slide' through the alimentary canal. A cheeseburger is sometimes called a "slider with slabs."
SLJO: Shitty Little Jobs Officer. The most junior officer aboard ship, who has to handle the most demeaning or illegal duties demanded by HQ.
SMAG: Engineering Laboratory Technician (ELT). Stands for either "Simple Minded Ass Grabbers" or "Sometimes Mechanic, Always Gay." To ELTs, it's "Superior Mechanic, Almost God."
Small Boy: Term referring to smaller class ships, such as destroyers and frigates.
SMIB: Southern Maryland In-Bred. Refers to the locals in and around Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Smiles (Game of): A game in which two or more Sailors sit at a specially designed table or bar, typically in the Philippines, and receive fellatio from one or more prostitutes. The first Sailor to smile loses and is required to buy a round.
Smokin' and Coke'in': Derogatory nickname used to describe an unauthorized break, where a sailor takes a smoke break, and grabs a soda out of a vending machine. Also termed as Smokin' and Jokin'.
Smoke Check: What results from wiring something incorrectly.
Smoke Pit: Designated smoking area. This is almost always used when ashore.
Smoke Test: Turn on recently repaired electronic gear; worst case scenario it smokes, indicating a catastrophic failure.
Smoking Lamp: Is out or lit in specified spaces or throughout the ship; 1MC announcement specifying where smoking is permitted or prohibited during certain hours or operations.
Smoking Sponson: Designated smoking area aboard aircraft carriers, usually right below the flight deck on the exterior of the ship's hull. A great place to catch up on scuttlebutt and unwind after a long day.
Smooth Crotch: A surface sailor, also a term for Reactor Control division for their tendencies to find ways to never conduct manual labor.
Smurf: A recruit who is in his first few days of boot camp who hasn't been issued uniforms yet, and thus wears a "Smurf Suit" (see below).
Smurf Suit/Smurfs: Set of blue sweatpants and sweatshirt issued on arrival at boot camp; worn for the first several days and thereafter used mostly for PT.
S.N.A.F.U. Situation Normal All Fucked Up, or Situation Normal All Fouled Up if you are talking to your mother.
Snake Eaters: Special Forces personnel such as Navy SEAL's, Green Berets, etc...
Snipes: Sailors assigned to the Engineering rates, i.e. Machinists Mates, Boilermen, Enginemen, Pipefitters, Damage Controlman, Hull Technicians, Electricians, Gas Turbine Technicians.
Snivel: To request time off or to not be scheduled, usually for personal reasons. Most schedule writers will have a "snivel log" for such requests, which may or may not be granted based on the needs of the unit and the sniveler's standing with the schedules officer (Skeds-O).
SPLIB: Special Liberty, Comp-Time.
Spooks: Navy Cryptologic Technicians or other service equivalents. May also be applied to civilians from three-letter agencies riding a naval vessel.
S.N.O.B.: Shortest Nuke on Board. Term used to refer to the lucky nuke who gets out of the Navy next. This term usually only applies to nukes who have not re-enlisted (i.e. "first-termers"). In rare cases, the S.N.O.B. voluntarily relinquishes his/her title to a "second-termer" that gets out of the Navy earlier who exhibits extreme disgruntlement and is generally accepted by the "first-termers" as one of their own. This person would be given the title of "Honorary S.N.O.B."
Snot Locker: The storage area for snot � a person's nose.
Socked-in: When the ceiling and visibility at an airfield or over an air-capable ship are below minimums for takeoff and landing.
S.O.L.: "Shit Out of Luck"
S.O.S.: Same Old Shit or Shit-on-a-shingle.
Sonar Girls (Submarine Service): Sonar Technicians. So called because they have the least physically-demanding occupation (sitting in an air-conditioned space, watching a screen), and they have no grease or machinery to deal with.
Sougee: To scour; sougee powder = generic term for scouring powder, although in yachting refers to a chemical cleaner.
Sorry Sarah: USS Saratoga.
Soup Sandwich: Any situation or individual that is FUBAR. Sometimes referred to by specific ingredients, e.g. Split-pea on Rye.
Sparks: Radioman. From the rating badge which has 4 lightning bolts.
Sparky: Electricians.
Splash: Name earned by a sailor who has had the good fortune to be recovered after accidentally falling overboard until the ship returns home from deployment.
Splice the Main Brace: A party; generally involving alcohol. Also, a traditional naval toast. Refers to the brace cable used to hold the mainmast of a sailing ship upright.
Split Tails: (old term for) female sailors. Also "Shave Tails."
Spook: Usually a IS, CT, or some other kind of intelligence type.
Spook Shit: Equipment that one doesn't know the purpose, function or ownership of, which when it's gone leaves as the only trace of its existence aboard ship an unused circuit breaker labeled "Spook Shit" in grease pencil.
Spudlocker: Area below the ramp of an aircraft carrier. Landing in the spudlocker results in a broken aircraft and is often fatal. Also used for a potato (spud) storage room.
Spunk: Cool Whip or anything like it.
Squat to Pee: An ELT (Engineering Laboratory Technician, a water chemistry and radiation monitor on a nuclear powered vessel) or (Submarine Service) by extension, any submarine crewman that is not doing his fair share of the work.
Squid: a HIGHER form of MARINE life.
Stacking: The act of crapping on top of some one elses crap when the toilets are secured.
Stain Us: Derogatory name for USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN-74).
Stand By: To wait, can also be to foreshadow chastisement or punishment from a superior.
Stand by to stand by: Waiting to find out why everyone is waiting for something to maybe happen.
Standard Navy Redundancy Standard. The near universal habit of repeating the last word in an acronym, e.g. MRC Card: literally Maintenance Requirement Card Card, LEO Ops: Law Enforcment Operations Ops; etc.
Star tight: See "Gronk"
Starboard: Right side of the boat or ship (when facing the bow). Right side of an aircraft when facing the nose.
Steel Beach Picnic: Celebration on the weather decks of a ship. Usually involving near beer and barbecue.
Stepping out: When a junior sailor often gets into a shouting match with a more senior enlisted man: I.e. a Seaman/Airman/Fireman, getting out of line with a Chief Petty Officer. Usually results in one of two things, either NJP, or a fist fight.
Stepping in the shit: Refers to a sailor that has made a mistake so large, that it comes to the attention of the Commanding Officer, who instantly begins chewing him out on the spot, Usually remarked on before the Commanding Officer appears, e.g. "Oh, man, did you just step in the shit."
Storecritter: an old fashioned term for the storekeepler rating, now called logies.
Striker: Sailor receiving on-the-job training for a designated field (or rate)
Sticks: The levers in the Maneuvering Room of a diesel submarine that are used to change the settings for the main propuslion motors.
Stroked Chit: Refers to a form of point deduction during boot camp, a stroked chit is a loss of five points to the company per grading period (one week) until Pass in Review.
Stupid-: Adjective for remedial training. I had to attend stupid-shoot and stupid-swim after the other trainees were at the club drinking 15-cent beers.
Sucking Rubber (Submarine Service): Extended periods wearing Emergency Air Breathing devices (EABs), a full-face air mask similar to that worn by firefighters, except fed from ship's emergency air system rather than a bottle on one's back. Also refers to wearing a gas mask such as the MCU-2P for protection against chemical, biological or radiological attack.
Sucking Sarah: Derogatory term used to describe the USS Saratoga (CV-60), also called "The Sucking 60 from Dixie."
Summer Creases: A term used to mock someone with a wrinkled shirt. "I see you have summer creases in your shirt. Some'are here, some'are there, some'are everywhere."
Super goat: A chief warrant officer.
SUPPO: Supply Officer on ship.
Surge: A ship deployment from its home port usually lasting 3 to 6 months, as can occur outside of the normal cruise cycle due to operational commitments.
Swab: Mop.
Swabbie: Sailor.
SWAG: Sonar's/Scientific Wild Ass Guess.
Swallow the anchor: Retire.
SWEATEX: (1) Any evolution or situation, to be performed by an individual, a ship, or even larger unit, subject to scrutiny by a superior, such as a major inspection; (2) An evolution that involves one sailor working while his/her superiors are watching and waiting impatiently. (3) A task that has to be done yesterday.
Sweat pump(s) / Sweat pump(s) on line/ on overload: See "sweat the load."
Sweat the load: Personal stress about being able to perform some task; to feel stress about a situation. see also The Load.
Swims: Aviation water survival training. This 2-day class must be completed every few years by pilots and aircrew. Consists of classroom and pool instruction and culminates with the dreaded "Dilbert Dunker" and "Helo Dunker."
Swinging Dick: Spoken by Marines, and sailors to refer to healthy shipmates while on maneuvers, e.g. "I want every swinging dick on station, right this second."
T[edit]
TACCO: Tactical Coordinator. Usually the senior NFO on a patrol aircraft.
"Tack on crow": (Hazing) When promoted in rank, senior and equivalent ranks would tack the crow (solidly punching) patch on one's arm as good luck so it does not "fall off." Marines have an equivalent "tack" on each side. Can be "simulated" for a non-hazing by equal connotation. May be followed by a "wetting down."
TAD or TDY: Temporary Additional Duty or Temporary Duty
"Take suction on a seat cushion:" alternative form of "pucker factor."
Tango Uniform: See Tits Up
Tape Zebra: Maddening condition aboard ship, especially aircraft carriers, where passageways are "taped off" so that they may be waxed, dried, and buffed in the middle of the night. It seems that the passageways are purposely chosen to maximize delay and frustration when a pilot has to do an 0-dark-thirty preflight or some other duty. Junior enlisted sailors take special delight in denying officers access to these passageways, and relish in their disgruntled detours. Likewise, junior officers thoroughly enjoy when a man overboard or general quarters is called in the middle of the night, and they rush to get to the head of the line so as to crash through tape zebra and trample through the wet wax.
TAPS: Announced over the 1MC at 2200 local time, "Taps, Taps...lights out, all hands turn into your bunks, maintain silence about the decks." "Taps" is a musical piece sounded at dusk, and at funerals, particularly by the U.S. military. It is sounded during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet.
T.A.R.F.U.: Things Are Really Fucked Up.
Target (Submarine Service): Term to describe any ship or boat on the surface.
TDU (Submarine Service): Trash Disposal Unit. Sophisticated AN-DEEP-6 weapons system.
The Boat: Airdale term for the ship their airwing is attached to. "We're going to The Boat for a few weeks."
The Hole: Main machinery space where an engineer works. "What do you do onboard?" "I work in The Hole." Also "The Pit."
Three steel balls: Meant to be humorous but oddly accurate reference to a sailor or situation acting like a sailor: "Put a sailor in a room with three steel balls. Come back an hour later: one will be missing, one will be broken, and one will be in his pocket." In an alternative version one will be pregnant.
Tiger Team: Junior enlisted of all ratings (E-3 and below) who are tasked to clean the engine room prior to inspection, such as GITMO Refresher training or evaluation.
Tin can: Destroyer. Designated Driver, from DD.
Tin Chicken: US Merchant Marine Officer Insignia on a US Naval Officers uniform, often worn above the SWO pin. The beak of the eagle can be used as an emergency bottle opener.
Titivate: To spruce up or clean up the ship and its company.
Titless Wave: Male clerical personnel such as yeomen, storekeepers, personnelmen, and other desk jockeys, pencil pushers, etc. See "sea pussy."
Tits Machine: Old-school term for a kick-ass aircraft, usually a fighter, that consisted of little more than an airframe, minimal avionics, and a huge engine or two. The F-8 Crusader was universally accepted as a tits machine. The F-14 Tomcat was also widely accepted. Today's modern electronic video game fighters like the F/A-18 will never be in the same ballpark.
Tits Up: Broke-dick, inoperable, dead (from some piece of equipment being "flat on its back"). Sometimes referred to as "Tango Uniform"
TLD (Nuclear): Thermo-Luminescent Dosimeter. More Affectionately "Tiny Little Dick." Worn by nukes and submarine crewmembers to measure radiation received over time. Often a good source of humor for when the topsiders ask what they are for.
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club: Those elements of the Pacific Fleet which operated in the referenced waters 1965-1975.
Topsider: (Carrier) Anyone who is not a nuke. On other surface ships, it can also be a reference to non-engineers.
Torpedo Sponge: Similar to "Missile Sponge", this refers to the smaller ships in a convoy, whose duty it is to protect the carrier, to the point of taking the torpedo hit for the carrier if needed.
Training Anchorage (TRANCH): A frustrating, fuel-saving method of practicing battle tactics electronically among ships while at anchor, usually within sight of an attractive liberty port.
Training Aids: Logically, these are items used to assist by demonstration some point in a training lecture. On submarines, there are also Sonar Training Aids which are any meaty foods with a phallic shape.
Transistor Theory: Naval explanation for how electrons travel backwards and holes actually carry electrical current. Just press the I Believe button. (Often referred to by civilian instructors when explaining to baffled sailors the haphazard components that seem to work by sheer magic such as transistors, zener diodes, joint effect field effect transistors, shockley diodes, metal oxide field effect transistors, etc.) Akin to PFM (pure fucking magic).
Trap: A fixed-wing arrested landing on an aircraft carrier. In the helo world, the Rapid Securing and Transfer (RAST) on the deck of a "small boy."
Trice Up a rack. "All hands heave out and trice up." Or jump out of your rack and make it. (Originally referred to hammocks, in days of yore before berthing spaces.). More correctly, the "trice" is the bottom (third) rack, being built to fold up against the bulkhead/stanchion (see above), so when the command "Trice-up" was given, the rack would be folded up, allowing compartment cleaners to sweep and swab under that bottom rack.
Triced Up: Trapped in a rack more cramped then usual, as a result of shipmates opening one's rack while one is sleeping in it (after they discover one forgot to secure it shut before getting in). (It is usually impossible to be triced up in a top rack, as top racks usually have no ceiling.)
Trident: Special Warfare Insignia earned by Navy SEALS. See "Budweiser". Also the name of the current submarine-launched nuclear missile and its systems.
Tronchaser: Those in the AT (primarily I Level) rate who work on Navy avionics.
TSC: Tactical Support Center, shore-based briefing/debriefing/analysis and operational control center for VP (patrol aviation) missions. See also ASWOC.
Tube steak: Hot dogs (also, called "dangling sirloin").
Turd Chasers: Nickname for individuals assigned to the Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) and Seabees Utilities Man (UT) rating because their shipboard and base duties include plumbing. An E-7 HT is an HTC, "Head Turd Chaser".
Turkey: Slang for the F-14 Tomcat
Turn-to: Get to work.
Tweek and Peak: To fine tune something (uniform, rack, hair, etc); usually for inspection preparation.
Tweeker: (1) (Submarine Service) An electronics rating; any engineering rating not gronking a wrench. (Rarely applied to rates such as ET and AT who "tweek" electronic components to make them work again.) (2) (Aviation) An AT who spends most of his time complaing about how cold it is in the AIMD tunnel to those that work in open air spaces in or around the desert.
Tweener (Submarine Service): Affectionate term for Missile Technicians on Ballistic Missile Submarines. Usually called out during the "Coner" and "Nuke" throwbacks, since the Missile Compartment is "between" the Forward (Coner) and Engineering (Nuke) spaces.
Twidget: Sailor in the Electronics or Electrical fields of job specialties.
Twig: Medical Service Corps officer. So named for the slanting stem attached to their device.
Two-block: To have all the work one can handle. Derived from when the blocks on a block and tackle are together and can not lift any higher. "My guys are two-blocked."
Two-Digit Midget: Sailor with 99 or less days until his/her "End of Active Obligated Service", or EAOS.
Tubes (Submarine Service): (nickname for) the senior torpedoman (now MM-Weapons) onboard. This individual is in charge of the torpedoes and the torpedo tubes, hence the name.
Tuna Boat: A sub tender or other non-combat ship that is crewed primarily by female sailors. See also "Love Boat." "We're going to have great liberty this port: A tuna boat just pulled in!"
Turn 'n' Burn: "Hurry up! Let's get going!" The term alludes to the practice of bombers over enemy territory turning after they have dropped their bombs and igniting their afterburners so as to exit hostile territory more quickly.
TWAT: (old term for) a TWT.
TWT: Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier : A component used in DECM/ECM equipment.
Tweak: An Aviation Electronics Technician or AT.
U[edit]
UA: Unauthorized absence: (Navy term for) AWOL.
Uncle Sam's Canoe Club: The US Coast Guard.
Uncle Sam's Confused Group (USCG): The US Coast Guard. So called because it is the 5th branch of the armed forces, yet falls under the control of the Department of Homeland Security.
Uncle Sam's Misguided Children (USMC): The Marines.
Underway Sock: See "Cruise sock."
UNODIR: Unless Otherwise Directed; enables trust-based management by exception (MBE).
Unicorn: An officer with a particularly rare designator (i.e. METOC)
UNREP: Underway Replenishment: The taking of supplies from a supply ship by maneuvering alongside it and passing lines between it and one's own vessel. Differs from "VERTREP."
UNSAT: Unsatisfactory: Below standards.
Up the hawse hole/pipe: An enlisted man going officer. See "Mustang".
USS Backyard: A sailor's home of record, to which he or she happily returns upon discharge.
USS Belcrash: The USS Belknap (CG-26). So called in reference to her collision with the USS Kennedy in 1975.
USS Forestfire: The USS Forrestal (CV-59). So called due to the number of fires that have broken out on board ship.
USS Immobile Bay: USS Mobile Bay (CG-53). So called due to the time spent pierside during work ups for deployment after Mobile Bay failed INSURV inspection in 2011.
USS In-Port Royal: The USS Port Royal (CG-73). So called due to time spent in port after running aground near entrance to Pearl Harbor.
USS Lastship: The ship a sailor was on previously. Used when a sailors try to tell stories about their previous ships, or how things were handled on their previous ships. Compare "USS Ustafish."
USS Lake Cham Pain: The USS Lake Champlain.
USS Neverdock: Any ship that seems to stay out at sea for unusually long periods of time. For sailors, this is usually their own ship.
USS Neversail: (1) Any mock-up ship found in boot camp. Also called USS Recruit. (2) Any real ship which seldom leaves port, for example a sub tender.
USS Loungechair: The fictional ship sailors serve on when they retire.
USS Notagain (DD 214): The fictional ship which sailors who are separating from the Navy specify when they are asked which command they are going to, or which former sailors specify when new personnel ask which ship they are on. "DD 214" is the form that must be filled out before a member of the military may be discharged. "DD" was also the type designation for pre-missile destroyers.
USS Slurpeefish: The USS SAN FRANCISCO. So called because the ship's hull is number SSN 711.
USS Ustafish (Submarine Service): The boat a sailor was on previously. Pronounced "used to fish", the term is a reference to the time when attack boats were named after fish. Compare "USS Lastship." "We don't want to hear about your Ustafish stories."
USS Zippo: Derogatory name for USS Forestal (CV 59)
V[edit]
VA Veterans Administration / Department of Veterans Affairs: A department of the US Federal Government that assists military veterans with medical care, educational benefits for college of technical training, home loans, burial, etc.
VA: Fixed wing attack Aircraft Squadrons. No longer in use, see VFA
VAQ: Fixed Wing Electronic Attack aircraft Squadrons.
VAW: Fixed Wing Carrier Airborne Early Warning aircraft Squadrons.
Vampire Liberty: A day off one gets for donating a pint of blood.
VASTARD: Sailors that work with the AN/USM247(V) Versatile Avionics Shop Test (VAST) operational from 1972-2006. Used for testing Weapons Replaceable Assemblies (WRA's) on E-2C Hawkeyes, F-14 Tomcats, and S-3 Vikings. Typically these shops are found on aircraft carriers just forward of hangar bay 1 on the 01 level. Part of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), IM3 (Avionics) division.
VBSS: Visit, Board, Search, Seizure: Marinetime boarding actions and tactics.
VC: Viet Cong: Guerilla forces in South Vietnam allied with the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) during the Vietnam War. Also called "Charlie" from phoenetic "Victor Charlie."
VC: Fixed Wing Composite aircraft squadrons.
VD: Venereal Disease, also know as the clap, Gonnorea or syphillis.
VERTREP: Vertical Replenishment: The taking of supplies (resupply) from a supply ship via helo pick-up and drop-off. Historically, the CH-46 Sea Knight (see "Phrog") was used for such resupply, although any aircraft with a cargo hook installed can do. Differs from "UNREP."
Very well: Expression of acknowledgement a senior gives a subordinate.
VF: Fixed Wing Fighter Aircraft Squadrons. No longer in use, see VFA
VFA: Fixed Wing Strike Fighter Squadron, made up of Legacy F/A-18C or D model Hornets or F/A-18E,F or G model Super Hornets.
Vitamin M: Motrin, which is occasionally used to combat the various aches/pains/headaches associated with military service. Compare "Corpsman Candy."
VP: Fixed Wing Patrol Aircraft Squadrons.
VS: Fixed Wing Anti Submarine Squadrons. With the retirement of the S-3B Viking all VS squadrons have been decommissioned.
VT: Fixed Wing Training Squadrons.
VX: Fixed Wing Experimental Aircraft Squadrons.
Vulcan Death Watch: 12 hours of drills separated by 3 rotations of watches. If one is on Vulcan Death Watch, one is up oncoming as drill team, on watch then offgoing as casualty response team, potentially followed by another 6 hour watch.
Vultures' Row: The place from which people can watch flight operations without being in the way, typically the O-7 to O-9 level on an aircraft carrier's island.
W[edit]
Walking, Talking Road Mark: Used during boot camp to refer to a recruit that is a complete loss at military bearing, appearence, and formalities, a recruit that causes his company to constantly lose points at inspections, drills, etc. These recruits usually end up getting ASMO'ed to a company that is earlier in training.
Wardroom: Officer's mess, or dining room. Also used to collectively refer to all the officers at a command.
Warm Blood: An individual who has not crossed the Arctic Circle or Antarctic Circle, who must go through rituals, that sometimes cross the line to be hazing, to become a Blue Nose or Red Nose, respectively. See crossing the line, shellback, and pollywog.
Warrant: A warrant officer. In the navy warrants are generally older and more experienced in a particular area of expertise than a commissioned line officer, much like an "LDO." Warrants are competitively selected from the senior (E7�E9) enlisted ranks. By definition are technical specialists.
Watch: A period of duty, usually of four-hours duration, six-hours on submarines. The day at sea has long been divided into watches, which are called: Midwatch or Balls to 4 (0000 to 0400); morning or rev (reveille) watch (0400 to 0800); forenoon watch (0800 to 1200); afternoon watch (1200 to 1600); dog watches (1600-1800 and 1800-2000); and the first watch (2000 to 2400).
Watch condition: Ship's readiness condition:(Denoted by Roman numerals) I: maximum readiness (GQ) all hands at their battle stations, material condition Zebra set (maximum damage control readiness.) IA: ("One Alpha") Modified GQ to conduct amphibious operations. IE or Modified GQ, relaxed GQ condition during extended GQ period, primarily to allow chow; II: Similar to IA, for extended Naval Gunfire Support; III: Wartime cruising, higher state of readiness with some battle stations manned; IV: normal (peacetime) underway watch.
Water wars: Water fights in the engineering spaces, including the use of hot brine, disassembling ventilation ducting, rigging temporary air hoses, and dumping trash cans full of water on the deck. An important component of the war on boredom.
Water Wings: Derogatory term used (usually by Naval Aviators), for the Surface Warfare Officer qualification badge.
WAVES: Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services.
Wayspouse: Sailors' spouses waiting on the pier, if sufficiently overweight that they could be used as navigation waypoints.
WEFT: Typically it stands for "Wings, Exhaust (or Engine, for prop aircraft), Fuselage, Tail" and is a method by which ship's lookout stations can visually identify aircraft within the vicinity. However, since training for this tends to be spotty at best, identification of aircraft is often incorrect, leading to the second definition: "Wrong Every Fucking Time."
Welded to the Pier: A Ship being in an extended period of refit at a shipyard or naval base, which prevents it from making ready for sea for several months or longer. Can also refer to a ship that rarely goes to sea.
WESTPAC: While this usually refers to the western Pacific area of operations, it can also refer to a type of deployment in which a unit heads to multiple locations throughout said area. Often used in, "Damn, we just did a six-month WESTPAC, barely got home for a week, and now we're heading out again?"
WESTPAC widow: Sailor's wife looking for a temporary fling, often with another sailor.
Wet Suit Camel Toe: A disturbing sight caused by a (usually older and) fatter rescue swimmer attempting to squeeze into his wet suit for SAR duty. Often seen entering and exiting helos that are providing SAR services.
Wet Willie: Joke played on a sleeping sailor by licking a finger, and sticking it into the unsuspecting sleeping sailor's ear to mimic the feel of a penis being inserted into the ear, usually met with several groans by onlookers.
Wetting down: Party celebrating a promotion/advancement or warfare qualification. Traditionally the metal device is dropped in a beer glass, and "wet down."
Wheels: A Quartermaster (QM).
Wheel Book: Green covered pocket-sized government issue notebook carried by most Petty Officers and Chiefs.
Whidbey Whale: A dependent wife that is Orca fat even though her husband has maintained the same basic size during their marriage
Whistling Shit Can of Death: CH-46 Seaknight Helicopter, described as such because of the whistling sound the engines make, and because the CH-46 has been prone to failures, and has killed its share of air crews.
White Rats: Tampons which appear after a sewage leak in the female head. Also, a sound powered telephone amplifier.
Whiz Quiz: "Piss Test," urinalysis.
Widow/Widower: Describes wives (and now husbands) with spouses on deployment. Single, for all intents and purposes, until the day their spouse returns from deployment. Prefaced by the type or theater of service the deployed spouse is in, e.g. "WESTPAC widow" or "Boomer Widow."
Wings: Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer breast insignia. Also the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist breast insignia.
Wing-nut: See airdale.
Wire Biter: An electrician.
Wizzard: Topsider insult for a nuc. Refers to nucs' insistance to dress like Morpheus from the Matrix and propensity for playing Magic (The Gathering) and World of Warcraft endlessly.
Wolf Ticket: Highly suspect information. Can refer to malicious "scuttlebutt," exaggerated "no-shitters," or blatently phony sea stories.
Woop: A cadet at the US Military Academy (West Point).
Workups: 1- to 6-week periods preceding a deployment during which the ship and/or its airwing practice and prepare. Widely known workups involving the carrier and the airwing are TSTA, COMPTUEX, and RIMPAC. Airwing only workups include trips to NAS Fallon and NAS Key West.
Wrinkle Bomb: A uniform worn by a sailor that is wrinkled so badly that it looks like the sailor slept in it. See "Raisin."
"Wrong answer, RPOC!": What Company Commanders in boot camp would scream at the RPOC when he/unit screwed up. Immediately followed by, "Push up, position, Shitbags!" Example: "WHY THE FUCK DID YOU LET THEM MARCH BACK FROM CHOW?!?" "I thought you wanted us back early for the inspection, Sir!" "Wrong answer, RPOC!"
WTF (pronounced "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" using the phonetic alphabet): "What the Fuck?" What just happened? Can also be in written form WTF K (with a line over the K) meaning "WTF Over"
Weaponette (Submarine Service): A member of a submarine's Weapons Department (used by members of the Navigation/Operations Department or Engineering Department, usually when they want their stolen tools back).
Wog: Short for "pollywog", as in "wog ceremony."
Wog Dog: Sailor acting as a vicious dog and part of the "Royal Party" during Shellback initiation.
Word Shitter: Another name for those embossing label makers. They "shit" words out when one squeezes the handle.
Working Party: When there is loading of supplies, the Quarterdeck will call for a "working party" to be manned by each division of the ship, the number depending on the task.
Would you like a kick to help you get airborne?: Seen on a numerical list of epithet substitutions, especially transmitted over radio, which has to stay clean.
W.U.N.A: World�s Ugliest Naval Aviator.
X[edit]
XO: Executive Officer: The second-in-Command of a ship, aviation squadron or shore command, second in authority to the Commanding Officer.
XOI: Executive Officer's Inquiry: A step in the non-judicial punishment process in which the wayward sailor appears before the executive officer (XO). After hearing the details of the case, the XO may recommend dismissal or refer it to the Commanding Officer (CO) for "Mast."
XO's Happy Hour: A daily, hour-long mandatory cleaning evolution. Usually introduced by XO on the 1MC.
X-Ray Fitting : (1) A hatch, scuttle or the like which in normal condition is closed both in-port and at-sea. (See material condition) (2) (see "Fan room") A room where contraband may be hidden or for sexual relations while at-sea (3) Historically, where a chief petty officer would take subordinates to "make" them comply (using several punches to the face).
Xox (verb): To enter engineering log data suspiciously similar to the previous hour's log data. Derived from "xerox."
Y[edit]
Yardbird: A civilian shipyard worker.
YARFO: "You Ain't Reactor? Fuck Off." This slogan was adopted by Reactor Departments on CVNs in response to the Aviation Ordinace slogan "IYOYAS."
YGFBKM: "You've Got to Fucking Be Kidding Me!"
YGTBSM: "You've Got To Be Shitting Me!"
Z[edit]
Zero: Officer. Usually applied to a young junior officer, such as an O-1 (ENS / 2ndLt), and O-2 (LTJG / 1stLt) or an O-3 (LT / Capt).
Zippo: (1) A flame thrower attached to a small boat, or a boat so equipped. (2) (Derogatory) Nickname for the USS Forrestal (CV 59) after the fire on 29 July 1967 that killed 134 sailors and injured 161 on the aircraft carrier.
Zoomie: (1) An aviator; generally refers to a USAF pilot or navigator/combat systems officer. (2) (especially in the plural, "zoomies") On a nuclear ship, a (nonstandard) unit of radiation, such as is present in a compartment containing or near nuclear weapons or a naval nuclear reactor. "I wouldn't go back there unless you want to get some zoomies!" Also used of radiation picked up on one's personal dosimeter (the radiation measuring devices worn by weapons- or nuclear-trained personnel). "How many zoomies did you get today?" (3) A cadet at the US Air Force Academy.
Zone inspection: A formal inspection of spaces conducted by a team headed by the XO.
ZUG: Negative. An obsolete / unofficial procedure signal. Retired RMs may often use ZUG in place of "no" or "negative."
ZUT: CW (Morse radiotelegraphy): "forever." An obsolete / unofficial procedure signal. Retired RMs may have a ZUT certificate or even a ZUT tattoo.

Appendix:Glossary of military slang
Military slang is a set of colloquial terms which are unique to or which originated with military personnel. They are often abbreviations or derivatives of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, or otherwise incorporating aspects of formal military concepts and terms. Military slang is also used to reinforce the (usually friendly) interservice rivalries. Some of these terms have been considered gregarious to varying degrees and attempts have been made to eliminate them.

For the purposes of this article, "military slang" includes slang used by any English-speaking armed forces (armies, navies, air forces).

Table of Contents: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

0 - 9[edit]
1st CivDiv
(U.S. Marine Corps) The "First Civilian Division", the (fictitious) division made up of Marines who leave the military and go back to civilian life.
11 Bang-Bang / 11 Boom-Boom / 11 Bush / (pejorative) 11 Bulletstop(per)
(U.S. Army) An infantryman, from the Military Occupational Specialty designation "11B".
11 up, 3 down
(U.S. Army) 8 up, see 'ate up'
13B
(U.S. Army) Cannon Crewman, also 'Gun Bunny', 13 Bang-Bang (or Boom-Boom), 13 Boogaloo, Red Leg (due to red trouser stripes on 19th century uniforms)
2-IC
(Canada and U.K.) Second in Command.
4-10-4
(U.S.) A "Desert Queen": a female who is normally considered a 4 on a 1-10 scale (back in the States), becomes a 10 upon arrival in the AOR, but reverts back to a 4 upon return to the States.
411
(U.S.) Briefing prior to one's mission. Example: "Meet me in my office when you're ready for the 411 on your mission."
5 fingers of death
(U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps) The beef franks which are included, with beans, in some MREs; so named for their number and unpleasant taste. The dish is also known as "beans and motherfuckers" for the same reason. Because later versions of the meal only contained four beef franks without any beans, they and were subsequently renamed the "4 dicks of death".
40 mike-mike
(U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Marine Corps) A 40mm grenade or M203 grenade launcher, such as is often mounted underneath an M-16 or a variant thereof.
60 mil
(Canada) A 60mm mortar.
782 Gear
(U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy Seabees) Organizational equipment issued to a Marine or Seabee by his or her unit that is kept as part of the Member's personal gear, but must be returned in serviceable condition upon that member's departure, usually including load-bearing equipment, ruck packs, body armor, helmets and other field gear. References an obsolete inventory form. Also referred to as "deuce gear." The U.S. Army equivalent is "TA-50 [gear]".
84 mil
(Canada) A 84mm Carl G (Carl Gustav recoilless rifle). The Singapore Army equivalent, prior to 2013, was simply "84".
90-day wonder (derogatory)
A newly-commissioned (O-1) graduate of Officer Candidate School or DIRCOM (Direct Commissioning) program. During WWII, Korea, and early Vietnam, prior to 1970, this terminology referred only to graduates of OCS, which was also derisively known as the "Oklahoma Cook's School." From 2004-2005, the U.S. Marine Corps had a 90 day reservist option that allowed a Marine to enlist, do boot camp, then return to civilian life without attending advanced schooling to finish high school.
99
(U.S. Navy) Term used to designate something as "All hands", or pertinent to everyone. Usually used by air traffic controllers to designate one transmission as pertinent to all aircraft on frequency. Example: "99, arresting gear is down."
72s and 96s
(U.S) The time (72 or 96 hours, respectively) given to a military member for liberty on holidays or special occasions.
A[edit]
A-gang
(U.S. Navy) The auxiliary division on board a ship or submarine, responsible for sanitary, heating/air conditioning, emergency diesels, hydraulics and assorted systems.
ack-ack
Anti-aircraft fire; flak.
acorn boy(s)
(U.S., Civil War-era) Member(s) of the U.S. Army's XIV Corps, from its distinctive acorn cap badge.
adashi
(U.S.) A Korean man.
adm day
(Indian Army and Canadian Armed Forces) A day allocated for Barrack maintenance and other adm work.
admin vortex
(British Army) A disorganised Soldier.
Admiral of the Narrow Seas
(International, 18th Century) An officer who has just thrown up in the lap of his neighbor.
Admiral's eighth
(RN, 18h Century) Admiral's share of any booty or prize seized by his command.
Admiralty ham
(RN, circa 1900) Tinned fish.
AFI
Air Force Instruction, or derogatorily Another Fucking Inconvenience
Ai-ee-yah
(U.S.) Same as "Hooah," used in the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Based on an American Indian war cry. See also "Ie-yee-ah"
air bear
(U.S. Air Force) Security or MP trooper
air-dale
(U.K. and U.S.) Derogatory term for a pilot or aircrew.
Air Force mittens
(U.S.) Front pockets of BDU pants. Also, "Army gloves." Compare with 'Bundeswehr gloves', below.
airplane gang
(U.S.) Derogatory term used to describe Airborne-designated division or brigade-level units, i.e., "82nd Airplane Gang". Can also be shortened to simply "Airplane".
African golf
(U.S., obsolete) White officers' term for craps, for its popularity among black troops.
Ali Baba
(U.K, U.S. and Iraq) During the Iraq war, name for insurgents, local thieves and looters.
Alpha Mike Foxtrot
(Infantry) "Adios Mother Fucker" abbreviated using the phonetic alphabet. When used in garrison it is a friendly farewell. When used in combat situations it generally means that the person on the other end of the barrel is being wished a not-so-kind farewell.
alpha roster
(U.S.) An alphabetical list (by last name) of all personnel within a unit.
Aluminum U.
(U.S.) The U.S. Air Force Academy, so called because of the metal's use in the architecture of the campus. and in aircraft.
amen wallah
(British Army, WW1) Chaplain
Anchor Clanker
(U.S. Marine Corps) Reference to U.S. Navy Sailors (pejorative).
(U.S. Navy) Any Chief Petty Officer, whose insignia is an anchor.
...and a wake-up
(U.S.) Term used following a particular period of time to reference how many complete days or watches plus the time spent on the last day leaving a service member has before a tour of duty or field evolution is complete, e.g.: "Two days and a wake up, and I'm gone!"
Annie Laurie
(Br, WW1) transport away from the front (pun on "any lorry")
the animal
(AUS, Vietnam) mechanism for detonating up to 20 claymores at once (also "The Monster")
another damn army
Internal slang for the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) because of their unusual unit structures and over-the-top standards. See also: Fake Infantry
arsapeek
(Australian Army, WW1) head over heels
Archie
(British, WW1) Antiaircraft (gun or fire; in plural, guns)
armored cow
(AUS, WW2) Canned milk
army banjo
(Australian Army, WW1-1960s) Entrenching tool
army's lawn dart
(U.S.) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Named for its inability to stay in the air. Also Known as a "Crash Hawk"
army proof
(U.S. Air Force) Explained in very simple, easy to understand terms; often with pictures. Derived from "Fool Proof"
army strawberries
(U.S. Air Force, WWII) Prunes.
as you were/as I was
(U.S.) Return to what you were doing. The second version is to acknowledge that the order was given in error, particularly during drill. See also "belay my last".
asino morto
(Italian) "Dead donkey", term for canned ham
ass
Armored vehicles. "We'll be driving behind a lot of ass today." E.g.: Tanks, etc.
Asses and Elbows
(U.S.) A state in which everyone is busy, such as while cleaning.
ASVAB waiver
(U.S.) A slow or stupid servicemember; references the military's ASVAB intelligence and skills entrance test, the results of which were allegedly waived to allow enlistment of said servicemember.
At ease
(U.S.) Relax; also, "As you were." Usually an acknowledgement by a superior (especially commissioned) to junior personnel moving into action or attention.
ate-up
(U.S.) refers to a service member who is overly concerned with following every regulation to the letter, usually with little regard for the situation. Also used to describe a Soldier who has little or no Military Bearing. "Airman Dummy is ate-up with the dumbass." In some U.S.A.F. Fire departments, �ate-up� often referred to firefighters who were almost over-the-top with their enthusiasm for all things firefighting related to the point of being a source of ridicule from other firefighters, they get excited when the bells went go off and disappointment when they don't get to respond as well. Their first shift, they asked if they should sleep with their boots on but in a supervisor it can be hell to work for these people as they are big proponents of �busy work�, work done for the sole purpose of �looking� like you are doing something.
Attend B
(Singapore) Written in abbreviated form as ATTN B; personnel excused from strenuous or physical training, but are otherwise required to be present for the training or class and allowed light duties.
Attend C
(Singapore) Written in abbreviated form as ATTN C; personnel excused from training are in Attend C status and considered unfit for all duties.
auto-pilot
(U.S. Air Force) used to describe when a flight or other marching formation executes a maneuver such as a flank or column movement without the commander issuing the order for such a movement. Normally done during training to avoid an obstacle, such as a tree or MTI. Also, "Auto-pilot march."
B[edit]
B1A
(U.S. Army, Vietnam-era). used to describe a C-ration B1A unit, the most highly prized meal of that genre, due to it containing a can of fruit salad in syrup. Pronounced, "Bee-one-A".
bag
(Canada) Term used to denote the uselessness of a Soldier, as in a "bag of hammers" or "bag of shit".
(U.S.) Slang for the flight suit worn by aircrew members.
Bag Drag
To inspect gear/personal bags for unauthorized equipment or prohibited items either prior to posting for shift or upon return from overseas deployment. The name refers to the act of dragging every thing out of ones bag while in formation
bag nasty
(U.S.) The name given to the fast food options in chow halls, i.e.; hot dogs and hamburgers. Also common reference for MRE's. In the Air Force, commonly a reference to pre-packed Flight Lunches intended for aircrew or personnel whose duties do not allow them to go to the chow hall to eat their meals. Also see Box Nasty.
bag of dicks
(U.S.) A problematic or intractable situation.
bag of smashed asshole
(U.S.) Highly derogatory, typically used to describe a Soldier whose uniform wear is unsatisfactory, as in "Private Smith, you look like a bag of smashed asshole". Can also be used in a more general sense to describe anything that is heavily damaged or poor in appearance.
Bagger
(IRL) derogatory term referring to an Irish reservist Soldier, comparing him/her to a sandbag, i.e.; useless.
balls
(U.S.) Term for midnight on a 24-hour clock since it looks like four balls (0000), "My watch is from balls to eight".
balls to the wall(s)
(U.S.) To go as fast as possible. (From aviation and nautical; pushing all engine throttle levers toward firewall.) Full throttle causing the ball weights of the engine govenor to open outward toward the walls.
balls to nutsack
(Canada) Describes troops cramped together closely
BAM
(U.S.) Broad Assed Marine. Derogatory term for a female Marine.
bang stick
(Canada) C7 rifle or any other rifle
Barracks Lawyer
(U.S. Army) A low ranking soldier, usually a private, who think he or she knows the law and gives poor legal advise.
barracks rat
(U.S.) A service member unwilling or financially unable to go "out in town" during liberty.
(Canada) Servicewoman who engages in sexual relations with others in a housing area
Battle Bowler
(U.K., Commonwealth) Steel helmet.
bayonet
(U.S., Civil War-WW1) Infantryman
BCGs
(U.S.) Birth Control Glasses. Military issued eyeglasses, typically first issued in basic training, noted for their unappealing appearance which would prevent attracting members of the opposite sex.
Beagle
(U.S. Air Force) F-15E Fighter/Bomber. Contraction of "Bomber-Eagle".
Beam Rider
(U.S.) An A-10 Thunderbolt or similar aircraft that uses laser guided missiles or other laser guided rounds to destroy objects.
beans and bullets
(U.S.) The general term for all types of supplies.
beat your face
(U.S.) Slang for "do some push-ups" and is commonly used in recruit training. Example: "Private, you think that's funny?! BEAT YOUR FACE!"
Benny
(U.K.) British Army slang for the Falkland Islands civilians during the Falklands War and locals around bases in the West Country. Based on a badly dressed, mentally retarded character in the soap opera Crossroads.
belay that
(English-speaking navies, origin probably RN) Disregard the order just given. Similar to "as you were".
Belching Buzzard
(U.S. Army) Derogatory/affectionate term for a member of the 101st Airborne Division, so named for the division's "Screaming Eagle" crest, which features the Bald Eagle's head.
BFE or Bum Fuck Egypt
(U.S.) An isolated deployment, or any other extremely isolated or distant location; pejorative. used mostly about the disgust at the distance or remoteness, but also implies that there could be little worthwhile in such an isolated place. The variants "Big Fucking Empty", "BFN" or "Bum Fuck Nowhere" are used in the same sense.
BFH
(U.S.) Big Fucking Hammer- When referring to a hard to do mechanical job: "You're going to need your BFH for that"
BFO
(U.S.) Blinding flash of the obvious..
BFR
(U.S.) Big fucking rock. Sometimes used as a geographical reference point in tactical radio communication: "We're 100 meters south of the BFR."
BFW
(U.S.) Big fucking wrench. Refers to the wrench used on generators to tighten the grounding nut.
BGB
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Big Gray Boat. Refers to large ships, e.g., carriers and battleships, which are gray in color.
biff chit
(U.K.) A sick note from the medical centre excusing a Soldier from PT. See profile and ATTN C.
Big Chicken Dinner
(U.S.) Bad Conduct Discharge, the less severe of the two types of punitive discharge that may be awarded by court martial (the more severe being a dishonorable discharge) .
Big Dick Contest
(U.S.) An argument that amounts to who's done or experienced more in terms of training or combat.
big green tick
(U.S. Army) An Army-issue large (not medium) ALICE pack. This name is usually used to further emphasize an uncomfortable situation, as in "I've got a three-hour date (12 mile road march at 15:00 min/mile) with the big green tick."
Big Green Dick
(U.S. Army) The Army's administration, especially when it fails to work in the Soldiers' favor.
Big Green Weenie
(U.S. Marine Corps) The fictitious dick that is said to have been at work whenever Marines get screwed over.
Big Red One
(U.S. Army) The First Infantry Division, so noted for the unit insignia of a single red 1. "If you're gonna' be one, be a Big Red One!"
Big Red Pig
(U.S. Coast Guard) Derogatory/affectionate term for Icebreakers, which are painted red for visibility.
Big White One
(U.S. Coast Guard) A High Endurance Cutter, the largest "White Boats" (rescue and law enforcement) vessels in the U.S. Coast Guard.
BIMBLE
(U.K.) Basic Infantry Manoeuvre But Lacking Enthusiasm
bin rat
(Canada) A supply technician or storesman.
bingo fuel
(U.S.) A pre-briefed amount of fuel for an aircraft that would allow a safe return to the base of intended landing.
bird
(U.S.) an airplane or satellite. In combat, may refer to an air-to-air missile; strategic context implies an ICBM.
Bird, Ball and Chain
(U.S. Marine Corps) Cynical term for the Marine Corps' Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem.
bird barn
(U.S.) an aircraft carrier.
bird colonel
(U.S.) a Colonel (O-6), whose insignia is an eagle, as opposed to a Lieutenant Colonel, who wears silver oak leaves.
black Cadillacs
(Canada) Combat boots. used ironically in reference to use as a mode of transport.
blade
(U.K.) SAS Trooper employed in a Sabre Squadron. : (Canada) A traitorous or untrustworthy person; one who would betray you or "stab you in the back." Can also be used as a verb.
blanket party
(U.S., Canada) A form of hazing meted out to unpopular service members. Involves covering the head and arms of the target with a blanket to prevent fighting back or identification of the attackers while a beating is administered.
blanket-stacker
(U.K.) Any storeman (even if he doesn't deal with blankets) . Also applied to the Royal Logistic Corps in general, even though their duties include everything from catering to bomb-disposal as well as storekeeping.
bleu
(France) A recruit. Derived from the French term for barely-cooked steak, symbolizing a "raw" recruit.
blivet
(U.S. Army) Vietnam-era. Large, black rubber bag used to carry POL on flatbed trailers to resupply forward units.
blivet
(U.S. Army, U.S. Army Air Corps) WW2-era. A terrible mess. The standard definition is, "What you get when you put 2 gallons of shit in a one gallon container."
(the) Block
(U.S.) Civilian life before enlisting. Example "Oh, you think you're back on the block?" Also simply a reference to back home where you could have done what you wanted in your own way.
Bloody Buckets
(U.S.) Members of the 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, whose division insignia is a red keystone.
Bloggins
(Canada) Name used to show examples during lectures (i.e., Pte. Bloggins just violated the ROEs)
Bloods and Crips
(U.S. Army) A group of Soldiers who are habitually injured, see Sickcall Ranger
blood stripes
(U.S. Marine Corps) "Pinning on blood stripes", an unauthorized hazing practice of kneeing a newly promoted Corporal up and down the outside of his/her thighs, causing bruises that mimic the "blood stripes" an NCO wears on their dress trousers/
(U.S.) Promotion one receives due to the death of the person who previously filled that position.

blooper
(U.S. Army and Marine Corps) Vietnam Era slang term for the M-79 Grenade Launcher. Suggested by the sound it made upon firing.
blow the DCA
(U.S. Navy) The directive, given as a snipe hunt (compare 'pad-eye cleaner'), that new sub crewmembers are often given in a false emergency. After much searching for the DCA, they discover that the DCA is a person, the Damage Controls Assistant (usually a junior officer). (Note: Many tanks on-board submarines are pressurized with compressed air and "blown" overboard. These tanks are usually identified by abbreviations or acronyms and always require permission before being "blown".)
blue falcon
(U.S.) "buddy fucker," i.e., one who does not help a fellow Soldier, or who intentionally gets a Soldier in trouble. The phrase "Bravo Foxtrot" is also used and has the same meaning.
blue-head
(U.S.) a term for a new recruit in the first few weeks of boot camp. New recruits have their heads shaved and the particularly white recruit's head look blue due to the blood vessels.
blue job
(Canada) A member of the Air Force; derives from their blue uniform. Pejorative (probably deliberately similar to "blowjob").
blue nose
(U.S. Navy, Marines) Anyone who has served above the Arctic Circle or has participated in a ceremony similar to the Shellback ceremony (See Shellback)
blue force
(U.S. Army or Air Force) The friendly force, the opposite of the OpFor.
blue on blue contact
(U.S. and U.K.) A friendly fire incident.
blue suiter
(U.S. Air Force) A general term for active duty Air Force personnel, often used when distinguishing between a mixed environment of Air Force active duty and Department of Defense civilians and contractors.
blues
(U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps) Marine Corps Blue Dress uniform. The Air Force Service Dress Uniform. Occasionally Navy Dress and Winter Blue uniforms, which are actually black.
blues buddies
(U.S. Air Force) A pair of Airmen who frequently leave base together in their dress blues during training.
BMO
(U.S., 1991 Persian Gulf War) Black Moving Object, or a woman in a burkha. Also refers to the Battalion Motor Officer in a mechanized unit
boat
1. (U.S. Navy) A submarine.
2. (U.S. Naval Aviation) A ship on which aircraft is landed.
3. (U.S. Army) First generation Minefield Clearing Line Charge which was literally a small boat that was dragged behind a towing vehicle. The current version is mounted on a trailer.
4. (Canada) a submarine.
boat chuck
(U.S. Navy) Derogatory term used by the aviation community for any member of a ship's company.
Bobo
(Singapore) A Soldier who cannot hit his target on the rifle range. This is a Singlish mispronunciation of "WOWO", meaning "wash out."
BOHICA
"Bend over, here it comes again." used when wearily contemplating idiotic or malicious. decisions by higher-ups.
Bone
(U.S. Air Force) B-1B Bomber
(U.K.) Stupid or pointless, "Well that was a bone question"
Bones
(U.S.) Any military doctor, especially in the Navy. Probably derived from Sawbones.
Bone Crushers
(U.S. Marine Corps) A term which generally distinguishes Corporal ranked senior Marines in authority over lower grade Marines.
bolo
(U.S. Army) 1. a slur the early twentieth century for recruits who could not attain an adequate degree of marksmanship. It comes from the idea that they should grab a bolo and attack hand-to-hand. 2. (BOLO all caps) Be On the Look Out
boomer
1. (U.S. Navy) A nuclear ballistic missile submarine, or personnel serving aboard same. 2. (U.S. Air Force) An enlisted aircrew member serving on either a KC-135 'Stratotanker' or KC-10 'Extender' primarily responsible for refueling other aircraft in flight. Derived from "boom operator."
boomstick
Used playfully among infantry when not around superiors to describe a breaching shotgun. "We're going on couple raids tonight. Make sure you bring plenty of shells for the boomstick." Derived from the Bruce Campbell movie "Army of Darkness".
boot, booter
(U.S.) A new join to a particular unit, probably coming from Boot Camp (see below). This person often has an overly enthusiastic yet naive disposition.
boot camp
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Initial training of new recruits.
Booter
(U.S.); Bootnecks, Booties: (U.K.) Royal Marines, from the leather stock they used to wear around their necks (same origin as Leathernecks for the U.S. Marine Corps).
boots and utes (or "boots'n'utes")
(U.S. Marine Corps) Combat boots and utility uniform, minus. the blouse; sometimes used for physical training or working in hot environments.
boot bands (or "blousing bands")
(U.S. Marine Corps and Canada) Elastic straps or coiled springs used to roll trouser legging under at the boot and simulate tucking into the boot itself; used in blousing boots.
BOSNIA
(U.S. Navy) Big Old Standard Navy-Issue Ass. Applies especially to desk-bound female enlisted.
bought the farm
(U.S.) Originally comes from the U.S. Air Force, where it was slang for a fatal crash, wherein the "farm" referred to the small plot of land at the cemetery where the individual was laid to rest, then generally any KIA G.I. whose insurance money pays the family funeral bills.
Bouncing bomb
(U.K.) Issue sleeping bag
Boss
(U.K.) Informal yet respectful address for an officer - especially used in situations where disclosure of military status is not advisable.
Box Kicker
(U.S. Navy) A term used, sometimes derogatorily, for a Supply Officer. The term implies that all a Supply Officer does is go around the warehouse kicking boxes, doing no other work.
(U.S. Marine Corps) A warehouseman, MOS 3051.
Box Nasty
(U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps) Box Lunch served in-flight.
BPAG
(AUS) Black Plastic Army Gun. The M16 rifle.
brass
(U.S. and U.K.) Top-ranking officers; The Powers That Be.
Bravo Zulu
(Worldwide Navies) Means 'Well Done'. Comes from the Allied Naval Signal Book, conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio.
brain bucket
(U.S., Canada) Combat helmet.
brain sponge
(U.S.) Any combat hat that does not provide protection. (e.g., A boonie hat)
brig rat
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Describes a Sailor or Marine who often frequents the brig (military jail), typically as a prisoner.
broke-dick
(U.S.) A Soldier with a medical condition that would hinder the Soldier's ability to perform certain tasks; alternatively, equipment that is not operationally ready.
broken TV
(U.S. Army) The 3rd Infantry Division crest, a blue square with three diagonal white stripes.
broom
(U.S. Army) Army talk for 'sweep' . used in the similar sense that you mop with a mop, hence, you broom with a broom.
brownjob
(RAF) Member of the British Army, from the khaki uniforms.
Brown Water Navy
(U.S.) The fleet of riverine vessels - fast patrol boats, amphibious. landing craft, shallow-draft supply and maintenance ships, U.S. Coast Guard cutters and the like - which had been deployed to control the rivers and coasts of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, so noted for the mud-brown color of the water. Today any such riverine naval force.
brown shoe
1. (U.S. Air Force) Things and people related to the time when the Air Corps was a subsidiary unit of the U.S. Army. When the Air Force became independent, black shoes replaced the brown shoes worn by the Army at that time.
2. Also refers to U.S. Army service prior to the Vietnam era "You were in the brown shoe army" when it changed to black combat/jungle boots and low quarters.
3. (U.S. Navy) Things and people related to the naval aviation community. From the time when brown shoes were authorized only for aviation ratings and officers.
brown star cluster
1. (US) A metaphorical scatological reference describing a panicked reaction. A play on red star cluster; the humorous implication being that the subject's frightened defecation serves as a substitute distress call.
2. (US) Alternately, can refer to warning or signalling others that things being said or done are "bullshit".
Brylcreem Boys
(U.K.) Royal Air Force pilots, who were renowned for wearing brylcreem on their hair ("A little dab'll do ya!"), originated during WW2.
bubblehead
Any person serving on a submarine or in the Submarine Service (a reference to decompression sickness).
buddy spike
(U.S. Air Force & U.S. Navy) used during flight operations. In air exercises, it is common to "spike" or lock onto a friendly without engaging. This causes the targeted aircraft's defense systems to warn of active targeting. "Buddy Spike" is a term used to reassure the "spiked" aircraft that the lock came from a friendly aircraft. For example: Suppose you were fighting in an exercise as blue air with opposing red air trying to shoot you. If you got notification on your RWR that an aircraft had locked you, you would want to know if it was from red air or just your wingman. So you might call out "HOOTER 01, spiked from 300 (degrees)" and Hooter 02 might call out "Buddy spike!" having locked you unintentionally, or to help find you visually, etc. This term was used, somewhat incorrectly, in the movie The Incredibles.
Buck Sergeant
(U.S. Army) Referring to a newly promoted Sergeant E-5. Can be used in different contexts, good or demeaning.
buckshee
(U.K., Canada) Spare, unofficial. Buckshee equipment or ammunition is outside the normal accounting system and is often bartered by those who find themselves in possession of it. The origin and nature of the stores determines whether this is a serious. issue. From World War One, when spare bits of shaving soap where called "buckshee's".
BUFF
(U.S.) Big Ugly Fat Fucker. (Clean: Big Ugly Fat Fellow) . Slang for the B-52 'Stratofortress'.
Buffer
(U.K. and Canada) Chief Bosun's Mate, Senior Boatswain (Seamanship specialist) on a warship, usually having the rank of a Chief Petty Officer.
Bug Company
(U.S. Navy) In boot camp, a company (group) of recruits who are incapable of performing any task correctly, regardless of the rewards or consequences. Generally the individuals who make up these companies will leave boot camp in top physical shape, because they are always being punished with physical training, also known as "cycling".
Bug Juice
(U.S.) The nickname given to the powdered drink served with MRE's on onboard ships. Virtually any powdered, artificially flavored, juice served in the mess hall of almost any group male environment from Scout Camp through the Military.
bulkhead
(U.S. Navy, Marines, RCN) The interior structural divider of a ship; used ashore to refer to the interior walls of a building, as well.
bullet sponge or bullet stopper
(U.S.) An infantryman, MOS 11B "Eleven Bulletstopper" most commonly the point man of an infantry fire team who is usually the first member of the team to engage, or be engaged by, the enemy.
Bull Ensign
(U.S. Navy) Senior junior officer of the rank of Ensign (o-1) in a ship's compliment. The bull Ensign often is tasked by the Commanding Officer with unsavory tasks that other junior officers would rather avoid.
Bull Nuke
(U.S. Navy Submarine Service) Senior enlisted man within the Engineering Division onboard a submarine, usually a Senior Chief or Master Chief Petty Officer (E-8/9).
Bullshit flag, throwing the
(U.S.) Challenging the factual accuracy of another's statement.
Bum Chum
(U.S., Canada, Australia) Pejorative term for a naval seaman. Refers to the stereotypical seaman's homosexuality.
bumf
(U.K.) Paperwork, especially useless paperwork; comes from bum fodder (i.e., only fit to be used as toilet paper).
Bundeswehr gloves
(U.K.) Pockets, from the perception that members of the German Army often walk around with their hands in them (prohibited in most NATO armed services - including the Bundeswehr. [German Soldiers caught by a superior with their hands in their pockets are typically asked "Is it your birthday? Because you're holding your candle."])
Bunk
(U.S. Army) Bed.
Bunker Bunny
(U.S.) Someone who looks like the model spit and polish Soldier, Marine - but does not tarnish his/her image by venturing beyond the safety of a secure location, also see "Fobbit".
bunny suit
(Canada) CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) suit
bunting tosser
(Royal Navy and Commonwealth Navies) A signalman.
butterbar
(U.S.) A second lieutenant or ensign, in reference to the rank insignia - a single gold bar.
butterfly stripes
(U.S. Air Force) Term used to refer to the two-striped chevron of Airman First Class, usually awarded to a six-year enlistee immediately after his technical school or to a four-year enlistee after 10 months in the rank of Airman (also see "dragonfly wings").
BZ
(Navy) Also, Bravo Zulu. Allied Signals Book (ATP 1) for "Well done".
B.B. Stackers
(U.S. Air Force) Ammo troops. (U.S.Navy) Aviation Ordnancemen.
C[edit]
C.O.C.K
(Canada) Confirmation of Combat Knowledge, a play-on from the more acceptable vernacular - AAR (After action review). "Good job on that exercise troops! Now it's time for some COCK!!" May also be used threateningly as in "I'm going to COCK you till you die" to indicate a useless or excessively harsh exercise in the field or garrison, ostensibly administered to teach the receiver a lesson.
Cable Stretcher
(U.S. Air Force) A "tool" that a new or troublesome Airman is sent to find for that "little bit extra" of cable needed to finish a run. Primarily used in Communication career fields.
cadidiot
(U.S. Army and Air Force, Canada) (kah-DID-iot) Slang term for an officer cadet. In Canada, term also used to indicate youth cadets of all branches. See also "cadink", below. Pejorative.
cadink
(U.S. Air Force) Slang term for an officer cadet. Slightly less pejorative than "cadidiot".
Cadillac
(U.S. Navy) A mop bucket. Named after the mop squeezer, which resembles a Cadillac grill.
(Coalition Forces) A toilet facility, a.k.a. Caddie.
Cadot
(U.S. Army) Slang term used to identify cadets in the U.S. Military Academy that briefly train with Regular Army officers. The dot refers to their rank.
Cage Kicker
(U.S. Army) Slang term used for Military Police corrections soldiers.
Cambro
(U.S. Army) Officially called the "Insulated Food Container" or "IFC," which is plastic with stainless steel inserts. Not to be confused with the all-metal "Food Container, Insulated" or "FCI" which is commonly called a "mermite can."
camel jockey
used to refer to Arabs. Pejorative.
cammies
(U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines) Camouflage utility uniform. What are referred to as "BDUs" in the Army and Air Force (now "ACUs" and "ABUs," respectively).
Camp U.S. Coast Guard
(U.S. Coast Guard) The United States Coast Guard Academy at New London. used when referring to the Academy in a derogatory manner. Also: Connecticut University of Nautical Technology.
Canary Club
(U.S. Air Force) used when identifying parking spaces or areas reserved for officers with the rank of O-6 ("bird" Colonel)
cannon cocker
(U.S.) An artilleryman. Also a U.S. Coast Guard Gunner's Mate.
cannon fodder
(U.S.) (formerly) An infantryman sent into battle with the expectation that he will be killed.
Canoe U
The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Jocular when used by graduates, pejorative when used by outsiders.
canopy lights
(U.S. Army) (Airborne) An item new recruits are sent to find; a form of snipe hunt. Refers to an imaginary set of lights to attach to a parachute canopy for use during night jumps.
Captain Jack
(U.S.) Is the military equivalent to the civilian Jodies in cadences, and always a tough guy. Illustrated in the song lyrics: "Hey, hey, Captain Jack, meet me down by the railroad tracks. With your knife in your hand, I'm gonna� be a fightin' man."
Captain's Mast
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Non-Judicial Punishment imposed under Article 15 of the UCMJ.
CATFU
(U.S.) (KAT-foo-(ed) ) Completely And Totally Fuck(ed) Up (i.e., "This thing is CATFUed")
cat eyes
(U.S. Army, Canada) A helmetband with two pieces of luminous. material at the rear.
cat hole
(U.S. Army) A hole dug in the ground in which to defecate.
CBed
(Canada) confined to barracks, a form of punishment. Pronounced "see-beed".
CBPO
(U.S. Air Force) used to mean the Consolidated Base Personnel Office, now if a member states they are going to CBPO or C-BO it means Commissary BX Post Office
CCB
(Singapore) Phonetic rendition of a Hokkien swear word referring to a smelly female reproductive orifice
CFB
(U.S.) Clear as a Fucking Bell, i.e., "You had best hear this CFB."
(Canada) Canadian Forces Base.
CFL
(Canada) Corporal/Captain For Life, someone who will never be promoted above the rank of Corporal or Captain for the rest of their career.
Canadian Gay Guard, Canadian Girl Guides
(Canada) Derogatory term used to refer to the Canadian Grenadier Guard(CGG)
Chairborne Ranger
(U.S. Army) Pretty much anyone in the Adjutant General's Corps, referring to someone who works a desk, in comparison to an Airborne Ranger.. During the Vietnam era also referred to as "Remington's Raiders" a reference to the manufacturer of a popular brand of typewriter.
Chair Force
(U.S. Air Force, Canadian Air Force) The Air Force, referring to the perception that many Air Force personnel spend their time "flying a desk", i.e., doing office work of various. sorts.
chalk
(U.S. Army) A specific aircraft load, especially a group of airborne Soldiers which deploy from a single aircraft, typically a platoon for air assaults, or company-minus. sized for airborne drops. Originates from Vietnam War practice of chalking identifying marks on aircraft sides involved in such operations.
Chancre Mechanic
(U.S. Navy) Hospital Corpsman. Also called Pecker Checker, Dick Smith, or Pill Pusher.
Charlie
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for the letter C. During the Vietnam War was a general term for the Vietcong by shortening of "Victor Charlie."
Charlie Foxtrot
See clusterfuck.
Charlie Gulf One
(U.S. Navy) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Standing By to Assist". The standard phrase of U.S. Navy medical teams.
Charlie Mike
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for "continue mission"
Charlie's Chicken Farm
(U.S. Army) Corruption of Correctional Custody Facility (CCF) . A minimum security military prison for lesser offenses; Usually no more than a fenced-in barracks building and small surrounding area. Sentences to the CCF are Usually as a result of an Article 15 and are generally not career-ending in nature. Differentiated from �The Stockade,� which is much like a civilian jail. Analogous. to a city, county, or state prison in civilian life and houses serious offenders, some awaiting transport to military prisons like Fort Leavenworth Kansas or Mannheim Germany. Also "Charlie Charlie Foxtrot", from phonetic alphabet.
charts and darts
(U.S.) Manual field artillery firing calculations performed with paper (charts), pencil, and pins (darts)
check six
(U.S. Air Force) Term for "watch out behind you" or "watch your ass", based on looking for enemy aircraft or missiles to the rear (6 o-clock position).
cheese eater/cheeser
(U.S. Army) A suck-up or brown-noser. (U.S. Air Force) A rat or tattletale, usually someone who runs to the commander or other ranking member to get another in trouble.
cheesedick
(U.S. Marine Corps) To do something with minimal effort. As in "He cheesedicked his way through it."
chem light batteries
(U.S. Marine Corps) A form of snipe hunt. To have a new Marine search for obviously non-existent batteries for chemical light sticks.
cherry
(U.S.) New recruit still in Basic Training, or newly-minted service member (officer or enlisted) just arrived at first duty assignment after completion of training.
chest candy
(U.S.) Another term to describe ribbons or medals that are worn. It can be pejorative or appreciative, depending on Usage.
chewed up or chewey
(U.S.) See ate up.
Chewbacca
(U.S.) Comes from "chewed up"
Chicken colonel
(U.S.) A full colonel, named for the eagle insignia. Also known as "full bull," "Full bird," or "Bird colonel" as opposed to "light colonel," which is a lieutenant colonel.
chicken plates
(U.S. Army) Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI) which fit into the Interceptor body armor system.
Chief
(U.S.) The familiar form of address for any U.S. Army warrant officer or U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer. Also, a section leader in the U.S. Army, and a familiar term for Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force.
Chief of Smoke
(U.S.) The senior enlisted man of an artillery battery or platoon, after the First Sergeant, the "Chief of Firing Battery". Also, "Smoke."
Chief of the Boat/COB
(U.S. Navy) Senior enlisted man onboard a submarine, responsible for manning, training, order and discipline of the enlisted crew. This equates with the Command Master Chief (CMC) onboard a surface ship or shore unit. In this position, the man is often casually referred to passively and in-person as "COB".
chocko
(Australia) An Army Reservist. Pejorative term dating back to World War 2, used by Soldiers of the 2nd AIF to imply incompetence on the part of Reservists who in their view were 'Chocolate Soldiers', likely to melt at the first application of the 'heat of battle'.
Choggy
(UK) a citizen of Afghanistan.
chopped up
Same as ate up.
chopper
(U.S. Army) Helicopter.
Chow
(U.S. Military) Food. (e.g., breakfast, lunch & dinner) "You want to go to the DFAC and get some chow?"
Chow-dale
(U.S. Navy (particularly used by Reactor Department personnel on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers) ) A derogatory term for the Airmen (airdales) attached to the various. squadrons who seem to never-endingly stand in meal lines, make them longer for ship's crew.
Chow keng
(Singapore) Malingerer.
Chow Runner
(U.S. Air Force) A trainee in basic training that announces their respective flight into the dining facility.
CHT
(U.S. Navy) Sewage. Named after the ship's waste system (Collection, Holding, and Transfer (CHT) systems) . Pronounced "C-H-T" or "chit". CHT is Usually found splashing across ship's head floors because the designated ship's crew Usually aren't real excited about fixing a toilet problem.
CHU
(U.S.) Containerized Housing Unit. Common housing unit used on long-term deployments on built-up bases.
Cigarette Soup
(U.S. Army) Onion Soup, because it looks like what you get when you fill an ashtray with water.
Circus. Battalion
(Canada) Play on Service Battalion (Logistics and Supply) due to the excessive number of tents used in its deployment and the general state of coordination among its personnel. Generally pejorative, when used outside the company of said personnel.
Circus. Battery
(U.S. Army) The Service Battery of an Artillery Battalion. So named for its propensity to collect "misfits", and therefore to become a "Circus.".
CIU
(Canada) Civilian In Uniform, Person using the CF (Canadian Forces) as way to pay for school, person who does not belong in the Service.
CK
(U.S. Army) Containerized Kitchen used for preparing and serving meals in the field.
clearing barrel
A promiscuous female soldier. It is in reference to the red, sand filled barrels used to verify that small arms are unloaded before turn in. Soldiers preparing to turn in weapons line up and dry fire their rifles into the barrel. Extremely derogatory. See also "regimental groundsheet".
Close of Business or COB
(U.S. ARMY) The time of day when all scheduled training and administrative work stops. The unit's senior NCO may hold a formation at this time. During this formation, guidance is given to the enlisted members, the unit commander may publish information and the unit is released. However, some members of the unit, especially maintenance crews, may continue working. Also called end of day.
Club Ed
(Canada) The Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks in Edmonton, Alberta. An ironic play on "Club Med".
clubz / clubswinger
(RN) Physical Training Instructor.
clusterfuck
A disastrous. situation that results from the cumulative errors of several people or groups. In semi-polite company this is referred to as a Charlie Foxtrot (from the NATO phonetic alphabet) . Also used as a slang term to describe the area effect nature of artillery or cluster bombs.
CMFWIC
Chief Mother Fucker Who's in Charge. Also "Chief Mother Fucker What's In Charge."
CO
(U.S. Military) Commanding Officer
cock holster
(U.S. Military) one's mouth, as in "Everybody, shut your cock holsters and listen up." See also "man-pleaser."
Cockpit
(U.S. Military) Derogatory term for promiscuous female aircrew, generally Army or Marine referring to Air Force female crew members.
cockster
(Singapore) a person who is habitually confused or amusing in a weird way. May derive from cock-up.
Colonel Sanders
(U.S. National Guard) Catered meals served in lieu of meals prepared by Army cooks. Obviously a reference to American fast-food icon Colonel Harlan Sanders, a founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Colonel Sanders Award
(U.S. Army) See "KP", below.
Command Private Major
(U.S. Army) Derogatory slang for the rank of Specialist E-4.
Commo
In reference to communications equipment or those who operate them. A title Usually given to the Communications Officer or Communicator aboard U.S. Navy vessels.
companionway
(U.S. Navy, Marines) A staircase. From the term for a ladder or staircase aboard a ship.
Company grade weather
(U.S. Air Force) Exceptionally poor weather; all the senior pilots sit the day out and let the junior company grade guys (who are still trying to build hours) fly in the bad weather.
Conn
(U.S. Navy and Air Force) A naval term referencing the Conning Tower; where the Conning Team gives navigational instructions for a ship (conns the vessel). "You have the Conn" means you have control of the ship. When the CO (Commanding Officer) leaves the bridge, the next in rank takes charge of manning the ship. That person has the Conn. The term is also used in other fields to refer to a commanding officer who upon leaving his post his duties fall to the next ranking person.
Contrails
(U.S. Air Force Academy) Fourth Class Cadet (SMACK) book of military knowledge that is memorized during the fourth class year.
Corfam
(U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps) A high-gloss dress shoe, typically made of plastic rather than leather to enhance gloss and eliminate the need for polishing. Derived from a trademark artificial leather, Corfam developed by DuPont during World War II.
cornflake
(Canada) The cap badge of a recruit in the Canadian Forces, a brass rendition of the Canadian Forces tri-service badge. From the resemblance of the badge in shape and color to the breakfast cereal.
2. By extension from (1), a new recruit.
2. By extension from (1), the Canadian Forces insignia in general.
Corps
(U.K.) Informal address for a Corporal or Lance-Corporal.
COTDA
(U.S. Army) Stands for "Case Of The Dumb Asses." Spoken in both full context and abbreviation. Humorous. and imaginary syndrome or sickness often joked about towards any Soldier who makes an accidental mistakes or forgets something. Example: "Did you go home last night and catch a case of the dumb asses (or COTDA) ?"
Country Club Academy
(U.S.) A derogatory term used by cadets at the United States Military Academy and midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy to refer to the United States Air Force Academy. Refers to the perception of more relaxed standards of military discipline, and the generally less spartan living conditions for cadets, at the AFA as compared to the other academies.
cover
(U.S.) Military headgear of any type.
crab fat
(U.K.) Reference to RAF personnel
crabs
(Singapore) Reference to senior officers of rank major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel, whose rank insignias are respectively one, two, or three State Crests, the outline of each resembling a crab. (United Kingdom) Refers to the British Royal Air Force, due to the blue uniform being the same colour of the powder used to treat crabs.
crabs within a cage
(Singapore) A derogatory term to describe warrant officers whose rank insignias are a state crest encased within a semi-circle and chevrons with the number of chevrons denoting higher ranks. Sometimes used to dismiss a warrant officer who is noted for being very arrogant and proliferate in the use of his authority.
crank
(U.S. Navy) An enlisted Sailor who is doing temporary duty in a ship's galley. On most ships/subs junior enlisted will work full time for many weeks or months in the galley doing menial tasks like washing dishes or scrubbing floors before moving back to their assigned rate and division. "Cranking" or "Mess cranking" is a verb for this situation. Cranking can be occasionally used as a method of EMI. (See EMI)
Crap Hat
(U.K.) SAS or Parachute Regiment describing other regiments in the British Army as less than elite, derived from the distinctive SAS and Parachute berets which are different in color to every other regiment.
crunchie
(U.S. Army) Term used by a Tank Crewman to describe a dismounted infantry Soldier, derived from the sound that they make when the tank rolls over them.
crutch brigade
(U.S. Army) a rear-detachment unit, Usually full of Soldiers who are unable to deploy due to medical or legal issues.
CS&MO
(U.S.) Proper Usage: Close Station, March Order. Alternatively "CSMO,": Collect [your] shit and move out.
Cunt cap
(U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force) The flat garrison cap, the kind often seen tucked under a shoulder epaulet in the movies. Particularly descriptive of the female version of this cap discontinued in the late 1970's, which had an inverted fold in the crown. Also called "piss cutter".
Cum-dumpster
a mouth. Term generally used by drill instructors to create a sense of dominance over recruits, e.g., "shut your fuckin' cum-dumpster!".
Cunt Hair
(U.S. Army, U.S. Navy) a small increment as in, "Move that a cunt hair to the right."
Cycled (U.S. Navy) or "getting cycled"
In boot camp, the act of being "beat" by your company commanders via strenuous. work-out, or "PT" sessions. Cycling normally occurs after a member or the entire company has made an error of some kind either in drilling, training, etc. Cycling has no time limit, it lasts as long as desired by the company commander(s) , and it can include any physical training that has been imagined. Oftentimes company commanders will make their recruits put on multiple layers of clothing, while closing windows and turning off fans, etc., in an effort to make it "rain indoors". Lore states of "rain makers", company commanders often rumored to be in charge of other units who will make guest appearances at cycles in an effort to achieve the results of "raining indoors", due to the fact that the sweat from the recruits will cause condensation to build in the room and leak down from the ceilings. See tekan and quarterdecking."
D[edit]
DFAC
(U.S.) The Dining Facility (pron: Dee-Fack) a.k.a. Mess Hall.
D4D
(U.S. Air Force) Desk 4 Drawers Aircraft type flown by most of the U.S. Air Force. "Him? Oh he drives (Flies) a D4D!"
DA Form 1
(U.S. Army) Toilet Paper.
DAGBY
(U.S. Army) Dumb Ass Gun BunnY, see 13B, Cannon Cocker, Red Leg
dark green
(U.S. Marine Corps) An African-American U.S. Marine; as compared to a "light-green". Becoming an archaic term; sometimes perceived as offensive.
DART
(U.S. Air Force) Dumb Ass (radio/radar) Troop
DAT
(U.S. Army) dumb ass tanker.[1]
Day 0
(U.S. Army) . The first day of basic training.
Dead Man Walking
(U.S. Army) A person who has a permanent profile (see profile below) which allows him/her to walk two and a half miles rather than run 2 miles as part of the Army Physical Fitness Test or APFT.
Death Jet (DJ)
(U.S.) "The F-22 Raptor used in the Air Force. The name was so given because the fighter jet was prestigious. and was an all-rounder, e.g.,, "Death Jet, ETA 30 seconds, hold back for airstrike package""
death technician
(Canada) Infantry Soldier.
Deck
(Worldwide Navy, Marines) The floor on a ship; also used while ashore for the ground or a floor.
Deck-Ape
(Navy, Marines) Naval term used to signify a "boatswain's mate" on a ship who is in charge of anchors, moorings, lines, rope etc.
Dependapotamus
(U.S.) A non-military spouse so obese as to shame or draw into question their significant others decision making capabilities. Named so due to their perceived propensity to marry servicemen in order to secure their paycheck and government benefits for themselves.
desert queen
(U.S.) A promiscuous. woman who sleeps around while at a deployed location. (U.S. Air Force) Any female at a deployed location, especially an unattractive one. The stereotype is that because of the imbalance in the male to female ratio, unattractive women become attractive in lieu of sufficient quantities of attractive women.
dairy Queen
(U.S.) A promiscuous. overweight woman who sleeps around while at a deployed location.
desk wallah
(U.K.) A staff officer or other military administrator; pejorative and largely obsolete.
Desert Fox
Female Soldier who is considered more attractive because she has moved down range.
Desperate Love Institute
(U.S.) Nickname for the Defense Language Institute.
deuce and a half, deuce
(U.S., Canada) 2� ton truck used for carrying cargo or up to 40 people. Commonly used in convoys. During WWII its predecessor, manufactured primarily by GMC was called a "Jimmy"
deuce gear
(U.S. Marine Corps) Organizational equipment that is issued to a Marine from his unit and is kept by the Marine as personal gear, but is expected to be returned in serviceable condition upon that Marine's detachment from the unit. Usually refers to load-bearing equipment, ruck packs, body armor, helmets and other field gear. Derived from "782 gear", referencing an obsolete form.
Devil Dog
(U.S.) U.S. Marine. The term comes from a (possibly apocryphal) complimentary term, Teufelhund, applied by German Soldiers to Marines during World War I for fighting like shock troops.
DICK
(U.S. Army) OIF era. Dedicated Infantry Combat Killer.
dickbeaters
(U.S.) Fingers.
dicked up
(U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force) Generalized state of being incorrect or broken.
dickskinners
(U.S.) Hands.
Dick Smith
(U.S. Navy) Hospital Corpsman. Also called Pecker Checker, Pill Pusher, or Chancre Mechanic. Alludes to a blacksmith working on a penis.
dicktrap
(U.S.) Mouth.
digger
(AUS and NZ) Initially used to describe Soldiers who fought during the Battle of Gallipoli, but now a general term for any Australian or New Zealand Soldier.
diggers
(U.K.) Knife, fork and spoon. Cookhouses at transit barracks, training camps and other locations away from a Soldier's home base generally do not provide these. Thus. it is important to remember your diggers when going for a meal.
digies
(U.S.) Refers to new digital camouflaged field uniforms worn by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
dig-it, dig it or diggit
1. (U.S. Navy) A (Usually derogatory) reference to a crew member who shows an outward eagerness to be at sea, in the Navy, etc.--especially when compared to less enthusiastic crew members (see Joe Navy).
2. (U.S. Navy) Any brand or model of butterfly-folding multi-tool (i.e., a Leatherman�) carried by said crew member.
DILLIGAF
(U.S. and Canada) Does It Look Like I Give A Fuck?! Usually a reply in Boot Camp when given a lame excuse for not being able to perform a duty or follow an order.
(AUS) Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck? Similar as above
Dink
(U.S.) A derogatory term for an Asian enemy Soldier, used extensively during the Vietnam War. More recently, means delinquent in some form, i.e., not up to standards on progress on training qualifications.
Dirt Nap
(Naval Aviation) Flying ones aircraft and self into the ground. Flat Hatting gone wrong.
disco belt
(U.S. Air Force) A reflective belt worn around the waist on aircraft flightlines.
ditch
(RAF) crash into the sea
Dittybopper
(U.S. Army) A signals intelligence radio operator trained to intercept Morse Code transmissions. As a verb, "Dittybopping" is used to describe a Soldier or Soldiers who are marching out of time with the cadence being called.
DNF
(U.S.) Departure from Normal Flight. Term for when a pilot loses control of his/her aircraft.
DNKH
(U.S.) Damn Near Killed Himself/Herself.
doc
A medic.
Dog Fuck
(Canada) To shirk one's duties.
dogface
(U.S.) A U.S. Army infantryman, common in World War II, also a Soldier of the 3rd Infantry Division, they get to sing the "Dogface Soldier Song" every morning; now this or "doggy" is used by a Marine to refer to an Army Soldier.
donkey dick
1. (U.S. Army) The bottom section of a PRC-25/77 radio antenna.
2. A detachable fuel nozzle for 5 gallon fuel containers. See "horse cock" below.
3. A Mortar cleaning brush.
4. By extension, any long cylindrical object.
5. (U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering) An electric vibe tool with a long cylindrical vibrating shaft used in concrete construction to remove air bubbles from concrete.
Donkey Walloper
(U.K.) Cavalry
DONSA
(U.S. Army) A day of no scheduled activity.
donut launcher
(U.S. Army) Ring Airfoil Grenade Launcher. A device which fits on the end of an M16 rifle which fired a donut shaped rubber bullet used in riot control.
Doolie
A fourth-class cadet (freshman) at the United States Air Force Academy (also called "SMACK") .
Dope
Acronym for Data on Personal Equipment (sights and elevation/windage settings for sniper rifles). Other Usage includes Information/intelligence regarding the position of a target or info on an objective. Air Force/Navy Usage of 'Bogey Dope' to request the position (bearing, range, altitude and heading) of enemy aircraft.
Dope On A Rope
(U.S. Army) An insult applied to air assault Soldiers. Used mostly by airborne units.
Dorm hoe or dorm slut
(U.S. Air Force) used for a female who is known for her promiscuity around dormitories and lodging facilities.
Dot
(U.S. Army) An ROTC cadet. Refers to the disc shaped rank insignia. Derogatory.
double-digit midget
(U.S.) A service member who has less than 100 days until his or her enlistment ends, or time until rotation out of a combat area arrives.
Double Ugly
(U.S.) Nickname for the F-4 Phantom II.
doughboy
(U.S.) A U.S. Army Soldier. This term is almost exclusively used in the context of World War I "GI" was the term during WWII.
dragonfly wings
(U.S. Air Force) Refers to the two stripe chevron of an Airman First Class.
drink
(RAF) sea/ocean
driver
(U.S. Air Force) A fighter aircraft operator, i.e., pilot (example: "I'm an Eagle Driver", an F-15 Eagle pilot, or a "Viper Driver", an F-16 pilot.
drive on
(U.S. Army) Carry out the mission.
Dropped
(U.S.) An Army or Air Force term used to describe punishment by physical training (Usually pushups) "The DI dropped dingleberry for 20 after he fucked up on the course!"
dropshort
(U.K.) An artilleryman, or the Artillery in general. Artillery will often fire over the heads of friendly troops, who will certainly not appreciate a round that drops short. Also "Dropshot."
DROS
(U.S. Army). Date Returned from Overseas Service. Pronounced, "dee-ross".
Dual Cool
(U.S. Marine Corps) A phrase for a Marine, Usually Recon or Force Recon, who has earned both the Scuba Bubble and Gold Jump Wings.
duck hunter
(U.S.) A member of the Air Defense Artillery.
Duffle Bag
(USAF Security Forces) An airman with an untidy uniform, Airman Blank looks like a duffle bag.
dune coon
(pejorative) Someone from the Iran/Iraq desert region. See also Sand nigger below.
E[edit]
E4 Mafia
(U.S. Army) Group of soldiers with the rank of Specialist who are loyal to one another and stick together. Will cover each other against discipline and usually make privates do all the work.
Educated Asshole
(U.S. Navy) A Seabee in the EA (Engineering Aid) rating with civilian and/or military technical training in construction design, surveying, drafting, materials or quality control.
Eagle
(U.S. Air Force) The F-15 Fighter
Eagle Driver
(U.S. Air Force) F-15 Pilot
Eagle Hatcher
(U.S. Air Force) Member of the F-15 Development Team (SPO)
Eagle Keeper
(U.S. Air Force) F-15 Maintainer, crew chief
Eagle Rider
(U.S. Air Force) F-15E Weapons System Officer (WSO or 'Wizzo') - 'Backseater'
Eaglet
(U.S. Air Force) Humorous. term used by F-15 personnel in early days of the F-16 program to refer to the F-16.
Echo Check
(U.S. Air Force) a type of snipe hunt where a jet engine maintainer is told to scream into a static jet engine at the top of his lungs, and if he get the right pitch and volume the blades in the engine will ring.
Echo Tango Suitcase
(U.S. Army) Punning reference to ETS or "Expiration Term of Service," the end of an enlisted soldier's service contract, especially if the soldier has no intention of reenlisting. Similar to "PCS to Fort Living Room," another humorous reference to impending discharge from active duty.
EGA
(U.S. Marine Corps) Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the emblem of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Egg Banjo
(U.K.) A fried egg sandwich so called because when it is eaten, generally with the one hand that is free, egg yolk squirts onto the eater's shirt/jacket resulting in them raising their sandwich to approximately ear height whilst they attempt to "strum" the egg from their shirt with their free hand.
Egyptian PT
(U.K.) Sleeping, particularly during the day. Probably dates from WW2 or before. The act of laying on your bed, with your arms crossed over your chest, just like an Egyptian mummy
Elsie
(U.K. and U.S. Marine Corps) Phonetic pronunciation of "LC", the abbreviation for Lance-Corporal
E.M.I.
(U.S.): Extra Military Instruction. In military training establishments it is a supposed learning opportunity for a serviceman to better learn some military instruction. It is not supposed to be (but most often is) a non-judicial punishment that Usually consists of some menial task like running in place with arms outstretched from the chest while holding a rifle (Army) or changing into every uniform once an hour for inspection (a "Fashion Show") (Navy) . This punishment is used for individuals who have difficulty following instructions, or show excess attitude towards company commanders/authority figures.
ENDEX
End Exercise
Errr...
(U.S. Marine Corps) An abbreviated or unmotivated "Oorah". Often used as a form of acknowledgment or greeting.
ETS
(U.S. Army). Expiration Term of Service. Pronounced, "ee-tee-ess".
evolution
Generally, any specific operation or activity. "This evolution does not require talking." "All hands on deck for the refueling evolution."
extra
(Singapore) to serve extra duties as camp guard or confinement (frequently on weekends) as punishment
eyebrow remover
(U.S. Army, Canada) Immersion heater, a device used for heating washing water in a field kitchen; it consists of a gas-fuelled element immersed in a large container, such as a large galvanized garbage container. An external gas tank drips gas down a column into the element, and is lit by dropping a match or inserting a lit gas-soaked rod into the tube, igniting the gas. The term "eyebrow remover" is derived making the mistake of looking in the opening after dropping the lit match in it to see if it lit properly; the puddle of gasoline at the bottom will sometimes flash and send a flame into one's face.
F[edit]
FANG
Fucking Air National Guard.
Fang Fairy
(U.S. Navy) a.k.a. "Tooth Fairy". Slang for a Sailor in the DT (Dental Technician) rating. Self-explanatory.
fangs
(U.S. Marine Corps) A term used as a reference to teeth as in "Go brush your fangs!"
farmer armor
(U.S.) Improvised vehicle armor. See Hillbilly armor.
fart cart
Auxiliary ground air pressure unit, used to start jet engines.
fart sack
(U.S.) A sleeping bag.
Farts and Darts
(U.S. Air Force) A reference to the decorations on the brim of a field-grade officer's dress uniform cap.
fashion show
(U.S. Navy) A punishment where the service member, over a period of several hours, dresses in each of his uniforms (work, dress, summer dress and summer work) to be inspected. Designed to prevent the punished from going on liberty for most of a day.
fast movers
(U.S., Canada) Term used by Soldiers for jet fighters, especially ground support aircraft. Dates to Vietnam.
fatigues
(U.S. Army) Duty/work uniform, as opposed to dress uniform.
fauji
(Indian army) belonging to or part of military.
field
(U.K., U.S.) General use - duty or training away from any post/base, "In the field for training this week."; also used to denote forward deployed units/personnel, "1st Brigade is in the field at Al-Asad, 2nd and 3rd Brigades remain at main post stateside."
field day
(U.S.) Thorough cleanup of a barracks or duty area with the expectation of an inspection. Thursday is a common day for field day in garrison.
Field grade weather
(U.S. Air Force) Exceptionally good weather. All the field grade officers (O-4 thru O-6) like to get out of their offices and take a flight in this kind of weather, leaving the CGO's to fly in the bad weather.
Fighting First
The U.S. Army's First Infantry Division. (AKA Big Red One)
FIDO
"Fuck It, Drive On". i.e., What to do following a Charlie Foxtrot.
FIGMO
(U.S.) "Fuck it, got my orders". "Finally I got my orders" Exclamation by one who is scheduled to leave a duty post.
Fighting Fit
(U.K., Indian Army) Functioning properly, in perfect health, used for men as well as equipment.
First Shirt
(U.S.) A First Sergeant. Also, "First Soldier" or "Top".
fish
(U.S. Navy) Submarine warfare qualification pin.
FISH
"Fighting In Someone's House", variant of FIBUA ("Fighting In Built-Up Areas), an official acronym, but now known as OBUA "Operations in Built Up Areas."
fish tank
(U.S. Navy) Term used by submarine personnel to refer to the ocean surrounding a submerged submarine (see "people tank", below) .
fister
(U.S.) An artillery Soldier in a Fire Support Team (FST), i.e., an Artillery Forward Observer .
five and fly
(U.S.) To graduate from a U.S. service academy, serve only the required five years on active duty, and then resign at the first opportunity. Sometimes also referred to as "Five and dive".
Five Jump Chump
(U.S.) A U.S. Army Soldier who has earned the Airborne Badge, but has done no more than the required five jumps and is not part of an airborne unit.
Five Knots to Nowhere
(U.S. Navy) A phrase often to describe the missions that ballistic missile submarines are tasked with. Their purpose is to deter nuclear war by being on station, slowly crisscrossing a highly-classified location somewhere in the oceans.
Five Plonks
(U.K.) A retard.
Five-Sided Squirrel Cage
(U.S.) An old term for The Pentagon used during the Vietnam War.
Five-Sided Puzzle Palace
(U.S.) A term for The Pentagon.
Flags
1. (RN) A flag lieutenant (i.e., admiral's aide-de-camp).
A signal officer.
FLAK
(WW2) 'Fl'ug'a'bwehr'k'anone - German for "air defense cannon".
Flight Line
(U.S. Air Force) Slang for any restricted area on most Air Force Bases where aircraft are parked for general maintenance. Equivalent to an airport apron.
flight risk
(U.S.) Term jokingly used to refer to an officer of grade O-6 (Colonel/Captain) or higher at the controls of an aircraft.
flying a desk
(RAF) Working as a staff officer or administrator; may be used pejoratively ("all he does is fly a desk") or simply to refer to a pilot who has been posted to such a job ("I'm flying a desk at the MOD these days").
flump
Fat Lazy Unmotivated Pussy.
FM
(U.S. and U.K.) "Fucking Magic". used to describe why a faulty electronic device unexplainably starts working again.
FNG
(U.S.) "Fucking New Guy (or Girl)" . One of many terms used to describe a new arrival to a unit.
Food for Freedom Program
(U.S. Army) Wherein a soldier gains so much weight that he is kicked out of the service. As in: "He is so fat." "Yeah, He's in the food for freedom program."
fobbit
(U.S.) Fairly new term used to describe Soldiers who do not go outside their Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Iraq, or a Soldier stationed in Iraq who has not seen combat. Derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit, a creature that didn't like to leave the safety of their homes or "The Shire."
Fort Fumble
(U.S.) The Pentagon.
football bat
(U.S.) used to describe a person or system that is unusually odd. (i.e., "You are as Fucked up as a Football Bat". Sometimes rendered as "Left Handed Football Bat", or "Soup Sandwich".
Four foot drop
(U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps) Humorous take on repairing the unreliable PRC-25/27 radio. "Giving a prick (PRC) the four foot drop" is to throw it to the ground in frustration.
Fourth Point of Contact
(U.S. Army) The buttocks, or the fourth point of the body to contact the ground in a Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) (Balls of the feet, calves, thighs, buttocks, pull-up muscle)
FRED
(U.S.) "Fucking Ridiculous. Economic Disaster". The nickname given to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy heavy transport aircraft. The name was popularized because of the so-called "$500 toilet seat" expose on 60 minutes during the early fielding of the aircraft. Or, (AUS) "Fucking Ridiculous. Eating Device". The issue eating device in combat ration packs, a combination between a small Spoon and a Can Opener, and a bottle opener. Officially Field Ration Eating Device or Food Ration Extraction Device (both are acceptable).
Friend of the Bromide
(U.S.) A generally non-qualified Sailor that performs no Useful function other than to provide a load for the air conditioning plant. The "Bromide" refers to the Lithium Bromide air conditioning plant, which operates better under load.
(The) Frisbee
(Canada) A term used to describe the shape of the Baked Cherry Dessert IMP entree which resembles a round, thin, flat Frisbee. Infamous. for its disgusting taste.
Front Leaning Rest
(U.S.) Pushup position.
frosty
(U.S.) Alert, watchful. This may have spawned from pop culture, not actual military use of the term. The first known use of it was in the 1972 film The New Centurions.
fruit salad
(U.S.) The colorful collection of ribbons worn on the breast of a dress uniform.
FTA
1. (U.S. Army) "Fuck the Army" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. When the Sergeant Major asks about the new "FTA" tattoo, remember that it stands for "Fun, Travel and Adventure" or "Finest Training Available"
2. (U.S. Marine Corps) "Failure to Adapt", a reason recruits are sent home from boot camp.
FTAF
(U.S. Air Force) "Fuck the Air Force" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. Usually used as a high form of derogatory term towards the Air Force.
FTN
(U.S. Navy) "Fuck the Navy" - common graffiti, also spelled out as a spoken epithet. Usually used in a simple game of "hide & seek" - FTN can Usually be found in obscure places (like inside machinery) and the discovery of which Usually pisses-off higher-ranking people and 'dig-it's'.
FUBAR
(U.S.) Abbreviation for "Fucked up beyond all recognition (or repair)." Sometimes "FUBER" for "economical repair". See "SNAFU", below.
FUBIJAR
(U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve) "Fuck you Buddy, I'm just a reservist".
FUBIS
(U.S. Army) "Fuck You Buddy I�m Shipping" used in Vietnam Era by Soldiers who had a short amount of time before they went home.
FUGAZI
Fucked Up, Got Ambushed, Zipped In. Vietnam War slang for a messed up situation. Zipped in refers to a body bag.
full-bird colonel
(U.S.) A colonel (O6) as opposed to "light colonel" which is a lieutenant colonel (O5). Named for the eagle insignia. Also known as "full bull," "full bird," or "bird colonel". See "light colonel", below.
full-bull
(U.S.) See "full-bird colonel" above.
full screw
(U.K.) term used to describe Corporals after being promoted from Lance Jack.
Fuzzy Wuzzy
(U.K.) In Victorian times, a derogatory term for alien or dark-skinned inhabitants of the British Empire.
G[edit]
gabra
(Singapore) To be exceedingly confused.
GAFA
(U.K.) Great Arabian Fuck All. Royal Air Force description of lack of visible landmarks during the 1st Gulf War.
gaggle-fuck
A disorganized group, a clusterfuck.
gaggle-march
(U.S. Air Force) Normally spoken, pronounced "gaggle-HARCH," it is used to describe a flight or other formation that is marching out of step or outside of acceptable drill and ceremonies.
ganked
Stolen, swiped.
gash
1. (U.K.) Rubbish, trash. A gashbag is what one puts it in.
2. (U.K.) Unprofessional and/or unimportant.
3. (Canada, signals) Probably derived from (1), garbled or incomprehensible signals.
4. (Canada, Navy) Trash, garbage.
5. (U.K.) Very derogatory term for any woman.
gat
1. (U.K.) Referring to the rifle used by British Forces (SA80).
2. (U.S.) Any small arm, referring to gangster slang.
Gator
(U.S. Navy) Shortening of the title "Navigator". The senior officer in charge of navigation aboard a navy ship.
Gator Navy
(U.S. Navy) Meaning the amphibious. arm of the surface Navy.
GAF
(U.S.) Gay as fuck. When unpopular individuals ask what this acronym is, they are often told it stands for "Go Air Force". Alternatively, implying a "give a fuck" attitude, meaning one doesn't care. "What's with the GAF attitude?" or "That guy's pretty GAF."
GAF Factor
(Canada) Give a fuck factor. When a Soldier cares a lot or a little about a task, orders, duties, or instruction. "My GAF Factor is non-fucking-existent".
Garatrooper
(Canada) used to describe a Soldier who excels in garrison but is lacking where it counts in the field. This term was used by WWII U.S. Army Cartoonist Bill Mauldin "Up Front" to describe those who were "too far forward to wear ties, and too far back to get shot" However the term proved unpopular with the Paratroopers who saw it as a slur on their designation and it never gained popularity with U.S. forces.
gedunk or geedunk
(U.S. Navy): Commonly junk/snack food itself, or the store in which it can be acquired. Also the military service ribbon awarded to new recruits in boot camp is referred to as the "gedunk ribbon". (Unconfirmed: derived from the sound made by an old-fashioned cigarette machine when the Foosball-like metal handle was pulled out and released, i.e., the ribbon is of such little value that it was obtained from a vending machine.)
get some Navy
(U.S. Navy) A verb used to describe a situation where someone has some pain inflicted on them due to something associated to the Navy. (e.g., A Sailor is told that he has to stay past his duty time and do extra duty due to the whim of a higher ranking person - he is "getting some Navy").
GI
(U.S.) Always pronounced as initials "gee ai", coined during WWII it reputedly stands for "government issue(d)". As a noun, GI refers to a member of a U.S. military service, as in "G.I. Joe"; originally pejorative as it implied that U.S. Soldiers were nothing but interchangeable units (Government Issue(d) Joe) that could be requisitioned like any other supplies. As an adjective, it can be applied to any item of U.S. military materiel or procedure. When used as a verb it means to put into military shape, as in "to GI the barracks". Etymology at GI.
GIB
(U.S.) Guy In Back, i.e., back-seater in a two-place aircraft, whose job duties vary with the aircraft (e.g. WSO "Wizzo" = Weapons Systems Officer).
gig line
(U.S.) An imaginary line running down the front of a uniform formed by the edges of the pants fly placket, right belt buckle edge and the shirt button placket. The significance of the "gig line" is that all parts of it be in-line for inspections.
G.I. party
(U.S. Army & Air Force) A term used to describe scrubbing the barracks from top to bottom. This sort of "party" is seldom, if ever, fun.
Go-fasters
(U.S. Marine Corps) Athletic or "tennis" shoes.
go outside
(UK Royal Navy and Royal Marines) To leave the service and return to civilian life.
go west
(WWII U.K.) die. As in migrate across the American continent in the 19th Century, when people who went West were often never seen again.
goat rope/ing
A Useless, futile, or foolish activity. A waste of time directed by higher authority.
goat locker
(U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard) Room or lounge reserved for Chief Petty Officers (E-7 and above). Those who are E-6 and below would do well to steer clear unless expressly permitted inside. Also used to refer to the Chief Petty Officers assigned to one command.
GOBI
General Officer Bright Idea. An idea often inspired by a briefing, which is then endorsed and ordered by a general. Sometimes it is valid, often it is pointless, but it invariably creates more bureaucratic hassles than are necessary to the mission.
GOFO
Grasp Of the Fucking Obvious..
goldbrick, goldbricker
(U.S.) A member of the military who feigns illness to avoid duty; more recently, any service member who shirks duty.
Golden Shellback
(U.S. Navy) A Sailor who crosses the equator at the point of intersection with the International Date Line. See Shellback.
Gold side
(U.S. Coast Guard) The regular U.S. Coast Guard, which wears gold insignia compared to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which wears silver insignia. See Silver side.
gone Elvis
(U.S.) Missing in action.
gonk
(U.S. Air Force) electronics/avionics/computer devices in general, especially when performing functions of a computational nature. Also seen as "gonkulator". Can be used as a verb: to "gonkulate" means to calculate either by hand or by machine. (From a "Hogan's Heroes" episode in which Hogan convinced Klink that the "gonkulator" was a top-secret Allied device.)
Good Training
(U.S.) Anything that does not result in death, a reportable incident, or the relief of the commanding officer. "We had rain for three days during the field problem, but it was all good training."
Gook
(U.S.) A derogatory term for an Asian enemy Soldier used extensively during the Vietnam War. From the Korean guk. ("people").
Got One's 6
(U.S.) military slang for 'got one's back'. When a Soldier in a situation where a solo battle can be dangerous, even life-threatening, another would offer help to ensure survival even if the mission ends in failure. The Soldier is like a clock with the face looking at 12 o'clock and arms at 3 and 9 o'clock.
gopping
(British Army) Dirty, especially used of rifles in need of cleaning.
gouge
(U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard - particularly aviation) Informal information channel; the grapevine; the straight dope; inside information. Gouge is passed on by the gouge train.
goulasch cannon
(U.S. Army, German Wehrmacht) Portable, self-contained field kitchen. Originally used by WWII German Soldiers, but it can also refer to the U.S. Army's Mobile Kitchen Trailer or MKT.
Gore 4
(U.S. Marine Corps) Full Gortex rain suit, including hood, covering one's person. This is a play on the MOPP chemical warfare system and its numbered levels of use/protection.
grand slam
(U.K.) The act of defecating, urinating and throwing up while sleeping off a large "Male Bonding Session" while undergoing training.
Grape
1. (U.S. Submarine Service) Delightfully easy. Examples: "This is %$# grape duty! I %$# love it!" or "That was a grape sig, you %$#." (See "sig" below)
2. (U.S. Marine Corps, Army) One's head. For example: "Put your cover [hat] on your grape."
3. (U.S. Air Force Fighter Pilots): an aircraft/pilot that is easy to shoot down.
4. (U.S. Navy): The flight deck crewmen on an aircraft carrier tasked with fuel handling (so called for their purple shirts and helmets) . Related to "skittles".
Gravel Tech(nician)
(Canada) Infantry, Usually referred to as such by the Navy.
green eggs
(U.S. Army) Powdered (dehydrated) eggs served by the Army. Green is used to indicate "Army issue" and not necessarily the actual color in this case. (pre 1995 eggs were often served mermite cans, and were actually green in color.)
Green Eyed
(U.K.) Excessively keen or professional Soldier.
Green Slime
(U.K.) Intelligence Corps. Based on color of Beret combined with the Intelligence Corps' sneaky and underhand warfare.
grid squares
(U.S. Army) An item new recruits are sent to find; a form of snipe hunt. A grid square is a term for one area on a map, a square created by grid lines of one kilometer.
Green weenie
(U.S. Marine Corps) A term used to describe one being refused a liberty. "I got fed the green weenie again....tasted like the last guys asshole!"
Grinder
(U.S. Navy) The outside tarmac, asphalted area or courtyard normally adjacent to a barracks which is used to perform musters, drilling, and sometimes "cycling" of recruits in boot camp.
ground-pounder
(U.K. and U.S.) Derogatory term for Army or Marines. Opposite of 'air-dales', above.
ground sheet
1. (Canada) A rubberized tarp, used as a half-shelter
2. (Canada) A female who sleeps around, "she's nice to lay on"
grow bag
(U.K. RAF) Slang for aircrew - so named due to the color of the RAF flying suits.
grunt
(U.S.) Originally, a derogatory term for Army or Marine infantrymen (referencing the sounds made by men carrying heavy gear). This term has become more acceptable over time, and today, most, if not all, infantrymen are proud to be "grunts," as opposed to other MOSes in the military. Also known as "Ground Pounders." Although "grunt" is not an acronym, common backronyms include: "Ground Replacement Unit, Not Trained" or "Ground Replacement, Usually Not Trained."
(Canada) Government Reject Unfit for Naval Training, Usually refers to infantry/combat arms.
GTFO
(U.S.) Pronounced "GIT-foe". Acronym of "get the fuck out", nonspecific utilization in training/combat.
GTS
(U.S.A.F.) Google That Shit. Used when asked a stupid or unknown answer to a question one could learn on their own by utilizing a popular search engine.
Guardian Angel
(U.S.) A Soldier or Marine placed in a high position in urban warfare to provide overwatch and cover to friendly units moving below.
Gucci kit
(U.S., U.K. & Canada) Non-issued kit or equipment bought by the Soldier. The word "gucci" alone is also used in the Navy to mean fancy, e.g. "that's a gucci computer".
Guckle
(U.S. Submarine Service) Storage Space on Submarines, Similar to a large closet, larger than a puka (below).
Gum Shoe, or Gummy Bear
(U.S. Navy) Slang for a Sailor in the CT (Cryptology Technician) rating. The first CT school was located in a room on top of a building having a tarpaper 'deck'. The students would inevitably get pieces of tar on the bottom of their shoes.
gun
(U.S.) An artillery piece. This isn't slang per se but precision, as rifles and pistols are referred to as "small arms" or "sidearms" or simply "weapons." Gun is also slang for "penis"; recruits learn not to call their weapon a gun in the rhyme, This is my rifle/This is my gun/This one's for fighting/This one's for fun.
gun bunny
1. (U.S.) An artilleryman - often specifically a cannon crewman. Often used as derogatory and implies simplemindedness because of simple job - "Pull string, gun goes boom"
(Royal Navy) Female camp follower of teams competing in the RN Field Gun Run.
gun-plank
(U.K.) An Artillery term for a junior officer, implying that they would be more Useful wedged under the wheels of the gun to prevent it sinking into the mud than in their current role.
gun rock
(U.S.) Artillery cannon crewman, especially used by other artillerymen (e.g.,: forward observers, fire direction control) . Pejorative.
Gung Ho Mo Fo
(U.S. Army) A Soldier who is more enthusiastic about the Army than those around him. This is a fairly recent slang term resulting from the "gangsta" influence in the U.S..
Gunny
1. (U.S.) a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant(E-7)
2. (U.S.) a Naval Gunner's mate.
3. (U.S. Army) Master gunner in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle mechanized infantry company or battalion, or gunnery sergeant in a U.S. Army howitzer platoon.
gyrene
(U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force) Mildly derisive term for a Marine. Also "Jar Head," "Leather Neck"
H[edit]
Habeeb
(U.S.) A general term for Iraqis during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. From Arabic for 'friend.' Somewhat pejorative or dismissive.
Habeebatee
(U.S.) A term for an attractive Arab female. Somewhat pejorative or dismissive and frowned upon given current events.
Hadji/Haji
(U.S.) A general term used to describe Middle Easterners during the first Gulf War and subsequently during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (Usually describing a friendly Iraqi/Afghan). Same as Habib--refers to people native to the Middle Eastern countries, India, and Egypt. Somewhat pejorative or dismissive. Considered by some as a racist remark, and has thus. fallen under scrutiny. Also used to refer to local markets where servicemen can acquire cheap goods, possibly of dubious. authenticity. Originates from an Arabic term of honor for a Muslim who has completed the Hajj to Mecca. Possibly from the Indian character Hadji in the 60s adventure cartoon "The Adventures of Jonny Quest".
hairy bag
(Canada) Naval personnel in a sea-going trade. used as a familiar or jocular term, not pejorative. (U.S.), a.k.a. nut sack.
half left down
(Singapore) Used when soldiers are in drill formation to order them to turn 45 degrees left before assuming the push-up position. See Knock it down.
ham and claymores
(U.S. Army, Vietnam-era). Term used to describe C-ration meal, Ham and Lima Beans.
ham and lifers
(U.S. Army, Vietnam-era). Term used to describe C-ration meal, Ham and Lima Beans.
Hand bag
(Australia) Signaller - from the satchel they carry that holds the light-weight antenna & other ancillary equipment.
HANO
(U.S.) "High Altitude No Opening", a parachute jump in which the parachute fails to open, Usually with fatal results. Play on "HAHO" and "HALO".
Hang Fire
To wait until further orders.
hardball
(U.S.) Any hard-surfaced road.
hatch
(U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps) A door. From the shipboard terminology for the means of entering or exiting the compartment of a ship.
hatless dance
(Canada) A charge parade, referring to the fact that the accused is marched in at double time in front of the presiding officer without a beret ("My last hatless dance cost me two days' pay!")
hawk
(U.S.) Winter or extreme cold weather; e.g., "the hawk" or "don't let the hawk get you."
head
1. (U.S. Navy, Marines, U.S. Coast Guard) Facilities designated to relieve biological needs. See Army term "latrine". 2. A slightly less offensive term short for dickhead or other similar heads.
Head Shed
Headquarters
health and comfort
(U.S.) From "Health and Comfort Inspection", a euphemistic term for a search of quarters for contraband. Also called "Health and Welfare."
helmet fire
(U.S.) Task saturation, especially in the context of flying instrument procedures.
helo
(U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps) Helicopter.
Herc Doc
(U.S. Air Force) a C-130 maintainer.
high speed, low drag
(U.S.) Latest in technology. Excellent, particularly of equipment.
Hillbilly armor
(U.S.) Improvised, sometimes crappy vehicle armor.
hindquarters
Any headquarters.
hit the silk
(U.S.) To abandon an aircraft mid-flight by means of a parachute. For example, "Johnson's plane took a lot of flak, but he hit the silk just in time!" Also, punch Elvis.
HMFIC
Head Mother Fucker in Charge.
Holland
(Singapore) To be lost or get lost without a clue where you are. Etymology is disputed but it is pronounced as "ho-lan".
holiday flag
(U.S.) over-sized flag flown over Posts and Major Commands during holidays.
Hollywood Marine
(U.S.) Enlisted Marine who underwent their recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Hometown Hero
A title which criticizes military persons who play the role of a highly achieved individual in their home town but is known by comrades to be fictitious..
hooah
(U.S. Army/USAF Security Forces/Canadian Army Infantry) A spirited cry, which can mean nearly anything positive. Exact origins are unknown. Paratroopers claim it as originating from the involuntary grunting sound one makes on contact with the ground during a parachute landing. Others claim that it is an acronym for "Heard, Understood and Acknowledged." used normally in group instruction as acknowledgement of understanding rather than in one on one situations with an officer where "Yes Sir, understood sir" is still preferred. Pronounced "Who-Ah" in one short syllable by Rangers. In the Regiment ( 75th RGR ) , depending on its placement in the sentence or its inflection and tone, Hooah can an affirmative, a negative, a Verb, and or curse word. Its Usage in the Canadian Army is somewhat debated, however, "seen" is used as the preferred affirmative. See also, HUA.
hook
1. (Canada) A chevron as rank insignia. For example, to "get one's third hook", say, is to be promoted to sergeant (third chevron).
2. (U.S.) A Chinhook, a CH-47 twin rotor heavy lift helicopter, see 'Shithook' below.
Hoorah
(U.S. Navy) A spirited cry, equivalent to the U.S. Army's "Hooah".
Hoover
(U.S. Navy) Nickname for the S-3 Viking. Named for the sometimes strange sounds it makes while flying.
horse cock
1. (U.S. Navy) (Vulgar) A heavy cylinder of lunch meat or ground hamburger while still in the wrapper, prior to being sliced or opened.
2. (Canada) (Vulgar) A flexible metal nozzle attached to gas cans to facilitate pouring.
house mouse
(U.S. Navy) An unskilled 'FNG' Sailor arriving in Vietnam who is assigned to camp maintenance at a naval facility.
House, The
(U.S. Military) Term used by military personnel in Germany to identify a bordello.
HUA
(USAF Security Forces) An acronym for "Head Up Ass", or "Heard, Understood, Acknowledged." See hooah.
Hudson High
The United States Military Academy at West Point, which overlooks the Hudson River. Pejorative.
HUGA
(U.S. Air Force/USAF Security Forces) Used in lieu of HUA towards higher ranking individuals who won't stop talking "Heard, Understood, Go, Away".
hummer
1.(U.S. Navy) Nickname for the E-2 Hawkeye.
2. (U.S. Army) Nickname for the HMMWV.
hun
(U.S. Air Force) The F-100 fighter
hun driver
(U.S. Air Force) F-100 Pilot
I[edit]
I&I
(U.S.): Intoxication & Intercourse. A wild time while on leave. Play on R&R
Ie-yee-ah
(U.S.) Same as "Hooah," used in the U.S. Army 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. Based on an American Indian war cry. See also "Ai-ee-yah."
IFR
"I fucking refuse", in a pseudo-rebellious. form against higher-ups.
IHTFP
(U.S.) "I Hate This Fucking Place", a feeling common among recruits, officer candidates, and those who are burned out. When asked by a superior what it means, the junior will often reply, "I Have Truly Found Paradise."
I Must Puke
(Canada) Refers to the disgusting flavors of the various Canadian Forces IMPs (Individual Meal Packs).
in country
(U.S.) In a foreign territory, especially a combat zone, especially Vietnam. I was in country that whole summer. Does not generally apply to foreign basing in friendly countries during peacetime.
in the dinghy
(WWII RAF) All right for the moment. If you ditch your kite in the drink, you may go west, but you will be safer for the moment if you can get into a life-raft.
Indian country
Beyond friendly lines.
ink stick
(U.S. Marine Corps) Ink pen.
irons, eating irons
(U.K.) Cutlery.
(the) Island
(U.S. Marine Corps) Parris Island in South Carolina. One of two boot camps in the corps; the only one that trains female enlisted marines. Male marines who trained there are called "island marines".
Ivan
(NATO countries) Generic term for Russians, similar to "Hadji/Haji" for Arabs.
IYAAYAS
(U.S. Air Force) means If You Ain't Ammo You Ain't Shit. Self-explanatory. used by 2W0X1 (Formerly 461XX) Ammo Troops
IYAOYAS
(U.S.Navy/Marine Corps)If You Ain't Ordnance You Ain't Shit. Used by Navy and Marine Aviation Ordnancemen as a greeting or farewell to other Ordnancemen or an insult to those outside the rate as in "IYAOYAS mother fucker". Pronounced "ai-yo-yas".
ID10T Form
(U.S.) Idiot form. A non-existent form that ignorant airmen/marines are sent to find. Usually they are new to their unit.
J[edit]
jacked up
(U.S.) Screwed up, ruined, in trouble. "Jackness" is the quality of being in a jacked-up state; can also refer to a hapless individual: "Get over here, Jackness."
(USAF Security Forces) An individual placed in apprehension. From the position he is placed in prior to being handcuffed. Also a verb referring to the act of chambering a round in the M-16 rifle.
(Canada) - used as a verb - to "jack someone up" refers to the process of re-motivating an individual with often humorous content.
jack
(U.K., AUS) Selfish, as in "Don't be a jack bastard" or "Don't jack on your mates". One of the most serious. things a British Soldier can be accused of by his comrades.
Jane Wayne
(U.S. Army & U.S. Marine Corps) A very aggressive or masculine female Soldier or Marine. Also a term to imply a woman is a competent Soldier.
Jarhead
A U.S. Marine Corps - according to some, a reference to the "high and tight" haircut and squared chin. Alternatively, American Heritage Dictionary states, "Perhaps from the shape of the hat the Marines once wore" [2]. On the other hand, the Oxford English Dictionary originally cites it as U.S. Army slang for a mule (1916), then later as a word for a "foolish or stupid person" (1942); the application to a Marine cites from 1944. Oddly, it was applied to U.S. Army Soldiers in the 1930s, based on the mule mascot of Army's football team [3]. According to some, a reference to the fact that the Mason Jar Company produced many of the metal helmets worn by Marines during WW II. Pejorative when used by non-Marines; defiantly proud when used by Marines about themselves (as in the book and movie of the same name, about a Marine sniper during the First Gulf War) .
Jawa
(U.S.) A Soldier, Usually of low rank, stationed in a desert area. From the creatures in the Star Wars films.
Jawan
(India) A Soldier with the rank of private; also a generic term for Indian Soldiers.
Jedi mind trick
(U.S. Air Force) When flight lead needs the wingman to do something unplanned or that has not been briefed, but the wingman magically does it before he is told to.
J.E.E.P.
(USAF Security Forces) Junior Enlisted Expendable Personnel. The new airmen coming into a unit fresh from training, the constant butt of JEEP jokes.
JEEP jokes
(USAF Security Forces) Hazing jokes pulled on gullible new airmen see Keys to the aircraft below.
Jeff
(U.S. Air Force) slang term used for a new second lieutenant.
Jerry
(U.S., U.K., Canada) A slang for German Soldiers during the Great War and World War 2. Survives in common English Usage in the term "jerry can".
Jesus. slippers (or "Jesus. boots")
(U.S.) Government-issue sandals or flip-flops for sanitation in showers. See also shower shoes.
jet jockey
(U.S.) A pilot.
JHW
(U.K.) Jersey Heavy Wool, the old-style thick military sweater.
Jimmy
(Canada) signaler. It is suggested that this term comes from the figure of Mercury on their cap badges, which is referred to as "Jimmy" by the un-enlightened.
jimmy dean
(U.S. Army) In reference to a kind of pre-packaged meal, Usually more edible than an MRE but lacks any way of heating the food. Usually contains a can of juice, canned meal or vacuum-packed sandwich, a fruit cup, a peppermint, and sometimes Pringles.
Jodie/Jody
(U.S.) A man who steals a Soldier's girlfriend/wife when deployed, out in the field, or in training. So often referred to in cadences used during exercises that the cadences themselves have become known as Jodies or Jody calls.
Ain't no use in goin' home,
Jodie's got your girl alone.
Joe
(U.S. Army) A Soldier.
Joe Navy
(U.S. Navy) An overly enthusiastic "gung-ho" Sailor (see Lifer). Pejorative.
Juicy or juicy girl
(U.S.) Name given to a prostitute or bar girl. Originated in Korea.
joey
(Canada) Can be used to describe a new member, or a Soldier who is heavily reliant on others.
John Wayne
(U.S.) Also known as a P-38. A small finger held can opener. (US Army) John Wayne can also refer to a Soldier who does not have his helmet chinstrap buckled, and therefore looks like John Wayne in 1960s war movies.
John Wayne School
(U.S.) Army Special Forces school, Fort Bragg.
JN
(U.S. Navy) Japanese National. Usually a Japanese shipyard worker, but can also be applied to any Japanese citizen.
K[edit]
kebab
(U.K. & Commonwealth) An aircraft's jet engine, components spin and heat up.
keener
(Canada) A recruit or one who is new to a unit that is Usually overly-enthusiastic about his/her assignment.
Keys to aircraft 300
(U.S. Navy): A form of snipe hunt. A new join is sent to the Maintenance Office or Ready Room in an attempt to get keys to start an aircraft due to launch. Of course, there are no keys to military fighter jets, the gag is simply to humiliate a new join. The number given is the BUNO (bureau number), or painted aircraft designation of the new join's squadron, it could be any number.
(USAF Security Forces) Keys to the aircraft, a JEEP joke pulled on gullible first time Close in Sentries. It involves either the Area Supervisor or one of the Alarm Response Teams asking if the Close in Sentry if he received the keys to the aircraft from the sentry whom he relieved of the post, the Flight Sargent and Commander may get involved. The sentry is usually threatened with an article-15 for dereliction of duty, and goes on all night until he gets relieved in the am where he is called into the Flight Sgt.'s or Commander's office where he is told that it was all a joke.
K.I.A
Killed In Action
Keys to the Submarine/Ship/Reactor
(U.S. Navy) Snipe hunt - A new join is sent all over the vessel to get the keys, so the CO can get underway. Everyone tells the new person they just gave the keys to someone else, preferably far away or hard to get to. This is similar to the "Keys to aircraft" snipe hunt, since there are no keys for military ships larger than riverines and certainly no keys for submarines.
KFS
(U.K., Canada) Knife, fork and spoon.
killick
(Canada, U.K.) An old term for a homemade anchor, now used to refer to a person in the rank of Leading Seaman. This is in reference to the rank badge which historically was a single fouled anchor worn on the left arm. Also, not coincidentally, the name of Capt. Aubrey's steward, a grumpy but beloved character in the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey-Maturin series of Napoleonic naval adventures.
KITDAFOS
(U.K.) Kept in the dark and fed on shit
kite
(RAF) aeroplane
klicks
Kilometers
KMAGYOYO
Kiss my ass, guys: you're on your own... (used "outside" the community of brothers or in jest)
Knife and Fork School
(U.S. Navy) (pejorative) The school that U.S. Navy doctors, nurses, dentists and hospital administrators go to prior to receiving their commissioning. So-called because of the belief that all they learn there are social graces.
Knee-deep Navy
(U.S.) U.S. Coast Guard (pejorative), so-called because of the mistaken belief the U.S. Coast Guard never sails into deep water.
knock it down
(Singapore) Command to get into pushup position. "You guys want to take your own sweet time...whole lot of you knock it down!"
knuckle dragger
(U.S. Navy Submarine Service) A Machinist's Mate Auxiliary-man, responsible for non-propulsion systems like the sanitary system or hydraulic system. The term was coined from the stereotype that Machinist Mates are not as intelligent as other rates like Radiomen or Sonar Technicians, so they rely mostly on brute strength to get their job done.
(U.S. Air Force) A crew chief, also referred to as "wrench-turner" or "grease monkey".
KP
(U.S., Canada) Abbreviation for the obsolete term "Kitchen Police", a duty assigned (to other than food service personnel) to perform menial, but necessary, kitchen chores such as dishwashing, serving and kitchen cleaning, oftentimes as a punishment for bad behavior. It has been jocularly backronymed to "Keep Peeling", in reference to the popular perception of Soldiers peeling potatoes; however, in the United States, current Army regulations prohibit non-food services personnel from food preparation.
L[edit]
Lance Colonel
(U.S. Marine Corps) A Lance Corporal that always tries to take control of situations, whether or not he/she is the senior Marine, and will inevitably create more problems if actually allowed to take control.
Lance Coolie; Lance Criminal
(U.S. Marine Corps) Cynical terms for Lance Corporals, the third-lowest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps.
Lance Corporal Underground
(U.S. Marine Corps) refers to what the junior enlisted are saying or feeling; a more informed rumor mill.
Lance Jack
(U.K.) A term used to describe a Lance Corporal (LCpl) in the U.K. Armed Forces.
Last Cleaning Position Left
(U.S. Marine Corps) A play on the abbreviation "LCPL" for Lance Corporal, the highest non-NCO rank. used to remind a Lance Corporal that they are still subject to having to clean.
latrinegram
(U.S., WW2/Korea) Wild, unfounded rumor.
Latrine Wisdom
(U.S. Military) Jokes and quotes left by military personnel in porta potties and bathroom walls in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Latrine Queen
(U.S. Air Force) Title given to a trainee in basic training that is in charge of the cleaning crew of the bathrooms.
Lautenberged
(U.S.) Discharged due to a domestic violence conviction, named after the Lautenberg Amendment.
Lawn Dart
(U.S. Air Force) Pejorative nickname for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, based on its appearance and crashes early in its career. Also a pejorative nickname used by bomber pilots to refer to fighter jets.
LBFM
(U.S.) "Little Brown Fucking Machines." Originally coined to describe Filipina prostitutes who serviced American personnel stationed at/temporarily visiting Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Field/Air Base; also applied to Central American prostitutes. Highly pejorative and offensive.
LBFMPBR
(U.S. Navy) "Little Brown Fucking Machines, Powered By Rice". Prostitutes, specifically in the Philippines, to differentiate them from Central American LBFMs. Highly pejorative and offensive.
leatherneck
(U.S.) A Marine, from the high leather collar formerly worn with formal uniforms, and in fighting uniform during the days of shipborne, sword-wielding boarding parties, when Marines were issued a leather gorget. The "Fighting Leathernecks" is also the nickname of the Western Illinois University men's athletic teams, by exclusive permission of the Department of the Navy.
Left Handed Salute
(U.S.) Punishable action of disrespect to a superior unless right arm is immobilized or otherwise incapacitated. Reference to any action of open disrespect.
leg
(U.S.) non-airborne qualified Soldiers. Also LEG or LEGS (Low Energy Grunt or Low Elevation Ground Soldier).
les Joyeux
(France) "the joyful", Battalions de Afrique (African Discipline Battalions), named for beating jail.
libo
(U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps) Liberty, time away from work (after hours, on a weekend, during a port-call, etc.) not charged against leave.
lickin' chicken
(U.S. Army) radio-speak nonsensical version of "Lima Charlie" for "loud and clear"
lifer
(U.S.) A (Usually derogatory) term for a person who has been in the military a long time or plans to stay in long enough to retire, Usually a Dig it.
light colonel
(U.S.) A lieutenant colonel. Pejorative.
light fighter
(U.S. Army) Soldiers of one of the Army's Light divisions; foot infantry as opposed to mechanized units.
light up
(Canada) To correct someone in an extremely harsh manner, Usually involving yelling and profanity. "The RSM lit Smith up for walking on the grass."
Lima Charlie
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet radio-speak for "Loud and clear."
Lima Lima Mike Foxtrot
(U.S. Army) Radio speak for "Lost Like A Mother Fucker".
Little Shitty Volkswagen
(Canada) Derisive backronym for "LSVW", which actually stands for "Light Support Vehicle, Wheeled".
LN
(U.S.) Acronym for a Local National (pronounced ELL-N). used to describe "friendly" locals who work on Army Bases in Iraq.
Lobo
(Singapore) Refers to individuals who, for some reason or another, are currently assigned to a unit but hold no assigned vocation. These are typically raw recruits or privates fresh from basic military training assigned to a military school or institution for further training but cannot attend the course that they have been sent for at the present time. They generally lack the skills or qualifications necessary for their military vocation and cannot function in that role as yet. Thus. they generally spend their time doing menial jobs such as cleaning or clerical work. The quasi-official term for such persons is "Temporary Support Staff". Is thought to refer to the acronym for "Left Out of Battle Order".
Lock and load
(U.S.) To insert a magazine of ammunition into a weapon and chamber a round.
LOM
(U.S. Army) Lack of motivation - A type of letter or memorandum signed by U.S. Army Ranger School students who drop out of the course by their own choice and not for medical reasons or performance. Signing a LOM is reputed to prevent voluntary drops from re-enrolling in the course and to cause long-term military career difficulties.
LPC
(U.S.) Leather Personnel Carriers - boots.
lost the keys
(U.S. Navy) After a negative incident, the Commanding Officer relinquishes some operating authority of his ship/submarine/reactor to his superiors, but without dismissal.
LRA
(U.S. Air Force) Lowest-ranking airman, often assigned the menial or unpleasant tasks that nobody else will do.
LRSD
(U.S. Army) Long Range Surveillance Detachment (pronounced LERSDEE)
LRRP
(U.S. Army) Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (pronounced LURP).
LT
(U.S.) Nickname for Lieutenant (pronounced ELL-TEE) . A pronunciation of the actual military abbreviation for Lieutenant; is becoming more common in police jargon, as well.
Load Toad
(U.S. Air Force) Refers to former 462XX and current 2W1X1 AFSC. Those who load ordinance onto the aircraft. Meant to be derogatory but now a term of endearment.
M[edit]
Ma Deuce
(U.S. Army) M2 - .50 caliber Machine Gun.
Madre
(U.S.) Female chaplain.
Magic
(U.S. Air Force) aircraft avionics, especially of the glass cockpit variety.
Mail Buoy Watch
(U.S. Navy) A method of hazing new enlisted unrated Sailors on ships. The Sailor is told that the ship's mail is on another ship, but they cannot bring it to us. So, they tie the mailbag to a buoy and send us its location. When we pass it, the Sailor is expected to use a boathook and snag the mailbag. The Sailor is outfitted with heavy weather gear, a Mae West lifejacket, helmet and boat hook. He is then paraded around to the "compliments" of more seasoned Sailors.
Maisies
(Canada) Nickname for the R�giment de Maisonneuve (abbreviation "R de MAIS").
Man jammies
(Canada) Nickname for the traditional knee length button shirt worn by Afghan males.
Marine Proof
(U.S.) An overly simple task or way of doing things. Stems from the stereotype that Marines are slow-witted or unable to handle complex operations. Slightly pejorative.
Master Blaster
(U.S. Army) used as a casual reference to the Master Parachutist's Badge. Also used to describe the Tank Gunner's red T-shaped handle, used in misfire procedures.
Master Guns
(U.S. Marine Corps) Master Gunnery Sergeant; (U.S. Navy) Gunners Mate Master Chief
Master jack
(Canada) A master Corporal.
Master Private
(Canada) A Master Corporal who was demoted to Private.
Matelot
(U.K.) A Sailor in the British navy, pronounced "mat-low," from French for "Sailor."
Meals on wheels
(U.S. Army) Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT) .
Meals Rejected by Ethiopians
(U.S.) meal-ready-to-eat, a.k.a. MRE.
Meat shield
(Canada) An infantryman.
Meathead
(Canada): An MP, descriptive of the red berets they wear as part of their uniform .
Merlion
(Singapore) To vomit copiously, especially after an over-indulgence of alcohol. This description of projectile vomit invokes the image of the Merlion, a tourism mascot of Singapore resembling a hybrid of fish body with a lion's head. A famous. statue of this mascot is a large fountain with water spewing from its mouth.
Mermite can
(U.S. Army) Officially it's the "Food Container, Insulated" which was (see Cambro) for transporting hot or cold foods from a kitchen to Soldiers in the field. Declared obsolete by the Army in 1995. However, they are still a common sight and are used by some to smuggle cold beer to the field.
MFWIC
Mother Fucker Who's/What's in Charge.
MIA
Missing in action.
Midnight Requisition
(U.S.) To steal, see Scrounge. To acquire supplies for a unit from another with out their approval or knowledge, usually after business hours/dark.
Mike Golf
(U.S.) Term meaning, Master Gunner; from the NATO phonetic alphabet.
Mike Mike
(U.S.) Millimeter, from the NATO phonetic alphabet.
Mikes
(U.S.) Minutes, from the NATO phonetic alphabet.
Millers
(U.S.) Multiple Launch Rocket System from the acronym "MLRS".
MIR Commando
(Canada) Soldier who is always on Sick Parade. "MIR" refers to Medical Inspection Room, the medical facilities on a Canadian Forces base.
MIRS
(U.S.) Multiple Launch Rocket System, a.k.a. millers.
MKT
(U.S.) Mobile Kitchen Trailer, a.k.a. meals on wheels
MMFD
(Br, Gulf War 1) Miles and miles of fucking desert, a play on KKMC.
Mo Rat
(Canada) "Mo", slang from Militia. A pejorative term used to belittle or insult reservists. "God damn, piece of shit Mo Rat! Junk!"
Mo Trap
(Canada) A person who joins the reserves because they are too young to join the regular force but after 10 years they're still in the reserves. Usually, because they were promoted quickly and slid into an easy job. If they went regular, they would be back to doing shit tasks. "I joined the Mo at 16 years old until I was old enough to go Regular Force, then I got promoted to Sergeant two years later. I can't go back to being a Private. That's bullshit!"
Mob-ster
(U.S. Air Force) Member of a mobile combat communications organization.
Monkey shit
(U.S. Navy) A type of duct seal that is pliable and waterproof.
Moonbeam
(U.S. Marine Corps) A flashlight.
Mosquito wings
( U.S. Army) refers to the single chevron rank insignia of a private/E-2.
Motti
Finnish military slang for a totally encircled enemy unit. The tactic of encircling it is called motitus, literally meaning the formation of an isolated block or "motti", but in effect meaning an entrapment or envelopment.
Mox Nix
(U.S. European Theatre) Bastardization of the German "es macht nichts", or it makes no difference.
MRE
(U.S.) meal-ready-to-eat, a.k.a. Mystery E, Meals Refusing to Exit and "Meals Rejected by Ethiopians".
MTV
(Br, WW1) Motor Transport Volunteers.
Muckle
(Canada) To gain/take possession of something, as in "Muckle on to those ammo cans and get over here!"
Mustang
(U.S.) A nickname for an officer promoted from the enlisted ranks. Can be respectful when used by enlisted ranks and seasoned officers, or pejorative when used by career-oriented and/or snooty academy-trained officers.
Mystery E
(U.S.) meal-ready-to-eat, a.k.a. MRE.
N[edit]
Nasty Girl
(U.S. Army) Term used by regular Army Soldiers to describe National Guardsmen
Navy issue ass
(U.S.) Term used for female Navy members in reference to their reputation of having large posteriors.
NJP
(U.S.) Refers to Non-Judicial Punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Essentially, legal punishment imposed by a unit commander in lieu of a trial. May be refused by a servicemember in exchange for a court martial and (almost invariably) a stiffer punishment.
No Duff
(U.K., Canada, Singapore, Australia) Not a training scenario: "I say again, we have No Duff Casualty, over."
Nonner
(U.S. Air Force) Personnel who are not in a flightline AFSC. Derived from "Non-Sortie Producing Motherfucker".
November Golf
(U.S.) Phonetically stating NG for NO GO, literally, to fail. Army evaluations are scored as either GO/NO-GO instead of Pass/Fail. That's a big November Golf chief.
NOF
(U.S.M.C) Acronym for Non-Operating Fuck. Refers to Marines that are not 3531 Motor Transport Operators. Any other Marine besides them that has a license to drive a tactical vehicle and isn't a 3531, they are NOFs. Pronounced (naw-fs).
NO GO Nazi
(U.S.) An especially strict evaluator who seems to take pleasure in giving NO-GOs.
NS
(Canada) Not Serviceable, a term to describe equipment that is no longer serviceable. Also describe someone who is incompetent: "That guy is NS".
NUB
(U.S.) (Submarine Service) Abbreviation for 'Non-Useful body' or 'Non-Useful bitch'--a new enlisted crewmember who has not yet completed the qualification process to earn their vaunted Submariner's Warfare Badge, otherwise known as their 'Dolphins'. New definition for term "New Underway Buddy" was coined to allow its continued use despite new stricter hazing rules.
Nug Away
(U.S. Army) To work diligently at a tedious. task.
nugget
(U.S. Air Force and Navy) An inexperienced pilot or aircrew member.
Nuke
1. (U.S. Navy) Naval nuclear personnel (Naval personnel who operate nuclear reactors and related machinery) .
2. Also refers to ordnance type that is neither confirmed nor denied, and is handled by a different Department (See "Weaponettes") .
3. (U.S. Navy) To make a simple task unnecessarily complicated. "Don't nuke this up - it's just stenciling your skivvies."
4. (U.S. Navy) To solve a problem. "I'm not really sure how that works, you'll just have to nuke it out."
Number One
(RN) The First Lieutenant of a vessel.
Numpty
(U.K., Canada) An individual who just doesn't get it; Frequently found getting "Jacked up"
Nutsack
Term used for the 100-round ammo holder on a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Narrower at its point of connection to the weapon than at the middle. Hence, its resemblance to a scrotum.
Nut to Butt
(U.S. Army, U.S. Navy): A phrase to tell Soldiers or Sailors to tighten-up a single file line, generally used in Basic Training (e.g., a chow line, equipment issue, etc.)
Nylon Letdown (WWII Allies)
descent with a parachute, in reference to the materials used for the parachutes at the time.
O[edit]
Ocifer
(Singapore) A derogatory term for a conscript officer. May derive from a local mispronunciation of "officer" by poorly educated enlisted men or as a reference to Officer Cadet School (OCS) that all SAF officers must attend.
OBE
(U.S.) Overcome by events meaning decision is no longer required due to change in situation. U.S. Army term used for those in need of additional IQ or for someone who can't seem to keep.
OBE
(U.K. Armed Forces) A term used when a Warrant Officer finally gets their vaunted OBE. Sometimes this is earned by the use of "Others Buggers Efforts". Derogatory when OBE is earned this way.
ODs
(Canada) The older olive drab colored combat uniforms worn before the introduction of CADPATS. When pronounced "ode" can also refer to Ordinary Seaman.
Office Hours
(U.S. Marine Corps) Non-Judicial Punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ. See Captain's Mast.
OFP
(U.S. Marine Corps) Own Fucking Program, a term given to a Marine who doesn't follow an order given or is not following the Marine Corps standard
OG
(Indian Army) Olive Green used to refer to the uniform worn, sometimes can be used to describe a person(officer/NCO) who is more strict or disciplined.
Old man, the
(U.S., U.K.) The unit commander. In practice, this term is often used even when the commander is female. A term of affection and respect. NEVER used (U.S.) in the personal presence of the Old Man. See CO.
O Early Hundred, O Dark O'clock, O Dark 30 Hours, 0 Dark Early, O Dark Stupid
(U.S., Canada) Very early morning or any time before sunrise. Also O Late Hundred, etc. for night. Often, these terms overlap - 0200 is both too early and too late.
On the double
(U.S. Navy, Marines) As quickly as possible; without delay.
On your face
(U.S. Army) Do pushups.
One Cheek Lean
(U.S. Army) To lean on a folded entrenching tool (shovel) to support one's weight while defecating.
Oorah
(U.S. Marine Corps) Term used to respond in the affirmative to a question, acknowledge an order, or generally to express enthusiasm.
Operation Full Bird
(U.S. Army) Commands given by a LTC (0-5) with the hope of being noticed by a promotion board. Used derogatively by enlisted Soldiers required to carry out the mission.
Operation Golden Flow
(U.S. Air Force) Getting called from the orderly room, first sergeant, or commander's support staff to show up and sign a form. Then the joy of visiting the health and wellness center to provide a urine sample for the cause.
ORSE
(U.S. Navy) The Operational Reactor Safeguards Exam. A 24 hour exam where the ship's ability to operate the nuclear reactor during normal and casualty situations is tested. Also the crew's knowledge is examined and all facets of nuclear system maintenance, procedures, and documentation are reviewed. (Note: The Navy's standards are usually ten times more stringent than the NRC's)
Oscar-Mike
(U.S.) On the Move, from the phonetic alphabet.
O silly hundred hours
(U.K.) Very early in the morning. Also "Zero Dark Thirty"
O Dark Thirty
(U.S.) Very early in the morning
O Dark Stupid
(Can) Very early in the morning.
Overhead
(U.S. Navy, Marines) The deck above you while aboard a ship; Used ashore to refer to the ceiling of a room, as well.
Over The Hill
(U.S.) MIA or AWOL(qv)
P[edit]
PCOD
(U.S. Air Force) "Pussy cutoff date" - 30 days prior to end of tour cessation of visits to LBFMs/massage parlors providing time to test for and treat VD. U.S. Air Force Airmen Thailand 60s.
PFA
(U.S.) "Pretty Freakin' Awesome" (coined by the band Willy Pete in their song "PFA" which refers to many military things and people who are "PFA")
Pad Eye Remover
(U.S. Navy) A non-existent tool that a new join is sent in search of to remove the "pad-eyes" from a flight deck of an aircraft carrier or flight line while ashore. Pad-eyes are the circular cut-outs in the deck which contain metal rungs for use in securing an airplane via use of tie-down chains. See Keys to the Ship, Mail Buoy Watch and Snipe Hunt.
Padre
(U.S.) Chaplain.
pai-kar pai-chew
(Singapore) "The sick and the crippled", those with a profile. Sometimes slurred to Pikachu.
P.A.P.E.R. C.L.I.P
(U.S.) People Against People Ever Re-enlisting�Civilian Life Is Preferred. Also People Against People Ever Re-enlisting Civilian Life Incentive Program. An acronym often used by military personnel whose enlistment is almost finished and have a cynical and jaded take on their time left in the military. Often this person will wear a paper clip on the brim of their hat as an act of defiance or snubbing of military authority. Marine Corps often wear the paper clip inside their cammie blouse where most people keep a pen. Some have gone so far as to take a large paperclip and put it in their blouse pocket and iron over it repeatedly so the outline is visible.
PBI
(British, WWI) Poor Bloody Infantry
Pea Shooter
(U.S. Army) 1. Term used by 155mm Artillery Cannon Crewmembers referring to the much smaller and less powerful 105mm Artillery Cannons. 2. Term used by Artillerymen for anything less powerful than a Howitzer. Example: M-16 Rifle or Mortars.
Peacock
(U.S.) Has every certification bag or tab authorized to wear on the uniform of the day and thinks they're better then everyone and can pick up anyone.
Pear-shaped
(U.K. ) Badly wrong or awry (as in "to go pear-shaped") . Not a military term, strictly speaking, as it is in general use by civilians in the U.K..
People Tank
(U.S. Navy) Term used by submarine personnel to refer to the interior of the submarine (see Fish Tank) .
Penguin
(U.K. RAF) Aircrews term for ground crew. "All flap and no fly."
Penis Peelers
(U.S.) Hands (U.S. synonym: Dick Beaters)
Perfect for Cleaning; Personnel for Cleaning
(U.S. Army and Marines) Unenthusiastic synonyms for Privates First Class (PFCs) in the Army and the Marine Corps.
Professional Fucking Custodian
(Marine Corps) Private First Class, usually used during field day.
Pretty Ricky
(U.S. Army) A term used to describe a well groomed soldier.
Pecker Checker: (Canada) Medical Personnel; (U.S. Navy) Hospital Corpsman. U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman are also called Pill Pusher, Dick Smith, or Chancre Mechanic. Marine Corps also uses this term for those unlucky bastards tasked with monitoring a whizz quiz.

PFCIC
(U.S.) Private First Class in Charge. used in reference to PFCs who take on more authority than they have. A play off of NCOIC.
PFM
(U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps) Pure Fucking Magic. used to explain how something works to someone who will not grasp the technical details.
Phantom Phixer
(U.S. Air Force) An F-4 Phantom mechanic.
Phone Colonel / Commander
(U.S.) An O5 or O4 who introduce him- or herself as "Colonel or Commander" over the phone in hopes of being mistaken for a the higher rank.
Pill Pusher
(U.S. Navy) Hospital Corpsman. Also called Pecker Checker, Dick Smith, or Chancre Mechanic.
Pilot
(RN) The Navigating Officer of a ship.
Pilot before Pontius.
(RAF) "I was a pilot before Pontius." (i.e., Pontius Pilate) means that the pilot is very experienced.
Pineapple
(U.S., World War II) Slang for a hand grenade, due to the pineapple-like shape of army issue Mk. II hand grenades. (U.S., pejorative) person from Hawaii (not necessarily ethnic Polynesian).
Pinger
(RN) Anti-Submarine helicopter and crew. Derived from the dipping sonar.
PINGERS
(U.S. Air Force) Persons In Need of Graduation, Education, Recreation, and Sex. Term used for young non-prior-service Air Force personnel graduated from basic training and enrolled in technical training. See also pipeliner.
Pipeliner
(U.S. Air Force) A non-prior-service Air Force member enrolled in initial technical training.
Pit
(U.S. Marine Corps) Large Sand pits at MCRD that are used for a platoon Trashing by Drill Instructors. See Thrashing.
Pitching a tent
(U.S. Navy, especially Boot Camp) One who masturbates at night under his blanket.
Plastic Bug
(U.S. Navy) Nickname for the F/A-18 Hornet.
Plat Daddy/Mama
(U.S. Army) Platoon sergeant.
Plebe
Freshman at the United States Naval Academy or United States Military Academy (a freshman at the United States Air Force Academy is a "Doolie" or a "Smack") .
PLF
(U.S. Army) Parachute Landing Fall.
PLUG
(Canada) Private Learning Under a Gun, this Soldier is so stupid he needs a gun to his head to understand (this usage is possibly a backronym for plug, which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as an "incompetent or undistinguished person"[4], usage dating to 1848)
PMCS
(U.S.) Park the Mother and Call the Shop, a play on the official meaning: Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services.
PNN
(U.S. Army) Private News Network, the rumors that spread from the grouping of privates who banter.
Po Bosun
(RN) The senior petty officer medical assistant on board a ship; po is British slang for a chamber pot, the implication being that he was in charge of emptying the chamber pots in the sickbay.
Pocket billiards
(Singapore) Walking around with one's hands in his pockets, referring to someone beating off, as in 'Stop playing pocket billiards when I'm talking to you!'
Pocket Rocket
(U.S. Air Force) A ballistic missile warfare insignia.
POG
(U.S.) Person (or personnel) Other than Grunt. Rhymes with "rogue". Used by combat arms Soldiers to describe anyone in a support Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) . Also used by infantrymen to describe anyone other than an infantryman.
Pogs
The cardboard gift certificates circulated by AAFES shops in theater during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They are used to save the cost of shipping regular U.S. coinage across seas, and resemble collectable milk caps, the most popularly produced by the "POG" company
POL
(U.S. Army) Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants. Shorthand for gasoline, diesel, or other fuel. Pronounced by letter, "Pee-Oh-Ell".
Poles in the Holes
(U.S. Navy Nuclear Program) To SCRAM the nuclear reactor.
Poo-tang
A term used to describe "pussy" during Vietnam.
Pooka
(U.S. Submarine Service) Area for storage, smaller than a closet, larger than a cabinet. Small workspace separated by partitions.
Pop Smoke
(U.S.) Call for extraction. Alternately to leave work or complete an period of service.
Pop Tart
(U.S. Air Force) An Airman whose technical training school is 6 weeks or less.
Popcorn Colonel
An O5 (Lieutenant Colonel). Called this because the insignia is an oak leaf and looks like a kernel of popcorn.
Pork chop
(U.S.) Term for the 200-round drum used with an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).
Potato Masher
(Allied, World War II) Slang for Nazi German hand grenades due to their distinctive shape.
POV
(U.S.) Privately Owned Vehicle. Pronounced, "Pee-Oh-Vee."
PowerPoint Commando / PowerPoint Ranger
A briefer notorious. for producing overly complex briefs in PowerPoint that are too long and use too many effects, such as animations and sounds.
PRC-E6 (or E7, E8, etc.)
(U.S.) A non-existent item that a new join to a unit may be sent to acquire and bring back, typically from an NCO of a particular grade (PRC is a common prefix in designations for radio or other communications equipment and is pronounced "prick". The combination of this pronunciation plus the "E-" rating makes up the joke.)
Prick-6
(U.S. Army) Vietnam-era shorthand for the PRC-6 radio carried by platoons. Also applied to the "Prick-25", a backpack carried radio used by company-sized units.
Profile
a flat piece of scenery or stage property that has been cut so as to form an outline or silhouette of an object.
Promotion Pads
(Canada) Initial issued knee pads that are never worn under any circumstance. Unless you spend your career on your knees sucking the chain-of-command's dick.
Provisional Wing of Tesco's
(U.K.) Royal Logistics Corps nickname combining Provisional IRA with a famous. supermarket in the U.K..
PT Rat
(U.S.) A servicemember who spends a large amount of time in individual PT.
Puddle Pirate
(U.S.) A member of the United States U.S. Coast Guard, so-called because of the mistaken belief that they never sail into deep water.
(Canada) A sea cadet or naval reservist.

Puff the Magic Dragon or Puff
(U.S., Vietnam War) An AC-47 air-to-ground attack aircraft.
Puking Chicken
(see Belching Buzzard) a derogatory reference to the 101st Airborne's Eagle crest.
Pull chocks
(U.S. Air Force) to leave a bar, for example to abandon a crappy party. (U.S. Navy) to leave. Refers to removing the wheel chocks when an aircraft is ready to taxi away.
Punch out
(U.S. Air Force) to eject from an aircraft. Has acquired the meaning to separate from the service, or resign from the Academy.
Purple Suiter
(U.S.) A person who is serving in an all-service (Army, Navy and Air Force) position. An example would be a Naval officer who manages fuel for all military units in an area or major command.
Purple Trade
( Canada) A support trade, such as an admin clerk, driver, medical officer, etc. Support trades are shared by all three services in the Canadian Forces.
Puzzle Palace
(U.S.) The National Security Agency headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland. This comes originally from the book titled The Puzzle Palace written by James Bamford about the National Security Agency.
Pump and Dump
(All services) . To use the bathroom.
PX Ranger
(U.S. Army) . A Soldier who purchases and wears badges, tabs, and insignia without having graduated from the appropriate corresponding schools, usually without the approval of the chain of command.
Q[edit]
QM
(Canada) Quartermaster- specifically a building or area within a base or facility where equipment and material requisitions can be made, not necessarily referring to the person or persons responsible for a unit's supplies.
quarterdecking
(U.S. Marine Corps) The act of performing physical training as a minor punishment in boot camp. This takes place in a portion of the recruit barracks known as the quarterdeck.
Quarterlies
(Singapore) Expendable/consumable stores (such as boot polish) that are issued to Soldiers every quarter year by the quarter master.
Quarter-ton truck
(U.S., WW2 to 1980s) Official designation of a jeep.
Queen
(U.S. Navy 1980s) Title given to the Sailors who do the domestic duties. A Sailor could be the berthing queen if he is assigned to cleaning the berthing compartment or the laundry queen if he does the laundry. This is as opposed to the king who has more manly duties.
Queep
(U.S. Air Force) Paperwork and other bureaucratic tasks that detract from time that should be spent flying.
Queer
(U.S. Navy) Nickname for the EA-6 Prowler due to its unique double stacked side-by-side seating arrangement.
Queertrons
(U.S. Air Force) "queer" electrons that cause avionics to behave oddly or malfunction.
R[edit]
R2-D2
(Canada) An aircraft back-ender (non-pilot) , (U.S.) C-RAM gun emplacements, or (U.S. Navy) Phalanx CIWS (also called cheese-whiz). Reference to Luke Skywalker's droid in the X-Wing from Star Wars. (U.S Army, Maintenance) A hand pump apparatus that is used to fill motors or hubs with oil.
Racing spoon
(UK) Spoon for eating rations very quickly whilst in the field.
Rack
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Bed.
rack burn
(U.S. Navy) The imprint on someone's face after waking up from the Navy-issue lightweight blankets that look something like grill marks on meat. This is implied towards a Sailor who seems to spend too much time sleeping.
rack ops
(U.S. Marine Corps) The time for sleep, if permitted, while in the field.
rack PT
(U.S. Marine Corps) Refers to either skipping unit or section PT in favor of staying in bed. Pussy Time.
radioing the logs
(U.S. Navy) Recording engineering log data via mental telepathy (see "Xoxing Logs" below) .
Raf
(U.K.) The Royal Air Force, as pronounced acronymically.
Raghead
(U.S., U.K.) Popularized by the Gulf and Iraq wars. A term referring to the enemy, or any terrorist.
Railroad Tracks
(U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force) Captain's insignia (2 bars linked together at the top and bottom, Lieutenant in Navy and U.S. Coast Guard).
Rainbow Flight
(U.S. Air Force) Refers to a brand-new flight of Trainees in Basic Military Training, whom are characterized by the "rainbow" of civilian clothes prior to being issued uniforms.
Ranger beads
(U.S. Army) A string of pace count beads used during orienteering exercises.
Ranger blanket
(Canada) A lightweight thermal blanket. The first ones used were poncho liners imported from the United States military.
Ranger file
(U.S. Army) Single file line.
Ranger grave
(U.S. Army) Slang, slightly pejorative term for a hasty fighting position, so named because it is barely deep enough for an individual to lie prone in.
Ranger roll
(U.S. Army) A patrol cap with the top rolled slightly under so that the cap sits higher on the head.
Ranger TV
(U.S. Army) Fire.
Rat Fuck
(U.S.) Term used for the action of going through a MRE box before chow time selecting the best meal for oneself. Also used to describe taking preferred items out of MRE's. Could also be used to describe a random mess.
RCH
(U.S. Air Force) Red Cunt Hair. Means a very small quantity, tiny amount, or just a little bit.
RCPO
(U.S. Navy) Recruit designation in Navy Boot Camp, pronounced Are-Pock, for Recruit Chief Petty Officer. Normally, all recruits get a chance to be RCPO for one day when everyone else realizes that they suck at it. Next day, a new RCPO is chosen. The one who remains last is normally the guy who is too scared to say he can't do it, so he sticks with it. Typically this job is volunteered for by those who will eventually be labeled 'diggits' by others. (See 'diggit') .
Rear-D
(U.S.) Rear Detachment, the part of a unit that stays home when the unit is deployed.
Recce
(Canada, U.K., and Commonwealth) Reconnaissance. Traditionally used by Commonwealth militaries, though beginning to find more common usage in the United States. In South Africa, the term "Recces" colloquially refers to the South African Special Forces Brigade.
Rectal Cranial Inversion
(U.S.) To have one's head up one's ass. Also "Cranial Rectosis."
Redleg
(U.S.) An artilleryman. Refers to red leggings worn by some artillerymen in the 19th century.
red-light ranger
(U.S.) A Soldier who spends much of his pay at the red-light district.
red on red
(U.S.) Describes a situation when two enemy groups fight each other, leaving the U.S. force in advantage. Ex. Al-Qaeda terrorists fighting Sunni insurgents in Al Anbar, Iraq.
red star cluster
(U.S.) A distress call; literally refers to the hand-launched red pyrotechnic signal flare. In non-combat situations, acknowledgement of a precarious situation or need for help. A humorous derivation is brown star cluster for metaphorical panicked defecation.
regimental groundsheet
(Canada; pejorative) A promiscuous. female Soldier. "Groundsheet" is a term for a tarpaulin-like sheet used either for shelter or, in this case, protection from wet or cold ground; "regimental", in this case, refers to scope of usage.
Relish Suit
(Canada) Informal nickname used by some to refer to the temperate woodland Canadian Disruptive Pattern (CADPAT) uniforms.
REMF
(U.S., U.K. and Canadian Army) Rear Echelon Motherfucker. This is a term used negatively to describe a Soldier who is safely far from the front lines, such as a paper-pusher, support personnel or aide to a general.
Rent-A-Crowd
Often used in reference to farewell ceremonies or changes of command, this refers to a crowd that is gathered to attend an optional function only because they were ordered to.
Repple Depple
(U.S.) Replacement Depot. Any given assigned location near an area of operations where replacement troops are sent prior to assignment, or where troops are sent prior to rotation back home.
Retarded Over-Trained Children
(U.S.) Reserve Officer Training Corps or R.O.T.C. Pejorative.
Rhino
(U.S.) A nickname for the F-4 Phantom II, in reference to its, for the time, large radome.
Ricky Boxing
(U.S. Navy, especially Boot Camp) One who spends much of his day (and possibly night) beating off. Also: Ricky Boxing Champion would refer to a Recruit who beat off the most during Boot Camp.
Ricky Fishing
(U.S. Navy) Similar to Ricky Boxing above, only applicable for females.
Ricky Ninja
(U.S. Navy) A Sailor recruit in boot camp who does any variety of nefarious. things, particularly at night or when they have little chance of being caught. Activities could include, (but are not limited to,) stealing, vandalism, hazing, etc. In this form, it is derogatory. In a more jocular form, it can be used to refer to a fellow Sailor, or even yourself. Typically used during "service week" (week 5 of Naval boot camp, when a recruit is given an assigned task in various areas of the base) if the recruit works the mess hall and sneaks away to shirk one's duties, or "steal" cereal boxes or food for oneself or their friends.
Ricky Recruit
(U.S. Navy) A new Sailor, especially in boot camp, that exemplifies the "perfect Sailor" by never messing up, always following orders, etc.; much to the chagrin of his or her fellow recruits. May be jocular or pejorative, but mostly used as a derogatory term.
Ripple
(U.S. Navy) Female NCO
Ring knocker
(Pejorative) A military academy graduate, particularly one who calls attention to the fact.
RMO
Round Metal Object; slang for "coin" - specifically the unit's challenge coin.
ROAD
(U.S.) Retired On Active Duty. The condition of having no motivation and productivity within months of retirement. Invariably pejorative.
ROMFT
(Royal Navy) Roll On My F****** Time. The condition of having no motivation and productivity within months of retirement.
rock
(U.S.) A particularly stupid Soldier. From "Dumber than a box of rocks". Ironically, the term Sergeant Rock, based on the name of a comic, is a term for a heroic combat Soldier.
rock
(RAF) Member of the RAF Regiment (shortened form of rock ape)
rock and roll
(U.S.) The fully automatic fire setting on a weapon. "The M16 selector switch has three settings: safe, semi-automatic, and rock-and-roll."
rock apes
(RAF) The RAF Regiment, stereotyped in the RAF as being rather stupid. It does not come from the barbary apes of the Rock of Gibraltar, who were fed by the RAF Regiment during World War II, but rather from an incident when one rock officer shot another having mistaken him for a rock ape.
rocks and shoals
(U.S. Navy) Navy rules and regulations.
roll in on
(U.S. Air Force) To engage in the initial maneuver of an attack.
ROP's
(British Army) Restriction of Privileges
Rotorhead
(U.S.) Term for helicopter aviators
Roundel Airways
(British Army) The RAF, from their aircraft identification markings.
Rounds Complete
(U.S. Army) Finished.
RPG
(U.S. Army) Rape Prevention Glasses (see BCG), a pun based on the Soviet RPG series of Rocket Propelled Grenades. Issue eyeglasses of the 1960's-1980's (same style as Buddy Holly or Elvis Costello), replaced in the 1980's by an even less stylish version frequently worn by Japanese and/or English businessmen in the 1970's.
RTB
1. (U.S.) Term meaning "Return To Base." Usually used when a mission is finished, supplies are exhausted, or base wants to regroup.
2. (U.S. Air Force Academy) "Rag Tag Bastards"; any graduating class which has red as its class color. Each class is either a gold, silver, blue, or red class, when the senior class graduates, their class color is passed to the incoming class.
run money
(U.S.) 19th Century Navy term for a reward paid for the return of a deserter.
Rupert
(U.K.) Slang for Officer. Not always derogatory.
Ruptured Duck
(U.S.) The Honorable Service award given to U.S. service members who were discharged under honorable conditions during or just after World War II. Also used to describe the recipient; refers to the awkward appearance of the spread-wing eagle of the emblem.
RTU
(U.K. and Canada) "Returned To Unit"�sent back to the home regiment or base from a specialized training establishment as the result of failure or disciplinary action. "After the mess had been cleared up there was only one outcome � RTU!"
S[edit]
sabo
(Singapore) Short for "sabotage". To cause trouble for one's fellow soldiers, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Often used of soldiers who cause their group to suffer collective punishment. A frequent offender is known as a "sabo king". See Blue Falcon.
sad sack
(U.S.) WWII-era term used to describe an individual, typically an officer, who makes military life unnecessarily difficult. This is typically done via over-and-above adherence to military regulations.
Saikang warrior
(Singapore) Refers to one who is volunteered by superiors to do (usually) menial work.
Sammy
(U.S. Army) Term referring to a Somalia native. Used in the early 1990's by Soldiers deployed there.
sandbag
(Ireland) Term referring to reserve Soldier.
sandbagging
(U.S. Army, Canada) Term referring to a Soldier who is performing his duties inefficiently or with laziness. Ex: "That Soldier is sandbagging it." [see "goldbricking," "shitbagging"]
sandbox
(U.S.) Informal term for a forward deployed location. Also a miniature model of an area for troops to study for familiarization before an operation.
sand nigger
(U.S.) An Arab person. Highly pejorative and offensive.
Sarge
(U.S., U.K.) Informal for Sergeant. Sometimes objected to by sergeants, and largely outdated.
Sarnt
(U.S. Army, Canada, and U.K.) Slang mispronunciation of Sergeant.
sat
(U.S.) Satisfactory, as opposed to Unsat.
(U.K.) Soldier Awaiting Training - Soldier who is not currently posted awaiting training.
SBO
(Singapore) Skeletal Battle Order; officially refers to an infantryman's basic combat equipment, without field pack or field supplies. In slang usage, refers specifically to the old-style combat webbing and attached pouches, as opposed to the newer MOLLE-compatible load-bearing vest which is currently replacing it.
scablifter
(U.K. RN) Medical branch rating.
scaly, or scaly back
(U.K.) A signaler. It is suggested that this term comes from the figure of Mercury on their cap badges, who appears to have fish-like scales on his back. An alternative version is that it is related to the fact that old radios used to leak battery acid on the back of the man carrying it - hence they had a scaly back.
scoff
(U.K.) Food.
scope dope
(U.S.) Radar or sonar operator who spends his/her days staring at a screen.
scrambled eggs
(U.S.) The decorations on the brim of a field-grade officer's dress uniform cap.
(U.K.) The gold oak leaves on senior officers' cap peaks.
scran
(U.K. RN/RM) Food.
scraper
(RAF) Thin band in the centre of a squadron leader's rank badge.
screen-saver face
(Singapore) To be dreaming when one is supposed to be alert. Also 'Stone'
screw the pooch
(U.S. Military and civilian) To badly err or mess up. (Canada) To shirk one's duties. Used as an euphemism for dog fucking (see Dog Fuck.)
screwed, blued and tattooed
(U.S. Navy) Used to describe common liberty activities in some ports. Getting "Screwed, blued and tattooed" can imply a fun liberty, one where someone got in trouble for various. reasons, or one where the Sailors simply saw everything there was to see in a given port.
scrounge
(U.S. Navy) A Sailor who does not keep his body clean. (U.S. Army & Air Force) A very important member of a unit, a Soldier who can obtain any materials and/or equipment, usually by other than normal channels.
scuttlebutt
(U.S. Navy) Rumor or gossip, deriving from the nautical term for the cask used to serve water (or, later, a water fountain). See scuttlebutt.
seabag
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Issue green canvas or cordura bag used to transport personal effects.
seabag drag
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Routine of travel referring to the waiting period often encountered when transferring flights or waiting assignment to flight manifest.
sea daddy
(U.S./U.K. Navy) A senior enlisted man who acts as a guide to a junior (usually a "newbie"), showing him the ropes and guiding his early career. The civilian police equivalent is called a "rabbi".
sea donkey
Pejorative. A Derogatory term for a female Sailor.
seagull Colonel
A colonel who swoops in, makes a mess on (craps on) everything, and swoops out again.
sea hag
A Derogatory term for a female Sailor.
sea pup
(U.S. Navy) The junior enlisted who is guided by the Sea Daddy.
sea lawyer
(U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, RN) A Sailor, probably too smart for his own good, who thinks he knows all of the regulations and quotes them to get out of either work or trouble. Other U.S. and U.K. military equivalent is "Barrack Room Lawyer" (U.K.), and "Barracks Lawyer" or, more crudely, "Shithouse Lawyer" (U.S.).
Sec(k) Daddy/Mama
(U.S.) Section sergeant.
seen
(Canada infantry) Used as a confirmation for a visual reference; used to confirm understanding of orders, similar usage as Hooah
self-loading cargo
Passengers boarding a transport aircraft.
semi-skimmed
(U.K. Royal Marines) Referring to their Green Berets, due to green lidded semi-skimmed milk cartons and bottles available in the U.K..
semper fu
(U.S. Marine Corps) Refers to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, the hand-to-hand combat system used by the Marines, which has different levels of belts (tan, grey, green, brown, black) for different levels. Combination of "Semper Fi" and "kung-fu".
Senior Airman of the Air Force
(U.S. Air Force) An overzealous. Senior Airman.
Sergeant Rock
(U.S.) Based on the name of a comic book, is a term for a highly competent and heroic combat Soldier.
Serve And Fuckoff
(Singapore) Backronym for the Singapore Armed Forces, generally used by conscript soldiers whose primary concern is to finish their obligation and get back to civilian life. Not to be used within earshot of senior NCOs or officers.
severn nursery
(U.S.) refers to the United States Naval Academy located on the banks of the Severn River in Maryland. A pejorative used by Navy enlisted personnel.
shack
(U.S. Air Force) A direct hit against a ground target, often used as praise.
shack rat
(Canada) A term used to describe promiscuous. female civilians who come to military barracks to sleep with random Soldiers.
shacks
(Canada) Barracks.
shamurai
(U.S.) A master of shamming.
sham shield
(U.S. Army) A term used for the Army's Specialist rank. Meaning that a Specialist can now get privates to do their work. Also, because a specialist is not accountable for anything, but still has authority. Also known as a chicken on a platter, because of the eagle in the middle of the shield.
Sharkfin
(U.S. Air Force) used at Beale AFB, including accompanying deployed locations and S. Korea, referring to a particular person that cannot perform his duties adequately, namely in aircraft maintenance.
shavetail
(U.S.) (Also spelled "shave-tail") A derogatory term for a Second Lieutenant, or for a female servicemember. Compare with "Split Tail".
Sheet Metal
(U.S. Army) Term used to describe a 15G, or Aircraft Structural Repairer.
Sheep
(Canada) A very condescending and uncomplimentary term for civilians (Civvies), especially those who do not agree with the military perspective about something.
shellback
(All English-speaking navies, originally U.K.) A Sailor who has crossed the Equator during a tour. There is a "Crossing the Line" ceremony where all Shellbacks kindly harass the new initiates - called tadpoles or pollywogs - to initiate them into the position of Shellback. The senior Shellback aboard presides as King Neptune's personal representative.
shiney-arse
(U.K.) Regimental Admin Officers and those in similar desk-bound posts. The green polyester "barrack trousers" formerly worn by Army office workers did indeed acquire a certain shine to the seat after prolonged contact with an office chair.
Shiny guys/Shiny
(U.S. Army) Officers. Also see Brass.
shipwreck tech
Mildly derogative term for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Common among graduates of West Point.
Shirt
(U.S. Air Force) Respectful term to address an Air Force First Sergeant. For example, "Hey Shirt, got a minute?"
Shitbird
(U.S. Marine Corps)Derogatory name for a Marine that is not squared away in appearance or discipline.
shit hot
(U.S.) Outstanding, hardcore, tactically proficient. For example, "Second platoon was looking shit hot today in the shoot house."
Shithook
(U.S.) CH-47 'Chinook' cargo helicopter.
shitmate
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Derogative term Used often by Marines when referring to Navy Sailors.
shit pump
(Canada) Often used to refer to an incompetent soldier.
shit on a shingle
(sometimes abbreviated S.O.S.) (U.S.) Chipped beef on toast.
shit patrol
(U.S. Army) Term used to describe being selected for latrine duty in the field or the practice of burning the buckets of shit, with diesel fuel, collected from the field latrines. To be selected means you have "shit patrol".
shit pump
or pump (Canada) A person who displays a poor attitude, meets the bare minimum standard, an overall bad Soldier. "Bloggins is a real shit pump".
shoe
(U.S. Navy) Short for "black shoe", a surface warfare officer. Pejorative. Compare "brown shoe".
shoe clerk
(U.S. Air Force) Someone who works a desk job in the military, has no idea what military operations really are, is convinced that his relatively meaningless, bureaucratic job is the most important function in the military, and causes the people doing the real mission to waste time and resources on his petty, trivial tasks. See queep.
shooting pool with the Captain
(U.S.) A U.S. Navy term for captain's mast (non-judicial punishment presided by the unit commanding officer) . This refers to the green felt cloth draped over the commanding officer's table during mast. The green cloth is a tradition dating to the Royal Navy in the 15th century that is symbolic for the Captain's mastery of the seas.
shovel patrol
(U.K.) Leaving your Unit area with a spade in order to defecate.
short or short-timer
(U.S.) Term coined during Vietnam era to describe personnel approaching the end of their tour and/or term of service. Usually announced in an obnoxious and rowdy manner � examples: "I'm so short I had to parachute out of bed this morning and accidentally landed in my boot!", "I'm so short I could sit on a piece of paper and dangle my legs over the edge!" Modified into "short-timer" in the modern military era.
Short Bus
(U.S.) The MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protectant) vehicle, because of its appearance.
shower-shoe
(U.S.) Pair of rubber sandals (a.k.a. "flip-flops") issued to recruits to prevent infections from the use of community or shared showers. See also Jesus. shoes. Also used as a slightly pejorative term for junior servicemember. Comes from the perception that new personnel still wear their footwear in the shower, as mandated in boot camp or basic training.
shower tech
(U.S. Navy) Pejorative term for Sonar Technicians who are perceived to never get dirty from their work, which mostly involves sitting in front of computer screens and seem to have a lot of off-watch time as compared to other enlisted rates, hence the ability to take a shower whenever.
Shut up and Color
Often told to someone of equal or lower rank, telling them to quit complaining. See also 'Suck Thumb'.
sick, lame and lazy
The group of military personnel on 'sick call' or excused from duty for injury or illness -- a half-joking reference to malingering.
sickbay commando
(U.S.) A servicemember found often in sickbay (a hospital or infirmary) , usually in lieu of difficult work or PT.
sick-call ranger
(U.S. Army) someone who is "hardcore" about malingering. Also, the more-recent 'sick-call ninja', 'master of malingering', 'clinic ninja' or 'profile ranger'.
Sierra Hotel
1. Shit's Hot- Refers to actions that are particularly awesome or high-speed. Used as a compliment when someone is doing well.
2. The NATO phonetic alphabet abbreviation for Shit Hot. It is considered high praise and is the pilot's favorite and all-purpose expression of approval. For example, "That Sierra Hotel pilot just shot down six MiGs and an ICBM!" This is the "polite" military way to say that something is very impressive, and has come into use outside the military.
Sierra Tango Foxtrot Uniform
Shut The Fuck Up (NATO phonetic alphabet).
sig
(U.S. Navy) A signature on a qualification card (a card that shows you are ready to stand a particular watch) . There are many, many "qual cards" in the Navy that must be completed before being allowed to take an exam or be interviewed by a board to be qualified to stand a particular watch or role. Some qual cards and their individual sigs can be easy or extremely difficult to obtain. In some cases a junior Sailor going for a sig may not only have to prove his/her knowledge to a senior crewmember, but also do something extra for that signature--such as performing a minor menial task or bringing a small bribe like a can of soda.
Silver bullet
Rectal thermometer used on boots who over heat during boot camp. Also known as a magic bullet.
Silver side
(U.S. Coast Guard) . The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which wears silver insignia of office (since Auxiliarists have no military rank). See gold side.
silly buggers
(Canada) A sarcastic reference to "playing army" when an individual must act upon the fictional events taking place in a field exercise.
"...Since Jesus was a Corporal"
(U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps) For a very long time. e.g.,: "I haven't been home since Jesus. was a Corporal."
Sith Gear
(U.S. Marine Corps) Organizational equipment issued to a Marine from his unit and kept by the Marine as personal gear, but is expected to be returned in serviceable condition upon that Marine's detachment from the unit. Usually refers to load-bearing equipment, rucksacks, body armor, helmets and other field gear. From the warrior Sith lords in the "Star Wars" franchise.
six, six and a kick
(U.S.) Six months confinement, six months loss of pay, reduction in grade to E-1, Bad Conduct Discharge; formerly the most severe penalty that could be awarded by a special court martial. A special court martial can now adjudge 12 months confinement.
Skillfully Acquire
(Canada) To steal, without the negative connotation. Used by seniors to circumvent the regulations on giving unlawful orders, i.e., stealing.
skimmer puke
(English speaking Navies) Submariner's pejorative term for Sailors on surface warships, especially destroyers and frigates. The ships are often referred simply as "targets", even if speaking of one's own Navy.
skittle
(U.S. Navy) A term used by ship's crew for an Airman on an aircraft carrying vessel referring to the multi-colored candy "Skittles". Aircraft handling crew (and some ship's crew) wear colored pull-over shirts depending on their job which stands out to the majority of a ship's crewmen in plain blue uniforms.
Sleaford Technical College, Sleaford Tech
(RAF) The Royal Air Force College Cranwell
slick-sleeve
(U.S. Air Force) Lowest enlisted grade (E-1), so named because no stripe is awarded until the grade of E-2 (Airman) is achieved.
slider
(U.S. Navy) Chow hall cheeseburger.
slop bucket
(U.S. Navy) Used by Navy air traffic controllers to refer to a metal or plastic bucket that excess coffee and coffee grounds are disposed into. Each day the Slop Bucket PO (Petty Officer) - normally a non-petty officer rank, E1-E3 - is charged with disposing of the contents and cleaning the bucket for the following day. Slop Bucket PO is not a legitimate collateral duty, but still a common duty given to junior air traffic controllers prior to receiving any controller qualifications.
slope/slopehead
(U.S.) A derogatory term for an Asian enemy Soldier used extensively in Vietnam.
slow-mover badge
Purple Heart Award
SLUF
(U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy) Short Little Ugly Fucker (Clean Short Little Ugly Fellow) Description and term of affection for the A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft.
sluggie
(Ireland) Term referring to reserve Sailor.
SMACK
An acronym short for "Soldier Minus. Ability, Coordination, and Knowledge", refers to a fourth-class cadet (freshman) at the United States Air Force Academy (also called a "doolie").
Smash Pissers
(Canada) To have sex with. Ex "Man, I'd smash pissers with her any day." .
SMB (ex-Yugoslavia)
"sivo maslinasta boja" (grayish olive green color); the typical green color of army uniforms in ex-Yugoslavia.
smell your own musk
(U.S.) General term for a person acting more important than they are. Like they are getting high from smelling themselves. Common among E-4 (SPC) in leadership positions. Use started in Afghanistan. Usage: "He was talking back to me like he was smelling his own musk."
smoke (verb)
(U.S. Army) Term to describe punishment of minor offenses by means of excessive physical training. Usage: "The drill instructor smoked me for talking back." See U.S. Marine Corps term Thrashed
Smokey Bear
(U.S.) General term for a Drill Instructors' (Marine Corps), Drill Sergeants' (Army), Military Training Instructors' (Air Force) or Company Commanders' (U.S. Coast Guard) wide-brimmed hat. Properly called a campaign hat and formerly standard uniform issue in the Army and Marine Corps (per-WWII). Also called "round brown hat".
SNAFU
(U.S.) Acronym for "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up"; dating probably before World War II, Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "an expression conveying the common Soldier's laconic acceptance of the disorder of war and the ineptitude of his superiors" [5]. It began to enter the everyday American lexicon shortly after the war. It also spawned other acronyms denoting increasing states of "fucked up":
'FUMTU': Fucked Up More Than Usual
'TARFU': Things Are Really Fucked Up
'FUBB': Fucked Up Beyond Belief
'FUBAR': Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition (or Repair)
'JANFU': Joint Army-Navy Fuck-Up
Snake
(australian) Sergeant
snake eater
(U.S. Army) Special Forces
snake pit
(U.S.) An Air Force term for the TI table in a dining facility at BMT or a situation where many people are critically watching for the slightest break in protocol, usually award events or promotion ceremonies.
Snake pit
(Australian) the sergeant's mess or senior non commissioned officer mess.
sniper check
(Canada and U.S.) A salute rendered to an officer in a field environment, where salutes are normally proscribed because they identify officers to the enemy.
snipes
(U.S.) Members of the engineering crew on a naval vessel (usually submarines).
snivel gear, snivel kit
(U.S., Canada) Creature comfort items such as Gore-Tex clothing, sleeping bag, etc.
SNOB
(U.S. Navy) Acronym for Shortest Nuke On Board. The nuke on board a submarine with the least amount of time left on board; usually someone on their first and only enlistment, without any intention of re-enlisting.
snot locker
(U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) Nose.
snotty
(Canada and U.K.) An untrained subordinate officer in the Navy. A naval cadet in Canada, or a midshipman in the U.K.
SOC
(Singapore) Standard Obstacles Course. A 1600-meter course with 11 obstacles.
soup sandwich
(U.S.) Insult often used in Basic Combat Training, referring to an action, uniform or task done inefficiently or improperly. Example: "Your uniform is all messed up, looking like a soup sandwich."
soup coolers
(U.S.) refers to one's mouth."
SP
(U.S. Army) Start point. The location where and point in time when travel starts.
Sparks or Sparky
(U.S.) Anyone who deals with radios or things electronic.
speed bump
(U.S. Army) Pejorative term used by armor personnel to describe infantry. See also "crunchie."
Sperm on a Sponge
(Canada) Technical term for the individually wrapped decontamination wipes issued with CF gasmasks
Split
(Canada) derogatory reference to early female members of the Navy. Short for split-ass.
Split Tail
(U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps) derogatory reference to any female.
Spook
(U.S., U.K.) A spy. Used for anyone in the CIA, NSA, NRO, DIA, MI5 or MI6. In the military, one who deals with the gathering of electronic intelligence.
Spot
(U.S. Army) An ROTC cadet or Warrant Officer 1. See "Dot." Derogatory
Spotlight Ranger
(U.S. Army) One who puts forth his best effort only when he is receiving attention.
Sprocket Grease
(U.S.) Term used by tracked vehicle operators referring to foot Soldiers.
Squaddie
(U.K.) An enlisted member of the British army, lower ranks only.
(U.K.) Short for Squadron Leader
squared away
cleaned up; in military shape; ready for inspection.
squawk
(U.K.) a member of the Army Air Corps
squid/squiddly
(U.S.) A U.S. Navy Sailor. Often used with derogatory intent. Inspired naming of the cartoon character Squiddly Diddly, a squid in a Sailor suit. Squidward has also been used in recent years, lifted from the name of a character from the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon.
STAB
(British Army) Stupid Territorial Army Bastard. Pejorative Acronym.
Stacking Swivel
(U.S.) Originally parts of a military-issue rifle (the stacking swivel was located near the muzzle, in front of the forward sling swivel, and was used to hook the rifles together when stacking arms). Now used to refer to a male Soldier's throat, and always used in the phrase "pick you up by your stacking swivel" to connote that the speaker, usually a DI, metaphorically intends to bodily move you from one place to another. Example: "Son, if you don't move pronto, I'm gonna� pick you up by your stacking swivel and put you in the proper position of attention." "I'm gonna� grab you by the stacking swivel and shake the stupid out of you!"
stand tall
(U.S.) Used as a verb for to be proud, or to present a military appearance. Also can refer to having to answer to higher authority facing consequences: "Standing tall before the man."
stay frosty
(U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps) Regular term among Soldiers to both stay calm and stay alert.: "I'm not sure if these guys are friendlies or not. We might be walking into something here. Stay frosty."
Still/stills
(U.K.) Derogatory effort to work around the prohibition of another pejorative term. Denotes "Still a [fill-in],"e.g., Still a Bennie (RN), Still a Split (RN), Still a STAB (Army). Itself prohibited and superseded by Andys denoting And he's still a Bennie etc.
steam table
(U.S. Navy) A form of snipe hunt. A new join is sent to look for 30 feet of steam table.
steel beach picnic
(U.S. Navy) An party-like event held on a ship that is intended to let Sailors let off steam. Usually includes grilling food, games, music, etc.
steel pussy
(U.S. Navy) Heavy duty steel wool, often made of stainless steel, that is used to scrub pots, toilets, rust, etc.
Stone Frigate
(U.K., Canada) Term for a Naval shore establishment.
Stonewallers
(CSA) Term for 116th Infantry Regiment, commanded by Thomas J. Jackson at First Manassas during the American Civil War, where he earned the nickname "Stonewall".
storm flag
(AUS) Term for flag draped over coffin at military funeral
(U.S. ARMY) Smaller sized flag flown over Posts and Major Commands during inclement weather
STRAC
U.S. Army slang term for "a well-organized, well turned-out Soldier, (pressed uniform, polished brass and shined boots)." A proud, competent trooper who can be depended on for good performance in any circumstance.
stripes
(U.S.) Enlisted rank insignia, especially E-4 and above (non-commissioned officer (NCO) ) pay grades in leadership positions.
(U.K.) NCO rank insignia.
(U.K., U.S.) Get your stripes - to be promoted to an NCO rank.
STUMP
(U.S.) "Stupid Tankers Under Mortar Protection" Acronym used by Infantry to describe Armor personnel to show that being Infantry is a harder profession.
Stupid O' Clock
(U.S.) A U.S. Army slang term that refers to any time very early in the morning. See '0 dark thirty'.
Super Wammy-dyne
(U.S. Navy) Advanced or new technology/equipment, akin to New Fangled
suck, the
(U.S.) The field, bad conditions, rotten duty, used to describe the military as a whole. One might say "embrace the suck" to tell someone to stop complaining and accept the situation.
suck it up
(U.S.) See "Suck, the" above. Similar to "embrace the suck."
suck thumb
(Singapore) Shut up and stop complaining.
Sucking Rubber
(U.S.) (Submarine Service) Extended periods wearing Emergency Air Breathing devices (EABs), a full-face air mask similar to that worn by firefighters, except fed from ship's emergency air system rather than a bottle on your back. (U.S. Air Force) Wearing the chemical warfare mask, especially in MOPP 4. "We spent two hours sucking rubber".
Suspense
(U.S. Air Force) A deadline.
Suzy or "Susie Rottencrotch
(U.S.) The girl back home. Often spends a lot of time with Jody very soon after deployment. See Jody.
Swab
(U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard) A freshman cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy; also contraction of "swabbie" (see below)
swabbie
(U.S.) A U.S. Navy Sailor. A reference to swabbing (mopping) the deck, a frequent and highly visible activity of deck division Sailors
SWAT Team
(Canada) A pejorative term for combat-arms reservists referring to their training schedule. "Some Weekends And Thursdays"
sweet Fanny Adams
(U.K.) meaning nothing, literally "sweet fuck all".
swinging dick
(U.S.) Any male military member, especially a lower-ranking enlisted male. For example, "Every swinging dick in here had better be ready to go in ten minutes!" In polite company, "swinging Richard."
Swivel Chair Partrol
(U.S.) meaning "Civil Air Patrol" (USAF Aux.)
SWO
(U.S.) Staff Weather Officer, (pron. SW-oh) generally refers to any USAF commissioned or non-commissioned officer supporting Army operations downrange or in-garrison. Term of endearment and/or derision depending on current weather forecast, usually prefaced with "F-ing" if said forecast sucks.
T[edit]
TA-50
(U.S. Army) Issued "Go to War" gear used by Soldiers during training or actual combat.
TA-100
(U.S. Army) Refers to overwhelming amount of TA-50. For example, "At Ft. Stewart, we got issued TA-100. It's twice as much."
TACP
(U.S. Air Force) Tactical Air Control Party (pron. TACK-PEA) An Airman that serves with an army unit who is a liaison to the Air Force. Main job is to call in air strikes.
T-Rats
(U.S. Army) Tray-pack field rations. Even though the Tray-packs are obsolete and are no longer issued, the term survives and is used for the UGR (Unitized Group Ration) which replaced the Tray-pack meals.
Tab
(U.K.) A term meaning marching at fast pace while carrying a full bergen and rifle (army), similar to yomp.
Tac
(U.S. Army) Short for Tactical Officer, whose role in Officer Candidate School and at the U.S. Military Academy is analogous. to a Drill Sergeant for Basic Training.
Taco
(U.S. Air Force) A grade of "Unsatisfactory" on a training sortie, derived from the taco-shape of the letter "U".
Tac-O
(U.S. Army) Pronounced the same as the dish (taco) , it is another form of Tac, but is generally Used in the absence of the Tactical Officer's presence. Example: "Hey, have you seen the Tac-O around?"
TACAMO
(U.S.) Take Charge And Move Out. TACAMO is also the Pentagon designation for aircraft which are integral to the U.S. nuclear warfare command and control system.
Tactical
(Singapore) To perform an unauthorized action in a circumspect manner. Smoking "tactically", for instance, means smoking (at an unauthorized time or place) in such a manner as to avoid detection by senior NCOs or officers.
Take a Knee
(U.S. Army) To pause or rest.
Tango
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for the letter "T" and for "Target" (or enemy). Example: "We have two Tangos at 3 o'clock � I'll take the right one."
Tango Down
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Target Down", i.e., when an enemy or target has been neutralized. Example: "The first guard is Tango Down."
Tango Mike
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Thanks much."
Tango Uniform
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Tits Up" also used by the FCC, FAA and DOD to mean killed or destroyed. (Alternative more polite translation: "Toes Up").
(U.S. Army & U.S. Marine Corps) Not in optimal condition. (e.g., The HUMVEE went Tango Uniform before we even arrived.).
(U.S. Air Force) Dead drunk.
(U.S.) Object Inverted. (Upside Down) (e.g., 'I'm turning the plane Tango Uniform to get a better look.') May be used in a more vulgar fashion as "Tits Up"
Tango Yankee
(INTL) [NATO phonetic alphabet] short for "Thank You.", commonly used over the radio. Commonly just "Tango" over the radio (for "Thanks").
Tapes
(U.K.) NCO rank insignia (i.e., stripes).
TDY
(U.S. Air Force, Army) Temporary Duty, used as an adjective ("Capt Smith is TDY this week, sir.")
Teeny Weeny Airways
(U.K.) Army Air Corps, a reference to the fact that the Regiments are equipped with Helicopters that carry very few men.
Teflon-coated
(U.S.) Excellent, especially a piece of equipment. Origin: Teflon-coated bullets, widely (but incorrectly) thought to pierce armor.
(U.K.) Nickname for someone who got themselves out of trouble (The shit didn't stick to their Teflon coating).
(Canada) Refers to the fact that untrained privates and officer cadets can't be demoted any further for doing something stupid. (If they mess this up, it doesn't matter since they're Teflon coated.)
Tekan
(Singapore) Physical training used as a minor corrective action by instructors, which usually are knock-it-downs; also refers to the process of taking down a peg a Soldier who has attitude. See cycled.
Telephone Colonel
(U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps) A lieutenant colonel.
Tender Vittles, Tender Ho's
(U.S. Navy) Derogatory term for women that make up crews of repair tenders or dry docks, based on a stereotype that they are promiscuous. Pejorative and offensive.
The World
(U.S.) Used in Vietnam by G.I.'s in reference to the United States.
The Day the Eagle Shits
(U.S.) Payday. Example: "I'm sorry I can't pay you back until the day the eagle shits."
Those people
(U.S.) Euphemism for "enemy forces" used by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War. The phrase is still widely used.
Thrashed
(U.S. Marine Corps) An extreme physical exercise routine ordered by DIs upon a recruit or Platoon for making a mistake which could last until complete exhaustion. Puddles of sweat are often the end result.
throttle-jockey
(U.S.) A jet aircraft pilot, particularly one with a penchant for speed.
Thumper
(U.S. Army and Marine Corps) Slang term for the M-79 or M-203 Grenade Launcher.
THS
(U.S. Army): "Too Hooah Syndrome." When a Soldier, especially a Platoon Leader or Noncommissioned Officer, holds himself and/or Soldiers to extreme standards of cleanliness, physical fitness, efficiency.
Thud
(U.S. Air Force) Nickname for the F-105 Thunderchief.
Tighten one's shot group
(U.S. Army) To focus. the attention of a distracted, disorganized or incompetent person, usually by applying a 'boot up the ass'.
Tighten it up
(U.S. Marine Corps) A term used to further piss off a unit during a hump.(Hump; walking with a pack approximately half your body weight from one location to another, not to be confused with the similar activities performed unto dog owners by their K9 companions.)
Titless Wave
(U.S. Navy) Derogatory term for a male clerk, or other non-combatant military occupational specialty, implying it is women's work.
Tits-Up
(U.K.)To be dead, lying on your back with your chest facing skyward, hence Tits-Up
Tommy Atkins or Tommy
A generic name for a Soldier in the British Army (now obsolete) .
Tom
(U.S. Navy) Nickname for the F-14 Tomcat.
Tooth Fairy
(U.S. Navy) a.k.a. "Fang Fairy". Slang for a Sailor in the DT (Dental Technician) rating. Self-explanatory.
Top
(U.S. Army and Marines) The First Sergeant or Master Sergeant (U.S. Marine Corps), senior enlisted man at company level.
Tore Up
(U.S. Army) A person, object or situation in disarray. Also, used as "Tore up from the floor up."
Towelhead
(U.S. and Europe) A pejorative slang term referring to an Arab person. (With the towel being their turbans)
Track Pad
1. (Canada) boil-in-the-bag omelet from ration pack. Similar in size and (reputedly) texture to the rubber pads fitted to AV tracks 2. (Canada) the rubber pad insert fitted to steel armored vehicle tracks to prevent damage to asphalt or concrete road surfaces.
Travelling Around Drunk
(U.S. Navy) On detached duty, officially termed "Temporary Additional Duty".
Tread
(U.S. Army) An officer or NCO, especially one seen as oppressing enlisted personnel.
Trench monkey
(U.S.) A member of the Army infantry. Mostly used in a derogatory way by members of other services.
trigger puller
(U.S.) A Soldier or Marine who is regularly involved in actual combat. I wouldn't want to be out in the shit without the trigger pullers with U.S..
Triple Threat
(U.S. Army) A Soldier who has the Special Forces Tab, Ranger School Tab, and Airborne Tab (worn as an integral part of the SSI) and wears all three tabs on his uniform. Also known as the "Tower of Power" due to the extreme difficulty involved in the military schools, and the "Triple Canopy" as a reference to parachuting.
TROBA
(U.S. Air Force) When ABORT is improbable, but desired. Sometimes TROBA dances are initiated, to increase the chance of an aircraft RTB.
Tube stroker
A common nickname given to mortar-men by rival units to playfully mock the mortar-man job.
Turd Chaser
(U.S. Navy) Slang for a Sailor in the HT (Hull Technician) rating. So named because most of their job aboard ship consists of fixing sewage pipe blockages.
Turd Herder
(U.S. Navy) Slang for a Seabee in the UT (Utilitiesman) rating, tasked with building and maintaining camp water supply and sanitation systems. Turd herders only need to know three things - hot on the left, shit flows downhill, and quittin' time is 1500.
Turtle fuck(ing)
(U.S. Marine Corps) Striking a Marine on his helmet with another helmet. The clunking of the two Kevlar helmets sounds like two empty shells hitting. Sometimes done deliberately among friends, but often as a joke to an unsuspecting trooper.
Twenty-nine Stumps
(U.S. Marine Corps) Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, California. Often simply referred to as "the Stumps."
Two beer queer
(U.S.) A man who can't handle his liquor. Implies that he's ready to perform homosexual favors after his second beer.
Two digit midget
(U.S.) A G.I. who has less than 100 days 'in country' left before they rotate back to the U.S.A and/or before discharge. Coined during Vietnam War. See "short".
U[edit]
Uniform
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for the letter 'U'. Stands for "Unidentified". Can be an unidentified object, person, vehicle, etc. Example: "We have a Uniform dead ahead, someone move in and check it."
(U.K.) Means "Undercover", usually means a camouflaged object, vehicle or person, or a covert operative behind enemy lines. Can jokingly refer to an enemy mistakenly firing at his own people. Example: "We gotta' retrieve that Uniform without them noticing.", or "Look at that Uniform there, is he blind?!"
Un-ass
(U.S. Army) Meaning to get out of an area. As in, "Un-ass my AO." Originally Used to mean simply, "Get off your butt." Also, to dismount rapidly from a vehicle, "We un-assed the APC."
Uncle Sam's Canoe Club
(U.S.) The United States Navy.
Uncle Sam's Confused Group
(U.S.) The United States U.S. Coast Guard.
Uncle Sam's Misguided Children
(U.S.) Ironic term for the United States Marine Corps. Sometimes also the "University of Science, Music, and Culture", "U Suckers Missed Christmas", and "U Signed the Motherfuckin' Contract".
Unfuck
(U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps) To bring something or someone into proper order and accord with SOP.
Universal rounds
(Singapore Army) A fictional type of training ammunition used during platoon- or section-level infantry training when the requisitioning and firing of blanks or live rounds would be unacceptably wasteful, troublesome or hazardous. Refers to the practice of aiming one's rifle at the target and yelling "Bang!".
Unsat
(U.S.) Unsatisfactory.
US
(U.K., WWII, until 1944) Un Serviceable. Since this acronym was also used to identify a major ally, this particular usage became politically unacceptable but unofficially continued in use.
V[edit]
Vandoo or Van Doo
(Canada) Nickname for the Royal 22e R�giment, based on the English perception of the French pronunciation for "22" (Vingt-deux); said to have lead the Germans to believe the regiment was named Voodoo Regiment during WWI or WWII.
Vasco
(RN) Navigator of a private or capital ship; probably derived from Vasco da Gama.
VFR direct
(U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy) To circumvent normal chains of communication or command; for example, "I can't believe the butterbar went VFR direct to the Old Man!" From "Visual Flight Rules", meaning to take the most direct route; said to also be a jocular acronym for "Visually Follow Railroads."
Vice
(U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps) Used in speech in place of the word "versus" or the phrase "as opposed to". For example: "I'd prefer a night operation vice day". Of uncertain origin but widespread in DON speech.
Viper
(U.S. Air Force) What F-16 Pilots affectionately call the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (An allusion to the fighter from Battlestar Galactica)
Volun-told
(U.S., Canada) A supposedly optional event, award, assignment, or activity in which a person (or persons) are required to attend either by persons-in-charge nominating them or their peers expecting them to be there. The individual often has no say in the matter, and non-attendance is frowned upon.
W[edit]
WAFU
(Royal Navy) Member of the Fleet Air Arm. Originates from carrier deck crews wearing surcoats with WAFU to denote them as 'Weapon and Fuel Users'. Used in a more derogatory fashion by the RN surface fleet as "Wet And Fucking Useless". Used internally within the Fleet Air Arm for "Women All Fancy Us".
WAG Fuel load
(U.S. Air Force) "Wild Ass Guess" Fuel load. Typically used by Job Control ("JC" or "Control") with heavy transport aircraft i.e., (Lockheed C-5 "Galaxy") to describe the estimated fuel load if none is given by flight operations (i.e., 10,000 "WAG"). The "WAG" fuel load assures the aircraft has at least the minimum fuel required to rapidly deploy if necessary.
walking pajamas
(U.S. Air Force, possibly other branches) Flight suit.
walking mattress
(U.S.) Derogatory term used to describe a woman Marine, a.k.a. WM
Wall-to-wall counseling
(U.S.) Used to describe the assault of a subordinate in response to poor performance and/or insubordination.
Walt
(U.K.) Short for Walter Mitty. Fantasists who lie about their military service, frequently pretending to be members or former members of elite units such as the SAS or SBS, or to have taken part in military operations or committed acts on the battlefield which never occurred.
Wank Chariot
(U.K.) Sleeping bag.
waste of money
(U.S.) Derogatory term used to describe a woman Marine, a.k.a. WM
Warthog
(U.S.) The A-10 Thunderbolt II.
wavy navy
(U.K. and Commonwealth) Pre-1952 referring to the naval reserve of the Royal Navy and its empire/dominion counterparts (Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, Royal Australian Naval Reserve, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, etc.). Historically, the Reserve officers wore rank stripes that were wavy, denoting reserve status. from a regular Navy officer.
Wayang
(Singapore) to work hard or exercise discipline only in front of authority. The derivation of this term is from the Malay/Indonesian word for a shadow puppet show. A soldier who makes a habit of wayang-ing is a Wayang King; compare Spotlight Ranger.
Weather Guesser
(U.S. Navy) Slang for a Sailor in the AG (Aerographers Mate) rating. Weather forecasters. Self-explanatory.
Weaponette
(pl: Weaponettes) Pejorative term for a submarine's Weapons Department members as used by Navy/Ops or Engineering, usually when they want their stolen tools back
weekend warrior
1. (U.S.) A National Guard member or reservist.
2. (Canada) A Canadian Armed Forces reservist
3. (U.K.) British Territorial Army- since pressed into service in overseas war zones alongside regular troops
...when "Centurion" was a rank, not a tank
A long time ago. Falling out of usage as the Soldiers who can actually remember Centurion tanks retire from service.
What the piss trainee
(U.S.) A phrase yelled by Military Training Instructors (MTIs) in the U.S. Air Force when a trainee messes up. Ex. "What The Piss Trainee/Airman" or "What The Fricken Piss Airman"
Whiskey Charlie
(Germany) NATO phonetic alphabet for "water-closet" (Toilet) - not used that much.
Whiskey Delta
(U.S.) NATO phonetic alphabet for "Weak Dick". Derogatory term used to describe someone who is not up to the task.
WOFTAM
(Australia) Waste of fucking time & money - usually refers to a useless soldier
Whiskey Locker
(U.S. Marine Corps) A closet in MCRD squad bays used to store hygiene gear and to hold private "Motivational Speeches" See thrashings.
whiskey Pete
(U.S.) White Phosphorus.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot or WTF
(U.S., U.K.) , What the Fuck (NATO phonetic alphabet) .
whites
1. (Canada) Coverall-like camouflage used during winter season, usually of uni-white appearance. Worn over the combat uniform, they blend in the snow.
2. Naval white dress uniform.
3. (Canada) Ceremonial white webbing and accoutrements.
whoop
(U.S. Army) Same meaning as "Hooah," although it is considered to be the war cry of the U.S. Army Rangers.
wife
(Singapore) A Soldier's rifle.
Willy Peter
(U.S.) White Phosphorus.
wimp
(U.S. Army). Weak, Incompetent, Malingering Pussy. Ranger School slang, circa Ranger 5. 1969.
Winchester
(U.S. Air Force) Out of a particular type of ammunition (e.g., "Negative, we are Winchester Hellfire.") or all ammunition (if no type is specified).
wing king
(U.S. Air Force) An informal term for the Wing Commander.
wing weenie
(U.S. Air Force) A pejorative term for a staffer at Wing Headquarters.
Wire Biter
A name given to wire-rates such as Electronics Technicians.
wire dawg (U.S. Air Force)
Telephone maintenance.
The Wizard
Aka "The Sandman", a psychological therapist who helps post traumatic or stressed military patients overcome psychological difficulties.
WOG
1. (Canada) Same as "pog". A person (or personnel) in a combat service support trade, not a front-line Soldier. "Without gun" is Usually a derogatory term used by combat arms Soldiers.
2. (U.K.) In Victorian times, a derogatory term for alien or dark-skinned inhabitants of the British Empire. It is probably a shortened version of the term golliwog, although the backronym 'Worthy Oriental Gentleman' is sometimes attributed to it.
3. (U.S. Navy) A "pollywog", or a person who has not yet crossed the equator aboard a ship. Only used in the weeks leading up to "wog day", or the Crossing the Line Ceremony (see Shellback).
wog stopper
(British Army) A Large Caliber Round - usually 7.62 or above.
woobie
(U.S. Army) Slang for the poncho-liner that is used as a "blankey" instead of its proper use when you sleep. Often regarded as the "softest thing the Army issues". It is called a woobie because "you woobie cold without it" Also called a 'woobie' because that was the name of Kenny's security blanket in the 80's movie 'Mr. Mom'
Wookie
(U.S. Marine Corps) Term used to describe a female Marine. Uncommon
woodentop
(U.K.) Nickname for Soldiers from the British Army Household Division. Consists of The Welsh, Scots, Irish, Coldstream and Grenadier Guards Foot Battalions, The Life Guards and Blues and Royals Cavalry Regiments and the Royal Horse Artillery.
woollie pullie
(U.K.) Woollen Pullover, the old-style thick military sweater.
WTFO
(U.S.) "What the fuck, over?" A question often implying disbelief, confusion, or discontent. The only proper response is "What the fuck, out.".
X[edit]
Xoxing Logs
(U.S. Navy) (pronounced "zoxing," derived from the trademarked Corporate name "Xerox") Entering engineering log data eerily similar to the previous. hour's log data.
XO
Executive Officer (2nd in command)
Y[edit]
Yank
American soldier
Yankee Sky Pirate
(U.S. Air Force) Enlisted aircrew. The phrase parodies Communist propaganda.
Yard birds
Chickens; also Soldiers standing around with no discernible purpose.
Yomp
(Royal Marines) To march at fast pace while carrying a full bergen and rifle.
Y-Tours
The Bundeswehr (Bundeswehr licence plate codes start with Y)
Yut-cut
A military standard haircut.
Yuuuuttt!
A term used mostly by officers and high ranking enlisted person meaning "You Undisciplined Thing". Also used as a joke between lower ranking enlisted personnel as fake motivation.
Z[edit]
Zebra
(U.S. Air Force) Refers to Senior Non-commissioned Officers (due to the number of stripes on their rank insignia)
Zero Day
(U.S. Army) The day in which a Basic Combat Training company picks up Soldiers. Also called "Pick-Up Day" by instructors or "Shark Attack" by trainees.
zero-three
(U.S. Marine Corps) Refers to Marine Corps haircut - zero inches on the sides and three inches on the top.
zero trade
(Canada) Combat arms or combat troops. The Military Occupation Code for personnel in combat zones (infantry, artillery, armored, combat engineers, and linemen) begin with zero. Not pejorative.
Zipperhead
1. (Canada) Armored Soldier (Tank crew) . Refers to the common injury among tankers of hitting their head on the hatch or other part of the tank, and having it stitched up, which look rather like zippers.
2. (U.S.) Derogatory term for Vietnamese in general and Viet Cong specifically.
3. (U.S.) Term for Soldiers who part their hair in the middle, front to back; assumed to be dope fiends.
Zipper-suited Sun God
(U.S. Air Force) a pilot. Pejorative.
Zippo raid
(U.S.) Refers to the igniting of straw huts in suspected Viet Cong villages during the Vietnam War.
Zonk
(U.S.) Refers to being released for the day at the morning's accountability formation.
Zoom Bag
(U.S. Air Force) Flight suit.
Zoomie
1. (Canada and U.S.) Member of the Air Force, akin to "Jarhead" for Marines, "Squid" for Navy, or "Grunt" for Army. Also, a student or graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.
2. (U.S. Navy) Particles of ionizing radiation (are also referred to in this manner by nuclear-trained Sailors).
See also[edit]

rande Arm�e slang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
As with all armed forces throughout history, the French Grande Arm�e of the Napoleonic Wars used a colorful and extensive vocabulary of slang terms to describe their lives, times and circumstances and express their reactions towards them.

This is a partial glossary article meant to supplement the articles on La Grande Arm�e and Military slang. Providing such information can greatly help the reader to understand and appreciate the lives of these soldiers. There are also a few terms included from the later Arm�e du Nord included here for the sake of interest and completeness.

Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A[edit]
Abbaye-de-Sot-Bougre (Abbey of drunks)
the camp prison
un abreuvoir � mouches (fly's drinking trough)
a deep gash in one's face
L'Arme Blanche (The White Weapon)
1) a cutting or thrusting weapon (such as a sword or lance) rather than gunpowder weapons like firearms or cannon. 2) The cavalry, especially hussars and lancers.
Les autres chiens (the other dogs, pun for autrichiens, French for Austrians)
Austrians
Avoir de la garnison (having a garrison)
to have lice
Avoir des engelures aux yeux (having frostbitten eyes)
to be afraid during an attack
avoir sa pente (to have one's slope)
to be a drinker.
B[edit]
la bamboche (lit. the marionette, fig. debauchery)
The Legion of Honour.
un beau sabreur (a fine swashbuckler)
a Hussar.
la bouffarde (the puffer)
a short-stemmed pipe.
briscard (from brisque, insignia of a rehired soldier)
a veteran campaigner. From the inverted chevron worn on the upper sleeve to indicate their veteran status.
brise-muraille (wall-breaker, or fort-breaker)
artilleryman
le brutal (the brutal one)
Artillery.
un bulletin (bulletin/report)
a liar
C[edit]
Les Carabins (Sawbones)
Surgeons.
Le Casse-Poitrine (Gut Breaker)
Strong drink.
Les C�leris (Celery Eaters)
Commissary officers.
Le Chapeau (The Hat)
Napoleon Bonaparte.
La charmante (the charming [woman])
mange/scabies
Le Cheval Brutal (Brutal Horse)
Horse artillery.
La C�te de Boeuf (Rib of Ox)
A sabre.
Les Cousins de l'Empereur (The Emperor's cousins)
Corsicans.
Un Cr�ne (Skull, referring to the brain within)
An experienced campaigner.
Le Crucifix � Ressort (Springed Crucifix)
A pistol.
Le Coucou (Cuckoo)
A French eagle.
Le cul-de-singe (monkey's arse)
the round, red, insignia patch on a grenadier's bearskin cap
Les Cupidons (little Cupids)
Russian Bashkir archers
D[edit]
La D�bine
Poverty.
D�filer en Parade (March Off)
To die in battle.
D�jeuner � la fourchette (lunch on a fork, or eating lunch with a fork)
a bayonet attack
Descendre la Garde (Drop One's Guard)
To die in battle.
Dur � cuire (lit. "hard to cook", tough guy)
An experienced campaigner.
Dur Cormant (Hardwood)
Beef.
E[edit]
embrass� par une demoiselle (kissed by a young lady)
wounded by a cannonball
�tre mis aux mites (put in with the moths)
Jailed.
�tre ab�m� (being damaged)
To be wounded.
F[edit]
Faire une Bosse (To make a Bump)
Eat well.
La F�te (The Party)
War.
La fl�te a gros bec (the big-mouthed flute)
Artillery
Un Frileux (One who is sensitive to cold)
A frightened soldier.
Friser (To Graze)
A near miss.
G[edit]
G�nies (g�nie has many French definitions -- Genie, wizard, genius, engineer)
Military engineers
Gilets de Fer (Steel Vests)
Cuirassiers.
un gigot (a leg [as in leg of lamb])
an ugly or botched amputation
Les Goddams (the "god damns")
British infantry.
Les Grands Chapeaux (The Big Hats)
Napoleon and his Marshals
Les Grognards (The Grumblers/Growlers)
Imperial Old Guards.
Gros Talons (Big Heels)
Cuirassiers.
H[edit]
Heureux comme un poisson sur la paille (as happy as a fish in the hay)
to be depressed
Hypoth�que (Mortgage)
Be wounded.
I[edit]
Les Immortels (Immortals)
Imperial Guardsmen.
J[edit]
Le Jus de l'Arbre (Sap of the Tree)
Wine.
K[edit]
Les Kaiserlicks (from kaiserlich, "Imperial")
Austrian infantry.
L[edit]
Lampion (Chinese Lantern)
Napoleon Bonaparte's cocked hat. Derived from the similar sounding "L'Empereur".
M[edit]
Marchand de mort subite (merchant of sudden-death)
the Master-at-Arms
Marche � Regret (Unwilling walker/marcher)
Conscript.
Marche � Terre (Walks on land, or land-walker)
Foot slogger.
marcher � la queue au loup (marching holding the wolf's tail)
a night march (soldiers would hold onto the coattails of the soldier in front)
Marie-Louise
Enthusiastic but inexperienced conscript of the 1813-15 drafts.
Mettre les Dents au Crochet (Set One's Teeth on Edge)
To be starving.
Mettre sa vaisselle � l'air (airing one's crockery)
Wearing (showing-off) one's medals
La Mie de Pain (Breadcrumbs)
Fleas.
Le mois de Napol�on (Napoleon's month)
the thirteenth month of one's tour
Le mot de Cambronne (The Word of Cambronne)
Shit! (Merde!).
Les Musikos
Brothels.
La Musique (The Music)
War.
N[edit]
La Noce (The Wedding)
War.
O[edit]
L'oiseau (The Bird)
A French eagle.
On D�chire de la Mousseline (They Are Ripping Muslin)
A Volley of Fire (by poorly drilled troops).
P[edit]
Le Patron (The Boss)
Napoleon Bonaparte.
peint � l'encaustique (painted with furniture polish)
an inexperienced hussar (they would draw moustaches on them)
Le Petit Caporal (Little (humble) Corporal)
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Le Petit Tondu (Little Shaved/Mowed One)
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Les P�kins (The Muftis)
Civilians.
Piler du Poivre (Grind Peppercorns)
Sentry duty.
pousse-caillou (pebble-pusher)
infantryman
Pousser la botte au cochon (to kick [lit. push one's boot against] the pig)
running one's sword through somebody's throat
Q[edit]
[icon] This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010)
R[edit]
Une Rafale (A gust)
A frightened soldier.
Le raisin (Grape)
Blood.
Riz-Pain-Sel (Rice, Bread, Salt)
Commissary officers.
Le Rogomme (Booze)
Strong drink.
Les Rosbifs (The Roastbeefs)
Englishmen or English soldiers. From their traditional ration of salted beef.
S[edit]
Les sans-culottes (the no-britches)
Radical left-wing partisans of the lower classes. They wore worker's pantaloons and socks rather than gentlemen's breeches and hose.
Les Sauterelles (Grasshoppers)
British riflemen, who wore green uniforms rather than the red uniforms issued to common British infantry.
Le Sauve-la-Vie (Life Saver)
Strong drink.
la savate (the old boot)
an informal punishment where a soldier who had committed an infraction against his fellows was forcibly bent over and then kicked in the buttocks by his squadmates. Typical charges were for concealing small valuables or loot, badly preparing the squad's meal, straggling on the march, or arriving too late on the battlefield. Victims were sentenced to either the "thin" or the "fat" of the boot depending on the severity of the infraction. Using the "thin" part was kicking with the sole or side of the toe (which was less painful) and using the "fat" part was stomping the target with the heel of the boot (which was more painful).
Se faire laver les cheveux avec du plomb (to have one's hair washed with lead)
to be executed by firing squad.
Les soldats � la cr�me (soldiers served with cream)
Austrian troops (because of their white uniforms).
T[edit]
Teufels ('Devils')
Prussian infantry.
Le Tondu ('The Shorn One')
Napoleon
Tourner de l'oeil (Roll One's Eyes/Faint)
To die.
Trouver (To Find)
To steal.
le trottoir � punaises (the bedbugs' sidewalk)
the ornamental fringe on a shako visor
U[edit]
[icon] This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010)
V[edit]
Vieille Moustache (Old moustache)
Veteran campaigner.
Vieille culotte (old pants)
A veteran
Vrai Bougre (True fellow)
Veteran campaigner.
References[edit]
Chandler, David, Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. London 1979
Haythornthwaite, Philip, Who Was Who in the Napoleonic Wars, London, 1998.
Categories: Military slang and jargonLa Grande Arm�e

Voice procedure
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Voice procedure communications are intended to maximize clarity of spoken communication and reduce error in the verbal message by use of an accepted normenclature. It consists of signalling protocol such as the use of abbreviated codes like the CB radio ten-code, Q codes in amateur radio and aviation, police codes, etc. and jargon.

Some elements of voice procedure are understood across many applications, but significant variations exist. The armed forces of the NATO countries have similar procedures in order to make cooperation easier and pseudo-military organisations often base their procedures on them, so some commonality exists there.

Contents [hide]
1 Words in voice procedure
2 Example usage
2.1 Aeronautical mobile procedure
2.2 Maritime mobile procedure
2.3 British Army
3 Frequency control
4 See also
5 Notes
6 External links
Words in voice procedure[edit]
See also: Procedure word
Some words with specialised meanings are used in radio communication throughout the English-speaking world, and in international radio communication, where English is the lingua franca. Note that the following list commingles incompatible terms used in different communication modes, each of which has its own terminology (e.g., no air-to-ground controller would ever use the term "10-4", a CB radio term).

10-4 � Message received; I understand; ok; all right
Affirmative / Affirm � Yes.[1][2]
Break � Signals a pause during a long transmission to open the channel for other transmissions, especially for allowing any potential emergency traffic to get through. (Not used in British Army)
Break-Break � Signals to all listeners on the frequency, the message to follow is priority. Almost always reserved for emergency traffic or in NATO forces, an urgent 9 line[3] or Frag-O. In Aviation, it signifies the end of a transmission to one call-sign and the commencement of transmission to another, e.g., "G-WXYZ Standby. Break-Break. G-ABCD Cleared to Land Runway 17" etc.
Callsign-Actual/Callsign-Niner � Sometimes an individual (generally a superior) may have a person monitor the network for them. Saying "actual" after their callsign asserts you wish to speak to the specific person the callsign is attached to. ex: calling the callsign "Headquarters" would often get junior clerk or similar. Calling (or identifying yourself as) "Headquarters-Actual" would indicate that the commander of the headquarters detachment, and thus the entire unit to which it is attached, is requested to be spoken to, or is actually speaking. (In Canadian use, this is Callsign-Niner, with "9" designating a unit commander. An individual monitoring the net but is not the actual commander may use the call-sign "Niner-Zulu". As well, the codeword "Sunray" is also used to designate a unit commander.)
Come in � You may begin speaking now
Copy (U.S.) � I heard what you just said; ok; all right.
Falcon � prefix followed by a (usually three-digit) code number for an Army creole phrase.[4]
Go ahead or Send your traffic � Send your transmission.
Interrogative � A question follows.
Mayday � Maritime/aviation distress call. Repeated three times and at beginning of every following transmission relating to the current distress situation. Has priority over urgency and safety calls.
Negative � No
Niner � For the number nine. It is used to avoid confusion with five, as the two numbers can easily be mixed up when there is a lot of static. The German word for no is "nein" ( /na?n/) and would cause confusion with the number 9.
Out � I have finished talking to you and do not expect a reply.
Over � I have finished talking and I am listening for your reply. Short for "Over to you."
Pan-pan � Maritime/aviation urgency call. Repeated three times. Has priority over safety calls.
Reading you Five / Loud and clear / Your signal is clear; 5�5.
Ready to Copy � Write down (e.g., "Prepare to copy" - I am going to give you detailed instructions, have something ready to write them down with; or 'I am ready to write down' when used in a reply transmission).
Repeat � "Repeat last fire mission," or "Fire again." Used when on an artillery net, or when speaking to tank or mortar crews, to indicate that the gun battery should fire another salvo using the same target information.
Roger � "I have received all of the last transmission" in both military and civilian aviation radio communications. This usage comes from the initial R of received: R was called Roger in the radio alphabets or spelling alphabets in use by the armed forces at the time of the invention of the radio, such as the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet and RAF phonetic alphabet.[5][6] It is also often shortened in writing to "rgr". The word Romeo is used for "R", rather than "Roger" in the modern international NATO phonetic alphabet.
Contrary to popular belief, Roger does not mean or imply both "received" and "I will comply." That distinction goes to the contraction wilco (from, "will comply"), which is used exclusively if the speaker intends to say "received and will comply". The phrase "Roger Wilco" is procedurally incorrect, as it is redundant with respect to the intent to say "received".[7]
Roger So Far � Confirm you have received and understood the contents of my transmission so far. This is used during Long Message Procedure (Messages lasting over 20 seconds prefixed by the Pro-Word 'Long Message' and the initiating C/S must give a gap of five seconds after the receiving station has replied with 'Roger'. This five seconds is to allow other Stations onto the net if they have important messages.
Say again repeat; Please repeat your last message (Repeat is only used in Australian/Canadian/UK/US military radio terminology to request additional artillery fire)
S�curit� � Maritime safety call. Repeated three times. Has priority over routine calls.
Standby or Wait, out � Pause for the next transmission. This does not usually entail staying off the air until the operator returns as they have used the word 'Out', which indicates the transmission has ended. The net is now free for other traffic to flow but users should be aware that the previous C/S may re-initiate a Call as per their 'Wait, out'. As with 'Wait', this can be appended with a number to indicate estimated number of minutes. For example: "We are on the phone with them trying to sort this out, standby five."
Wait, over � I do not have the answer or information to hand, I will attempt to source the answer or information requested shortly but until then I have finished talking and do not expect a reply. Can be suffixed with a number to indicate estimated number of minutes until a reply can be expected. ex: WAIT TWO indicates "you should expect my reply in approximately two minutes."
Wilco � Will comply (after receiving new directions, implies Roger).
Each area of usage will have its own subset of prowords, usually derived from the NATO set, but sometimes from earlier Q-code and morse operator practices.

Furthermore, the use of some special prowords is tightly controlled, with that word never used on the air in other contexts within that area of usage. Examples include "repeat" (for additional artillery fire in military communications), "take off" (granting permission for aircraft take off in airfield tower communications), "rescue" (rescue in progress in surf life saving), and "mayday" (safety-of-life emergency in maritime and aeronautics).

Example usage[edit]
Aeronautical mobile procedure[edit]
See also: Tenerife airport disaster � Safety response
The Federal Aviation Administration uses the term phraseology to describe voice procedure or communications protocols used over telecommunications circuits. An example is air traffic control radio communications. Standardised wording is used and the person receiving the message may repeat critical parts of the message back to the sender. This is especially true of safety-critical messages.[8] Consider this example of an exchange between a controller and an aircraft:

Aircraft: Boston Tower, Warrior three five foxtrot (35F), holding short of two two right.
Tower: Warrior three five foxtrot, Boston Tower, runway two two right, cleared for immediate takeoff.
Aircraft: Roger, three five foxtrot, cleared for immediate takeoff, two two right.

On telecommunications circuits, disambiguation is a critical function of voice procedure. Due to any number of variables, including radio static, a busy or loud environment, or similarity in the phonetics of different words, a critical piece of information can be misheard or misunderstood; for instance, a pilot being ordered to eleven thousand as opposed to seven thousand. To reduce ambiguity, critical information may be broken down and read as separate letters and numbers. To avoid error or misunderstanding, pilots will often read back altitudes in the tens of thousands using both separate numbers and the single word (example: given a climb to 10,000 ft, the pilot replies "[Callsign] climbing to One zero, Ten Thousand"). However, this is usually only used to differentiate between 10,000 and 11,000 ft since these are the most common altitude deviations. The runway number read visually as eighteen, when read over a voice circuit as part of an instruction, becomes one eight. In some cases a spelling alphabet is used (also called a radio alphabet or a phonetic alphabet). Instead of the letters AB, the words Alpha Bravo are used. Main Street becomes Mike Alpha India November street, clearly separating it from Drain Street and Wayne Street. The numbers 5 and 9 are pronounced "fife" and "niner" respectively, since "five" and "nine" can sound the same over the radio. The use of 'niner' in place of 'nine' is due to German-speaking NATO allies for whom the spoken word 'nine' could be confused with the German word 'nein' or 'no'.

Over fire service radios, phraseology may include words that indicate the priority of a message, for example:[9]

Forty Four Truck to the Bronx, Urgent!

San Diego, Engine Forty, Emergency traffic!

Words may be repeated to modify them from traditional use in order to describe a critical message:[10]

Evacuate! Evacuate! Evacuate!

A similar technique may be used in aviation for critical messages. For example, this transmission might be sent to an aircraft that has just landed and has not yet cleared the runway.

Echo-Foxtrot-Charlie, Tower. I have engine out traffic on short final. Exit runway at next taxiway. Expedite! Expedite!

Police Radios[where?] also use this technique to escalate a call that is quickly becoming an emergency.

Code 3! Code 3! Code 3!

Railroads have similar processes. When instructions are read to a locomotive engineer, they are preceded by the train or locomotive number, direction of travel and the engineer's name. This reduces the possibility that a set of instructions will be acted on by the wrong locomotive engineer:

Five Sixty Six West, Engineer Jones, okay to proceed two blocks west to Ravendale.

Phraseology on telecommunications circuits may employ special phrases like ten codes, Sigalert, Quick Alert! or road service towing abbreviations such as T6. This jargon may abbreviate critical data and alert listeners by identifying the priority of a message. It may also reduce errors caused by ambiguities involving rhyming, or similar-sounding, words.

Maritime mobile procedure[edit]
(Done on VHF Ch 16)

Boat "Albacore" talking to Boat "Bronwyn"

Albacore: Bronwyn, Bronwyn, Bronwyn* this is Albacore, over. (*3�1, repeating the receiver's callsign up to 3 times, and the sender's once, is proper procedure and should be used when first establishing contact, especially over a long distance. A 1�1, i.e. 'Bronwyn this is Albacore,' or 2�1, i.e. 'Bronwyn, Bronwyn, this is Albacore,' is less proper, but acceptable especially for a subsequent contact.)[11]

Bronwyn: Albacore, this is Bronwyn, over. (** At this point switch to a working channel as 16 is for distress and hailing only**)

Albacore: This is Albacore. Want a tow and are you OK for tea at Osbourne Bay? over.

Bronwyn: This is Bronwyn. Negative, got engine running, 1600 at clubhouse fine with us. over.

Albacore: This is Albacore, Roger, out.

"Copy that" is incorrect. COPY is used when a message has been intercepted by another station, i.e. a third station would respond:

Nonesuch: Bronwyn, this is Nonesuch. Copied your previous, will also see you there, out.

One should always use one's own callsign when transmitting.

British Army[edit]
Station C21A (charlie-two-one Alpha) talking to C33B (charlie-three-three Bravo):[12]

C21A: C33B, this is C21A, message, over.

C33B: C33B, send, over.

C21A: Have you got C1�D Sunray at your location?, over.

C33B: Negative, I think he is with C3�C, over.

C21A: Roger, out.

The advantage of this sequence is that the recipient always knows who sent the message.

The downside is that the listener only knows the intended recipient from the context of the conversation. Requires moderate signal quality for the radio operator to keep track of the conversations.

However a broadcast message and response is fairly efficient.

Sunray (Lead) Charlie Charlie (Collective Call - everyone), this is Sunray. Radio check, over.

C-E-5-9: Sunray, this is Charlie Echo five niner, loud and clear, five by five over.

Y-S-7-2 Sunray, this is Yankee Sierra Seven Two, reading three by four. over.

B-G-5-2: Sunray, this is Bravo Golf Five Two, Say again. over.

E-F-2-0: Sunray, this is Echo Foxtrot Two Zero, reading Five by Four over.

Sunray: Charlie Charlie this is Sunray, out.

The "Say again" response from B-G-5-2 tells Sunray that the radio signal is not good and possibly unreadable. Sunray can then re-initiate a Call onto B-G-5-2 and start another R/C or instruct them to relocate, change settings, etc.

So it could carry on with:

Sunray: Bravo Golf Five Two this is sunray, radio check over.

B-G-5-2: Sunray this is Bravo Golf Five Two, unclear, read you 2 by 3 over.

Sunray: Sunray copies, Relocate to Grid One Niner Zero Three Three Two for a better signal over.

B-G-5-2: Bravo Golf Five Two copies and is Oscar Mike, Bravo Golf Five Two Out.

Frequency control[edit]

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In public radio, voice procedure controls the behaviour and use of the frequency between each operator. Deregulated frequencies, such as Family Radio Service has no voice procedure, but due to the limited range of transmission it is unlikely a transmission will be heard outside of a single party. On signals open to the public with broader reception, such as citizens band, there is only enough protocol to allow operators to speak one at a time or allow emergency traffic to go through. Otherwise, there is no prioritisation or rules to the communication outside of following local and federal laws regarding communication. Other stations requiring licensure such as amateur radio bands or MARS users (which includes civilian amateur radio operators) have strict usage and transmission rules that operators are trained on (as part of their licensing process) that allows authorised users to communicate. Regulated Radio frequencies often have unlicensed users who are unaware of the protocol on a certain channel and are asked to sign off if they fail to identify a callsign as a licensed operator, or are reported by licensed operators to the licensing body for possible advisement or citation. Amateur radio frequencies also may have assigned functions that may allow or disallow certain traffic including voice, such as continuous wave (see Morse code) transmission or data-only transmission frequencies.

Structured use is seen in voice procedure for government, military and disaster command usage. In police and public safety use, voice procedure follows a protocol that governs who can speak on a frequency and when. Since modern police frequencies are on a restricted bandwidth it is unlikely that an unlicensed party will interrupt communication; all operators on a frequency are assumed to be authorised to utilise a channel unless proven otherwise. Licensed radios in law enforcement often utilise trunking, or multiple frequencies selected by a control tower at random, which prevents single-channel scanners from picking up a transmission. A frequency may be dispatch controlled (or controlled net), which is controlled by one control station and any parties wishing to use the frequency must direct all calls to the control station who routes calls as needed to necessary parties. A tactical frequency (or tactical net) has no control station, and is intended to be used on an ad-hoc basis for situations, such as multiple units attempting an arrest who surround a single property. Tactical frequencies may or may not be trunked and may be susceptible to single-channel scanner reception.

List of Philippine government and military acronyms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of initialisms, acronyms ("words made from parts of other words, pronounceable"), and other abbreviations used by the government and the military of the Philippines. Note that this list is intended to be specific to the Philippine government and military�other nations will have their own acronyms.

Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See also
0�9[edit]
4Ps � Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
A[edit]
AAIIBP � Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines
ACPC � Agricultural Credit Policy Council[1]
AFP � Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFPCES � Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary and Exchange Service
AFPCGSC � Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College
AIR RESCOM � Philippine Air Force Reserve Command
AMLC � Anti-Money Laundering Council
ARESCOM � Philippine Army Reserve Command
ARG � Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command Affiliate Reserve Group
ASEAN � Association of Southeast Asian Nations
ATG � Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command Training Group
ATI � Agricultural Training Institute
B[edit]
BAFPS � Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Product Standards
BAI � Bureau of Animal Industry[2]
BAR � Bureau of Agricultural Research
BAS � Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
BCDA � Bases Conversion and Development Authority
BCS � Bureau of Communications Services[3]
BFAR � Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
BFP � Bureau of Fire Protection
BI � Bureau of Immigration[4]
BIR � Bureau of Internal Revenue
BJMP � Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
BLE � Bureau of Local Employment[5]
BLGF � Bureau of Local Government Finance[6]
BLR � Bureau of Labor Relations[7]
BMB � Biodiversity Management Bureau[8]
BOC � Bureau of Customs
BON � Philippine Board of Nursing
BPI � Bureau of Plant Industry
BPRE � Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension
BSP � Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
BSWM � Bureau of Soils and Water Management
BTr � Bureau of the Treasury[9]
BuCor � Bureau of Corrections
C[edit]
CA � Commission on Appointments
CA � Court of Appeals
CAAP � Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
CAB � Civil Aeronautics Board
CCC � Climate Change Commission[10]
CCP � Cultural Center of the Philippines
CDA � Cooperative Development Authority[11]
CEISS-AFP � Armed Forces of the Philippines Communications, Electronics and Information Systems Service
CEZA � Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
CFO � Commission on Filipinos Overseas
CHED � Commission on Higher Education
CHR � Commission on Human Rights
CIAP � Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines[12]
CICT � Commission on Information and Communications Technology
CITEM � Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions[13]
COA � Commission on Audit
COCAFM � Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization[14]
CODA � Cotton Development Administration
COMELEC � Commission on Elections
CRS-AFP � Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service
CSC � Civil Service Commission
CTA � Court of Tax Appeals
D[edit]
DA � Department of Agriculture
DAR � Department of Agrarian Reform
DBM � Department of Budget and Management
DBP � Development Bank of the Philippines
DDB � Dangerous Drugs Board[15]
DENR � Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DepEd � Department of Education
DFA � Department of Foreign Affairs
DILG � Department of the Interior and Local Government
DND � Department of National Defense
DOE � Department of Energy
DOF � Department of Finance
DOH � Department of Health
DOJ � Department of Justice
DOLE � Department of Labor and Employment
DOST � Department of Science and Technology
DOT � Department of Tourism
DOTC � Department of Transportation and Communications
DPWH � Department of Public Works and Highways
DSWD � Department of Social Welfare and Development
DTI � Department of Trade and Industry
E[edit]
EastMinCom � Eastern Mindanao Command
ECC � Employees' Compensation Commission[16]
ECCD Council � Early Childhood Care and Development Council[17]
EMB � Environmental Management Bureau[18]
ERC � Energy Regulatory Commission[19]
F[edit]
FDA � Food and Drug Administration
FDCP � Film Development Council of the Philippines
FIDA � Fiber Industry Development Authority
FMB � Forest Management Bureau[20]
FNRI � Food and Nutrition Research Institute[21]
FPA � Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
FSI � Foreign Service Institute[22]
G[edit]
GAB � Games and Amusements Board[23]
GCG � Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations[24]
GHQ-AFP � Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command
GOCC � Government-owned and controlled corporation
GPPB � Government Procurement Policy Board[25]
GSIS � Government Service Insurance System
H[edit]
HHSSG � Headquarters & Headquarters Service Support Group
HLURB � Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board[26]
HRET � House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal
HUDCC � Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council[27]
I[edit]
IA � Intramuros Administration[28]
IACAT � Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking[29]
IBP � Integrated Bar of the Philippines
ICAB � Inter-Country Adoption Board[30]
ICC � Investment Coordination Committee[31]
IDC � Industry Development Council[32]
IPOPHL � Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines
IRA � Internal Revenue Allotment
ITECC � Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council[33]
J[edit]
JBC � Judicial and Bar Council
JELACC � Judicial Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council
JSOG � Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Special Operations Group
JTF-NCR � Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Task Force-National Capital Region
K[edit]
KK � Katipunan ng Kabataan
KWF � Commission on the Filipino Language
L[edit]
LBP � Land Bank of the Philippines
LBP � League of Barangays of the Philippines
LCP � League of Cities of the Philippines
LCP � Lung Center of the Philippines
LEDAC � Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council[34]
LGU � Local Government Unit
LLDA � Laguna Lake Development Authority
LMB � Land Management Bureau
LMP � League of Municipalities of the Philippines
LPP � League of Provinces of the Philippines
LRA � Land Registration Authority
LRTA � Light Rail Transit Authority
LTFRB � Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
LTO � Land Transportation Office
LWUA � Local Water Utilities Administration[35]
M[edit]
MARINA � Maritime Industry Authority
MCIAA � Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority[36]
MDFO � Municipal Development Fund Office[37]
MGB � Mines and Geosciences Bureau
MIAA � Manila International Airport Authority
MinDA � Mindanao Development Authority
MMDA � Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
MTC � Maritime Training Council[38]
MTRCB � Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
MWSS � Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
N[edit]
NACTAG � National Counter-Terrorism Action Group
NAFC � National Agricultural and Fishery Council[39]
NAMRIA � National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
NAPC � National Anti-Poverty Commission
NAPOLCOM � National Police Commission
Napocor � National Power Corporation
NAST � National Academy of Science and Technology
NAVFOREASTMIN � Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao
NAVFORRESNCR � Naval Forces Reserve � National Capital Region
NAVRESCOM � Philippine Navy Reserve Command
NAVSOG � Naval Special Operations Group
NBDB � National Book Development Board
NBI � National Bureau of Investigation
NCC � National Competitiveness Council[40]
NCC � National Computer Center[41]
NCCA � National Commission for Culture and the Arts
NCDA � National Council on Disability Affairs
NCIP � National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
NCMF � National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
NCPAM � National Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management[42]
NCRCom � National Capital Regional Command
NCRRCDG � National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group
NDCP � National Defense College of the Philippines
NDRRMC � National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
NEA � National Electrification Administration[43]
NEDA � National Economic and Development Authority
NFA � National Food Authority
NHA � National Housing Authority[44]
NHCP � National Historical Commission of the Philippines
NHTSPR � National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction
NIA � National Irrigation Administration[45]
NICA � National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
NKTI � National Kidney and Transplant Institute
NLP � National Library of the Philippines
NLRC � National Labor Relations Commission
NNC � National Nutrition Council
NoLCom � Northern Luzon Command
NSB � National Seamen Board
NSC � National Security Council
NSCB � National Statistical Coordination Board
NSRC � National Service Reserve Corps
NSTP � National Service Training Program
NTA � National Tobacco Administration[46]
NTC � National Telecommunications Commission
NTRC � National Tax Research Center[47]
NWPC � National Wages and Productivity Commission[48]
NWRB � National Water Resources Board
NYC � National Youth Commission
O[edit]
OCD � Office of Civil Defense
ODA � Official Development Assistance[49]
OMB � Optical Media Board[50]
OPAPP � Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process[51]
OSETC � Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime[52]
OSG � Office of the Solicitor General
OTS � Office for Transportation Security
OWWA � Overseas Workers Welfare Administration[53]
P[edit]
PA � Philippine Army
PADC � Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation
PAF � Philippine Air Force
PAGASA � Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
PAGCOR � Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
PAOCC � Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission[54]
PC � Philippine Constabulary
PCA � Philippine Coconut Authority
PCAANRRD � Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development
PCDSPO � Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office
PCG � Philippine Coast Guard
PCGG � Presidential Commission on Good Government
PCHRD � Philippine Council for Health Research and Development[55]
PCOO � Presidential Communications Operations Office
PCSD � Palawan Council for Sustainable Development[56]
PCSD � Philippine Council for Sustainable Development[57]
PCSO � Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office[58]
PCUP � Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor[59]
PCW � Philippine Commission on Women
PDA � Partido Development Administration
PDEA � Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
PDIC � Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation
PEFTOK - Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea
PEZA � Philippine Economic Zone Authority
PFC � Philippine Forest Corporation
PGH � Philippine General Hospital
PHC � Philippine Heart Center
PHILCOA � Philippine Coconut Authority
PHILEXIM � Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency
PhilHealth � Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
PHILRACOM � Philippine Racing Commission[60]
PhilRice � Philippine Rice Research Institute
PHIVOLCS � Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
PhlPost � Philippine Postal Corporation
PIA � Philippine Information Agency
PICC � Philippine International Convention Center
PIDS � Philippine Institute for Development Studies
PKOC-AFP � Armed Forces of the Philippines Peacekeeping Operations Center
PMA � Philippine Military Academy
PMC � Philippine Marine Corps
PMO � Privatization and Management Office[61]
PN � Philippine Navy
PNA � Philippines News Agency
PNOC � Philippine National Oil Company
PNP � Philippine National Police
PNP-AVSEGROUP � Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group
PNP-PMO � Philippine National Police Program Management Office
PNR � Philippine National Railways
PNRI � Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
POEA � Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
POPCOM � Commission on Population[62]
PPA � Parole and Probation Administration
PPA � Philippine Ports Authority
PPP � Public-Private Partnership[63]
PPSB � Philippine Postal Savings Bank
PRA � Philippine Reclamation Authority[64]
PRA � Philippine Retirement Authority[65]
PRC � Professional Regulation Commission
PRECUP � Philippine Registry of Cultural Property
PREGINET � Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network
PRRC � Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
PSA � Philippine Statistics Authority
PSC � Philippine Sports Commission
PSG � Presidential Security Group
PTA � Philippine Tourism Authority
PTTC � Philippine Trade Training Center
PVAO � Philippine Veterans Affairs Office
R[edit]
RDC � Regional Development Council[66]
RESCOM � Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command
RITM � Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
RTC � Regional Trial Court
RTVM � Radio Television Malaca�ang[67]
S[edit]
SAF � Special Action Force
SALN � Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth
SARU � Search and Rescue Unit
SB � Sandiganbayan
SBMA � Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
SC � Supreme Court
SEC � Securities and Exchange Commission
SET � Senate Electoral Tribunal
SK � Sangguniang Kabataan
SOCOM � Special Operations Command
SoLCom � Southern Luzon Command
SONA � State of the Nation Address
SPDA � Southern Philippines Development Authority[68]
SRA � Sugar Regulatory Administration
SRU � Special Reaction Unit
SSS � Social Security System
T[edit]
TC � Tariff Commission[69]
TESDA � Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
TIEZA � Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority[70]
TPB � Tourism Promotions Board[71]
TransCo � National Transmission Corporation
TRB � Toll Regulatory Board
TSRG � Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command Technical Services Reserve Group
U[edit]
ULAP � Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines
V[edit]
VMMC � Veterans Memorial Medical Center
W[edit]
WestCom � Western Command
WestMinCom � Western Mindanao Command
Z[edit]
ZFA � Zamboanga Freeport Authority

Glossary of German military terms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of words, terms, concepts, and slogans that have been or are used by the German military. Ranks and translations of nicknames for vehicles are included. Also included are some general terms from the German language found frequently in military jargon. Some terms are from the general German cultural background, others are given to show a change that was made before or after the Nazi era. Some factories that were the primary producers of military equipment, especially tanks, are also given.

Contents
Wehrmacht military ranks Operation code names A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
External links See also References
Glossary[edit]
A[edit]
A-Stand � forward defensive gunner's position on aircraft.
abgeschossen � shot down; destroyed by means of firing.
Abschnitt � sector, district.
Abl�sungsdivision � relief division (1917), later renamed Eingreif division (intervention division).
Abteilung (Abt.) � a battalion-sized unit of armor, artillery or cavalry; in other contexts a detachment or section.
Abteilungsarzt � battalion physician
Abteilungschef � battalion commander in artillery and cavalry formations
Abteilungsf�hrer � substitute battalion commander in artillery and cavalry formations
Abteilungsveterin�r � battalion veterinarian
Abwehr � "defense"; as a shortening of Spionage Abwehr (spy defense) the term referred to the counter-espionage service (German Secret Service) of the German High Command, headed by Admiral Canaris. Also an element in such compounds as Fliegerabwehr-Kanone "anti-aircraft gun."
Abzeichen � insignia; badge of rank, appointment or distinction.
Adlerangriff � "Eagle Attack"; term for projected "decisive attack" by the Luftwaffe on RAF Fighter Command under the direction of Hermann Goering, instituted to gain control of the skies from the Royal Air Force and soften Britain for the impending invasion forces planned in Operation Seel�we (Sea Lion). These attacks ultimately failed and the air campaign is now known in the anglophone world as the Battle of Britain.
Afrika Korps - the elite German mechanized force commanded by Erwin Rommel which performed exemplary in Hitler's North African campaigns between 1941-1943. Allied efforts to defeat Rommel were notable and many historians believe that had Rommel convinced Hitler to provide him with three additional divisions of tanks, he very well could have gained command of the Suez Canal in early 1942 and cut off the vast supplies being sent from America to the Soviet Union via the Persian Gulf. In the end, the Afrika Korps was defeated by combined offensives from the British and Americans.
Aggregat 4 (A4) � original name of the German V2 rocket.
AGRU-Front � Technische Ausbildungsgruppe f�r Front U-Boote � technical training group for front-line U-boats.
AK � Alle Kraft (voraus), naval command for flank speed. Also "�usserste Kraft!"
Aal � "eel"; slang for torpedo.
"Alarm!" � U-boat order to activate the alarm and begin a crash dive. Also "Fire!", "Air raid!" for Luftwaffe fighter pilots, etc.
Alarmtauchen � crash dive.
"Alle Maschinen stop!" � naval command: "Stop all engines".
"Alle Mann von Bord!" � naval command; "All hands, abandon ship!"
Allgemeine SS � "General SS", general main body of the Schutzstaffel made up of the full-time administrative, security, intelligence and police branches of the SS as well as the broader part-time membership that turned out for parades, rallies and "street actions" such as Kristallnacht; also comprised reserve and honorary members.
Alte Hasen � "Old hares"; slang for military veterans who survived front-line hardships.
Amerika Bomber - A spring 1942 aviation contract competition for a Luftwaffe trans-oceanic range strategic bomber, only resulting in a few completed prototype aircraft from two firms, and many advanced designs that mostly remained on paper.
Ami � German slang for an American soldier.
Anton � German spelling alphabet for A equivalent to Alpha (e.g. Case Anton)
�rmelband � cuff title. Worn on the left sleeve, the title contains the name of the wearer's unit or a campaign they are part of. Cuff titles are still used in the German Army and Luftwaffe.
Amt � office, main office branch.
Amt Mil � German Army intelligence organization that succeeded the Abwehr.
Amtsgruppe Allgemeine Wehrmachtsangelegenheiten (Office of General Military Affairs) - Department of the OKW responsible for general military affairs. in 1938-39, this office was called the Wehrwirtschaftsstab (Military Economics Staff).
Angriff � attack.
Angriffsmuster � attack pattern.
Angriffsziel � attack objective.
Ansatz (attack) � First World War military term, used in National Socialist vocabulary in the same ways as the word Einsatz, though less frequently; one referred to bringing a piece of equipment, troops or a weapon "zum Ansatz" (into attack, or play).
Anschluss � unification of Austria and Germany
Armee � army, typically a numbered army.
Armeeabteilung � command between a corps and an army, an enlarged corps headquarters.
Armeekorps � infantry corps.
Armee-Nachrichten-F�hrer � Army Signals Officer, served on the staff HQ of an Army.
Armeeoberkommando � Field Army Command.
Armee-Pionier-F�hrer � Army Engineer Officer, served on the staff HQ of an Army.
Armee-Sanit�ts-Abteilung � Army medical unit.
Artillerie (Art.) � artillery.
Atomwaffe � nuclear weapon.
Atomkrieg � nuclear war.
Aufbau Ost (Buildup East) - code name for the preparatory measures taken amid great secrecy for the attack on the Soviet Union, now known as Operation Barbarossa.
aufgel�st � "dissolved"; disbanded, written off the order of battle.
Aufkl�rung � reconnaissance.
Aufkl�rungs-Abteilung � reconnaissance unit or battalion, also used to designate certain battalion-sized units.
Aufkl�rungsgruppe (Aufkl.Gr.) - "Reconnaissance group", an aerial recon group of the Luftwaffe, e.g. Aufkl�rungsgruppe 11.
"Auftauchen!" � "surface the boat".
Auftragstaktik � mission-type tactics, the central component of German warfare since the 19th century
Aus der Traum � "It's over!", "It's finished!", literally, "The dream is over"; a common German phrase for dashed hopes and a slogan painted by German soldiers near the end of the war expressing the inevitability of their situation.
Ausf�hrung (Ausf.) � version, model, variant, batch, for non-aviation related vehicles and ordnance.
Ausf�hrung!/Ausf�hren! � command to execute a given order
ausgefallen � Statement that equipment is down, has failed, is out of action.
Ausr�stung � equipment
Ausschreitungen � bloody atrocities (see Greuelerz�hlungen).
Auszeichnung � medal, accolade, distinction.
au�er Dienst (a.D.) � retired (literally: out of service)
B[edit]
B-Stand � Dorsal (top of fuselage) defensive gunner's position on aircraft.
Backbord (Bb) � Port side of a ship.
Balkenkreuz � equal-armed black cross flanked in white, the emblem used on German Empire and Third Reich military aircraft and vehicles from March/April 1918 until V-E Day
Banditen � bandits, partisans in occupied territories in World War II; bewaffnete Banden � armed gangs; Soldaten in Zivilkleidung � soldiers in civilian dress; (see Franktireure).
Bandengebiet � territory controlled by partisan squads in occupied territories during World War II.
Barbarossa (Red Beard) - code name for the massive Nazi attack against the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) which began during June 1941 and failed miserably in the end despite early success. Operation Barbarossa is the English rendering of the German �Unternehmen Barbarossa.� Barbarossa or `Redbeard' (Frederick I) lived from 1123 AD to 1190 and was both King of Germany and Holy Roman emperor from 1152�90. He made a sustained attempt to subdue Italy and the papacy, but was eventually defeated at the battle of Legnano in 1176. He was drowned in Asia Minor while on his way to the Third Crusade. Nonetheless, German superstition holds to this day and certainly was evoked by Hitler at the time, that Barbarossa rests in a mountain in Germany awaiting the moment to emerge and save Germany from certain defeat and to establish German ascendancy.
Bataillon (Btl.) � battalion
Bataillonsadjutant - battalion adjutant
Bataillonsarzt � battalion physician
Bataillonsf�hrer � substitute battalion commander
Bataillonskommandeur � battalion commander
Bataillonsveterin�r � battalion veterinarian
Batterie (Bttr.) � battery, artillery piece; also used for an electrical battery. sometimes also called Akkumulator, abbreviated as Akku.
Batteriechef � battery commander
Batterief�hrer � substitute battery commander
Batterieoffizier � Gun Position Officer
Baubelehrung � vessel familiarization; when a boat or ship crew studied the construction of a new vessel; see "KLA."
Baubeschreibung � General arrangement drawing sheet, giving basic dimensions and other measurement & physical parameters (materials, dihedral angles, etc.), of either German front line; or Beute/"captured" Allied aircraft, in World War I. The same term was used in the Third Reich era for more comprehensive, multi-page technical document works for factory proposals concerning combat aircraft designs to the RLM and Luftwaffe.[1]
Baupionier � army construction engineer.
B-Dienst � Beobachtungsdienst, literally, "observation service"; German Navy cryptanalytical department.
BDM Bund Deutscher M�del � League of German Girls, the girls' segment of the Hitler Youth.
B. d. U. � Befehlshaber der U-Boote � Commander-in-Chief of the U-boats (Admiral Karl D�nitz); see FdU.
Befehl (pl. Befehle) � order, command. "Zu Befehl!" was an affirmative phrase on par with "Jawohl".
Befehlshaber � commander-in-chief; lit. "one who has (the power to issue) commands." Sometimes also used to refer to the headquarters of a C-in-C as an alternative to Hauptquartier.
Benzin � gasoline, petrol.
Benzintank � fuel tank.
Beobachter � artillery or air observer
Beobachtungsoffizier � Artillery observer
Beobachtungswagen � observation or reconnaissance vehicle.
Bereitschaft � readiness.
Bergepanzer � armoured recovery vehicle.
Berlin radar - most advanced airborne intercept radar of the WW II Luftwaffe in 1944-45, based on captured cavity magnetron technology, operated on SHF-band 3.3 GHz frequency
Beschlagschmied � blacksmith; see Hufbeschlagschmied.
Betriebstoff � fuel.
Beutepanzer � captured tank or armoured vehicle.
Bew�hrungseinheit � probationary unit.
BK � Bordkanone. heavy-calibre (usually over 30 mm) cannon for offensive use on aircraft.
Blasen � U-boat order; "Blow the tanks!"
Blechkoller � "tin fright"; in U-boats, a form of nervous tension that could be caused by depth charge attacks and resulted in violence or hysteria.
Blechkrawatte � "tin necktie," slang for the Knight's Cross
Blitzkrieg � "lightning war"; not a widely used German military term, this word became popular in the Allied press and initially referred to fast-moving battle tactics developed principally by German military theorists, most notably Erwin Rommel, Heinz Guderian, and Erich von Manstein, using massed tanks and ground-attack bombers to speedily penetrate enemy lines at points and move to their rear, causing confusion and panic among enemy forces.
Blaukreuz � chemical warfare agent consisting of arsenic compounds, respiratory poison
Bola � contraction of Bodenlafette, a lightly armoured casemate-style of bulged ventral defensive gunner's position, using only flexible (unturreted) weapon mounts, a common fitment on German bomber aircraft designs, usually under the nose.
Bomber B - the abortive World War II-era aviation contract competition meant to replace all previous Luftwaffe medium bombers with a single design, meant to be used for all but the longest-range missions, and function as a combination of medium and heavy bomber, and meant to be powered by a pair of high-output aviation piston engines such as the Junkers Jumo 222.
Brotbeutel � haversack
Br�cke � bridge. Can mean either the road structure or a ship's command center, also the supporting framework that existed below the bird-like monoplane wings of the earlier examples of the Etrich Taube before World War I.
Br�ckenleger � bridgelayer.
Brummb�r � "grumbling bear"; a children's word for "bear" in German. It was the nickname for a heavy mobile artillery piece.
Bundes � federal.
Bundeswehr � "Federal Defense Force", name adopted for the West German armed forces after the fall of the Third Reich. (Between 1945 and 1955 there was no German army.) The Bundeswehr consists of the Heer (Army), Luftwaffe (Air Force) and Marine (Navy), as well as (since the late 1990s) the Streitkr�ftebasis (Joint Service Support Command) and Zentraler Sanit�tsdienst (Central Medical Service).
B�rger � citizen.
B�rgerkrieg � civil war.
C[edit]
C-Stand � Ventral (underside of fuselage) defensive gunner's position on aircraft.
Chef � commander of a unit or sub-unit, e.g. Regimentschef. A substitute in case of absence would be referred to as Regimentsf�hrer etc.
Chef des Generalstabes � Chief of the General Staff.
Condor Legion - volunteer forces of the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe (6000 or more strong) sent by Hitler to assist Franco during the Spanish Civil War (1936) on the stipulations that it remained exclusively under German command. The aerial branch of the Condor Legion gained notoriety for their comprehensive bombing of the Spanish rebel lines and the surrounding civilian centers, most notably the Spanish city of Guernica on April 27, 1937. After the successful utilization of the Condor Legion, a homecoming parade was held in Berlin on 6 June 1939 to honor the 300 Germans who died fighting in the campaign.
D[edit]
Dachschaden - "roof damage"; a head wound, more commonly used in the sense of "gone bonkers", "Section 8"
Daimler-Benz (DB) � A producer of military vehicles, and engines to power both German aircraft and surface vehicles.
Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) � German troops sent to North Africa under the command of Erwin Rommel to prevent the loss of Libya to the British by the Italians. The term is properly used to refer to Rommel's original force of two divisions that landed in Libya on February 14, 1941 (which stayed as a distinct formation for the remainder of the North African Campaign), but often refers to all German forces that operated in North Africa, eventually consisting of several divisions and corps and formed into an entire Panzer Army.
Deutsche Ausr�stungswerke (DAW; German Armament Works) - an armaments organization established in 1939 under SS control.
Deutsche Minenr�umleitung (DMRL) � German mine-sweeping group
Dienst � service.
Division � in the army and air force a military formation, in the navy either a sub-unit of a squadron or trainings units of battalion size.
Divisionsarzt � Medical officer of a division.
Divisionskommandeur � commanding officer of a division, typically a General officer. In the imperial army this was the post of a Generalleutnant.
Dienstdolch � service dagger (uniform dagger).
Donnerbalken � "thunder beam"; latrine .
Drahtverhau � barbed-wire entanglement. Slang term used by German soldiers during World Wars I and II for a military-issue mixture of dried vegetables.
Drang nach Osten � "Push to the East", Germany's ambitions for territorial expansion into Eastern Europe.
D�ppel � German code name for radar chaff, used by the Royal Air Force as Window, possibly from d�pieren (to dupe). or from a suburb of Berlin of the same name, where it was allegedly first found near.
E[edit]
Eagle's Nest � English name given to Hitler's mountain-top summerhouse at Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps, not far from the Berghof. In German, it is known as the Kehlsteinhaus. Hitler, however, only visited the property ten times and each visit was under 30 minutes.
EG z.b. V. � Einsatzgruppe zur besonderen Verwendung � SS Special Purpose Operational Group.
Ehrendolch � literally, "honor dagger", a presentation dagger awarded for individual recognition, especially by the SS.
Eichenlaubtr�ger � holder of Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Eid � oath. The current oath when joining the Bundeswehr is "Ich gelobe, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen" ("I pledge to faithfully serve the Federal Republic of Germany and to bravely defend the right [law] and the freedom of the German people"). For soldiers joining for an extended period of time beyond the mandatory conscription of nine months, "so wahr mir Gott helfe" ("so help me God") is optionally added.
Einfall � invasion.
Eingeschlossen � encirclement, surrounded, cut off.
Eingreif division � interlocking (counter-attack) division (1917�1918).
Einheit � detachment or unit.
Einheitsfeldm�tze - standard field cap
Einsatz � duty, mission, deployment, action.
Einsatzbereit � statement meaning, "Ready for action."
Einsatzgruppen � "mission groups", or "task forces". Einsatzgruppen were battalion-sized, mobile killing units made up of SiPo, SD or SS Special Action Groups under the command of the RSHA. They followed the Wehrmacht into occupied territories of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. These units were supported by units of the uniformed German Order Police (Orpo) and auxiliaries of volunteers (Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian). Their victims, primarily Jews, were executed by shooting and were buried in mass graves from which they were later exhumed and burned. At least a million Jews were killed in this manner. There were four Einsatzgruppen (A, B, C, D), which were subdivided into company-sized Einsatzkommandos.
Einsatzkommando � company-sized subunits of the Einsatzgruppen that took care of the mobilization and killing of Jews, partisans, Communists and others during the German invasion into the Soviet Union.
Einsatz Reinhard (Mission/Action "Reinhard") - code name given on June 4, 1942 for the assignment to exterminate all Polish Jews in honor of SS Deputy Chief Reinhard Heydrich who had been assassinated by Czech nationalists during a covert operation.
Einsatztrupp (Troop Task Force) - smallest of the Einsatzgruppen units responsible for liquidations in the German occupied territories.
Einwohner � resident, inhabitant.
Eisenbahn � "iron road"; railroad.
Eisernes Kreuz � "iron cross"; medal awarded for valorous service, and the German national military insignia from 1910 to the beginning of spring 1918, and once again from 1955 (with the establishment of the Bundeswehr) to today.
Eiserne Kuh � "iron cow"; evaporated milk
Eiserne Ration � "iron ration"; emergency rations
El Alamein (October�November 1942) - crucial battle of WW2 pitting the British under General Montgomery's 8th Army (approximately 1200 tanks) against General Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps (500 tanks) and fought primarily in Egypt. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Germans never regained the operational initiative, forcing Rommel to withdraw the bulk of his forces into Libya, marking the final stages of the Nazis' North African campaign.
Elefant � "Elephant"; a heavy Panzerj�ger (tank hunter or tank destroyer) built on the chassis of Porsche's unsuccessful prototypes for the Tiger tank, and mounting the 88mm L/71 PaK 43.
Elektra � a German radio-navigational system.
Endl�sung or Endziel � the "Final Solution"; refers to the genocide planned against the Jewish people.
Endsieg � final victory.
Enigma � German message encryption equipment.
Ententeich � duck pond, maritime manoeuvre to create an area of calm sea in order to lower boats into the water or land aircraft
Entmenscht � bestial, inhuman, brutish.
Entscheidender Sieg � decisive victory.
Entwicklung series, more commonly known as the E-series, was a late-World War II attempt by Germany to produce a standardised series of tank designs.
Ereignismeldung (ERM: Operational Report) - Einsatzgruppen commanders' report delivered daily to the Reichssicherheitshauptamt RSHA in Berlin which comprehensively listed secretly coded murder activities in the occupied territories along the Eastern Front.
Erobert � conquered.
Erkennungsmarke � identity tag; "dog tag".
Erprobungsstelle � test centre.
Ersatz � substitute, replacement, reserves; could refer to replacement troops or any substance used in place of another (e.g., ersatz coffee, ersatz rubber, etc.).
Ersatzbataillone or Marschbataillone � coherent military replacement groups.
Erschie�ungsaktion - Shooting action usually carried out by a member of a firing squad (Erschie�ungskommando).
Etappendienst � German naval intelligence department.
Etappenschwein � (slang) "rear swine" (REMF), a soldier with a safe job away from danger. Compare with Frontschwein.
Exerzierpanzer � practice or exercise tank.
Exzellenz � honorary address for a General officer from the rank of Generalleutnant upwards in the Prussian and Imperial Army
F[edit]
Fahndung Funk (F. Fu.: Radio Search) � department of German Military Intelligence tasked to locate forbidden radio transmitters in France.
Fahne (pl. Fahnen) � flag or banner.
Fahnenjunker � lowest officer candidate rank equivalent to Unteroffizier (Corporal)
Fahnenflucht � desertion
Fahnenschmied � farrier NCO
F�hnlein (Squad) - unit of the Deutsches Jungvolk within the Hitler Youth.
F�hnrich � officer candidate rank equivalent to Feldwebel (Sergeant). A F�hnrich is an NCO, though, and will have commensurable tasks.
F�hnrich zur See � naval officer candidate rank equivalent to Bootsmann (Petty Officer 1st Class). A F�hnrich zur See is an NCO, though, and will have commensurable tasks.
Fall � "case." A name for a German operation. The most important German offensives were called "cases," as they were viewed as problems to be solved.
Fallschirmj�ger � paratroopers; German airborne troops.
FdM � F�hrer der Minensuchboote
FdU � F�hrer der Unterseeboote; Commander-in-Chief of U-boats (used from World War I to 1939, when the title was reduced to "Regional Commander").
FdV � F�hrer der Vorpostenboote
Feigling � coward.
Feind � enemy. "Feindlich-" is used as an adjective, such as "feindliche Truppen" (enemy troops) or "feindliche Stellung" (enemy position).
Feindfahrt � "enemy trip"; in U-boat terminology, a war cruise or combat patrol against the enemy.
Feindbild � "enemy image"; prejudiced 'bogeyman' image of the enemy.
Feld � field.
Feldersatzbatallion � field replacement battalion, usually one per infantry division.
Feldflasche � canteen.
Feldflieger Abteilung � "field airmen's section", abbreviated as "FFA". The earliest form of Fliegertruppe German Army (Deutsches Heer) flying unit in World War I, first formed in 1914 with six two-seater observation aircraft per unit.
Feldgendarmerie � Field Gendarmerie or "Field Police", the military police units of the Wehrmacht.
Feldgrau � "field gray"; the color of the ordinary German soldier's tunic � by extension the soldiers themselves.
Feldj�ger � military police detachments formed late in the war to root out deserters; later the name was applied to all military police units of the postwar Bundeswehr.
Feldkoch � cook.
Feldlazarett � field hospital.
Feldpolizeibeamter � field police officer.
Feldpost, Feldpostbrief � mail to and from troops at the front.
Feldwebel � non-commissioned rank in the Heer and Luftwaffe, the most junior of the "Unteroffiziere mit Portepee" (senior NCO) ranks. Approximately equal to sergeant.
Feldzug � military campaign
Fernglas � binoculars; literally "remote glass".
Fernmelde- � telecommunication.
Fernsprech- � telephone.
Festung � fortress.
"Feuer auf mein Kommando" � "fire on my command".
"Feuer Frei" � "fire at will".
Feuerschutz � suppressive fire, covering fire.
Feuerwerker � ordnance NCO
FlaK � Fliegerabwehrkanone, Flug(zeug)abwehrkanone � air defense gun; anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) (e.g., the "eighty-eight").
FlaK-Helfer � "FlaK helper"; often underaged auxiliaries used to load and operate FlaK batteries and man searchlight batteries.
Flakpanzer � armoured self-propelled antiaircraft gun, such as the M�belwagen.
Flammpanzer � flame-throwing tank.
Flammenwerfer � flame-thrower.
Flecktarn � spotted camouflage.
Fliegerabwehr-Abteilung � anti-aircraft battalion.
Fliegerabwehrkanone � see FlaK.
Fliegerbombe (FliBo) � aerial bomb
Fliegerdivision - lit. Flight division.
Fliegerkorps - lit. Flight corps
Fliegerschwert � airman's sword (part of an officer's regalia).
Fliegertruppe - part of the official name (Die Fliegertruppen des Deutschen Kaiserreiches) of the Imperial German Army Air Service, existing under that name from 1910 to October 1916, when it was reorganized as the Luftstreitkr�fte.
Flotte � naval fleet
Flottille (Fl.) � flotilla.
Flucht nach vorn � "flight to the front"; trying to assault rather than wait or retreat while under threat.
Fl�chtlingslager � refugee camp.
Fl�gelmann � wingman
Flugbombe V-1 (V-1 flying bomb) - pulse-jet engine powered flying bomb carrying high-explosive warhead known to the Allies as the "buzz bomb".
Flugzeug � aircraft.
Flug(zeug)abwehrkanone � see FlaK.
Flugzeugtr�ger � aircraft carrier.
Fluten � U-boat order; "Flood the tanks!"
Forschungsamt � intelligence service of the Luftwaffe.
Forstschutz � Forest Police (see Ordnungspolizei)
Frachter � freighter.
Franktireure � terrorists; (see Freisch�rler).
Franktireurkrieg � terrorist warfare.
Fregattenkapit�n � Naval rank, literally meaning "Frigate Captain", in between Korvettenkapit�n and Kapit�n zur See. Commanded a light cruiser, or served as the executive officer on a capital ship, hence often translated as Commander
Freikorps � volunteer corps; (see Freiwillige). The Freikorps was an early volunteer paramilitary organizations formed in the wake of the German defeat of the First World War making up the German army in lieu of the restrictions mandated by the Treaty of Versailles; they consisted primarily of demobilized soldiers, disillusioned young men, and fanatical conservative nationalists who blamed Social Democrats and Jews for Germany's problems.
Freisch�rler � irregular or guerrilla (see Widerstandskr�fte).
Freisch�rlerunwesen � "pestering by guerrillas"; guerrilla activities or terrorist incidents.
Freiwillige � volunteer.
Fremde Heere Ost/West (FHO/FHW) � Foreign Armies East/West, staff intelligence specialist on the subject.
Frieden � peace.
Fritz-X � The Luftwaffe's radio-controlled glide bomb, precursor to today's "smart weapons" or PGMs.
Fronterlebnis � front experience. Fronterlebnis was a literary genre which romanticized the war experience and the camaraderie of being 'brothers-in-arms'.
Frontgemeinschaft � front-line comradeship or community; group of front-line combat soldiers.
Frontk�mpfer � front line soldier
Frontschwein � (slang) "front pig" soldier serving long at the front, often used as an ironic accolade for a soldier with the will to fight. Compare with Etappenschwein.
Der F�hrer � "The Leader"; title used by Adolf Hitler: Mein F�hrer, Der F�hrer.
F�hrerbunker � (literally meaning "shelter [for the] leader" or "[the] F�hrer's shelter") was located about 8.2 metres beneath the garden of the old Reich Chancellery building at Wilhelmstra�e 77, and about 120 metres north of Hitler's New Reich Chancellery building in Berlin. This underground bunker was Hitler's last FHQ and where he and his wife Eva Braun ended their lives on 30 April 1945.
F�hrerhauptquartiere (FHQ) � a number of official headquarters especially constructed in order to be used by the F�hrer.
F�hrersonderzug � a special train built for and used by the F�hrer.
F�hrer � in the army a substitute commander of a unit or sub-unit in absence of the regular commander (see 'Chef'); in the navy a flag officer (e.g. F�hrer der Uboote)
SS-F�hrungshauptamt � SS Leadership Head Office, the administrative headquarters of the Waffen-SS.
Funke � 1) radio [die Funke, f., slang abbreviation for Funkger�t]; 2) spark [der Funke, m.]; the literal (pre-radio) meaning of the word.
Funker � radio operator (from funken [verb], to transmit by radio).
Funkger�t (prefix: FuG) � generic term for radio and airborne IFF, RDF and airborne and some ground based radar equipment.
Funkmessbeobachtungsger�t (FuMB) � radar detector.
F�silier � historic term often used to refer to light infantry, originally named after the fusil, or musket, such troops once carried. During World War II, a name given to infantry formations with some reconnaissance abilities that replaced an infantry division's reconnaissance battalion mid-war when the Germans reduced the number of standard infantry battalions in their divisions from 9 to 6.
F�silierbataillon � In the Imperial army the 3rd battalion of a Grenadier-Regiment. Its designation was F, as in F/GR10 for F�silierbataillon of the Genadier-Regiment 10.
Futtermeister � Quartermaster responsible for fodder
Freya radar � first operational radar with the Kriegsmarine.
G[edit]
Gabelschwanzteufel � P-38 Lightning "Fork Tailed Devil".
Garnison - garrison
Gasmaske � gas mask
Gasmaskenbeh�lter � gas mask container.
Gaspistole � starting pistol; a gun that fires blanks.
Gau - An administrative region equivalent to a shire or province.
Gauleiter � supreme territorial or regional Nazi party authority(-ies). Gau leader.
Gebirgsj�ger � mountain troops; a mountain "unit" might be referred to as either Gebirgs or Gebirgsj�ger.
Gebirgstruppe � mountain troops.
gefallen (gef.) � fallen, killed in action
Gefecht � combat, action.
Gefechtsgep�ck � infantry assault pack.
Gefechtsstand � command post.
Gefechtsstation � naval term, "battle stations" or (more literally) "combat stations".
Gefechtsverband - defensive aerial tactic employed against USAAF heavy bombers when Zerst�rer twin-engined heavy fighters had proven too vulnerable to Allied single-engined fighters � used heavily armed Fw 190As as bomber destroyers in place of the slower Zerst�rer aircraft, with Bf 109Gs for escort.
Gefreiter � enlisted rank, senior to privates but not considered an NCO.
Gegenangriff � counterattack.
Gegenoffensive � counter-offensive.
Gegensto� � hasty counter-attack.
Gegenschlag � counter stroke.
geheim � secret.
Geheime Feldpolizei (GFP) � Secret Field Police. It was Germany's secret military police that was organised by the German high command (OKW) in July 1939 to serve with the Wehrmacht. It was mainly designed to carry out security work in the field, as the executive agent of the Abwehr.
Geheimfernschreiber � (literally, "secret distance writer") cipher machine.
Gelbkreuz � mustard gas
Geleit � escort.
Geleitschutz � convoy.
Gemeindepolizei � local police.
Gemeinschaft � community.
Generalfeldmarschall � Field Marshal.
Generalkommando � the headquarters of an army corps.
Generalstab des Heeres (Gen. St.d. H.) � German Army General Staff.
gepanzert (gep.) � armoured.
Gesch�tz � cannon, gun.
Gesch�tzf�hrer � gun captain / commander / layer.
Geschwader � originally and literally a naval "squadron" and, therefore, equivalent to the French escadre or Italian squadriglia; in military aviation, the translation varies:
World War I Luftstreitkr�fte: a unit comprising four fighter squadrons (Staffeln), such as Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) �the famous "Flying Circus", led by Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"); also used for the Kagohl and Bogohl heavy bomber units, the last two mentioned unit types specifically tied to the Oberste Heeresleitung or "OHL";
World War II Luftwaffe: comprising three or more Gruppen, each made up of three (or sometimes four) Staffeln; a WW2 Geschwader was equivalent to a British Commonwealth air force group, French escadron, Italian stormo, IJAAS hikodan, IJNAC sentai, Soviet aviation division, a USAAF/USMC air wing and/or a US Navy carrier air group; ;
current Luftwaffe: a Geschwader comprises a "technical group" (Technische Gruppe), a "flying group" (Fliegende Gruppe), along with two or three other flying squadrons (Staffeln);
Geschwaderkennung � the two-character alphanumeric identification code used by a non-day-fighter Geschwader for unit identification, that appeared to the left of the fuselage Balkenkreuz on most World War II Luftwaffe aircraft. It also included two letters to the right of the cross, the third letter designating the aircraft's individual identification, with the fourth letter designating the aircraft's assigned squadron (Staffel) within the unit.
Gestapo � Geheime Staatspolizei � Secret State Police. Originally the Prussia secret state police and later (as part of the SiPo then merged into the RSHA) the official secret police force of Nazi Germany. Gestapo was derived as follows: Geheime Staatspolizei.
Gewehr � rifle, such as the Gewehr 43.
Gift � poison; giftig: poisonous, toxic.
Gleichschaltung � "coordination", coordination of everything into Nazi ideals.
Gliederung � table of organisation
Goldfasan (Golden pheasant) � derogatory slang term for high-ranking Nazi Party members. Derived from the brown-and-red uniforms similar to the colors of male pheasants and the perceived behaviour of high-ranking party officials living in peace and luxury at home.
Gotenstellung � Gothic Line German defense line in Italy, north of Florence.
Grabenkrieg � trench warfare.
Granate � grenade, used not only for hand grenades (Handgranate) but also for other explosive ordnance such as mortar (Werfgranate) and armor-piercing (Panzergranate) shells.
Granatwerfer (GrW) � mortar.
Grenadier � traditional term for heavy infantry, adopted during World War II from mid-war onward as a morale-building honorific often indicative of low-grade formations.
Grenze � border.
Grenzschutz � border patrol.
Greuelerz�hlungen � numerous atrocities.
Gr�faz � German soldiers' derogatory acronym for Gr��ter Feldherr aller Zeiten, a title initially publicized by Nazi propaganda to refer to Adolf Hitler during the early war years; literally, the "Greatest Field Commander of all Time".
Grundausbildung (abbr. Grundi)[2] � basic training
Gruppe (Gr) � In the army it is the equivalent to a squad, a Luftwaffe gruppe was equivalent to a US/French group or a British Commonwealth wing.
Gruppenf�hrer - squad leader, also a Nazi party rank.
Gruppenhorchger�t (GHG) � hydrophone array.
Gulaschkanone � "goulash cannon", mobile field kitchen
Gruppenstab � command staff.
Gustav Line � German defense line in Italy, centered on the monastery of Monte Cassino.
GvD � Gefreiter vom Dienst � soldier who is the runner of CQ.
H[edit]
Hafen � harbor. "Flughafen" is airport.
Hakenkreuz � (literally, "hooked cross") the version of the swastika used by the Nazi Party.
"Halbe Fahrt!" � Naval command calling for half-speed. "Halbe Fahrt voraus" is "half-speed ahead" and "Halbe Fahrt zur�ck" is "half-speed reverse".
Halsschmerzen � "sore throat" or "itchy neck;" used to describe a reckless or glory-seeking commander, implying an obsession with winning the Knight's Cross.
Halt � Stop! Freeze!
Handelsmarine � German merchant marine.
Hannoversche Maschinenbau AG (Hanomag) � producer of military vehicles, principally the SdKfz 251 medium-armoured halftrack.
"Hart..." � Naval command calling for a sharp turn. "Hart Backbord" is "hard-a-port" and "Hart Steuerbord" is "hard-a-starboard".
H�rte�bung � hardiness training.
Haubitze � howitzer.
Hauptamt Sicherheitspolizei (HA-SiPo) � Security Police headquarters.
Hauptbahnhof - central station.
Hauptfeldwebel - company sergeant-major or first sergeant
Hauptkampflinie (HKL) � literally main combat line, official term for "front" until the end of World War II
Hauptmann � army captain.
Hauptquartiere (HQ) � headquarters.
Hauptstadt � capital city.
Hauptwachtmeister - company first sergeant in artillery and cavalry units.
Heckensch�tze � "hedge marksman" hidden, ambushing sniper.
Hecksch�tze � tail gunner the man to handle the Heckstand.
Heckstand � tail gun defensive position on aircraft.
Heer � regular German Army. Can also be used for any national army.
Heeresgruppenkommando (HGr.Kdo) � Army Group Command.
Heimat � home, homeland.
Heimatkurs � the way home. Literally "homeland course".
Heimatschu� � "homeland shot"; a wound not severe enough to be permanently disabling, but of sufficient severity to require evacuation from the battlefront. The German soldier's equivalent of the American G.I.'s "million-dollar wound" or the British soldier's "Blighty wound."
Heldenklau � "stealing" or "snatching of heroes"; slang term used to denote the practice of commandeering rear-echelon personnel for front-line service.
Henschel � railroad locomotive and rolling stock manufacturer, and a firm responsible for many German World War II weapons systems for both the Wehrmacht Heer and the Luftwaffe, especially the heavy Tiger I and Tiger II tanks and the Henschel Hs 293 guided anti-ship missile.
"Herr..." � In past and modern German military protocol, "Herr" ("mister") is said before ranks when someone is addressing a person of higher rank. For example, a lieutenant ("Leutnant") would address his captain as "Herr Hauptmann" ("Mr. Captain"). Superior officer address subordinates with "Herr" and their last name or simply their rank, but not adding "Herr" to the rank. This practice was forbidden in the Waffen-SS, as it offended Himmler's egalitarian principles.
Hetzer � agitators; also a hunting dog and as such the unofficial name of a certain mid-war model of German tank destroyer.
Hilfswillige (Hiwis) � German Army volunteer forces usually made up of Soviet volunteers serving in non-combat capacities.
Himmelfahrtskommando � literally, "trip to heaven mission", a suicide mission.
Hinterhalt � ambush.
Hitler-Jugend (HJ) � Hitler Youth. The German youth organization founded by the Nazi Party (NSDAP). Made up of the Hitlerjugend proper, for male youth ages 14�18; the younger boys' section "Deutsches Jungvolk" for ages 10�14; and the girls' section "Bund Deutscher M�del" (BDM).
Hitlers�ge � "Hitler saw", nickname of the MG42 machine gun. Also named �Singende S�ge�(singing saw), �Knochens�ge�(bone saw) or �Hitlersense�(Hitler scythe)
HJ-Fahrtenmesser � common dagger specially designed for the Hitler Jugend
HJ-Sp�tlese � nickname for the Volkssturm.
H�ckerhindernisse � anti-tank obstacles often referred to as "Dragon's Teeth".
Hoheitsabzeichen � national insignia e.g. on a tank or aircraft.
Hohentwiel � FuG 200 UHF-band (500 MHz) maritime patrol airborne radar gear.
Hubschrauber � helicopter.
Hufbeschlagschmied, farrier.
Hummel � "bumble-bee"; nickname for a piece of mobile artillery.
Hundeh�tte � literally, "dog house", punishment hut.
I[edit]
im Dienst (i.D.) � in service.
Indianer � Indians. Luftwaffe slang for an enemy fighter (from the game of cowboys and Indians.)
Infanterie (Inf.) � infantry.
Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt (IBuK) � Commander-in-Chief, Minister of Defence (peacetime) or Federal Chancellor (wartime)
Istst�rke � actual strength (compared to Soll-St�rke)
Iwan � German slang for a Soviet soldier (similar to "Jerry" or "Kraut", the British and American slang terms for Germans).
J[edit]
Jabo (Jagdbomber) � fighter-bomber.
Jagdgeschwader (JG) � single-engine fighter wing/group, literally hunting squadron.
Jagdpanzer � "hunting tank"; armoured casemate-style self-propelled tank destroyer.
Jagd-Kommando � "hunting commando"; generally refers to a commando outfit that remained behind enemy lines when an area was overrun and would carry out sabotage and other guerrilla actions. These units did not generally operate as such and were later taken over by the SS and used as frontline combat troops in 1944-1945.
J�ger � [1] light infantry; used alone or as part of a specialty such as Gebirgsj�ger or Fallschirmj�ger. [2] Fighter Airplane. The root Jagd- is also used in its literal meaning of "hunter" for weapon systems such Jagdtiger.
jawohl � simply the word "yes" with the emphatic "wohl", which one might translate as "Yes, indeed!", "Aye, aye, sir!" or "Absolutely yes!" Widely used in World War II.
Junkerschule � SS officer academy.
K[edit]
"Kaczmarek" � wingman
Kadavergehorsam � "absolute duty and blind obedience till death."; lit.: "carcass obedience"
Kaiserliche Marine (KM) � Imperial German Navy
Kaiserlicher Yacht-Club (KYC) � Imperial Yacht Club
Kameradschaft � small military unit, or phrase for "comrade support amongst soldiers" (see Volkgemeinschaft).
Kampf � struggle, fight or conflict.
Kampfeinsitzer Kommando (KEK), the first specialist, single-seat armed scout/fighter units of the Fliegertruppe predecessor of the Luftstreitkr�fte, first formed by Inspektor-Major Friedrich Stempel in February 1916, and the direct predecessor units to the Jagdstaffeln fighter squadron units first formed in the late summer of 1916.
Kampfflotte � battle fleet.
Kampfgeist � fighting spirit.
Kampfgeschwader (KG) � bomber wing (USAAF practice)/group (RAF practice)
Kampfgruppe�1. an Army battlegroup or task force; formal designation of an ad hoc task force, or informal term for a combat unit at greatly reduced strength. 2. In the Luftwaffe, a bomber unit equivalent to a US/French group or a British Commonwealth wing.
Kampfmesser � combat knife.
Kampfplan � battle plan.
Kampfschwimmer � frogman.
Kampfzone � battle zone.
Kampfwunde � battle injury.
Kanone � gun (as opposed to a howitzer).
Kanonier � gunner
Kapit�n � Naval rank of Captain; in full Kapit�n zur See (KzS or Kpt.z.S.) ;literally, Sea Captain. Commanded any capital ship.
Kapit�nleutnant (Kptlt.) � Naval rank of Lieutenant Commander or (literally) Captain Lieutenant. Officers of this rank generally command small vessels such as U-boats and minesweepers. The rank is often shortened to "Kaleun", with junior officers addressing people of this rank as "Herr Kaleun".
Kapitulation � surrender.
Kapo � overseer, NCO (sl). Esp. a prisoner who acted as an overseer of his fellow inmates in the Nazi concentration camps (see Konzentrationslager).
Karbol-Tr�nke � field dressing station
Kartenstelle � mapping detachment, normally part of staff company of a division or higher
Kaserne � barracks, casern.
Kavallerie (Kav.) � cavalry.
KdE - abbreviation for the Kommandeur der Erprobungsstellen, the commander of all German military aviation test facilities in World War II, an office held by Colonel (Oberst) Edgar Petersen late in the war.
Kesselschlacht � lit. "cauldron battle" encirclement often shortened to Kessel e.g. "Kessel von Stalingrad"
Kette � chain, in the air force a sub-unit of 3�6 aircraft
Ketten � chains, chain-drive, tracks (e.g. Panzerketten)
Kettenantrieb � track, such as a tank track; tracked vehicle.
Kettenhund � "chained dog", slang for a Military Policeman (derived from the metal gorget worn on a chain around the neck).
Kettenkraftrad � a tracked motorcycle; also Kettenkrad.
Kinders�rge � "children's coffins", slang term applied to small, wooden antipersonnel box-mines.
KLA: Kriegsschiffbaulehrabteilung � was a warship-construction training division that supervised a Baubelehrung.
Kleinkampfverband (K-Verband) � special naval operations unit, comprising a few frogmen.
Kleinkrieg � guerrilla war.
Knickebein � "crooked leg", also "bent leg" (in the sense of "dogleg"); German navigational system using radio beams to guide bombers.
Knochensammlung � gathering the bones of dead soldiers.
Kochgeschirr - mess tin
Koffer - in the Bundeswehr a derogatory term for a raw recruit
Koffer, schwerer - large calibre shell, similar to the British coal box or the American trah can
Kolonne � column, also supply units (e.g. leichte Infanterie-Kolonne)
Kommandanten-Schie�lehrgang � U-boat Commander's Torpedo Course.
Kommando (Kdo.) � command; detachment; detail.
Kommissarbefehl � the notorious 6 June 1941 "Commissar Order" to kill all political commissars in the Red Army and civil government.
Kompanie (Kp.) � company, unit.
Kompaniechef � company commander
Kompaniefeldwebel � company first sergeant
Kompanief�hrer � substitute company commander in case of absence or if the �Kompaniechef � is only an honorary function (similar to a Colonel-in-Chief)
Kompanietruppf�hrer � Company headquarters section leader
Konteradmiral � Naval rank of Rear Admiral.
Konzentrationslager (KZL) � concentration camp.
Korvettenkapit�n (K.Kpt) � Naval rank of (literally) "Corvette Captain". The grade senior to Kapit�nleutnant; frequently translated as either Lieutenant Commander or Commander. Typically commanded a destroyer.
Krad (Kraft-Radfahrzeug) � motorcycle (dated in civil use, but still common in the Bundeswehr).
Krad-Melder � motorcycle dispatch rider
Kradsch�tze(n) � motorcycle unit or soldier.
Kraft � strength.
Kraftei - literally "power-egg", used both for the unitized aviation engine installation system that combined all major engine ancillary components (radiator, oil cooler, etc.) with the engine itself, into a single interchangeable unit for ease of field maintenance and rapid replacement, or as a slang term for the short-fuselaged Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket fighter.
Krankenstation � sick bay of a ship.
Krankentr�ger � stretcher bearer
Kraut � for sauerkraut; slang term used by Americans to refer to Germans.
Krieg or Krieg(s)- � "war" or "wartime-".
Kriegserlebnis � (myth of the) war experience.
Kriegsfischkutter (KFK) � patrol vessels constructed to a fishing-vessel design; (see Vorpostenboote).
Kriegsflagge � "war ensign"; military form of the national flag, quartered by a black cross with an Iron Cross in the canton.
Kriegsgefangener � prisoner of war.
Kriegsgericht � court-martial; slang for a war dish or poor meal. Also "Milit�rgericht".
Kriegsmarine � German Navy, 1935�45.
Kriegsneurose � battle fatigue. Mod. post traumatic stress disorder.
Kriegsst�rkenachweisungen (KStN) � The German equivalent of the American table of organization and equipment (TO&E) or the British war establishment.
Kriegstagebuch � war diary.
Kriminalpolizei (Kripo) � "Criminal Police" � In Nazi Germany, it became the national Criminal (investigative) Police Department for the entire Reich in July 1936. It was merged, along with the Gestapo, into the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo). Later, in 1939, it was folded into the RSHA.
Krupp (Kp) � famous German steel producer, manufactured most of the tanks, howitzers and heavy mortars, as well as armour plates for battleships (most famously the Bismarck).
Krupp-Daimler (KD) � See Krupp.
K�bel � literally, "bucket" or "tub", short for K�belwagen, open-topped military utility cars.
Kugel � "bullet" (also "ball").
Kugelfest � bullet-proof.
Kugelblitz � literally "ball lightning", fireball.
KwK � abbreviation for "Kampfwagenkanone", the turret-mounted main (cannon) armament of a main battle tank.
L[edit]
L/ � length of barrel in calibres (For example, an 8.8cm L/71 gun would have a barrel of 71 x 8.8cm = 624.8cm long)
Ladesch�tze � loader
Lager � camp.
Landekopf � beachhead.
Lafette � literally "gun mount", used for many differing artillery carriages and for manned and remotely controlled gun turret installations on German military vehicles, especially on aircraft.
Landratsamt � civil administration office.
Landsturm � historically, infantry of non-professional soldiers; a kind of militia.
Landser � historical term for a German infantryman; slang: "Sch�tze Arsch".
Landwehr � Territorial Army, a type of militia.
Lastensegler � cargo glider
Latrinenparole � "latrine talk", rumor.
laufende Nummer � serial number.
Lebensraum � "living space", or in Hitler-speak the minimum space the German people needed to live in.
Lehr � "demonstration"; usually part of the name of an elite formation used as or mobilized from instructional troops (e.g., Panzer-Lehr-Division).
Leibermuster � a camouflage pattern.
leicht � "light", usually to refer a lighter type, such as light tank: leichter Panzer. Several classes of divisions were also classified as "light".
Leopard � the name originally used for the Porsche-produced VK 3601(P) prototype tank hull design, and later used by the Federal German Republic for the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 Bundeswehr main battle tanks in service from the 1960s into the 21st century.
Leuchtpistole � flare pistol
Leuchtgeschoss/-granate � star shell
Leutnant � Army rank, equivalent to Second Lieutenant
Leutnant zur See � Naval rank, equivalent to Lieutenant, junior grade
Lichtenstein � German airborne radar used for nightfighting, in early UHF-band BC and C-1 versions, and later VHF-band SN-2 and SN-3 versions.
Lorenz Schl�sselzusatz � German cipher machine.
Lorenz (navigation) � pre-war blind-landing aid used at many airports. Most German bombers had the radio equipment needed to use it.
"Los!" � "Go!" or "Away!" Also the U-boat command to fire a torpedo ("Fire!")
Luchs � "lynx"; nickname given to the Model L version of the Panzer II.
Leuchtkugel � signal flare.
Luftangriff � air attack, air raid.
Luftflotte - lit. air fleet. Largest sub-units within the Luftwaffe.
Luftschutz � air raid protection
Luftwaffe � "air force"; the German Air Force.
Luftwaffenhelfer � "Luftwaffe assistant"; see FlaK-Helfer.
Luftschutzpolizei � air raid wardens.
Luftstreitkr�fte - originally (October 1916) the name for the Imperial German Army Air Service of World War I, later part of the name for the East German dedicated air arm.
M[edit]
Mannschaften � enlisted personnel
Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-N�rnberg (M.A.N.) � Augsburg-Nuremberg Machine Factory; a German engineering works and truck manufacturer. Now called MAN AG, and primary builder of the Panther tank.
Marineausr�stungsstelle (Mast.) � naval equipment store
Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen Hannover (MNH) � weapon (tank) development and production firm.
Maschinengewehr (MG) � machine gun, as in the MG42.
Maschinengewehrsch�tze � machine gunner
Maschinenkanone (MK) - an autocannon used for aircraft armament, as with the MK 108 30mm calibre weapon.
Maschinenpistole (MP or MPi) � submachine gun, as in the MP40.
Maschine � "machine". Commonly used as airplane or engine.
Maskenball - German slang for fighting with NBC-protective gear, or at least with gas mask
Maultier � SdKfz 4 half-track truck, German for mule
Maus � "mouse"; nickname for a large, Porsche-designed super-heavy tank, the heaviest tank ever actually built and tested, that never passed beyond prototype stage.
Maybach (M) � a German automotive and engineering company.
Melder � runner
Meldereiter - horse despatch rider
Metox � radar warning receiver (named for manufacturer) fitted to U-boats; superseded by Naxos-U
Milchkuh � "milk cow", nickname for the Type XIV resupply U-boat.
Milit�r � military.
Milit�rnachrichtendienst � military intelligence.
Mine (pl. Minen) � an anti-personnel, tank or ship mine.
Mineneigenschutz (MES) � ship's degaussing cable; literally "mine self-protection".
Minensuchboote (M-boats) � large minesweepers.
Mi�liebige � undesirables.
Mitarbeiter � assistant clerk
Motorkanone � engine-mounted autocannon armament firing through a hollow propeller shaft on inline-engined fighter aircraft.
MP(i) � sub-machine gun
M�rser � mortar
Munitionskanonier � ammunition handler
Munitionsschlepper � ammunition carrier.
Munitionssch�tze � ammunition handler
M�tze � cap or small hat, such as the M43 field cap, also known as the Einheitsfeldm�tze.
N[edit]
Nachricht(en) � signals / news / communication, also intelligence.
Nachrichtendienst � intelligence
Nachrichtenoffizier � signals officer
Nachrichtentruppen � Signal Corps.
Nachschub � supply
Nachschubtruppen � supply troops.
Nacht und Nebel � "night and fog"; code for some prisoners that were to be disposed of, leaving no traces; bei Nacht und Nebel (idiom) � secretly and surprisingly, at dead of night.
Nachtjagdgeschwader (NJG) � night-fighter wing/group.
Nahkampfmesser � close-combat fighting knife.
Nahverteidigungswaffe � "close defense weapon"; an attachment to Panzers to combat close-assaulting infantry.
Nashorn � "rhinoceros", nickname for a type of tank destroyer.
Nationalsozialistische F�hrungsoffiziere (NSFO) � National Socialist Leadership Officers.
Naxos radar detector � The FuG 350 radar detector set; "Naxos Z" was developed for night fighters, "Naxos U", was provided to U-boats, to locate Allied H2S microwave-band radar transmissions, not able to detect American H2X radar gear.
Nebelwerfer (Nb. W) � "fog thrower"; rocket artillery, multi-barrel rocket launchers that could be used for smoke or high-explosive projectiles.
Neptun radar - Low-to-mid VHF band (125 to 187 MHz) airborne intercept radar for night fighter aircraft, to take the place of the Lichtenstein SN-2 unit, which had been compromised by July�August 1944.
Niederlage � defeat.
Norden � north.
Notsignal � distress signal.
NSKK � the Nationalsozialistisches Kraftfahrerkorps, or National Socialist Motor Corps.
Nummer (Nr.) � "number"; some divisional organizations with a unit number but no combat assets, often converted to ordinary divisions later on. (E.g., Division Nr. 157.)
O[edit]
Ober-* � higher; part of several military ranks and titles like Oberleutnant and "Oberkommando".
Oberst � lit. "Uppermost" or "Seniormost," German equivalent of a Colonel.
Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres (Ob.d.H.) � Commander-in-Chief of the Army.
Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH) � "High Command of the Army" and Army General Staff from 1936 to 1945.
Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine (OKM) � "High Command of the (War) Navy".
Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL) � "High Command of the Air Force".
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) � "High Command of the Armed Forces". The OKW replaced the War Ministry and was part of the command structure of the armed forces of Nazi Germany.
Oberste Heeresleitung (OHL) � "Supreme Army Command", the OHL was the highest level of command of the World War I Deutsches Heer.
Offizier im Generalstab � General Staff officer
Offizier-Lager (Oflag) � "officer camp"; German prisoner-of-war camp for Allied officers.
Ordnungspolizei (Orpo) � "order police" - the regular uniformed police after their nationalization in 1936.
Ordonnanzoffizier � aide-de-camp
Ortskampf � combat in towns, urban warfare.
Osten � east.
Ostfront � eastern front (Russian Front)
Ostjuden � eastern Jews in Poland.
Ostmark � lit. Eastern march, post-Anschluss Austria.
Ostpreu�en � province of East Prussia.
P[edit]
Panjewagen � one-horse carriage.
Panzer � "armour"; German word is derived from Old French pancier, meaning "armour for the belly". It can refer to a tank (see Panzerkampfwagen below) or to an armoured formation. (Panzer Division is literally "Tank Division"; the adjective for "armoured" is gepanzert.)
Panzerabwehrkanone (PaK) � anti-tank gun; literally, "tank defence cannon", also used for the main armament for a typical casemate style turretless German tank destroyer.
Panzerbefehlswagen (Pz. Bef.Wg) � the commanding tank of any panzer detachment; also used of purpose-built command tanks with extra radio gear.
Panzerb�chse � anti-tank rifle
Panzerb�chsensch�tze � anti-tank rifleman
Panzerfaust � literally "armour fist"; a light disposable infantry anti-tank weapon, a small recoilless gun firing a fin-stabilized shaped charge grenade, and a forerunner of the Soviet RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) although the Panzerfaust was not rocket-propelled.
Panzerf�hrer � tank commander, literally "tank leader".
Panzerkommandant � tank commander
Panzerschreck � literally "armour terror," officially Raketenpanzerb�chse "rocket armour rifle;" a heavy re-usable infantry anti-tank weapon firing a rocket-propelled 88mm shaped charge grenade. Also called Ofenrohr ("stovepipe") for its appearance.
Panzergrenadier � mechanized infantry; a soldier belonging to a mechanized infantry unit.
Panzerj�ger � "tank hunter(s)", anti-tank troops; also used by extension for their self-propelled tank destroyers (e.g., the Elefant) until superseded by the Jagdpanzer ("hunting tank") term.
Panzerkampfwagen (Pzkpfw.) � "armoured fighting vehicle"; usually a reference to a type of tank with a 360� fully rotating turret for the main armament.
Panzerschiffe � "armoured ships"; i.e., "pocket battleships".
Panzertruppen � tank forces.
Papier � paper. Often used as paper of identification.
Papierkrieg � paper war. The struggle to keep up with reports and record keeping
Partei � political party.
Pionier (pl. Pioniere) � combat engineer.
Plattenpanzer � plate armour.
Planoffizier � Triangulation officer
Porsche (P) � company that designed and produced tanks and other military vehicles. They now produce cars.
Protze � limber, a horse-drawn two-wheel chariot that was hitched before a gun and usually transported munitions and crew. The term derives from the Italian "birazzo", a two-wheeled cart.
Putsch � coup d'�tat; the sudden overthrow of a government by a small group, usually the military.
Pyrrhussieg � Pyrrhic victory.
Q[edit]
Quartiermeister � quartermaster
Quist � one of several manufacturers of German helmets both during and after World War II.
R[edit]
Radikale Niederwerfung � ruthless suppression.
R�umboot (R-boot) � small motor minesweeper.
Rasputitsa � semi-annual mud-season in Eastern Europe
Regierung � government.
Regimentsadjutant - regiment adjutant
Regimentsarzt � Regimental Medical Officer
Regimentschef � colonel of the regiment
Regimentsf�hrer - substitute for the colonel of the regiment
Regimentskommandeur - commander of the regiment
Regimentsveterin�r � regimental veterinarian officer
Reich � realm, empire.
Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) � compulsory labor service in Nazi Germany.
Reichsbahn � railway system.
Reichsf�hrer-SS � Reich Leader of the SS, an office held by Heinrich Himmler.
Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA) � "Reich Main Security Office or Reich Security Head Office"; created by Himmler in September 1939 to combine all German security and plainclothes police departments, including the Gestapo, Kripo and SD (Sicherheitsdienst der SS) into one umbrella organization with seven departments.
Reichswehr � name for the German Armed Forces under the Weimar Republic, from 1919 to 1935.
Reiter � cavalryman. See also Ritter.
Rekrut � coll. rookie, recruit, member of the military in the basic training
Rettungsboot � lifeboat.
Richtkreisunteroffizier � Gun Director (NCO)
Richtsch�tze � aiming gunner.
Ringkanone (Rk) � built-up gun
Ritter � knight, cavalier.
Ritterkreuz � "knight's cross", usual abbreviated name for the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (see next entry)
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes � Knight's Cross (of the Iron Cross); award for valorous service for those who had already received the Iron Cross. Highest award class for bravery under fire or military leadership. 7318 of these were awarded during the war. Previous recipients of the Ritterkreuz would be awarded a higher degree of the same award, and then successively higher ones. The higher degrees are, in ascending order:
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub � "knight's cross with oak leaves". 890 recipients during the war.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwerten � "knight's cross with oak leaves and swords". 159 recipients total, plus one honorary recipient (Japanese admiral Isoroku Yamamoto)
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub, Schwerten und Brillanten � "knight's cross with oak leaves, swords, and diamonds": 27 recipients total.
Ritterkreuz mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten: "knight's cross with golden oak leaves, swords, and diamonds": only one recipient.
Ritterkreuzauftrag, "Knight's Cross job" � soldiers' slang for a suicidal mission.
Ritterkreuztr�ger � a holder of the Knight's Cross.
Rittmeister � Captain, used instead of Hauptmann in the cavalry, reconnaissance, and horse-transport waffen.
Rollkommando � small motorized (rolling) taskforce (non military: band for hit-and-run crime)
Rommelspargel � "Rommel's asparagus"; slanted and barb-wired poles placed in key places behind the Atlantic Wall with the intention of preventing paratroop and glider landings.
Rotes Kreuz � Red Cross.
Rotte � two of a kind, especially ships, boats or aircraft. Also the 'file' in rank and file
Rottenf�hrer � leader of a 'rotte', also a Nazi rank
Rottenknecht � subordinate in a 'rotte'
Rottenmann � see 'Rottenknecht'
Rottmeister � first in a file of soldiers. Originally, soldiers would file 10 � 25 deep, but in the 19th century two files were standard, thus a 'rotte' described two of a kind. Also a (non-commissioned) officer in charge of a detachment of 50 cavalry.
RSO � the Raupenschlepper Ost fully tracked artillery towing vehicle.
R�ckzug � retreat.
S[edit]
S-mine � a common type of anti-personnel landmine.
SA � see Sturmabteilung.
Sachbearbeiter � clerk
die Sahnefront � (the cream front) occupied Denmark during World War II, a lot of food, minuscule fighting.[3]
Sanit�ter ('Sani') � combat medic
Sanit�tsoffizier � Medical officer
Sanit�tsunteroffizier � Medical NCO
Sanka � acronym for Sanit�tskraftfahrtzeug, a term for German field ambulances.
Saukopf � "pig's head", used to refer to the shape of a gun mantlet or mount, alternatively called Topfblende in German military documents.
Schanzzeug � entrenching tool; slang term for fork and knife.
Schachtellaufwerk - name for the system of overlapped and interleaved road wheels used on German military half-track and armored fighting vehicles before and during World War II.
Scharfsch�tze � "sharpshooter"; sniper, marksman.
Schatten � "shadow"; division headquarters that controlled just a few combat assets, usually for the purpose of misleading enemy intelligence.
Scheisskommando � latrine detail as referred to by survivors of the Konzentrationslager.
Scheuch-schlepper - the adapted three-wheel agricultural tractor (named from the maker of the original agri-version) used to tow the Luftwaffe's Komet rocket fighter on the ground.
Schiffchen � side cap
Schirmm�tze � officer's and senior NCO's peaked cap
Schirrmeister � Harness keeper
Schlacht � battle. "Von" is used for a general location and "um" is used for what exactly was being fought over; for example, the Battle of Midway is referred to as the "Schlacht um Midway" while the Battle of Trafalgar is called the "Schlacht von Trafalgar".
Schlachtschiff � battleship.
Schleichfahrt � silent running.
schnell � fast.
Schnellboot (S-Boot) � motor torpedo boat (British term: "E-boat", for "enemy").
Schnelle Truppen � lit. "fast troops" mechanized troops (whether armour or infantry).
Schr�ge Musik � "slanted music", obliquely upward/forward-firing offensive German night fighter armament.
Schutzpolizei � "protection police", the urban police; largest component of the uniformed police or Ordnungspolizei.
Schutzstaffel (SS) � "Protection Squadron", a major Nazi organization that grew from a small paramilitary unit that served as Hitler's personal body guard into an all-encompassing security, police and combat force. "SS" is formed from (S)chutz(s)taffel. Had a tri-force structure: Allgemeine-SS or "General SS", general main body of the Schutzstaffel; SS-Totenkopfverb�nde responsible for the concentration camps; SS-Verf�gungstruppe made up of military "dispositional" troops which, in 1940, officially became part of the Waffen-SS.
Sch�rze � "skirting", armour skirting added to tanks to give additional protection.
Schussline � line of fire.
Sch�tze � lit. shooter; member of the infantry. From 1920-45 also the lowest military rank. see also Scharfsch�tze.
Sch�tzenpanzerwagen (SPW) � armoured half-track or self-propelled weapon.
Schutzhaft � "protective custody"; a euphemism for the power to imprison people without judicial proceedings, typically in concentration camps.
Schutzhaftbefehl � "protective custody order"; document declaring that a detained person desired to be imprisoned; normally this signature was forced by torture.
Schwadron (plural: Schwadrone) � "squadron"; used in the cavalry, a squadron was basically company-sized.
Schwadronf�hrer � company commander in the cavalry
Schwadrontruppf�hrer � company HQ section leader
Schwarm � Flight (military unit)
Schwarze Kapelle � "Black Orchestra"; a group of conspirators within the German Army who plotted to overthrow Hitler and came near to successfully assassinating him on 20 July 1944.
Schweinereien � "scandalous acts" (lit.: "acts of a pig"); (in a military context) crimes against civilians.
schwer � (1) adjective meaning "heavy", the word "gross" (large) can mean the same; (2) hard/difficult.
Schwerer Kreuzer � heavy cruiser.
Schwerpunkt � main axis of attack
Schwert � sword.
Schwimmpanzer � amphibious or "swimming" tank.
SD � see Sicherheitsdienst.
SdKfz � Sonderkraftfahrzeug
Seekriegsleitung (SKL) � directorate of the Naval War.
Sehrohr � periscope; literally "looking tube".
Sehrohrtiefe � periscope depth.
Seitengewehr � bayonet.
Selbstfahrlafette � self-propelled gun carriage.
Selbstschutz � lit. "self protection"; ethnic German civilian militia.
Sicherheitsdienst (SD) � "security service"; the SS and Nazi Party security service. Later, the main intelligence-gathering, and counter-espionage sections of the RSHA; originally headed by Reinhard Heydrich.
Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo) � "security police", the combined forces of the Gestapo and KriPo, made up of the Reich's criminal investigators and secret state police.
"sichern und laden" � "lock and load".
Sicherungsflottillen � (1) escort ships, (2) paramilitary organization of unemployed ex-soldiers, who were recruited to protect Nazi speakers, and because of their clothing were called "Brown Shirts".
Sieg � victory.
Sigrunen � the name of the double "S" runes used by the SS.
SiPo � see Sicherheitspolizei.
Sippenhaftung � the practice of arresting members of a person's family for political crimes or treason committed by that person.
SMS - abbreviation for Seiner Majest�t Schiff, the German Empire's equivalent of the British Royal Navy's "HMS" (His/Her Majesty's Ship) naval vessel naming prefix before 1918.
Soldat � soldier/enlisted man.
Soldbuch � pay book carried by every member of the German armed forces. Unit information, a record of all equipment issued, and other details were entered into this book.
Sollst�rke � authorized strength
Sonderbehandlung � "special treatment"; a Nazi euphemism meaning torture or killing of people in detention.
Sonderfahndungslisten � wanted-persons list.
Sonderkommando � "special unit"; during WWII, an official term that applied to certain German and foreign SS units that operated in German-occupied areas, who were responsible for the liquidation of persons not desirable to the Nazi government; ALSO: Jewish inmates of extermination camps, assigned to clear gas chambers of corpses, etc. During WWI, the term was used to refer to special fleet groups, i.e. the coastal defense force tasked with maintaining control over Dardanelles.
Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd. Kfz.) � "special-purpose motor vehicle", usually abbreviated and referring to an Ordnance Inventory Number.
Sonderreferat � special administrative section.
Sp�her � scout.
Sp�htrupp - combat patrol
Sp�hwagen � armoured car, scout/reconnaissance vehicle.
Sperrfeuer � protective fire, curtain fire. Artillery barrage to stop advancing troops
St�rfeuer � harassing fire
Sperrlinie � blocking line.
Sperrschule � Mine Warfare School at Kiel-Wik.
Spie� � "pike"; colloquial name for the mustering and administrative non-commissioned officer of a company, the Hauptfeldwebel. Typically held the rank of Oberfeldwebel or Stabsfeldwebel. He exercised more authority than his American counterpart (First Sergeant), but his duties did not ordinarily include combat leadership.
Spion � spy.
Sprengstoff � explosive material.
Sprung - an advance movement for infantry: jump up from cover, run a few steps, take cover again. Repeat.
"Sprung auf, marsch, marsch!" - command to initiate a Sprung
SS � see Schutzstaffel.
SS-TV � SS-Totenkopfverb�nde (SS Death's Head Units).
SS-Verf�gungstruppen � "units available" or military formations of the SS; became the core of the Waffen-SS formed in August 1940.
Stab (pl. St�be) � "staff", sometimes HQ.
Stabschef � chief of staff.
Stabsfeldwebel � lit. "Staff Sergeant", but roughly equivalent to Sergeant Major: the highesr NCO rank in the Wehrmacht, the second highest NCO rank in the Bundeswehr.
Stacheldraht � barbed wire.
Stadtkommandant � military commander of a city.
Staffel � squadron; the smallest operational air unit, and the primary operational unit of the World War I era Luftstreitkr�fte.
Staffelf�hrer
Staffelkapit�n
Stahlhelm � (1) literally "steel helmet"; (2) inter-war nationalist organization.
Stalag � acronym for Stammlager, German prisoner-of-war camp for ranks other than officers.
Stalinorgel � "Stalin's Organ"; nickname for the Katyusha rocket launcher.
Stammkennzeichen � four-letter radio identification code applied to factory-fresh Luftwaffe aircraft, also used for prototype identification, not used on non-day-fighter aircraft assigned to a particular Luftwaffe wing, where a Geschwaderkennung code would be used instead.
Standarte � SS unit equivalent to a regiment
Standort - garrison
Standort�ltester - garrison commander
Stellung � position
Stellungskrieg � static warfare, contrary to Blitzkrieg, if neither of the conflict parties is able to overcome the defense with offensive operations, the result is an Abn�tzungskrieg.
Stellungsunteroffizier � gun position NCO
Steuerbord (Stb) � starboard side of a ship.
Stielhandgranate � stick hand grenade: the "potato masher" Model 24 grenade.
"stopfen" � a command to stop firing, probably derived from "stop your vents"
Sto�trupp � small unit as shock or attack troops.
Sto�-[unit] � Sto�bataillon, Sto�regiment, Sto�division, a temporary designation for units, battalions, regiments or divisions that were held as mobile reserve and thus could be used to push (sto�en) an attacking force back in a counterattack. This term was first used in trench warfare in WWI, when in 1917 the defensive tactic of the German Army changed to in depth defense. The rationale was that frontline units in the trenches suffered so many casualties and material losses as not to be able to mount an effective counterstroke.
Strategischer Sieg � strategic victory.
Stube � room in the barracks, quarters
Stuka � acronym for Sturzkampfflugzeug, literally: "downfall combat aircraft" figuratively: *dive-bombing aircraft". Particularly associated with the German Ju-87 dive bomber, although the German term refers to any dive bomber.
Stukageschwader � a dive bomberwing/group, later Schlachtgeschwader in a ground support role (SG).
Stupa � a Sturmpanzer IV assault gun.
Sturm � assault.
Sturmabteilung (SA) � "assault detachment," party militia, not part of the army. In the beginning the Nazi Party's "Brown Shirt" bully-boys and street brawlers that grew by 1934 into a paramilitary force of nearly a half-million men; after the purge of its leadership by the Schutzstaffel (SS) and Gestapo during the Night of the Long Knives rapidly decreased in numbers and influence.
Sturmbann [plural: Sturmbanne] � lit. "storm band," a battalion; used by SA and SS units until 1940.
Sturmgesch�tz (StuG) � self-propelled assault gun, such as the Sturmgesch�tz III.
Sturmgewehr � assault rifle.
Sturmtrupp � assault troop, a specially drilled group of soldiers, usually a squad or a platoon, that was used for assaults on fixed positions in trenchwarfare. Later usage in WWII was for combat patrols with orders to infiltrate
Sturmbattaillon � assault battalion, specially trained and equipped battalions of the German Army in WWI, specifically created in 1917 and 1918 from the experience in trench warfare.
StuK - Sturmkanone, prefix for the main armament of any German self-propelled artillery, also "StuH" for Sturmhaubitze, when a howitzer was used instead on a tracked chassis.
St�tzpunkt � military base.
S�den � south.
Swastika � English term for the German Hakenkreuz.
sWS � Schwere Wehrmachtschlepper, late World War II "replacement" half-track vehicle.
T[edit]
Tonne (t) � tonne (metric, 1000 kg)
Tonne (ts) � long ton
Tagesbefehl � order of the day
tauchen � dive; submerge.
Tauchpanzer � submersible tank.
Teilkommando � a small, section-sized command group.
Testflug � flight test, shakedown cruise
Tiger � name given to the PzKW Panzer VI "Tiger I" and "Tiger II" series of tanks, as well as the Jagdtiger tank destroyer, based on the Tiger II, and Sturmtiger, built on the Tiger I's chassis.
Todesm�rsche � "Death marches" � at the end of the war when it became obvious that the German army was trapped between the Soviets to the east and the advancing Allied troops from the west, the Nazis, in an attempt to prevent the liberation of concentration camp inmates, forced them to march westward toward Germany proper. Thousands died in these marches.
Tommy � German slang for a British soldier (similar to "Jerry" or "Kraut", the British and American slang terms for Germans).
Totenkopf � "death's head", skull and crossbones, also the nickname for the Kampfgeschwader 54 bomber wing of the World War II era Luftwaffe.
Tornister - Back pack
Totenkopfverb�nde � "Death's Head units", employed as guards in Nazi concentration camps, many later became the members of units of the Waffen-SS, such as the SS Division Totenkopf.
Totaler Krieg � "Total war" � In a total war, there is less differentiation between combatants and civilians than in other conflicts, and sometimes no such differentiation at all, as nearly every human resource, civilians and soldiers alike, can be considered to be part of the belligerent effort
Totenkopfwachsturmbanne � Death's Head Guard battalions; units of the SS that guarded concentration camps during the war.
Treffer � hit. Mostly in past tense. "Torpedo getroffen!" = "Torpedo hit!" or "Torpedo impact!"
Tropenhelm � pith helmet; a wide-rimmed fabric-covered cork helmet used in tropical areas, most notably by the Afrika Korps.
Trupp (pl. Trupps) � Smallest tactical unit of 2 to 8 men, best comparing to Fireteam but also used in non-combat tasks as logistics.
Truppe (pl. Truppen) � summarising term for armed forces, in some context it stands for the enlisted personnel.
Truppenamt � "Troop Office", the disguised Army General Staff after the Versailles Treaty abolished the German Army General Staff.
Truppenarzt � physician in units and sub-units with organic medical sections, e.g. Regimentsarzt, Bataillonsarzt
Truppf�hrer � team leader
U[edit]
Ubootausbildungsabteilung (UAA) � see U-Fahrausbildungslehrgang.
Uboot-Abnahme-Kommission (UAK) � submarine acceptance commission
Ubootabwehrschule (UAS) � anti-submarine school
U-Bootj�ger (UJ-boats) � steam trawlers equipped for anti-submarine operations.
U-Fahrausbildungslehrgang � where submarine personnel learned to operate U-boats.
U-Lehrdivision (ULD) � U-boat Training Division (see Kommandanten-Schie�lehrgang).
unabk�mmlich (uk) � not available for military service
Uk (Schnellladekanone in Uboot-Lafette) � quick-firing gun with submarine mounting
Untermenschen � those peoples the Nazis derided as "subhuman" (see Entmenscht).
Unteroffizier � (1) a non-commissioned officer; (2) the lowest NCO rank, typical for e.g. infantry squad leaders and functionally equivalent to US Sergeant or UK Corporal.
Unteroffiziere mit Portepee � senior NCO; lit. "underofficer with sword-knot."
Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee � junior NCO; lit. "underofficer without sword-knot."
Unterf�hrer � summarized term for all non-commissioned officers; literally: "subleaders".
Unterseeboot (U-Boot) � literally, "undersea boat"; submarine. In the English-speaking world, there is a distinction between "U-boat" and "submarine": "U-boat" refers to a German submarine, particularly the ones used during the world wars. In German, there is no distinction as "U-boat" is used for any submarine, such as "Deutsches U-Boot" or "Amerikanisches U-Boot".
Ural bomber - Luftwaffe General Walter Wever's initiative to build Germany's first four engined strategic bomber at the dawn of the Third Reich, with prototypes coming from Dornier and Junkers. After Wever's death in 1936, the program was shelved.
Urlaub � furlough; also: vacation.
Utof (Uboots-Torpedoboots-Fliegerabwehr-Lafette) � quick-firing gun in submarine-torpedo boat-anti-aircraft mounting
UvD � Unteroffizier vom Dienst - Sergeant in charge of CQ
V[edit]
V1 � the first of the operational German "weapons of vengeance", or Vergeltungswaffen, the V1 was a pilotless, pioneering cruise missile powered by a pulse-jet engine and carried an 850 kg (1875 lb) high-explosive warhead. They had a range of up to 200 km. Nicknamed "buzz bombs" by Allied troops ("doodlebug" by Australians) due to the sound they made.
V2 Rocket � Also known as the A4, the successor to the V1 was the pioneering supersonic SRBM powered by liquid oxygen and alcohol, it had a 975 kg (2150 lb) high-explosive warhead and a range of 320 km.
V3 � long-range, smooth-bore multiple-chamber supergun nicknamed the Hochdruckpumpe (high-pressure pump), designed to fire shells carrying up to a 10 kg (22 lb) high-explosive warhead at a range of 93 km. It was never very successful as most installations were destroyed by bombing before they could be used.
Verband � formation (from a battalion to a brigade).
Verbindungsoffizier � liaison officer
verd�chtige Elemente/Personen � suspicious elements/persons.
Verf�gungstruppen � "[Special] Disposal Troops"; SS combat units, became the Waffen-SS in 1940.
Vergeltungsma�nahmen � reprisals; retaliatory punitive measures.
Vernichtungskrieg � (1) "war of annihilation" against USSR civilians; (2) dogmatic offensive.
Vernichtungslager � extermination camp.
Verpflegung - food supplies
Verr�ter � traitor.
"Verstanden" � procedure word; "understood", "roger".
Verst�rkung � reinforcement.
Versuchs � experimental. Hence the "V" designation for any military aircraft prototype for the World War II era Luftwaffe. Originated by the Fokker Flugzeugbau in 1916, solely for its own experimental designs.
Versuchskonstruktion � prototype.
Verwendung � duty position
Veterin�roffizier � veterinarian officer
Vichy France � French regime set up in the city of Vichy under Marshal Philippe Petain in collaboration with the Germans following the fall of France in 1940. It governed the southern half of France until its dissolution in 1944.
Vierling � German for "quadruple", referring to any weapons mount that used four machine guns or autocannon of the same make and model, in a single traversable and elevatible mount, used as part of the name for the Flakvierling quadmount 20mm anti-aircraft cannon system, and the experimental HL 131V (Hecklafette 131-Vierling) tail turret, mounting four MG 131 12.7mm machine guns in an enclosed, powered defensive position for advanced German late-war bomber aircraft designs.
Vizeadmiral � Naval rank of Vice Admiral
v�lkisch � popular, in the sense of "of the (German) populace." An adjective derived from "Volk" meaning "people," coming from the racist, nationalist ideology that divided people into "pure" Aryans and inferior Untermenschen.
Volksdeutsche � ethnic Germans.
Volksgemeinschaft � national community or civilian population; public support (see Kameradschaft).
Volksgrenadier � "People's Infantryman", a morale-building honorific given to low-grade infantry divisions raised or reconstituted in the last months of the war.
Volkskrieg � "People's War".
Volkssturm � people's semi-military defense force, made up mostly of boys and older men.
Volkstumskampf � ethnic struggle.
Vorausabteilung � advance detachment
Vorgeschobener Beobachter � forward observer
Vorpostenboote (VP-boot) � coastal escort vessels and motor launches with anti-submarine and minesweeping gear. Also called K�stenfischkutter (KFK), as they were patrol vessels constructed to a fishing-vessel design.
W[edit]
Wasserbombe (WaBo) �depth charge.
Wach- � guard (in conjunction).
Wachsamkeit � vigilance.
Wachtmeister � senior NCO (equivalent to Feldwebel) in cavalry and artillery units.
Waffe (plural: Waffen) � "weapon", or can be an adjective meaning "armed".
Waffenamt � "weapons office" � arms inspection stamp or mark.
Waffenfarbe � arm of service colour
Waffen-SS � "Armed SS". The military combat branch of the SS that was created in August 1940 with the amalgamation of the Verf�gungstruppe, the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) and the combat Standarten of the Totenkopfverb�nde.
Wagen � vehicle, car.
Wehrkraftzersetzung � undermining the fighting spirit of the troops.
Wehrkreis � German military district centered on an important city.
Wehrmacht � German armed forces under the Third Reich consisting of three branches: the Heer (Army), the Luftwaffe (Air Force), and the Kriegsmarine (Navy). The Waffen-SS was a separate organization, although SS combat units were usually placed under the operational control of Army High Command (OKH) or Wehrmacht High Command (OKW).
Wehrmachtbericht � a daily radio broadcast that described the military situation on all fronts during World War II.
Wehrmachtf�hrungsstab � Armed Forces Operations Staff.
Wehrmachtsadler � the Wehrmacht's eagle insignia.
Wehrmachtgefolge � Armed Forces Auxiliaries. These include those organizations that were not a part of the armed forces but that served such an important support role that they were given protection under the Geneva Convention and/or militarized. The armed forces auxiliaries consisted in part of the Reichsarbeitsdienst, NSKK, Organisation Todt, and the Volkssturm.
Wehrmachtskanister � Robust tank used to carry fuel. Called a "Jerrycan" by the Allies.
Wehrpass � German military individual service record booklet.
Werkschutz � industrial plant protection service and security police.
Werwolf � German guerrilla fighters dedicated to harass Allied rear areas. Initially conceived as an adjunct to the Jagd-Kommando units and placed under the command of Otto Skorzeny, the idea was later appropriated by Joseph Goebbels to represent the general rising up of the German people to defend against foreign invasion. It was not well organized or widely effective, and there were only a few known instances of involvement, mainly after the war ended and mostly in the eastern regions.
Wespe � "wasp", a self-propelled 105mm howitzer on PzKpfw II chassis.
Westen � west.
Wetterbeobachtungsschiff (WBS) � weather ship
Widerstandskr�fte � insurgents (see Freisch�rler).
Wolf � the military designation name for a Mercedes-Benz G-Class in the German Bundeswehr.
Wolfsrudel � wolf pack, an anti-convoy tactic developed by Admiral D�nitz prior to the war.
Wolfsschanze "Wolf's lair" lit. "Wolf's entrenchment" � Hitler's first World War II Eastern Front military headquarters, one of several F�hrer Headquarters or FHQs located in various parts of Europe. The complex, built for Operation Barbarossa (the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union) was located in the Masurian woods, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Rastenburg, East Prussia (N/K/A Ketrzyn, Poland).
Wotan � alternative name for the Y-Ger�t radio navigation system.
W�rzburg radar � German air defense radar that went into service in 1940; over 3,000 of all variants were built.
X[edit]
X-Ger�t � "X-device" or "X-equipment"; radio navigation equipment used on German aircraft.
Y[edit]
Y-Beam � German aircraft navigational system that utilized a single station that radiated a directional beam plus a ranging signal that the bomber picked up and re-transmitted to enable the ground controllers to compute the range and know when to order the bombs to be dropped.
Y-Ger�t � "Y-device" or "Y-equipment"; radio navigation equipment used on German aircraft.
Z[edit]
Z-Plan (or Plan-Z) was the name given to the re-equipment and expansion of the Kriegsmarine (Nazi German Navy) as ordered by Adolf Hitler on 27 January 1939. The plan called for 10 battleships, four aircraft carriers, three battlecruisers, eight heavy cruisers, 44 light cruisers, 68 destroyers and 249 U-boats by 1944 that was meant to challenge the naval power of the United Kingdom. The outbreak of World War II in September 1939 came far too early to implement the plan.
Z3 � pioneering computer developed by Konrad Zuse in 1941, it was destroyed by bombardment in 1944.
z.b.V. � see zur besonderen Verwendung.
Zeit � time.
Zeitplan � timetable, schedule.
Zeltbahn � a triangular or square shelter quarter made of closely woven, water-repellent cotton duck. It could be used on its own as a poncho or put together with others to create shelters and tents. Also called Zeltplane.
Zentralstelle II P � Central Office II P (Poland).
Zerst�rer � destroyer, also the designation for a Luftwaffe heavy fighter combat aircraft.
Ziel � target, objective.
Zimmerit � an anti-magnetic mine paste applied on the armour of German tanks to prevent magnetic mines from being attached. It was similar to cement, and was applied on the tanks with a rake, giving the vehicle a rough appearance. From the summer of the 1943 to mid-1944 Zimmerit became a standard characteristic on many German panzers.
Zossen � The underground bunker complex that was headquarters for both the Wehrmacht (OKW) and (Heer) Army High Command (OKH) located approximately 20 miles west of Berlin in Zossen, Germany.
Zug � platoon or train.
Zugf�hrer � platoon leader
Zugtruppf�hrer � platoon HQ section leader
Zur besonderen Verwendung (z.b.V.) � for special employment. Sometimes a killing squad/unit, but also used for divisions raised for special reasons (e.g., the Division zbV Afrika).
Zyklon-B � commercial name for the prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid) gas used in German extermination camps.
List of German military ranks[edit]
Main article: World War II German Army Ranks and Insignia
Approximate ranks relative to US ranks:

Reichsmarschall � "Marshal of the Empire", the highest rank in the German armed forces during World War II (specifically created for Hermann G�ring to distinguish him from the other field marshals). Equivalent to General of the Armies of the United States
Generalfeldmarschall � General of the Army during World War II.
Generaloberst � General, literally "highest" or "supreme general", usually translated "Colonel-general"; not used in the Bundeswehr
General der Infanterie, Kavallerie, etc. � General (before 1956 equivalent to US Lieutenant General)
Generalleutnant � Lieutenant-General (before 1956 equivalent to US Major General)
Generalmajor � Major-General (before 1956 equivalent to US Brigadier General)
Brigadegeneral � Brigadier General; not used prior to the Bundeswehr
Oberst � Colonel, literally "highest"
Oberstleutnant � Lieutenant Colonel
Major � Major
Hauptmann/Rittmeister � Captain
Oberleutnant � First Lieutenant
Leutnant � (Second) Lieutenant
Oberstabsfeldwebel/Oberstabsbootsmann � (Senior NCO)
Stabsfeldwebel/Hauptbootsmann � Master Sergeant (Senior NCO)
Oberfeldwebel/Bootsmannsmaat � Technical Sergeant (Senior NCO)
F�hnrich/Oberf�hnrich � no perfect equivalent. Senior Officer Cadet with something like warrant officer status, used in functions like Ensign, passed Midshipman or 2nd Lieutenant but not commissioned.
Fahnenjunker � no perfect equivalent. Most junior Officer Cadet with sergeant (US) or corporal (UK) status.
Feldwebel/Wachtmeister/Bootsmann � Staff Sergeant (Senior NCO)
Unterfeldwebel � Sergeant; formerly called Sergeant prior to 1921 (not in use in the Bundeswehr[4])
Stabsunteroffizer/Obermaat (Junior NCO)
Unteroffizier/Maat � Corporal (Junior NCO) (since the Bundeswehr more comparable to Petty Officer)
Oberstabsgefreiter � (enlisted personnel); not used prior to the Bundeswehr.
Stabsgefreiter � (enlisted personnel)
Hauptgefreiter � (enlisted personnel); not used prior to the Bundeswehr.
Obergefreiter � Lance Corporal (enlisted personnel). Historically, and up until 1945, the rank of Obergefreiter was considered in English the equivalent to a British Army Lance Corporal with seniority, therefore named "Senior Lance Corporal", or rather Second Corporal in the Artillery.
Gefreiter � Private First Class (enlisted personnel). Historically, and up until 1945, the rank of Gefreiter was considered in English the equivalent to a British Army Lance Corporal rank.
Obersch�tze � Senior Rifleman. Historical rank used up until 1945, not in use in the Bundeswehr.[4]
Gemeiner � Private (enlisted personnel). Historically, and up until 1918, the rank of Gemeiner was ordinarily used for an enlisted soldier of Private rank.
Grenadier/Sch�tze/Soldat/Matrose/Flieger/Sanit�ter � Private (enlisted personnel)
For additional comparisons, see Comparative military ranks of World War II.

List of military operations[edit]
The German term for "Operation" is Unternehmen, literally "undertaking".

Adlerangriffe (Eagle Attack) series of raids against Royal Air Force (RAF).
Adlertag � Eagle Day; day one of intense raiding against RAF 13 August 1940 known as Operation Eagle Attack (postponed from 10 August).
Anton � occupation of Vichy France, November 1942; later known as Atilla.
Atilla � occupation of Vichy France, November 1942 (previously, Anton).
Aufbau Ost � Eastern Buildup; build-up of arms prior to the invasion of the Soviet Union.
Barbarossa � invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. Barbarossa, or "Red Beard" was the nickname for Emperor Frederick I, who attempted to unify Germanic states in the 12th century.
Bernhard � scheme to counterfeit British bank notes and put them into circulation; begun in 1942.
Bodenplatte � Base Plate; air offensive against Allied airfields in north-western Europe, New Year's Day 1945.
Eiche � Oak; mission to rescue Benito Mussolini by Fallschirmj�ger led by Skorzeny.
Eisenhammer - Iron Hammer, planned strategic bombing raid on Soviet electric power generation water turbines, potentially knocking out three-quarters of all western Soviet electrical generation capacity, never carried out
Fall Blau - Case Blue; summer offensive in Southern Russia.
Fall Gelb � Case Yellow; invasion of the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
Fall Gr�n � Case Green; intended invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Fall Rot � Case Red; counterstrike against France in the event of an attack from the West.
Fall Wei� � Case White; invasion of Poland.
Felix � plan to capture Gibraltar in 1941. It never took place.
Fischfang � Fish Trap; counterattack on the Allied beachhead at Anzio in February 1944.
Greif � Griffin; dropping of English-speaking troops wearing American uniforms behind the Allied lines in the Ardennes, prior to the Battle of the Bulge.
Herbstnebel � Autumn Mist; offensive in the Ardennes, December 1944. Better known as the Battle of the Ardennes.
Herkules � projected invasion of Malta by Fallschirmj�ger and the Navy. Never executed.
Kathrin � Plan to help the Irish Republican Army to commit terrorism and disrupt British internal security.
Merkur � Mercury (the planet or the Roman god, not the metal); airborne invasion of Crete 1941.
Nordlicht � Northern Lights; attack on Leningrad in 1942.
Nordwind � North Wind; counteroffensive in Alsace and Lorraine in January 1945.
Panzerfaust � Armored Fist; the October 1944 mission to kidnap Mikl�s Horthy Jr, son of Hungarian Regent Admiral Mikl�s Horthy.
Paukenschlag � Drumroll or Drumbeat; offensive against Allied shipping in US and Caribbean waters in the first half of 1942.
Pastorius � U-boat operation involving U-202 and U-548 setting 8 agents ashore in the USA in June 1942.
Reinhard � covername for the entire process of building extermination camps, deportation of Jews first to ghettos, then to the concentration camps for extermination and incineration. Named for SD chief Reinhard Heydrich.
Seel�we � Sea Lion; projected amphibious assault on Great Britain in 1940/41. It never took place.
Steinbock - the German Luftwaffe bomber offensive against England from late January through the end of May 1944
St�sser � parachute drop on evening of 16 December 1944; purpose was to seize a crossroads for Kampfgruppe Peiper during the Germans' Ardennes Offensive.
Strafgericht � "punishment" air attacks on Belgrade, April 1941.
Taifun � Typhoon; push towards Moscow in September 1941.
Tannenbaum � "fir-tree"; projected invasion of Switzerland in 1940. Never carried out.
Tiger � advance through the Maginot Line on the French border in June 1940.
Wacht am Rhein � "Guard on the Rhine"; the December 1944 Ardennes offensive, known by Americans as the Battle of the Bulge.
Walk�re � Valkyrie Officially a Reserve Army contingency plan to restore law and order in the event a disruption caused by the Allied bombing of German cities caused a breakdown in law and order, or a rising by the millions of forced laborers German factories. Was, in fact, a major part of the failed July 20 Plot to arrest SS and other Nazi officials and seize control of the German government.
Weser�bung � Weser Exercise (commonly, Water Exercise); invasion of Denmark and Norway, 9 April 1940
Wintergewitter � Winter Gale; unsuccessful attempt to relieve the 6th Army at Stalingrad in December 1942.
Zitadelle � Citadel; attack on Soviet salient at Kursk, July 1943.
See also[edit]

List of nicknames of United States Army divisions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Nicknames of United States Army divisions)

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Many Army divisions have over the years earned nicknames; some laudatory, some derogatory, but mostly colorful. Sometimes, the nicknames themselves have overshadowed the actual name of the division, e.g. the "Screaming Eagles" for the 101st Airborne Division.

Contents [hide]
1 Special designation
2 Airborne divisions
3 Armored divisions
4 Cavalry divisions
5 Infantry divisions
6 See also
7 References
8 Sources
Special designation[edit]
An official special designation is a "nickname granted to a military organization" which has been authorized by the Center of Military History and recognized through a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Army.[1]

A division's nickname may derive from numerous sources:

it may be inspired by the division's badge or insignia, such as the 1st Infantry Division's "Big Red One". On the other hand, some division's badges are actually suggested by the nickname, such as the "CY" patch of the "Cyclone Division" (38th Infantry Division);
it may derive from the place where the division was raised or trained (36th Infantry Division, "Texas"), or the places of origin of the division's soldiers (29th Infantry Division, "Blue and Gray", for northern and southern states);
it may be bestowed by the enemy in battle, such as the moniker "Red Devils", a nickname for the 5th Infantry Division "granted" by the Germans at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, World War I;
it may be the pairing of an adjective (such as "Fighting") paired with the division's ordinal, such as "The Fighting First" for the 1st Infantry Division; or
it may defy accurate explanation (albeit not without numerous theories), such as the 9th Infantry Division, or "Old Reliables".
Active divisions are listed in boldface; no distinction has been made between regular Army divisions and those of the Army Reserve or National Guard. The origin of the nickname is noted where possible. In some cases, the nickname was officially adopted by the division in question; this is indicated along with date of adoption (where known). Official status might also be inferred by the presence of the nickname on official distinctive unit insignia or in official military source materials.

Airborne divisions[edit]
11th Airborne Division � "The Angels"; possibly after their shoulder patch, a white-bordered red circle with a white numeral "11", with white wings rising obliquely from the circle, all on a royal blue field
17th Airborne Division � "Golden Talon"; taken from their shoulder patch.
173d Airborne Brigade � "Sky Soldiers"; They received their official nickname (Tien Bien translates to Sky Soldiers) from the Taiwanese locals during exercises when they were parachuting in Taiwan. The 173rd was part of the only major conventional airborne operation (Operation Junction City) during Vietnam War.
82nd Airborne Division � "All-Americans"; original members of the division in 1917 came from every state in the Union.[2] In addition, the 82nd Airborne has been called "Alcoholics Anonymous" and the "Chairborne" in reference to the "AA" on its shoulder patch by members of other divisions.
101st Airborne Division � "The Screaming Eagles"; after their shoulder insignia, an American eagle's head on a black shield. During Vietnam, the nicknames "Puking Pigeons" and "One 'o Worst", a comment on their mode of transportation and a play on the official divisional name, were used. Both were used derogatorily by other soldiers, and were not used by the division itself. In addition, the Vietnamese called them the "Chicken Men" since they had never seen a bald eagle. Several regiments within the 101st were nicknamed "The Battered Bastards of Bastogne", due to their part in holding the important crossroads town during the Battle of the Bulge.
Armored divisions[edit]
1st Armored Division � "Old Ironsides" (official, 1941); thought up by its first commander, Major General Bruce R. Magruder, after he saw a picture of the USS Constitution, which bears the same nickname[3]
2nd Armored Division � "Hell on Wheels"; Brigadier General George S. Patton, while witnessing it on maneuvers in 1941, reportedly said the division would be "Hell on Wheels" when it met the enemy
3rd Armored Division � "Spearhead"; in recognition of the division's role as the "spearhead" of many attacks during the liberation of France in 1944.
4th Armored Division
"Breakthrough" � According to the Center of Military History, the 4th was "sometimes called the 'Breakthrough Division,' but the division never officially pursued the designation, preferring to be 'known by its deeds alone.'"[4]
"Name Enough"
"Rolling Fourth"
5th Armored Division � "Victory"; probably from the Roman numeral 5, which is a "V" (for "Victory"). [1]
6th Armored Division � "Super Sixth"
7th Armored Division � "Lucky Seventh"
8th Armored Division
"Thundering Herd"[5]
"Iron Deuce"
"Iron Snake"[6]
"Show Horse"[6]
"Tornado"[6]
9th Armored Division �
"Phantom";[7] so dubbed by the German army at the Battle of the Bulge [2] because, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the division "seemed, like a phantom, to be everywhere along the front."[8]
"Remagen"; because the division captured intact the Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen, Germany; the first bridge across the Rhine River captured by the Allies.
10th Armored Division � "Tiger Division"; so named by Major General Paul Newgarden, the division's first commander, because a tiger has soldierly qualities, including being clean and neat and the ability to maneuver and surprise his prey.
11th Armored Division � "Thunderbolt"[9]
12th Armored Division � "Hellcat Division" "Suicide Division" The Mystery Division"[10]
13th Armored Division � "Black Cat"[11]
14th Armored Division � "Liberators"; earned during the last days of World War II when it liberated some 200,000 Allied prisoners of war from German prison camps.
20th Armored Division � "Armoraiders"; not official, but the division did associate itself with this nickname while in training at Camp Campbell during World War II
27th Armored Division � "Empire"; referring to the fact that it was a New York National Guard unit, after the state's nickname.
30th Armored Division � "Volunteers"; referring to the fact that it was a Tennessee National Guard unit, after the state's nickname.
40th Armored Division � "Grizzly"; referring to the fact that it was a California National Guard unit, after the state's nickname.
48th Armored Division � "Hurricane"
49th Armored Division � "Lone Star"; referring to its status as a Texas National Guard formation, after the state's nickname.
50th Armored Division � "Jersey Blues"; referring to the fact that it was a New Jersey National Guard unit. This is today's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Cavalry divisions[edit]
1st Cavalry Division � "The First Team" "Hell for Leather" (see: https://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.20366), "The Black Horse"
Infantry divisions[edit]

"The Big Red One" of the 1st Infantry Division.
1st Infantry Division
"The Big Red One" � from the division's official shoulder patch: Red Arabic numeral "1" on solid olive drab background. Aka, "The Big Dead One."
"The Fighting First"
2nd Infantry Division
"Warrior Division" � official nickname
"Indian Head" � Official as of 1948. From the shoulder patch: an Indian head on a white star superimposed on black shield.
3rd Infantry Division
"Rock of the Marne" and "Marne Men" � earned for the Battle of the Marne during World War I, when the division held its position and repulsed two German divisions.[12]
"Blue and White Devils" (German: "blau-wei�e Teufel") � during the Battle of Anzio during World War II, the division was called this nickname by their German opponents, based on their shoulder patch (a square containing three diagonal white stripes on a dark blue field).
"Broken Television" - from their shoulder patch resembling a television with static on screen.
4th Infantry Division
"Ivy" � play on the Roman numeral "IV" ("4"). Also, ivy leaves are symbolic of tenacity and fidelity, the basis of the division's motto, "Steadfast and Loyal".[13]
"Iron Horse" � official nickname, has been recently adopted to indicate the speed and power of the division
"Famous Fighting Fourth"
5th Infantry Division
"Red Diamonds" � a plain red diamond or lozenge shape
"Red Devils" � during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in World War I, the Germans referred to the division as "Die roten Teufel" (German, "The Red Devils").
6th Infantry Division
"Sightseeing Sixth"
7th Infantry Division
"Bayonet Division" � this nickname "became synonymous with the division through its participation in the Korean War and symbolizes the fighting spirit of the men of the 7th Infantry division."[14]
"H-Hour" � Shoulder patch: Red circular patch bearing black hour glass which is formed by an inverted "7" and a superimposed "7".
8th Infantry Division
"Golden Arrow" � Official as of 1948. Shoulder patch: An upward pointing gold arrow piercing a silver figure "8" on a blue shield.
"Pathfinder Division" � Official; original nickname (supplanted by "Golden Arrow" and later reinstated), so named in honor of John C. Fremont, an explorer of California, the namesake of Camp Fremont, which is where the division was formed.
9th Infantry Division
"Old Reliables" � origin unknown, but some possibilities recorded here
"Psychedelic Cookie" - Used during the Vietnam War in reference to its shoulder patch.
10th Mountain Division
"Mountaineer"
12th Infantry Division
"Carabao"
23rd Infantry Division
"Americal" - At one point in time this was the official Divisional designation, when it was redesignated as the 23rd Infantry Division, Americal became the divisional nickname. Originally formed in World War II out of separate American National Guard units on the island of New Caledonia, hence the origin of the name.
24th Infantry Division
"Taro Leaf";
25th Infantry Division
"Tropic Lightning" � Official (adopted August 3, 1953). In 1942 the division was ordered to deploy to Guadalcanal to relieve U.S. Marines there; only 31 days were required to accomplish the mission and earned the division its official designation. The Division patch is a taro leaf (indicating Hawaii, where the division was formed), and a lightning bolt, "representative of the manner in which the Division performs its allotted assignments."[3]
"Electric Strawberry" - so called because the shoulder patch taro leaf resembles a strawberry with a lightning bolt on it.
26th Infantry Division � "Yankee"; This is today's 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
27th Infantry Division � "Empire," a legacy of the 27th Armored Division.
"O'Ryan's Roughnecks," a reference to the first division commander, John F. O'Ryan.
"New York Division." - Many members were part of the New York National Guard.
The abbreviation N.Y.D. can be seen in the division shoulder sleeve insignia. The insignia also contains an "O" for O'Ryan, as well as a depiction of the Orion constellation as a pun on O'Ryan's name. This is today's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
28th Infantry Division
"Keystone" � The badge is a red keystone; the division was formed in Pennsylvania, the "Keystone State"
"Bloody Bucket" - So called by German soldiers in World War I and World War II because the keystone shaped patch was red and resembled a bucket.
"Iron Division" - From a comment by John J. Pershing following the 1918 Battle of Ch�teau-Thierry
29th Infantry Division
"Blue and Gray" � In 1919, when shoulder sleeve insignia were first authorized, the division consisted of two masses of men, one from the North (represented by blue) and the other from the South (represented by gray).[4]
30th Infantry Division � "Old Hickory"; This is today's 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
31st Infantry Division � "Dixie";
32nd Infantry Division � "Red Arrow"; "shot through a line denoting that it pierced every battle line it ever faced"; This is today's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
33rd Infantry Division
"Illinois";
"Prairie"; sometimes official nickname
"Golden Cross" - take from the design of the insignia, used as the title of the World War II history. This is today's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
34th Infantry Division
"Red Bull" � The badge is a red bull's skull on a black background.
"Sandstorm" � the division was formed at Camp Cody, in a desertlike area of New Mexico
"Desert Bull" � sometimes used during modern deployments
35th Infantry Division
"Santa Fe" � The badge is a blue background with a white "Santa Fe cross", a device used to mark the old Santa Fe Trail, an area where the division trained
36th Infantry Division
"Texas" � The division is based in Texas.
"Lone Star" � Texas is the "Lone Star State".
37th Infantry Division
"Buckeye"; This is today's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
38th Infantry Division
"Cyclone" � official. Named after a tornado hit the camp where the division was training prior to deployment during World War I.
"The Avengers of Bataan" This is today's 38th Sustainment Brigade.
40th Infantry Division
"Sunburst" � the badge is a gold sunburst on a blue background.
"Ball of Fire" - Nickname adopted during its deployment to Korea.
"Flaming Assholes" - The unofficial nickname came from the Korean War era when the unit was training in Japan. It was a combined result of disparaging remarks made by Army regulars about the National Guard division and the appearance of the unit shoulder sleeve insignia. The California Guardsmen took to their new nickname with a soldier's sense of humor, and turned it into a rallying symbol (sometimes used for the 9th Infantry Division, due to the appearance of that division's shoulder sleeve insignia).
41st Infantry Division
"Jungleers" - due to combat in the Pacific during WW II
"Sunset" - Unit patch has a half sun represents the setting sun on the Pacific. Often humorously referred to as the "Days Inn Patch" or "Thirteen Lieutenants Pointing North", this is today's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
42nd Infantry Division � "Rainbow"
43rd Infantry Division
"Red Wing"
"Winged Victory"
Named for World War II commander Leonard F. "Red" Wing
45th Infantry Division � "Thunderbird" � official nickname; This is today's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
47th Infantry Division � "Viking" � a unit of the Minnesota Army National Guard.
63rd Infantry Division � "Blood and fire"; This is today's 63rd Regional Support Command.
65th Infantry Division � "Battle Axe";
66th Infantry Division � "Black Panther";
69th Infantry Division
"Fightin' 69th" � official nickname; earned after breaking through the Siegfried Line in 1945.
"Three B's" - nickname adopted during training. Humorous reference to the division's dislike of frequent bivouacking ordered by their original Commander, Charles L. Bolte.[15].
70th Infantry Division � "Trailblazer";
71st Infantry Division � "Red Circle";
76th Infantry Division � "Onaway";
77th Infantry Division � "Metropolitan" or "Liberty"; This is today's 77th Sustainment Brigade.
78th Infantry Division � "Lightning";
79th Infantry Division � "Cross of Lorraine";
80th Infantry Division � "Blue Ridge"; This is today's 80th Training Command.
81st Infantry Division � "Wildcat"; This is today's 81st Regional Support Command.
83rd Infantry Division
"Ohio" �
"Ragtag Circus" � Ostensibly because of the vehicles the division commandeered from French and German sources, including a concrete mixer and fire truck, to transport troops into Germany during World War II. [5]
84th Infantry Division � "Railsplitters"; This is today's 84th Training Command(80th Training Command).
85th Infantry Division � "Custer"; This is today's 85th Support Command.
86th Infantry Division � "Blackhawk";
87th Infantry Division � "Golden Acorn"; This is today's 87th Support Command.
88th Infantry Division
"Blue Devils";
"Cloverleaf";
"The Puckering Butthole" � Due to the shape of the patch, a pair of crossed numeral 8's;
"8 Across and 8 Up!" � A play on military slang, insinuating that the quality of the division is low; This is today's 88th Regional Support Command.
89th Infantry Division
"Rolling 'W'"
"Middle West";
90th Infantry Division � "Tough 'Ombres" � Due to the members of the division being from the Texas-Oklahoma area, close to Mexico.
91st Infantry Division � "Powder River";
92nd Infantry Division
"Buffalo" � a racially segregated African-American formation, named for the famed Buffalo Soldiers of the late 1800s.
93rd Infantry Division
"Red Hand"; "Adrians"; "Blue Helmets"
94th Infantry Division
"Neuf Cats" � a play on the division's ordinal numbers ("94") rendered into French ("neuf-quatre")
95th Infantry Division
"Iron Men of Metz" -from the siege of the town of Metz in eastern France during World War II.
"Victory"
"OK";
96th Infantry Division � "Deadeye";
97th Infantry Division � "Trident";
98th Infantry Division � "Iroquois";
99th Infantry Division � "Checkerboard"; This is today's 99th Regional Support Command.
100th Infantry Division � "Century";
102nd Infantry Division � "Ozark";
103rd Infantry Division � "Cactus";
104th Infantry Division � "Timberwolf";
106th Infantry Division � "Golden Lion"
See also[edit]

List of nicknames of British Army regiments
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
United Kingdom
British Army lists
Commands and Army groups
Field armies in World War I
Field armies in World War II
Corps in World War I
Corps in World War II
Divisions in World War I
Divisions in World War II
Brigades in World War I
Brigades in World War II
Royal Armoured Corps Regiments in World War II
Royal Artillery Batteries
Regiments of Foot
Regiments in 1881
Territorial Force Units in 1908
Yeomanry Regiments converted to Royal Artillery
Regiments in 1962
Regiments in 1994
Regiments in 2008
Territorial Army units in 2012
Present-day Regiments
Nicknames of regiments
This is a list of nicknames of regiments of the British Army. Many nicknames were used by successor regiments (following renaming or amalgamation).

Contents
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y
See also Notes References
1[edit]
1st Invalids � 41st (Welsh) Regiment of Foot later The Welsh Regiment[1] (first raised as the Regiment of Invalids, in 1688)
A[edit]
Agile and Bolton Wanderers � Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders[2]
Ally Sloper's Cavalry � Army Service Corps (humorous back-acronym; Ally Sloper was a popular pre-WWI cartoon character drawn by W.F. Thomas in a weekly comic strip; in contemporary slang an 'Alley Sloper' was a rent-dodger, who 'sloped off down the alley' when the rent-collector called)[3]
The Angle-irons � Royal Anglian Regiment[4](humorous malapropism)
The Armoured Chavalry � Royal Tank Regiment
The Armoured Farmers � 3rd Royal Tank Regiment (raised in the West Country[5])
The Albert Lesters � Prince Albert's Own Leicestershire Yeomanry, also known as "God's Own" in the 3rd Cavalry Division during the Great War (reference to the lack of KIA until 13 May 1915 � having landed in France since early November 1914).
B[edit]
The Back Numbers (also The Back Badgers) � Gloucestershire Regiment[1] (allowed to wear a regimental badge on the back of the hat, after the rear rank faced about to drive off French cavalry at the Battle of Alexandria (1801))
The Back Flash � Royal Welch Fusiliers[6](the last regiment to give up the queue or pigtail, retained the ribbons on the back of the collar)
Bakers Light Bobs � 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own)[1][7]
The Bays � 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)[8]
The Beavers � 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment[1] (refers to the regiment's origin in Canada, and its first regimental badge)
The Bendovers � 96th Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment[1]
The Bengal Tigers � Leicestershire Regiment[1](In 1825 the regiment was granted the badge of a "royal tiger" to recall their long service in India)
The Bill Browns � 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards[1]
The Biscuit Boys � 49th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment[1]
The Bird Catchers � 1st (Royal) Dragoons and Royal Scots Greys[7] � both regiments captured French eagle standards at the Battle of Waterloo
The Red Devils � The Parachute Regiment
The Black Cuffs � Northamptonshire Regiment[1]
The Black Horse � 7th (The Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards[9]
The Black Knots � North Staffordshire Regiment[1] (the regimental badge was a Stafford knot)
The Black Mafia � Royal Green Jackets[10](from the dark uniforms of the original Rifle regiments and the number of former Greenjacket officers promoted to high rank)
Blayney's Bloodhounds � 89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot (from their 'unerring certainty and untiring perseverance in hunting down the Irish rebels in 1798, when the corps was commanded by Lord Blayney')[11]
The Bleeders � Somerset Light Infantry[1][7]
The Blind Half Hundred � 50th (Queen's Own) Regiment of Foot later Royal West Kent Regiment (suffered badly from ophthalmia during the Egyptian Campaign of 1801.)[1][11]
The Bloodsuckers � 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment(Supposedly derived from a regimental emblem worn by officers, the Fleur de Lis, 'which resembled that insect' - (Most commonly said to be a mosquito, associated with the Regiment's frequent service in the Caribbean and America).) [12]
The Bloody Eleventh � 11th (The North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot, later The Devonshire Regiment (from the heavy casualties suffered at the Battle of Salamanca)[1][7][13]
The Blue Caps � The Royal Dublin Fusiliers[1] (Originally the 1st Madras Fusiliers, part of the British East India Company's Madras Presidency Army, who wore light blue covers to their forage caps on campaign during the Indian Mutiny and were known as 'Neill's Blue Caps,' after their commanding officer).
The Blues � Royal Horse Guards[1] (only British heavy cavalry regiment to wear blue rather than red uniforms)
Bob's Own � Irish Guards[1][7] (refers to Field Marshal Lord Roberts, the first Colonel of the regiment)
The Botherers � King's Own Scottish Borderers[1] (humorous malapropism)
The Brickdusts � 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry[1]
The Budgies � the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers[14](from the hackle worn in the beret)
The Buttermilks � 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards[1][7]
C[edit]
The Cast Iron Sixth � 6th Battalion, London Regiment (City of London Rifles)[15]
The Cattle Reivers � Border Regiment[1]
Calvert's Entire � West Yorkshire Regiment[1]
The Cameronians � 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)[1]
The Carbs � Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)[1]
Castor Oil Dragoons � Royal Army Medical Corps[16]
The Cat and Cabbage � The Royal Hampshire Regiment[1] (from the regimental badge, which was a royal lion atop a stylised Tudor Rose)
The Celestials - 97th (The Earl of Ulster's) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment[1]
The Chainy 10th - 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own)[1]
Cheeses - 1st Life Guards and 2nd Life Guards[1]
The Cheesemongers - Household Cavalry
The Cauliflowers 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment[1] (from the regimental badge, which was a stylised Red Rose of Lancaster)
The Centipedes - 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
The Cherry Pickers - 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own)[1][7] (from an incident during the Peninsular War, in which the 11th Light Dragoons (as the regiment was then named) were attacked while raiding an orchard at San Martin de Trebejo in Spain)
The Cherubims - 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own)[1] (originally the "Cherrybums", from the crimson overall trousers adopted when Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha became the Honorary Colonel in Chief)
The Cloudpunchers - Air Defence regiments of the Royal Artillery[17]
The Coal Heavers - Grenadier Guards[1][7]
The Cockney Jocks � London Scottish
The Coldstreamers - Coldstream Guards[1]
The Colonials - 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
The Comical Chemical Corporals � Special Brigade, Royal Engineers (responsible for poison gas and flame attacks; men with knowledge of chemistry were immediately promoted to corporal)[18]
The Crusaders - 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
D[edit]
The Death or Glory Boys - 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) later The 17th/21st Lancers (Death Or Glory Boys) Then The Queen's Royal Lancers[1] (from the regimental badge, which was a death's head (skull), with a scroll bearing the motto "or Glory")
The Delhi Spearman � 9th Lancers[1][7]
The Devil's Own � 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) later 1st Battalion The Connaught Rangers[1][7]
The Devil's Own � Inns of Court Regiment (so named by King George III )
The Devils Royals � 50th (Queen's Own) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment[1]
The Diehards � 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment[1] (from the Battle of Albuera during the Peninsular War, when Colonel William Inglis is said to have urged the decimated regiment to "die hard")[7]
The Dirty Half Hundred � 50th (Queen's Own) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment[1]
The Dirty Shirts � 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) later 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers ( During the Indian Mutiny the regiment wore shirts stained an early form of khaki as campaign dress)[1][3][7]
The Doc's � Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry[1][7] � from their initials DOCLI
The Donkey Whallopers Cavalry
The Double X � Lancashire Fusiliers[19] (from the regimental badge which, as the 20th Regiment of Foot, carried "XX", twenty in Roman numerals)
The Drogheda Light Horse � 18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own)[20]
The Drop-short Rifles � Royal Regiment of Artillery
The Duke of Boots � The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment
The Dumpies � 19th Royal Hussars (Queen Alexandra's Own)[1] (originally raised for the army of the British East India Company, from undersized riders who would not overload the lighter, locally-procured horses.[21])
E[edit]
Earl of Mar's Grey Breeks � Royal Scots Fusiliers (from their first colonel, Charles Erskine, 21st Earl of Mar, and the grey breeches of their uniform)[1][22]
The Elegant Extracts � 7th Regiment of Foot later Royal Fusiliers and 85th Regiment of Foot (Bucks Volunteers) later 2nd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry[1][7] (in 1811, many of the regiment's officers were court-martialled and replaced by officers drawn from other regiments.[23])
Eliott's Light Horse � 15th The King's Hussars[1]
The Emperor's Chambermaids � 14th King's Hussars[24] (from an incident during the Battle of Vitoria during the Peninsular War, when the regiment captured a silver chamberpot belonging to Joseph Bonaparte, brother of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte)
England's Northern Cavalry � The Light Dragoons[25]
The Ever-Sworded � 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot later Worcestershire Regiment[1]
The Excellers � 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot later South Lancashire Regiment[1](from the regimental badge; 40 in Roman numerals is "XL")
The Evergreens � 13th Hussars[1]
F[edit]
The Faithful Durhams � Durham Light Infantry (from their motto, 'Faithful')[1][26]
Faugh-a-Ballagh Boys, or The Faughs � 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (from their Gaelic war cry 'Faugh a Ballagh' ('Clear the Way') during the Peninsular War.[1][3]
The Fighting Fifth � 5th (Northumberland Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot later Royal Northumberland Fusiliers[1]
The Fighting Fortieth � 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot later South Lancashire Regiment[1]
The Fighting Ninth � 9th Regiment of Foot later The Norfolk Regiment[1][7]
The Fighting Fifteenth � 15th The King's Hussars[1]
The First and the Last � 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards[27]
First of Track 1st Royal Tank Regiment (humorous from the infantry's history being named xth of Foot)
Fitch's Grenadiers � The Royal Irish Rifles[1]
The Flamers � 2nd Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment[1]
The Foreign Legion � Welsh Guards
The Forty Twas � 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot later Black Watch[1][7]
The Forty-Tens � 2nd Battalion Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (from an incident in India where the men were 'numbering', or calling out their position in the ranks: after they reached 'forty-nine' the next man called out 'forty-ten'.)[3]
G[edit]
The Garvies � Connaught Rangers[1]
The Gay Gordons � Gordon Highlanders[1](from the name of a popular dance)
The Geraniums � 13th Hussars[1]
The Glasgow Greys � 70th (Surrey) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment[1]
The Glesca Keelies � 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry[1](Regiment was mostly recruited in Glasgow ("Glesca"), allegedly from local ruffians ("Keelies").
The Glorious Glosters � The Gloucestershire Regiment[28]
The Grasshoppers � 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot (reference to rifle green colour of uniforms)
The Green Dragoons � 13th Hussars[29]
The Green Howards � 19th (1st North Riding of Yorkshire) Regiment of Foot later Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment)[1] (So named in 1744, to distinguish them from Howard's Buffs by facing colour of uniform; both regiments had colonels named Howard at the time)
The Green Horse � 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Dragoon Guards[1]
The Green Jackets � 60th (Royal American) Regiment later Kings Royal Rifle Corps and The Rifle Brigade[1] (in the Napoleonic Wars, both were specialised corps of skirmishers, armed with rifles and wearing rifle green uniforms rather than the standard red coat)
The Green Linnets � 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot later The Dorsetshire Regiment[1]
The Grey Lancers � 21st Lancers (Empress of India's)[1](from French-grey colour of regimental facings)
Guise's Geese � Royal Warwickshire Regiment[1][7]
The Gurkhas � Royal Gurkha Rifles[30]
H[edit]
The Halls and Balls Light Infantry � 6th Battalion, London Regiment (City of London Rifles)[31]
The Hanoverian White Horse � Royal Fusiliers[1][7]
The Havercakes, or The Havercake Lads � 33rd Regiment of Foot later Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)[1][7] � because their recruiting officers walked along with an oatcake on their sword-point
Havelock's Temperance Battalion � 48th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps recruited by the noted Temperance campaigner George Cruikshank[32][33][34]
Hell's Last Issue � the Highland Light Infantry[35](humorous back-acronym)
The Herts Guards (or Hertfordshire Guards) � Hertfordshire Regiment (1/1st Bn served in 4th (Guards) Brigade in 1914�15)[36][37]
The Hindoostan Regiment � 76th Foot[1]
The Holy Boys � 9th Regiment of Foot later The Norfolk Regiment[1]
The Horse Marines � 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own)[1]
Howard's Greens � South Wales Borderers[1]
The Hull Commercials � 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment[38]
The Hull Tradesmen � 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment[38]
The Hull Sportsmen � 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment[38]
The T'Others � 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment[38]
I[edit]
The Isle of Wight Gurkhas � Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight rifles, 8th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (due to the reputed small stature of its members and similarities in drill and uniform to Gurkha regiments.)
The Isle of Wight Rifles � 9 (Princess Beatrice's) Platoon, C (Duke of Connaught's) Company, 6th/7th Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (disbanded 1998) (due to the platoon's continued lineage from Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight rifles, 8th Hampshire Regiment and their location on the Isle of Wight.)
The Iron Regiment � The Royal Sussex Regiment
Irish Giants � The Royal Irish Rifles[1]
The Irish Lancer � 5th Royal Irish Lancers[39]
J[edit]
Jacks � Military Police during WWI[3]
The Jaeger � 60th (Royal American) Regiment later Kings Royal Rifle Corps[1] (when first formed, included large numbers of German and German-speaking Swiss J�gers (light infantry))
The Jocks � Scots Guards[1][7] (In Scotland the common Christian name John is often changed to Jock)
The Judaeans � 38th�42nd Battalions Royal Fusiliers (the battalions formed the Jewish Brigade)[3]
K[edit]
The Kaiser's Own � 60th (Royal American) Regiment later Kings Royal Rifle Corps[1]
King's Men � 78th Highlanders later 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders[1][7]
Kingsley's Stand � Lancashire Fusiliers[19]
Kirke's Lambs � The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)[1]
Kokky-Olly Birds � The King's Own Scottish Borderers[1]
The Koylis � The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry[1]
The Kids � (Scots Guards)- name given to the Third Regiment of Foot Guards when reaching King William's Guards camp in 1686
L[edit]
The Lacedemonians � Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry[1]
The Lancashire Lads � 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment[1]
Lancashire Cavalry � B (Duke of Lancashire's Own Yeomanry) Sqn Queens Own Yeomanry
The Leather Hats � 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot later The King's (Liverpool Regiment)[1]
The Lewsiham Gunners � 4th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery[40]
Lord Cardigan's Bloodhounds � 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own)[1] (commanded for several years in the early nineteenth century by James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan)
Lord Wellingtons Bodyguard � Northumberland Fusiliers[1]
Loyal Lincoln Volunteers � 81st Regiment of Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers) later 2nd Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment[1]
The Light Bobs � Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry later The Light Infantry[1]
Lightning Conductors � Cheshire Regiment[1]( a detachment of the 2nd Battalion was struck by lightning in 1899)
The Lillywhites � Leicestershire Regiment and East Lancashire Regiment and 109th Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
The Lillywhite Seventh � 7th Queen's Own Hussars[7][41]
The Lilywhites � 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO)
The Lions � The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)[1](from their cap badge)
Linseed Lancers � Royal Army Medical Corps[3]
The Liverpool Militia � Irish Guards (due historically to large numbers of Liverpudlian Irish in their ranks)
The 9th London and Lancs � 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment[38] (West Country Kitchener's Army battalion made up to strength with recruits from London and Lancashire)
The Lumps � 2nd Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers[1]
M[edit]
The Macraes � 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders[1]
The Micks � Irish Guards (the term is not regarded as derogatory by the regiment)[42]
The Moonrakers � The Wiltshire Regiment[1][7] (from an old story about Wiltshiremen trying to rescue the reflection of the moon, thinking it had fallen in the village pond)
The Mounted Micks � 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards[1] (mildly derogatory name for Irishmen)
The Minden Boys � 20th Regiment of Foot later Lancashire Fusiliers[19]
Murray's Bucks � 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot[1]
The Mutton Lancers � Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment (from their Paschal Lamb and Flag badge)[43]
N[edit]
The Namurs � Royal Irish Regiment (from their battle honour of 'Namur' gained in 1695, the first such honour granted to a regiment of the British Army)[1][3][44]
The Nanny Goats � The Royal Welsh Fusiliers[1]
The Night-Jars � 10th Battalion Manchester Regiment (after the nocturnal bird, for its success in night attacks during 1918)[45]
The Norfolk Howards � The Norfolk Regiment[1]
Nobody's Own � 20th Hussars[46] (for a time, were almost the only British cavalry regiment not to have a prestigious honorary colonel with his or her title in the regimental name)
The Nulli Secundus Club � 2nd Foot Guards (Coldstream Guards)[7] from their motto: Nullis Secundus (Second to None)
O[edit]
The Old Agamemnons � 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot later The Welsh Regiment[1]
The Old and Bold � Northumberland Fusiliers and West Yorkshire Regiment and Worcestershire Regiment[1]
The Old Buffs � The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)[1]
The Old Bucks � Bedfordshire Regiment[1] (from 1782 to 1809, were the senior regiment raised in Buckinghamshire)
The Old Canaries � 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own)[1]
The Old Dozen � 12th (The East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot later The Suffolk Regiment[1][7]
Old Eyes � Grenadier Guards[1]
The Old Farmers � 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Dragoon Guards later 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards[1]
The Old Fogs � 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers[1]
Old Five and Threepences � 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry[1]
The Old Hundredth � 100th (Prince of Wales's Royal Canadian) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
The Old Iniskillings � Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)[1]
The Old Immortals � 76th Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment[1]
The Old Namurers � see The Namurs
The Old Sixteen � Bedfordshire Regiment[1]
The Old Stubborns � 45th (Nottinghamshire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion The Sherwood Foresters[1]
The Old Seven and Sixpennies � 76th Regiment of Foot[1]
The Old Toughs � The Royal Dublin Fusiliers[1]
The Orange Lilies � 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment[1]
The Oxford Blues � Household Cavalry
P[edit]
The Paras � The Parachute Regiment[47]
Paddy's Blackguards � Royal Irish Regiment[1]
The Peacemakers � Bedfordshire Regiment[1] (The regiment had no battle honours until 1882, when it was belatedly given those for the War of the Spanish Succession 170 years earlier; the regimental motto was misquoted as 'Thou Shalt not Kill')[44][48]
The People's Cav Royal Tank Regiment
Perthshire Grey Breeks � 2nd Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)[1]
The Piccadilly Allsorts � London Scottish
The Plymouth Argylls � composite battalion of Royal Marines and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders formed in Malayan Campaign (Plymouth is one of the Marines' home bases, with Plymouth Argyle FC as its local football team)[49]
The Poachers � 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment[50] and The Lincolnshire Regiment[1] (from the regimental quick march, "The Lincolnshire Poacher")
The Pompadours � 56th (West Essex) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment later 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment[1]
The Poona Guards � East Yorkshire Regiment[1]
The Poona Pets � 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry) later 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard � 1st (Royal) Regiment of Foot, later The Royal Scots (they were the oldest regiment in the British Army and humorously claimed to date back to the time of Christ; in fact they were founded in 1633)[3][51]
The Pot Hooks � 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment[1]
The Potters � 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment recruited from The Potteries area around Stoke-on-Trent[52]
The Printers � 2nd City of London Rifle Volunteers The unit was recruited in Fleet Street from the printing works of Eyre & Spottiswoode and Associated Newspapers[53][54]
The Pull-Throughs � 42nd (East Lancashire) Division (from their divisional number and generally small stature, like the 'Four-by-Two' inches of the flannel pull-through used to clean a rifle).[55]
The Pump and Tortoise - 38th (1st Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment[1] (from the regimental badge, a stylised fighting castle atop an equally stylised elephant)
Q[edit]
Queen's Last Resort � Queen's Lancashire Regiment (humorous back-acronym)
Quick Let's Run � Queen's Lancashire Regiment (humorous back-acronym)
Queer Objects On Horseback � Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars[56] (humorous back-acronym)
Queers On Horseback � Queen's Own Hussars (humorous back-acronym)
R[edit]
The Ragged Brigade � 13th Hussars[1]
The Ramnuggar Boys � 14th King's Hussars[1] (from the Battle of Ramnagar in 1849)'
Rats After Mouldy Cheese � Royal Army Medical Corps (humorous back-acronym) [3]
Really Large Corps � Royal Logistic Corps
The Redbreasts � 5th Royal Irish Lancers[39]
The Redcaps � Royal Military Police (from their distinctive headgear)
The Red Devils � The Parachute Regiment[47] (Refers to either the use of Tunisian Red mud as camouflage or the red berets worn)
The Red Feathers � 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry[1]
Red Knights � 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of Foot later Cheshire Regiment[1]
The Regiment � Special Air Service (Refers to their successes in the field, a sarcastic belief that saying their name will summon them.)
Rob All My Comrades � Royal Army Medical Corps (derogatory back-acronym from the belief that medical personnel took advantage of their position to steal from casualties) [3]
Rob All Our Comrades � Royal Army Ordnance Corps
The Rollickers � 89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers[1]
The Romulans � Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY)
The Rorys � The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders[1]
Rough Engineering Made Easy -Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Royal Goats � The Royal Welsh Fusiliers[1]
The Royal Tigers � York and Lancaster Regiment[1]
Run Away, Someone's Coming � Royal Army Service Corps (humorous back-acronym)[3]
Rusty Buckles � 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)[1][7]
S[edit]
The Sandbags � Grenadier Guards[1]
The Scarlet Lancers � 16th The Queen's Lancers later 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers[57] � the only British lancer regiment to wear red rather than blue uniforms from 1830 to World War I
The Saucy Greens � Worcestershire Regiment[1] � from the duck green facing colour of their uniform
Saucy Sixth � 6th Regiment of Foot later Royal Warwickshire Regiment[1]
Saucy Seventh � 7th Queen's Own Hussars[41]
The Shiners � Northumberland Fusiliers[1][7] � from their high standard of spit and polish
The Shiny Fourth � 4th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery[58]
The Shiny Seventh � 7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment � being the only red-coated and brass-buttoned battalion in a brigade otherwise uniformed in rifle green with black buttons[59]
The Shiny Tenth � 10th Royal Hussars[60]
The Shropshire Gunners � 181st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery � on conversion from a battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, there was a shortage of RA insignia, so the men were ordered to cut the 'KING'S' and 'L.I.' from their shoulder titles, leaving the word 'Shropshire' [61]
The Skilljngers � Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)[1]
The Skins
� 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
� Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers [3]
The Snappers � East Yorkshire Regiment[1]
The Splashers � The Wiltshire Regiment[1]
The Springers[1]
� 62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment of Foot
� The Wiltshire Regiment
� The Lincolnshire Regiment
The Staffordshire Knot � 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) later 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment[1]
The Star of the Line � Worcestershire Regiment[1](from the elongated star forming part of the regimental badge)
The Steelbacks
- 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment[1]
� The Northamptonshire Regiment[1]
The Steel Heads � 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry) later 2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment[1]
The Stickies � The Royal Ulster Rifles (83rd & 86th)
Stink � Special Brigade, Royal Engineers (responsible for poison gas and flame attacks)[3][18]
The Supple Twelfth � 12th Royal Lancers[62]
The Surprisers � 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot[1]
The Sweeps � 95th Rifles later The Rifle Brigade[1][7] � from their black facings
T[edit]
Teenie Weenie Airlines - Army Air Corps
The Tabs � 15th The King's Hussars later 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars[63]
The Tankies � Royal Tank Regiment specifically, rather than cavalry units equipped with tanks � this differentiates from "tankers" as the US army term for all tank soldiers
The Tartan Tankies 4th Royal Tank Regiment
The Thin Red Line � 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot later The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders[1]
The Tigers � 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot who amalgamated with 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Hampshire Regiment in 1881 and now Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment [1] (so named after the Royal Tiger badge awarded to the 67th in honour of 21 years continuous service in India)
The Tin Bellies � 1st Life Guards and 2nd Life Guards[1]
Titchburns Own � Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)[1]
The T'Others � 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment[38]
The Trades Union � 1st King's Dragoon Guards[1]
The Triple Xs � 30th Regiment of Foot later East Lancashire Regiment[1]
The Two Fours � 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion Essex Regiment[1]
The Two Fives � 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot later 2nd Battalion Border Regiment[1]
The Two Tens � 20th Regiment of Foot later Lancashire Fusiliers[19]
The Two Twos � 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of Foot[1]
The Three Tens � 30th Regiment of Foot later East Lancashire Regiment[1]
The Twin Roses � York and Lancaster Regiment[1]
THEM � Special Air Service (Relates to the hush-hush nature of most of their work, where it wouldn't be prudent to mention their name), coined by Auld Sapper.
U[edit]
The Ups and Downs � 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot later The Welsh Regiment[1][7] � because the number 69 reads the same either way up
V[edit]
The Vein Openers � 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot later Worcestershire Regiment[1](refers to involvement of the 29th in the Boston Massacre)
The Vikings � 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment[50]
The Vulgar Fractions 16/5th Lancers
W[edit]
Wardour's Horse � The Welsh Regiment[1]
The Warwickshire Lads � Royal Warwickshire Regiment[1][7]
Wolfe's Own � 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment[1]
The Wonkey Donkeys � Berkshire Yeomanry
The Woofers � Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment[6](pronunciation of WFR)
Wright's Irregulars � 582nd Moonlight Battery, Royal Artillery (after the unit's commanding officer)[64]
X[edit]
The XV � 20th Hussars[1]
Y[edit]
The Young Buffs � 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot later 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment[1]
Young and Livelies � York and Lancaster Regiment[1]
See also[edit]
Lists portal
Lists of nicknames � nickname list articles on Wikipedia
Nicknames of U.S. Army divisions
Regimental nicknames of the Canadian Forces

Regimental nicknames of the Canadian Forces
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Many regiments have over the years earned nicknames; some laudatory, some derogatory, but all colourful. Sometimes, the nicknames themselves have overshadowed the actual regimental title, e.g. the "Van Doos" for the Royal 22e R�giment. In some cases the nickname actually replaced it: in 1881, the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot became officially known by its nickname, The Black Watch.

What follows is a list of nicknames of Canadian regiments, arranged alphabetically by regimental title. A brief explanation of the origin of the nickname, where known, is included.

Contents [hide]
1 Regimental nicknames
2 See also
3 Notes
4 References
Regimental nicknames[edit]
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
Plough Jockeys: from World War II, bestowed because of the regiment's rural roots[1]
Hasty P's: a play on their name and the short 'bathroom breaks' during wartime
Hasty Pasties: another play on their name.
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The RCR: the official short title of the regiment
Rocking Chair Rangers
Shino Boys: a First World War nickname given to The RCR by soldiers of other units, noting the regiment's high standards of dress and deportment [2]
Chicken Fuckers[3]: Derogatory. The most offensive nickname given to The Royal Canadian Regiment.
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment
The Eddies
The Lorne Scots Regiment
Horny Lornies: Derogatory. this likely originated from an urban legend regarding their yellow hackles, thought to be a battle disgrace (I can't find any record of such a disgrace).
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Quickest out of Ridgeway[4]: Derogatory: referring to the Battle of Ridgeway.
8th Canadian Hussars
Crazy 8s[5]: after the card game.
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Ping Pong Champions of Long Island
The Patricias,[6] the Princess Pats, the Pats
Dirty Cowboy[7]: likely referring to the region their primary HQ resides in.

List of warships by nickname
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a list of warships listed by nickname. See below for a key to abbreviations.

Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A[edit]
"Abe" � USS Abraham Lincoln[3]; Abraham Lincoln is often informally referred to as "Abe" or "Stink'n Lincoln"
"Ageless Warrior" � USS Coral Sea[4][5]
"Aggie" � HMS Agamemnon[6]
"Aggie on Horseback" � HMS Weston[7]; nickname named for Agnes Weston, a temperance and sailor's advocate; "on horseback" is a jocular mistranslation of Latin "super-mare" ("on the sea"), "mare" being equated with a female horse
"'A Gin Court" � HMS Agincourt; Battleship seized from Turkey in 1914; because of its luxurious Turkish outfit
"Algonquatraz" � HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283)
"'Am and Tripe" � HMS Amphitrite[8]; humorous malapropism
"America's Favorite Carrier" � USS Carl Vinson[9]
"Angry Cat" � French ship Henri IV[10]; named so by the British, a play on the pronunciation of "Henri Quatre"
"Archdeacon" � HMS Venerable[11]; a play on the phrase "venerable archdeacon"
"Athabee" � HMCS Athabaskan (DDG 282)
B[edit]
"Battle Cat" � USS Kitty Hawk[12]
"Battle Schmoozer", "Belcrash" � USS Belknap; reference her collision with the USS Kennedy in 1975
"Battle Star" � USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
"Big Ben" � USS Franklin[13]; the ship is named after Benjamin Franklin
"Big D" � USS Dallas; Given to the ship to denote being named in honor of the city of Dallas.
"The Big E" � USS Enterprise (CV-6)[14] and USS Enterprise (CVN-65)[15]
"The Big J" � USS New Jersey[16]
"Big John" � USS John F. Kennedy[17]
"Big Lizzie" � HMS Queen Elizabeth[18]
"Big Mamie" � USS Massachusetts[19]
"The Big Nasty" � USS Nassau
"The Big Stick" � USS Theodore Roosevelt[20]; based on Theodore Roosevelt's quotation, "Speak softly and carry a big stick"[21]. Also used for the USS Iowa for its role as the Big Stick of the Pacific during most of the naval battles it participated in.
"Big Gray Deuce" � USS Essex; humorous malapropism
"Billy Ruffian" � HMS Bellerophon[22]; humorous mispronunciation
"The Black Dragon" � USS New Jersey
"The Blue Ghost"� USS Lexington (CV-16); nickname supposedly bestowed by Japanese radio propagandist Tokyo Rose because of the color of her camouflage painting and because she repeatedly disproved reports that she had been sunk [23]
"Bonnie" � HMCS Bonaventure[24]
"Building (hull number)" � a U.S. Navy joke about ships that don't go to sea much.
"Building 575" � USS Seawolf (SSN-575)
"Building 597" � USS Tullibee (SSN-597)
"Building 21" � USS Seawolf (SSN-21)
"Building 11" � USS Coronado (AGF-11)
"The Big Risk" � USS Oriskany (CV-34)
"Bag Lady" � USS Bagley (FF-1069); humorous malaproprism
"Berzerkly" � USS Berkeley (DDG-15); humorous malaproprism
"Broke" � USS Brooke (FFG-1); humorous malaproprism
C[edit]
"C-ville" � USS Chancellorsville
"Cannabis" � USS Canopus; humorous malapropism
"Can Opener" � USS John F. Kennedy, after collision with USS Belknap
"Century One" � HMS Centurion; humorous malapropism
"Christmas Anthem" � HMS Chrysanthemum; humorous malapropism
"Chuckie V" � USS Carl Vinson
"Cocoa Boat" � HMS Curacoa; humorous malapropism
"Connie" � USS Constellation; diminutive of ship's name
"The Count" � USS Comte de Grasse; named for Comte de Grasse (French, "Count de Grasse"), an ally of the Americans in the American War of Independence
"Curious" � HMS Furious[25]
"Cellblock 70" � USS Carl Vinson; humorous reference to restricted liberty for crew after incidents in Bremerton, WA, in the mid-1980s.
D[edit]
"Despair Ship Remorse" � HMS Resource[26]; humorous malapropism on "Repair ship Resource"
"Decrepit" � USS Intrepid
"Dirty Cush" � USS Cushing
"Dirty Two-Thirty" � HMCS Margaree (DDE 230) (decommissioned); from her hull number.
"Dirty V" � USS Carl Vinson; humorous malapropism
"Dreado" � HMS Dreadnought[27]; diminutive of ship's name
"Dull Ass" � USS Dallas; humorous malapropism
"Dickover"-USS Hyman G. Rickover
"Dickey B"�USS Richard B. Russell (SSN-687)
"Dry I" � USS Intrepid
E[edit]
"Eggshells" � HMS Achilles; humorous malapropism
"Enterprison" � USS Enterprise; humorous malapropism
"Evil I" � USS Intrepid
"Exploder" � HMS Explorer; experimental & temperamental submarine fitted with dangerous hydrogen peroxide propulsion system.
F[edit]
"The Fightingest Ship in the RCN" � HMCS Haida; gained this moniker by reason of sinking 14 enemy ships during patrols in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay; she also sank more enemy surface tonnage than any other Canadian ship [28]
"The Fighting G" � HMS Gloucester
"The Fighting J" � HMS Jamaica
"The Fighting I" � USS Intrepid
"The Fighting Lady" � USS Yorktown
"The Fighting Sausage" � HMS Cumberland; from Cumberland sausage
"Firestal" � USS Forrestal
"The Five Mile Sniper" � HMAS Brisbane
"Flatiron" � HMS Argus; from the shape of the ship
"Forrest Fire" "FID (First in Defense" � USS Forrestal; humorous malapropism, also because of the fire on deck.
"Fraser Blade" � HMCS Fraser
"Freddy" - HMCS Fredericton
"Fleet Starship" � USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
"The Furry Wet Mound" � USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986), humorous malapropism
G[edit]
"Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast" � USS Houston
"George's Legs" or "Gorgeous Legs" -- French light cruiser Georges Leygues
"Germanclown" � USS Germantown (LSD-42)
"Ghetto" � USS Gato
"Gipper" � USS Ronald Reagan; named for Ronald Reagan's nickname, from his role of George "The Gipper" Gipp in the film Knute Rockne, All American.
"Gin Palace" � HMS Agincourt; originally built for Brazilian Navy and given higher standards of comfort for officers, and lesser standards of comfort for the crew than most RN ships. Also a deliberate misspelling of the name: A Gin Court.
"The Gold Eagle" � USS Carl Vinson
"The Golden Devil" (Dutch "Den Gulden Duvel") � HMS Sovereign of the Seas
"The Golden Guad" � USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7)
"Le Grand Hotel" � French Ironclad Hoche
"The Grand Old Lady" � HMS Warspite[29]
"The Gray Ghost" � USS Enterprise (CV-6)
"The Gray Lady" � USS Lexington
"Grey Ghost" � USS Pensacola; nickname given by Tokyo Rose
"Greenpig" �USS Greenling
"GW" � USS George Washington; initials of the ship's namesake
H[edit]
"Happy Valley" � USS Valley Forge
"He-Cat" � HMS Hecate; humorous malapropism
"HMAS Can Opener" � HMAS Melbourne; given by US Navy sailors for the ships part in the sinking of the US Navy destroyer USS Frank E. Evans.
HMS Refit - HMS Renown;
HMS Repair - HMS Repulse
"Hiroshima" � Soviet submarine K-19, due to a nuclear accident onboard
"Holiday Express" � USS Bunker Hill
"Holiday Inn" � USS Bunker Hill
"HST" � USS Harry S. Truman; initials of the ship's namesake Harry S. Truman
"Hairy Ass" � USS Harry S. Truman; humorous malapropism
"Hymi G" � USS Hyman G. Rickover
"Happy Harry" � USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986)
"Hotel Yamato" � Japanese battleship Yamato; due to the amount of time spent at Truk between August 1942 and May 1943
I[edit]
"Ike" � USS Dwight D. Eisenhower; based on nickname of namesake, Dwight D. Eisenhower
"Ikeatraz" � USS Dwight D. Eisenhower; derogatory nickname given to those that served on board and had gotten in trouble in some way.
"Indy" � USS Independence
"Iron Duck" � HMS Iron Duke
"Fighting I" � USS Intrepid
"Ichiban Benjo Maru" � USS Ajax (AR-6); due to an outbreak of bacillary dysentery that required quarantine
J[edit]
"Jimmy K" � USS James K. Polk
"Johnny Reb" � USS John C. Stennis
K[edit]
"Kaarnavene" - Finnish Navy Nuoli class fast gunboats. The name means literally "bark boat": they were made from non-magnetic mahogany.
"Kami-ha-ha" � USS Kamehameha; humorous malapropism
"King of Tomahawks" � USS John Young; probably after the ship's BGM-109 Tomahawk weapons system, or "The John Bone" humorous malapropisms
"Shitty Kitty" � USS Kitty Hawk; humorous malapropism [1]
"Knockwood" � USS Lockwood
L[edit]
"Lady Lex" � USS Lexington
"Lady Lou" � USS Louisville
"Long Delayed" � HMAS Adelaide; rhyming play on ship's name. Fitting out and completion of the ship were delayed (almost 3 years) due to the loss of important machinery parts, as a result of enemy action, which gave rise to the nickname.
"The Lord's Own" � HMS Vengeance; derived from the phrase "The Lord's own vengeance", based on the sentiment of Romans 12:19
"Lost and Confused" � USS Lewis and Clark
"Lucky A" - USS Alabama
"Lucky E" - USS Enterprise
"Lucky 26" � HNoMS Stord
"Lusty" � HMS Illustrious
"Lucky Number 7" � USS Rainier - The hull number.
M[edit]
"Maggie" � HMS Magnificent; HMCS Magnificent
"The Mighty Hood" � HMS Hood
"Mighty O" � USS Oriskany
"Mighty Y" � USCGC Yakutat
"Mighty Mo" � USS Missouri
"Mighty Moo" � USS Cowpens
"Mobile Chernobyl" � USS Enterprise
"Moskvitch" � Finnish navy Tuima class missile boats. Soviet-built Moskvitch cars had notoriously poor reputation in Finland.
"Motel 6" � USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)
"Midway Magic" - USS Midway (CV-41)
N[edit]
"Nasty Asty" � USS Astoria
"Nelly" � HMS Nelson - also "Nelsol" � from fleet oilers with names ending in 'ol' that the Nelson class looked similar to in silhouette.
"Niffy Jane" � HMS Iphigenia
"NO Boat" � USS New Orleans
"Northo" � HMS Northumberland
O[edit]
"O'Broken" � USS O'Brien
"The O-Boat" � USS Oriskany
"Old Bones" � Japanese battleship Kongo
"Old Falling Apart" � USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), from firing so many rounds during the bombardment of Guam, she appeared to be falling apart.
"Old Formy" � HMS Formidable
"The Old Grey Ghost of the Borneo Coast" � HMS Albion[2]
"Old Ironsides" � USS Constitution[3]
"The Old Lady" � HMS Warspite, from a comment by Viscount Cunningham;[4] impressed by the vintage ship's speed during a mission to aid the British Army in Sicily, Cunningham remarked, "When the old lady lifts her skirts she can run."[5]
"Old Salt" � USS Nimitz
"One-Eye" � HMS Polyphemus; Polyphemus was a cyclops in Greek mythology
"Orjalaiva Kurjala" � Finnish Navy corvette Karjala. The word orjalaiva means slave ship in Finnish, while Kurjala references the Finnish word kurja ("miserable").
"Outrageous" � HMS Courageous;[6] humorous malapropism
"The Oki Boat" � USS Okinawa
P[edit]
"Pepper Pot" � HMS Penelope - while docked in Valletta harbour, during the Siege of Malta, she was bombed so much she resembled a pepper pot
"Pierwolf" � USS Seawolf
"The Pool" � HMS Liverpool
"Proud Pete" � USS Peterson; play on "Pete" as a diminutive of "Peterson", and on the ship's motto, "Proud Tradition"
"Prune Barge" � USS California[7]
"Puffington" � HMS Effingham
"Puuhamaa" � Finnish navy minelayer Pohjanmaa. An ironical remark of Puuhamaa amusement park.
"Sweet Pea" � USS Portland
Q[edit]
"Queerfish" � USS Queenfish
"Quiet Warrior" � USS Spruance
R[edit]
"The Red-Eye" � HMCS Huron (DDG 281) (decommissioned); so named for the tobacco flower blossom on the ship's badge.
"Refit" � HMS Renown
"Repair" � HMS Repulse
"Rezzo" � HMS Resolution
"Rough Rider" � USS Theodore Roosevelt
"Rodnol" � HMS Rodney - from fleet oilers with names ending in 'ol'
"Ruosteensilm�" � Finnish Navy minelayer Ruotsinsalmi. The name means Rusty Eye in Finnish.
"Rusty-guts" � HMCS Restigouche[30]
"Rusty W" � USS Washington
S[edit]
"Sara", :Super Sara", "Sorry Sara", "Sister Sara", "Stripe-Stack Sara", "Sinking Sara" or "Sara Maru" � USS Saratoga
"Saggy Pants" � HMCS Saguenay
"Sally Rand" � HMCS St. Laurent (DDH 205) (decommissioned) nickname of several ships which have been named St. Laurent, of which HMCS St. Laurent DDH 205 was the most recent.
"San Francisco's Own" � USS Carl Vinson
"Seapuppy" � USS Seawolf
"Shall Not Perish" � USS Abraham Lincoln
"Shiny Sheff" � HMS Sheffield
"Shitty Kitty" � USS Kitty Hawk
"Showboat" � USS North Carolina
"Slack Jack" � USS John F. Kennedy
"Smiley" � USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) - nickname of former US President Carter
"The Smoke" � HMS London
"Sodak" � USS South Dakota
"USS Spring-a-leak" � USS Springfield (CLG-7) - for her alleged degraded engineering condition near the completion of her final deployment as Sixth Fleet Flagship (over 3 years)
"Spurious" � HMS Furious[31]
"Starship Vinson" � USS Carl Vinson
"Steel Cat" � HMAS Brisbane
"Stinkin Lincoln" � USS Abraham Lincoln
"Suckin' 60 From Dixie", or "Suckin' Sara" � USS Saratoga
"Surunmaa" � Finnish navy corvette Turunmaa. Literally "land of sorrow".
"Swayback Maru" � USS Salt Lake City
"Stressex" � USS Essex; humorous malapropism
"Steamin' Deuce" � USS Essex; humorous malapropism
"Slimey Lymie" � USS Lyman K. Swenson
"Saint Pauline" � USS Saint Paul; Humorous malapropism
"The Stain" � USS Stein
"Special K" � USS Kawishiwi
T[edit]
"T2" � USS Tullibee - This nickname was used to identify the second ship named Tullibee (SSN 597) from the first Tullibee (SS 284).
"T.R." � USS Theodore Roosevelt
"Tea Boat" � HMS Ceylon
"Tea Chest" � HMS Thetis
"Teacup" � USS Tecumseh
"Tico" � USS Ticonderoga
"Tiddly Quid" � HMS Royal Sovereign. Both quid and sovereign are synonymous to pound sterling.
"Tin Duck" � HMS Iron Duke
"Three-Quarter Mile Island" � USS Enterprise (CVN-65) (a pun on Three Mile Island)
"The Toothless Terror" � HMS Scylla
"Toasted O" � USS Oriskany
"Traffie" � HMS Trafalgar
"Trawler Mauler" � HMCS Nipigon - stems from an incident in the late 1980s when Nipigon sank a civilian fishing trawler for being a hazard to shipping
"Tullibeast" � USS Tullibee
"The Tartan Terror" � HMAS Stuart
"Tottenham" � HMS Hotspur. After football team Tottenham Hotspur.
"Tupperware" � HMS Wilton. First warship to be constructed from Glass-reinforced plastic.
"Tuska class" � Finnish navy Tuima class missile boats. Tuska means "agony" in Finnish.
"Tortanic" � USS Tortuga (LSD-46)
U[edit]
"Uproarious" � HMS Glorious[32]
V[edit]
"VDQ" � NCSM Ville de Qu�bec. Note that as a designated French-language unit, she properly uses the title Navire canadien de Sa Majest� (NCSM), which is the French translation of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS)).
"Von Stupid" � USS Von Steuben
"Vince" � HMS Invincible
"Vinny" � USS Vincennes (CA-44)
W[edit]
"Weavy" � USS West Virginia
"Wet Ass Queen" � HMCS Wetaskiwin[33]
"Winter Pig" � HMCS Winnipeg
"Wisky" � USS Wisconsin
X[edit]
[icon] This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2010)
Y[edit]
"The Y" � USCGC Yakutat
Z[edit]
"Zippo" � USS Forrestal[34]
"Zoo (The) - USS Kalamazoo
Abbreviations[edit]
NCSM � "Navire canadien de Son/Sa Majest�"; applied to Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces vessels designated as French-language units.
HMAS � "His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship"; applied to Royal Australian Navy vessels
HMCS � "His/Her Majesty's Canadian Ship"; applied to Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces vessels
HMNZS � "His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship"; applied to Royal New Zealand Navy vessels
HMS � "His/Her Majesty's Ship"; applied to Royal Navy vessels
USS � "United States Ship"; applied to United States Navy vessels

List of nicknames of United States Army divisions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Nicknames of U.S. Army divisions)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Many Army divisions have over the years earned nicknames; some laudatory, some derogatory, but mostly colorful. Sometimes, the nicknames themselves have overshadowed the actual name of the division, e.g. the "Screaming Eagles" for the 101st Airborne Division.

A division's nickname may derive from numerous sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_nicknames

List of U.S. government and military acronyms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
List of initialisms, acronyms ("words made from parts of other words, pronounceable"), and other abbreviations used by the government and the military of the United States. Note that this list is intended to be specific to the United States government and military�other nations will have their own acronyms.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See also
0�9[edit]
0K � Zero Killed (pronounced OK, as the expression that everything is okay)
1LT � First Lieutenant (U.S. Army) (USAF uses "1st Lt")
2LT � Second Lieutenant (U.S. Army) (USAF uses "2d Lt")
2IC � Second In Command
1SG � First Sergeant (E-8 Army)
A[edit]
A � Analog
A1C � Airman First Class (USAF E-3)
A2C2 � Army Airspace Command And Control
A-3 � (Operations Directorate (COMAFFOR))
A-5 � (Plans Directorate (COMAFFOR))
AA � Anti-Aircraft
AA � Armed Forces America
AA � Assembly Area
AA � Assessment Agent
AA � Avenue Of Approach
AAA � Army Audit Agency
AAA � Antiaircraft Artillery
AAA � Arrival And Assembly Area
AAA � Assign Alternate Area
AAAD � Airborne Anti-Armor Defense[1]
AAAS � Amphibious Aviation Assault Ship
AABB � American Association of Blood Banks
AABWS � Amphibious Assault Bulk Water System
AAC � Activity Address Code
AACG � Arrival Airfield Control Group
AADC � Area Air Defense Commander
AADP � Area Air Defense Plan
AA&E � Arms, Ammunition, And Explosives
AAEC � Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team
AAFC � Australian Air Force Cadets (Australia)
AAFES � Army and Air Force Exchange Service
AAFIF � Automated Air Facility Information File
AAFS � Amphibious Assault Fuel System
AAFSF � Amphibious Assault Fuel Supply Facility
AAGS � Army Air-Ground System
AAI � Air-To-Air Interface
AAM � Air-To-Air Missile
AAMDC � US Army Air And Missile Defense Command
AAOE � Arrival And Assembly Operations Element
AAOG � Arrival And Assembly Operations Group
AAP � Allied Administrative Publication
AAP � Assign Alternate Parent
AAR � After Action Report
AAR � After Action Review
AAS � Army Apprentice School (Australia)
AAST � Aeromedical Evacuation Administrative Support Team
AAT � Automatic Analog Test
AAT � Aviation Advisory Team
AAU � Analog Applique Unit
AAV � Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAW � Antiair Warfare
AB � Airbase
AB � Airman Basic (USAF E-1)
ABCA � American, British, Canadian, Australian Armies Program
ABCS � Army Battle Command System
ABD � Airbase Defense
ABV � Assault Breacher Vehicle (U.S. Army)
ABFC � Advanced Base Functional Component
ADOS � Active Duty, Operational Support
ADSW � Active Duty, Special Work
AE � Armed Forces Europe
AEW&C � Airborne Early Warning And Control
AFI � Awaiting Further Instruction/Air Force Instruction (requirement guide)
AFMC � Armed Forces Medical College
AFOQT � Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
AFOSI � United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations
AFSC � Air Force Specialty Code
AHA � Ammunition Holding Area
AIM � Airborne Intercept Missile (U.S. Military)
AIPD � Army Institute For Professional Development
AIS - Automated Information System
AIT � Advanced Individual Training (U.S. Army)
Amn � Airman (USAF E-2)
ALCON � All Concerned (U.S. Military)
AMU � Aircraft Maintenance Unit
AMXG � Aircraft Maintenance Group
AMXS � Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
AOL � Absent Over Leave (U.S. Navy)
AO � Area Of Operations
A&P � Administrative And Personnel
AP � Armed Forces Pacific
AP � Armor-Piercing
APC � Armored Personnel Carrier
APFSDS � Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot
APO � Army Post Office; See Also FPO
APPN � Appropriation Number (U.S. Military)
APRT � Army Physical Readiness Test (U.S. Army)
ARCENT/TUSA US Army Forces Central Command (CENTCOM)/Hq Third US Army (TUSA)[2]
ARPANET � Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (e.g., 1969 to 1989; antecedent of the information superhighway; now DARPA)
ARM � Anti-Radar Missile
ARM � Anti-Radiation Missile
ARMS � Automated Recruit Management System (U.S. Military)
ARMS � Aviation Resource Management System (USAF)
ART � Alarm Response Team (USAF)
ARVN � Army Of The Republic Of (South) Viet Nam (U.S. Military)
ASAP � Army Substance Abuse Program (U.S. Military)
ASAP � As Soon As Possible
ASEAN � Association Of South East Asian Nations
ASM � Air-To-Surface Missile
ASCM � Anti-Ship C Missile
ASV � Anti-Surface Vessel (airborne radar)
ASVAB � Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
ASW � Anti-Submarine Warfare
ATC � Air Training Corps
ATC � Air Traffic Control
ATFU � Ate The Fuck Up (not squared away)[3]
ATO � Air Tasking Order
ATO � Antiterrorism Officer
ATRRS � Army Training Requirements And Resources System
AWACS � Airborne Warning and Control System
AWOL � Absent Without Leave
B[edit]
BAMCIS � Begin planning Arrange Recon Make the plan Complete the plan Issue the order Supervise (US Marine Corps)
BAH � Basic Allowance for Housing
BAR � Browning Automatic Rifle
BAU � Behavioural Analysis Unit
BCD � Battlefield Coordination Detachment
BCD � Bad Conduct Discharge (aka Big Chicken Dinner)
BCG � Birth Control Glasses (U.S. Military Slang)
BCT � Basic Combat Training (U.S. Army)
BCT - Brigade Combat Team
BDF � Barbados Defence Force (Barbados)
BDU � Battle Dress Uniform (U.S. Military)
Be � Beriev (Russian)
BEA � Budget Execution Authority (U.S. Navy)
BFT � Blue Force Tracker (U.S. Military)
BG � Bodyguard
BGHR � By God He's Right (U.S Military)
BLUF � Bottom Line Up Front (US Military)
BMNT � Begin Morning Nautical Twilight (U.S Army)
BN � Battalion (U.S. Army)
BDE � Brigade (U.S. Army)
BOHICA � Bend Over Here It Comes Again (US Military Slang)
BRAC � Base Realignment And Closure
BRAT (American)� Born Raised And Transferred (American usage, refers to dependent children of military personnel) Usually Pronounced "Military Brat" (Or "Air Force BRAT", or Army "Brat", Navy "Brat" etc.).[4]
BRAT (British)� British RegimentAttachedTraveler (British military usage, may have been the original usage, which was later adapted to the American military: Means "child that travels with a soldier") Usually pronounced "Military Brat" or "Base Brat".[5][6]
BUB � Battle Update Brief
BVR � Beyond Visual Range (USAF)
BX � Base Exchange (USAF)
BZ � spoken "Bravo Zulu", meaning "congratulations, job well done"
C[edit]
C1 � Command
C2 � Command And Control
C3 � Command Control And Communication
C4IR � Command Control Communication Computers Intelligence And Recognition
CAC � Common Access Card (U.S. DoD, pron. "cac")
CAG � Commander, Air Group (U.S. Navy, pron. "cag")
CAG � Civil Affairs Group. Term used for military members assigned to assist civilian governments with restoring infrastructure (All U.S. branches, pron. "cag")
CAGE � Commercial and Government Entity
CALL � Center for Army Lessons Learned
CAPT � Captain (US Navy, USCG O-6)
Capt � Captain (USMC, US Army, USAF O-3)
CAS � Close Air Support
CASEX � Coordinated Anti-Submarine EXercise[7]
CASEVAC � Casualty Evacuation
CAT � Combat Application Tourniquets
CBRN � Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear
CBU � Cluster Bomb Unit
CCIP � Continually Calculated Impact Point (USAF/USMC Aviation)
CCIR � Commanders Critical Information Requirements
CCP � Casualty Collection Point
CCRP � Continually Calculated Release Point (USAF/USMC Aviation)
CDAT � Computerized Dumb Ass Tanker (M1 Abrams Crewmen)
CDIAC � Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
CDRUSPACOM Commander United States Pacific Command
CENTCOM � Central Command (U.S. Military)
CF � Cluster Fuck (always pronounced phonetically "Charlie Foxtrot")
CH � Cunt Hair (a unit of measurement)
CHU � Containerized Housing Unit
Chief � Chief Warrant Officer
CIA � Central Intelligence Agency
CIB � Combat Infantry Badge
CIC � Command Intelligence Center (U.S. Navy)
CINCLANT � Commander-in-chief, Atlantic Forces (U.S. Navy before 2002)
CINCLANTFLT � Commander-in-chief, Atlantic Fleet (U.S. Navy before 2002)
CINCPAC � Commander-in-chief, Pacific Forces (U.S. Navy before 2002)
CIWS � Close-In Weapon System
CMSgt � Chief Master Sergeant (USAF E-9; highest AF enlisted rank)
CMSAF � Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (USAF E-9 � Senior Enlisted Member)
CO � Commanding Officer
COA � Course of Action
COB � Chief Of the Boat (Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Boat usually a Master Chief (USN Submariner Terminology))
COCOM � Combatant Commander
CODELS � Congressional Delegations
Col � Colonel
COMINT � Communications Intelligence
COMPACFLT � Commander, Pacific Fleet (U.S. Navy)
COMSEC' � Communication Security
CONUS � Continental United States (U.S. military, pron. "cone-us")
CONUSA � Continental United States Army (numbered Armies of U.S. military)
CORDS � (U.S. military, Vietnam era)
COP � Combat Out Post
CoS � Chief of Staff
COT � Commissioned Officer Training
CPL � Corporal (U.S. Army and Marine Corps E-4)
CPO � Chief Petty Officer (USCG/USN E-7)
CPT � Captain (US Army O-3)
CP � Check Point (Usually Numbered i.e. "CP1")
CPX � Command Post Exercise
CQB � Close Quarters Battle
CRC � CONUS Replacement Center (a military processing center at Fort Benning, Georgia, US)
CSM � Command Sergeant Major (U.S. Army E9 highest Army enlisted rank))
CSAR � Combat Search And Rescue
CT � Counter-terrorism Team
CTR � Close Target Reconnaissance
CUB � Commander Update Brief
CVN � Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier (NOTE: the V comes from the expression "heavier than air flying machine")
CWO � Chief Warrant Officer
CZN � Nuclear-powered Airship Carrier (NOTE: the Z comes from the use of the word Zeppelin although non-Zeppelin airships would also be transported on a CZN)
D[edit]
DA � Defence Attach�
DAC � Department of the Army Civilian
DAGR � Defense Advanced GPS Receiver
DARPA � Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (U.S. Military)
DC3 � Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center
DCAA � Defense Contract Audit Agency
DCMA � Defense Contract Management Agency
DEROS � Date Estimated Return From Overseas
DEVGRU � the United States naval special warfare DEVelopment GRoUp
DFAC � Dining Facility (U.S. Military)
DFAS � Defense Finance and Accounting Service (U.S. Military)
D.I.A � Defensive Intelligence Agency
DINFAC � Dining Facility (U.S. Military)
DISA � Defense Information Systems Agency
DLB � Dead Letter Box
DMDC � Defense Manpower Data Center
DME � Depot Maintenance Enterprise (U.S. Military)
DMEA � Defense Microelectronics Activity
DMS � Defense Message System (U.S. Military)
DMZ � Demilitarized Zone
DOA � Dead on Arrival
DoDAAC � Department of Defense Activity Address Code (U.S. Military)
DoDAF � Department of Defense Architectural Framework (U.S. Military)
DoDIC � Department of Defense Identification Code (U.S. Military)
DOEHRS � Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (U.S. Military)
DOP � Drop-Off Point
DPMs � Disruptive Pattern Material
DRT � Dead Right There; wounded in such a way as to indicate immediate and/or unavoidable death; often used as a sarcastic form of the civilian acronym DOA (Dead On Arrival)
DTO � Daily Tasking Order
DTRA � Defense Threat Reduction agency
DZ � Drop Zone
E[edit]
E&E � Escape and Evade
EA � Electronic Attack
ECP � Entry Control Point
EDCSA � Effective Date of Change of Strength Accountability (obsolete for U. S. Army)
EHRS - Electronic Health Records (Software)
EI � Engineering and Installation
EIS � Engineering and Installation Squadron, Environmental Impact Statement
EI SIT � Engineering and Installation Site Implementation Team
EKIA- Enemy Killed in Action
ELINT � Electronic Intelligence
EMI � Extra Military Instruction
ENS � Ensign (US Navy junior officer rank, O-1)
EOD � Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EOS � End of Service
EP � Electronic Protection
EPW � Enemy Prisoner of War
ERV � Emergency Rendezvous
ESSENCE � Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (U.S. Military)
ETA � Estimated time of arrival
ETS � Estimated Termination of Service
EUCOM � European Command (U.S. Military)
EW � Electronic Warfare (comprises EA, EP)
Exfil � Exfiltration (Opposite of infiltration; exiting undetected)
F[edit]
FA � Field Artillery
FAK � First Aid Kit
FAR � Federal Acquisition Regulation
FBCB2 � Force XXI Battlefield Command Brigade and Below
FBI � Federal Bureau of Investigation
FEBA � Forward Edge of the Battle Area
FFE � Fire for effect
FIDO � FIre Direction Officer
FIGMO � Fuck It, Got My Orders
FIST � Fire Support Team
FISTer � Member of a Fire Support Team
FIST-V � Fire Support Team Vehicle
FISINT � Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence
FISHDO � Fuck It, Shit Happens, Drive On
FitRep � Fitness Report
FLOT � Forward Line of Troops
FLOTUS � First Lady of the United States (U.S. � see POTUS)
FM � Field Marshal; more commonly "Field Manual"
FMC � Fully Mission Capable
FNG � Fucking New Guy
FO � Forward Observer
FO � Foxtrot Oscar (i.e. Fuck Off) (US/UK Forces)
FOB � Forward Operating Base
FOD � Foreign Object Damage (U.S.)
FOD � Foreign Object Debris (U.S.)
FPO � Fleet Post Office; See also APO
FSA � Force Structure Allowance
FSTE � Foreign Service Tour Extension
FTUS � Full Time Unit Specialist
FUBAR � Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition or Fucked Up Beyond All Repair
FYSA � For Your Situational Awareness
FYI � For Your Information
G[edit]
G1 � General Staff Level office for Personnel and Manpower (Division and Above)
G2 � General Staff Level office for Military Intelligence (Division and Above)
G3 � General Staff Level office for Operations and Plans (Division and Above)
G4 � General Staff Level office for Logistics (Division and Above)
G5 � General Staff Level office for Military/Civil Affairs (Division and Above)
G6 � General Staff Level office for Signal and Communication (Division and Above)
G7 � General Staff Level office for Training and Exercises (Division and Above)
G8 � General Staff Level office for Force Development and Analysis (Division and Above)
G9 � General Staff Level office for Civil Operations (Division and Above)
GBU � Guided Bomb Unit
GEN � General
GI � Government Issue
GIG � Global Information Grid
GIGO � Garbage In Garbage Out
GM � Gone Mersault
GO � General Officer
GOCO � Government owned, contractor operated
GPMG � General Purpose Machine Gun
GPS � Global Positioning System
GS � General Schedule
H[edit]
HALO � High Altitude Low Opening (Airborne)
HAHO � High Altitude High Opening
HAAMS � High Altitude Airdrop Missions
HBL � Holiday Block Leave (U.S. Army)
HE � High Explosive
HEAT � High Explosive Anti-Tank warhead
HEP � High Explosive, Plastic (US usage)
HESH � High Explosive Squash Head (British anti-tank round)
HMAS � Her Majesty's Australian Ship (Australia)
HMCS � Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (Canada)
HMFIC � Head Motherfucker In Charge � colloquialism for the highest-ranking person present; more commonly used by NCO's than by officers (U.S. Military)
HMMWV � High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (U.S. Military) (Pronounced Humvee)
HMNZS � Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship (New Zealand)
HMS � Hans Majest�ts Skepp (His Majesty's ship, Sweden)
HMS � Her Majesty's Ship (Royal Navies such as Royal British Navy) (His Majesty's Ship if King)
Hr.Ms � His/Her Dutch Majesty's Ship (Dutch Royal Navy ship)
HOMSEC � Homeland Security
HRAP � Hometown Recruiter Assistance Program
HQ � Headquarters
HHB � Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
HHC � Headquarters and Headquarters Company
HHT � Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
HUMINT � Human Intelligence
HVI � High Value Individual
HVT � High Value Target
HYT � High Year Tenure
I[edit]
IAF � Indian Air Force
IAF � Israeli Air Force
IAVA � Information Assurance Vulnerability Alert (U.S. Military)
ICBM � Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
ICE � Individual Carrying Equipment
ID � IDentification
IED � Improvised Explosive Device
IFAK � Individual First Aid Kit
IFF � Identification Friend or Foe
IFF � Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (USAF)
IG � Inspector General (US Military)
IFV � Infantry Fighting Vehicle
IN � Infantry
INSCOM � United States Army Intelligence and Security Command
Il � Ilyushin
Interpol � International Criminal Police Organization
ISO � Inter School Course
ISR � Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
IYAAYAS � If You Ain't AMMO, You Ain't Shit
J[edit]
JA � Judge Advocate [General]
JAFO � Just Another Fucking Observer[8]
JAG � Judge Advocate General
JDAM � Joint Direct Attack Munition
JSF � Joint Strike Fighter
JATO � Jet-assisted Take Off
JETDS � Joint Electronics Type Designation System
JSAM � Joint Service Achievement Medal
JSTARS � Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
JSOC � Joint Special Operations Command
JTF � Joint Task Force
JEEP � Just Enough Essential Parts
K[edit]
KATUSA � Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army
KIA � Killed In Action
KISS � Keep It Simple, Stupid � USAF
KP � Kitchen Police or Kitchen Patrol
KBO � Keep Buggering On
L[edit]
LAAD � Low Altitude Air Defense
LAV � Land Artillery Vehicle
LCDR � Lieutenant Commander (US Navy)
LCPL � Lance Corporal (US Marines)
LES � Leave and Earnings Statement
LP � Listening Post
LP/OP � Listening Post Observation Post
LPC � Leather Personnel Carrier (boot)
LGOP � Little Group Of Paratroopers
LPO � Leading Petty Officer (US Navy)
LT � Lieutenant
LTC or Lt Col � Lieutenant Colonel
LTG or Lt Gen � Lieutenant General
LTJG � Lieutenant, Junior Grade (US Navy)
LUP � Lying-Up Point
LZ � Landing Zone
M[edit]
MACV/SOG � Military Assistance Command Vietnam / Special Operations Group
MAJ � Major
MARCORSYSCOM � MARine CORps SYStems COMmand (U.S. Military)
MARCENT Marine Corps Central Command[2]
MARFORRES � MARine FORces REServe (U.S. Marine Corps)
MARSOC � Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command
MAV � Micro Air Vehicle
MAW � Maximum Allowable Weight
MBT � Main Battle Tank
MC 326/2 � ?NATO Medical Support Principles and Policies?, approved by Military Committee, second revision.
MCCS � Marine Corps Community Services (also known by the humorous backronym Marine Corps Crime Syndicate)
MCEN � Marine Corps Enterprise Network (U.S. Military)
MCEITS � Marine Corps Enterprise Information Technology Service (U.S. Military)
MCPO � Master Chief Petty Officer (USCG/USN E-9)
MedEvac � Medical Evacuation
MFA � Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MG � Machine Gun
MG � Major General
MI � Military Intelligence
Mi � Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (Russian)
MIA � Missing In Action
MICV � Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle
MiG � Mikoyan-Gurevich (Russian)
MILCON � Military Construction
MK � Mark
MK � Machinery Technician (U.S. Coast Guard)
MLRS � Multiple Launch Rocket System
MMFD � Miles and Miles of F...ing Desert (unofficial report in Gulf War)
MOA � Military Operating Area (USAF Airspace)
MOAB � Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, also known as "Mother Of All Bombs". (U.S. military)
MOAC � Mother of All Coffee (Green Bean Coffee)
MOB � Main Operating Base
MOBCOM � MOBile COMmand
MOPP � Mission Oriented Protective Posture
MOUT � Military Operations in Urban Terrain
MPDS � Military Planning Data Allowance
MRAP � Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
MRE � Meal Ready to Eat (U.S. Military)
MRX � Mission Rehearsal Exercise
MSG � Master Sergeant (US Army E-8)
MSgt � Master Sergeant (USAF E-7)
MTOE � Modified Table Of Organizational Equipment
MTS+ � Movement Tracking System Plus
MSDC+ � Marine Science Diving Club (Diving Club Of Hasanudin University)
N[edit]
NAFTA � North American Free Trade Agreement
NAS � Naval Air Station
NATO � North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NCIS � Naval Criminal Investigative Service (U.S. Navy)
NAVAIR � Naval Air Systems Command
NAVCENT � Naval Forces Central Command (U.S. Navy)[2]
NAVOCEANO � Naval Oceanographic Office
NBACC � National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center
NCI � National Cancer Institute
NCO � Non-Commissioned Officer
NCOIC � Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
NCOES � Non-Commissioned Officer Education System
ND � Negligent Discharge
NDP � Night Defensive Position
NEFF � New Equipment Fielding Facility
NIBC National Interagency Biodefense Campus
NICBR � National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research
NMC � Not Mission Capable
NME � Non-Mission Essential
NMCI � Naval Marine Corps Intranet (U.S. Navy)
NNMSA � Non-Nuclear Munitions Storage Area
NORAD � North American Aerospace Defense Command
NPDES � National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NS � Network Services
NSA � National Security Agency
NSW � Naval Special Warfare
NSWDG � Naval Special Warfare Development Group
NUB � Non-Useful Body / Nuclear Unqualified Bitch (U.S. Nuclear Navy)
O[edit]
OBE � Overcome By Events (DoD)
OCONUS � Outside Continental United States
OCS � Officer Candidate School
ODA � Operational Detachment-Alpha (the standard 12-man team composed of US Army Special Forces operators)
ODU � Operational Dress Uniform (U.S. Coast Guard)
OIC � Officer in Charge
OIG - Office of Inspector General
OM � On the Move (Normally just spelled out Oscar Mike)
O&M, MC � Operations & Maintenance, Marine Corps (U.S. Navy)
O&M, N � Operations & Maintenance, Navy (U.S. Navy)
OODA � Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act
OP � Observation Post
ORM � Operational Risk Management
OSM � Oh Shit Moment (U.S. Marine Corps)
OSP � On Site Procurement
OPORD � Operations Order
OPSEC � Operations Security
OTF � Out There Flapping (Airborne)
OTS � Officer Training School
OTV � Outer Tactical Vest
P[edit]
PACOM � Pacific Command
PCS � Permanent Change of Station
PDS � Permanent Duty Station (U.S. Military)
PDT � Pre-Deployment Training
PE � Plastic Explosive
PFC � Private First Class (U.S. Military)
PFM � Pure Fuckin Magic (U.S. Military)
PFT � Physical Fitness Test
PII � Personally Identifiable Information or Personal Identity Information
PL � Platoon Leader (U.S. Army)
PLT � Platoon (U.S. Army)
PMC � Partially Mission Capable
PME � Professional Military Education
PMS � Planned Maintenance Schedule (U.S. Navy)
PNG � Passive Night Goggles
PO � Post Office
PO1 � Petty Officer 1st Class (USCG/USN E-6)
PO2 � Petty Officer 2nd Class (USCG/USN E-5)
PO3 � Petty Officer 3rd Class (USCG/USN E-4)
POBCAK � Problem Occurs Between Chair And Keyboard
POL � Petroleum Oil & Lubricants (U.S. Air Force)
POC � Point Of Contact
POTUS � President of the United States
POG � Person Other than Grunt (All non-combat arms job fields i.e. any MOS or CMF other than infantry, cavalry, armor, and artillery; among infantrymen, refers to anyone other than infantry or Special Forces)
POW � Prisoner Of War
POV � Privately Owned Vehicle
PPG � PT Parade Games
PPPPPPP � Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
PRP � Personnel ReliabilityProgram
PRP � Pretty Retarded Program
PRT � Provincial Reconstruction Team
PRT � Physical Readiness Training (U.S. Army)
PT � Physical Training
PTB � Powers That Be
PV2 � Private 2nd class (U.S. Army E-2)
PVT � Private (U.S. Army and Marine Corps E-1)
PX � Post Exchange (U.S. Army)
R[edit]
RAAF � Royal Australian Air Force (Australia)
RAF � Royal Air Force (UK)
RAN � Royal Australian Navy (Australia)
RATO � Rocket Assisted Take Off
RCSC � Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (Canada)
REMF � Rear Echelon Mother Fucker
RFL � Response Force Leader
RMC � Royal Military College of Canada (Canada) in Kingston, Ontario
RN � Royal Navy (UK)
ROE � Rules Of Engagement
ROMA Data, Right Out of My Ass Data. Unverifiable created data (different from SWAG)
ROWPU � Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit
RNZAF � Royal New Zealand Air Force (New Zealand)
ROZ � Restricted Operating Zone
RPG � Rocket-Propelled Grenade
RPM � Rounds per minute
RS � RatShit (Australia � related to US � Unserviceable)
RSS � Regional Security System (Caribbean)
RTB � Return To Base
RV � Rendez-Vous
RTO � Radio Telephone Operator
S[edit]
SWAK � Sealed With A Kiss
SA � Seaman Apprentice (USCG/USN E-2)
SA � Situation Awareness
SAS � Special Air Service (British special forces)
SBS � Special Boat Service (British special forces)
SAAS � Standard Army Ammunition System (U.S. Army)
SAM � Surface-to-Air Missile
SARS - Search and Rescue Swimmer
SARSS � Standard Army Retail Supply System (U.S. Army)
SCIF � Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility
SCO � Squadron Commander (Squadron as used in the U.S. Army Regimental System)
SCOTUS � Supreme Court of the United States
SCPO � Senior Chief Petty Officer (USCG/USN E-8)
SD � "Status Destroyed" or "Salty Dog". (Equipment that is written off as unrepairable and unsalvageable. )
SEAC � Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
SEAL � Sea, Air and Land (US Navy SEALs)
SERE � Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape
SFC � Sergeant First Class (U.S. Army E7)
SGM � Sergeant Major (U.S. Army E9 � Sometimes referred to as Staff Sergeant Major)
SGT � Sergeant (U.S. Army E5) (U.S. Marines uses Sgt)
SITREP � Situation Report
SOCCENT � Special Operations Command CENTCOM[2]
SDD � Solution Delivery Division (Military Health)
SJA � Staff Judge Advocate
SLAM � Standoff Land Attack Missile
SMA � Sergeant Major of the Army (U.S. Army E9 � Senior Enlisted Member)
SMEAC � Situation Mission Execution Admin/logistics Command/signal (US Marine Corps basic knowledge)
SMSgt � Senior Master Sergeant (USAF E-8)
SN � Seaman (USCG/USN E-3)
SNAFU � Situation Normal: All Fucked/Fouled Up
SOCOM � United States Special Operations Command
SOFA � Status of Forces Agreement
SOP � Standard Operating Procedures
SOS � Shit On a Shingle, or creamed chipped beef on toast.
SPC � Specialist (U.S. Army E-4)
SR � Seaman Recruit (USCG/USN E-1)
SrA � Senior Airman (USAF E-4)
SRR � Special Reconnaissance Regiment (British special Forces)
SSDD � Same Shit Different Day
SSDDBS � Same Shit Different Day Bigger Shovel
SSG � Staff Sergeant (US Army E-6)
SSgt � Staff Sergeant (US Air Force E-5) (U.S. Marines E-6)
SOL � Shit Out of Luck (US Army)
SOLJWF � Shit Out of Luck and Jolly Well Fucked (U.S. Marines)
STOVL � Short Takeoff, Vertical Landing
SUSFU � Situation Unchanged, Still Fucked Up
SWAG � Scientific Wild Ass Guess
T[edit]
TACP � Tactical Air Control Party (USAF)
TAD � Temporary Additional Duty (U.S. Military)
TAO � Tactical Action Officer (U.S. Military)
TBD � To Be Determined
TC3 � Tactical Combat Casualty Care
TCCC � Tactical Combat Casualty Care
TDPFO � Temporary Duty Pending Further Orders (U.S. Military)
TDY � Temporary Duty (U.S. Military)
TF � Task Force
TFOA � Things Falling Off Aircraft
TG6 � Task Group 6 (group designation for NZ SAS � NZ Army)
TOC � Tactical Operations Center
TIC � Troops In Contact
TSgt � Technical Sergeant (USAF E-6)
TU � Tits Up (Dead, Inoperable), a.k.a. "tango uniform"
TARFU � Things Are Really Fucked Up, or Totally And Royally Fucked Up
U[edit]
UA � Unauthorized Absence
UAS � Unmanned Aerial System
UAV � Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UCAV � Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
ULLS � Unit Level Logisitics System (U.S. Army)
UMA � Unit Mobilization Assistor
UN � United Nations
US � Unserviceable
USSS � United States Secret Service
USAF � United States Air Force
USAFA � the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado
USAFE � United States Air Forces in Europe
USAMRICD � United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense
USAMRIID � United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease
USAMRMC � United States Army Medical Research and Materi�l Command
USAMRAA � United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
USA PATRIOT Act � Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act
USAREC � US Army REcruiting Command
USAREUR � US Army European Command
USMA � the United States Military Academy (US Army) at West Point, New York
USMC � United States Marine Corps
USN � United States Navy
USNA � the United States Naval Academy (US Navy) at Annapolis, Maryland
USO � United Service Organizations (U.S. Military)
USR � Unit Status Report
UUV � Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
UXB � Unexploded Bomb (bomb disposal; British)
UXO � Unexploded Ordnance
V[edit]
VBIED � Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
VDM � Visual Distinguishing Mark
VFD � Volunteer Fire Department
VFR � Volunteer Fire and Rescue (or in Aviation Visual Flight Rules)
VPOTUS � Vice President of the United States
W[edit]
WIA � Wounded In Action
WO1 � Warrant Officer 1
WSA � Weapons Storage Area
WMD � Weapons of Mass Destruction
WILCO � Will Comply

List of U.S. Air Force acronyms and expressions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
This is a list of initials, acronyms, expressions, euphemisms, jargon, military slang, and sayings in common or formerly common use in the United States Air Force. Many of the words or phrases have varying levels of acceptance among different units or communities, and some also have varying levels of appropriateness (usually dependent on how senior the user is in rank). Many terms also have equivalents among other service branches that are not acceptable amongst Marines, but are comparable in meaning. Many acronyms and terms have come into common use from voice procedure use over communication channels, translated into the NATO phonetic alphabet, or both.

The scope of this list is to include words and phrases that are unique to or predominantly used by the United States Air Force. For other military slang lists, see the "See also" section.

Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See also References
0�9[edit]
1st Lt � First Lieutenant; officer pay grade O-2
2d Lt � Second Lieutenant; officer pay grade O-1
3C � Cross Cultural Competence
A[edit]
A/C � Aircraft
A1C � Airman First Class; enlisted pay grade E-3, known as Airman Second Class (A2C) from 1952 to 1967
A2C � Airman Second Class; former enlisted pay grade E-3 from 1952 to 1967, now designated as A1C
A3C � Airman Third Class; former enlisted pay grade E-2 from 1952 to 1967, now designated as Amn
AADS � Alaskan Air Defense Sector
AAFES � Army and Air Force Exchange Service (pronounced "A-Fees")
AB � Airman Basic; enlisted pay grade E-1
AB � Air Base
ABDR � Aircraft Battle Damage Repair
ABM � Air Battle Manager
ABU � Airman Battle Uniform
ABW � Air Base Wing
ACA � Airspace Control Authority
ACC � Air Combat Command
ACOT � Advanced Communications Officer Training
ACSC � Air Command and Staff College
ACW � Air Control Wing
ADC � Area Defense Counsel
ADC � (Obsolete term) Air Defense Command, later Aerospace Defense Command (disestablished MAJCOM)
ADCON � Administrative Control
ADP � Airman Development Plan
ADPE � Automated Data Processing Equipment
ADR � Airfield Damage Repair
ADSC � Active Duty Service Commitment
AEF � Aerospace Expeditionary Force
AES � Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
AETC � Air Education and Training Command
AEW � Air Expeditionary Wing
AFA � Air Force Academy
AFA � Air Force Association
AFAA � Air Force Audit Agency
AFAM � Air Force Achievement Medal
AFAMS � Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation
AFB � Air Force Base
AFC2IC � Air Force Command and Control Integration Center
AFCA � Air Force Communications Agency
AFCAA � Air Force Cost Analysis Agency
AFCAT � Air Force Catalog
AFCEC � Air Force Civil Engineering Center
AFCEE � Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment
AFCENT � Air Forces Central
AFCESA � Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency
AFCFM � Air Force Career Field Manager
AFCLC � Air Force Culture and Learning Center
AFCM � Air Force Commendation Medal
AFDC � Air Force Doctrine Center
AFDW � Air Force District of Washington
AFE � Aircrew Flight Equipment
AFETS � Air Force Engineering and Technical Services
AFFMA � Air Force Frequency Management Agency
AFFSA � Air Force Flight Standards Agency
AFFSC � Air Force Financial Services Center
AFGSC � Air Force Global Strike Command
AFH � Air Force Handbook
AFHRA � Air Force Historical Research Agency
AFI � Air Force Instruction; or as a duty status, awaiting further instructions
AFIA � Air Force Inspection Agency
AFIAA � Air Force Intelligence Analysis Agency
AFIS � Air Force Inspection System
AFISRA � Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency
AFIT � Air Force Institute of Technology
AFLC � Air Force Logistics Command (disestablished MAJCOM; merged with AFSC in 1992 to form AFMC)
AFLMA � Air Force Logistics Management Agency
AFLOA � Air Force Legal Operations Agency
AFMA � Air Force Manpower Agency
AFMAN � Air Force Manual
AFMC � Air Force Materiel Command
AFMOA � Air Force Medical Operations Agency
AFMPC � Air Force Military Personnel Center (obsolete), replaced with AFPC
AFMS � Air Force Medical Service or Air Force Manpower Standards
AFMSA � Air Force Medical Support Agency
AFNIC � Air Force Network Integration Center
AFNOC � Air Force Network Operations Center
AFNORTH � Air Forces Northern
AFNSEPO � Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness Office
AFNWCA � Air Force Nuclear Weapons and Counterproliferation Agency
AFOG � Air Force Operations Group
AFOQT � Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
AFOTEC � Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
AFPAA � Air Force Public Affairs Agency
AFPAM � Air Force Pamphlet
AFPC � Air Force Personnel Center
AFPCA � Air Force Pentagon Communications Agency
AFPD � Air Force Policy Directive
AFPEO � Air Force Program Executive Office
AFPET � Air Force Petroleum Agency
AFPOA � Air Force Personnel Operations Agency
AFRBA � Air Force Review Boards Agency
AFRC � Air Force Reserve Command
AFRIMS � Air Force Records Information Management System
AFRL � Air Force Research Lab
AFROTC � Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps
AFRPA � Air Force Real Property Agency
AFS � Air Force Station
AFSA � Air Force Sergeants Association
AFSC � Air Force Safety Center
AFSC � Air Force Specialty Code
AFSC � Air Force Systems Command (disestablished MAJCOM; merged with AFLC in 1992 to form AFMC)
AFSFC � Air Force Security Forces Center
AFSO 21 � Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century
AFSOC � Air Force Special Operations Command
AFSOUTH � Air Forces Southern
AFSPC � Air Force Space Command
AFSVA � Air Force Services Agency
AFT � Alert Fire Team
AFTO � Air Force Technical Order
AFVA � Air Force Visual Aids
AFVEC � Air Force Virtual Education Center
AFWA � Air Force Weather Agency
AG (TAG) � Adjutant General, (The)
AGE � Aerospace Ground Equipment; analogous to Ground Support Equipment (GSE) in USN, USMC and USCG (Naval Aviation)
AGE Ranger � An AGE Technician
AGR � Active Guard and Reserve
AGS � Aircraft Generation Squadron
AGSM � Anti-G Straining Maneuver
AGOW � Air-Ground Operations Wing
AKRAOC � Alaska Region Air Operations Center
ALCM � Air Launched Cruise Missile
ALCON � All Concerned (used in message headers for mass emailings)
ALO � Air Liaison Officer
ALS � Airman Leadership School
AMC � Air Mobility Command
AMJAMS � Automated Military Justice Analysis and Management System
Amn � Airman; enlisted pay grade E-2
AMMO Troop � Munitions Systems Technician AMMO (U.S. Air Force)
AMMS � Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron Missile Badge
AMS � Academy of Military Science
AMT � Aircraft Metals Technology
AMW � Air Mobility Wing
AMXS � Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
ANG � Air National Guard
ANR � Alaskan NORAD Region
AO � Authorized Outage
AOC � Air and Space Operations Center
AOG � Aircraft On Ground
AP � Air Police (Obsolete term); now called Security Forces (SF)
APS � Aerial Port Squadron
ARI � Alcohol Related Incident
ARS � (Obsolete term) Air Rescue Squadron; formerly ARRS, now known as a Rescue Squadron (RQS)
ARRS � (Obsolete term) Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
ART � AEF (Air Expeditionary Force) Reporting Tool
ART � Air Reserve Technician
ART � Armed or Alarm Response Team
ARW � Air Refueling Wing
AS � Airlift Squadron
AS � Air Station
ASAP � As Soon As Possible
ASBC � Air and Space Basic Course
ASI � Authorized Service Interruption
ASR � Airport Surveillance Radar
ATAG � Assistant to the Adjutant General
ATC � Air traffic control
ATC � Air Training Command (disestablished MAJCOM; superseded in 1992 by AETC)
ATCALS � Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems
ATO � Air Tasking Order
ATO � Anti-Terrorism Officer
AU � Air University
AU-ABC � Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative
AW � Airlift Wing
AWACS � Airborne Warning and Control System on the E-3 Sentry aircraft
AWACS � A War Against Common Sense
AWC � Air War College
AWOL � Absent Without Leave
AWP � Awaiting Parts
B[edit]
BAH � Basic Allowance for Housing
BAS � Basic Allowance for Subsistence
BASH � Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard
BAQ � Bachelor Airman Quarters
BCOT � Basic Communications Officer Training
BDOC � Base Defense Operations Center
BDU � Battle Dress Uniform
BEQ � Bachelor Enlisted Quarters
BIT � Bystander Intervention Training
BITC � Base Information Transfer Center
BITS � Base Information Transfer System
BFM � Basic Fighter Maneuvers
BFT � Blue Force Tracking
BLUF � Bottom Line Up Front
BMT � Basic Military Training
BOHICA � Bend Over, Here It Comes Again; used in response to unfavorable orders.
BONE � Nickname for the B-1 Lancer, as in "B-ONE"
BOQ � Bachelor Officer Quarters
BOS � Base Operating Support
BOT � Basic Officer Training
Box Nasty � A sandwich & snack meal in a cardboard box handed out for flights
BPZ � Below Primary Zone; early promotion of an officer ahead of peers to controlled statutory pay grades of O-4, O-5 and/or O-6
BRAC � Base Realignment and Closure
Brig Gen � Brigadier General; officer pay grade O-7
BRM � Base Records Manager
BS � Bomb Squadron
BSA � Basic Surface Attack
BTZ � Below the zone; USAF early promotion program from E-3 to E-4
BUFF � Big Ugly Fat Fucker (Nickname for Boeing B-52 Stratofortress)
BW � Bomb Wing
BX � Base Exchange (see AAFES)
C[edit]
C-Day � The unnamed day on which a deployment operation begins or is to begin
C2 � Command and Control
C4ISR � Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
CA � Combat Arms
CAF � Combat Air Force
CAFSC � Control Air Force Specialty Code
CAI � Computer Aided Instruction
CAOC � Combined Air and Space Operations Center
CAMS � Core Automated Maintenance System (database behind IMDS)
CAP � Civil Air Patrol, the civilian USAF Auxiliary
Capt � Captain; officer pay grade O-3
CAS � Close Air Support
CAST � Combat Airman Skills Training
CAT � Crisis Action Team
CAT � Camper Alert Team (Security Forces, Missile Field Security)
CATM � Combat Arms Training and Maintenance
CBCS � Combat Communications Squadron
CBMC � Communications Battlespace Management Course
CBT � Computer Based Training
CBRNE � Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosives
CC � Commander
CCAF � Community College of the Air Force
CCE � Executive Officer
CCF � First Sergeant
CCT � Combat Control
CD � Deputy Commander
CDC � Career Development Course
CE � Civil Engineering or Civil Engineers
CEG � Combat Evaluation Group
CEM � Chief Enlisted Manager
CES � Civil Engineering Squadron
CEVG � Combat Evaluation Group
CFEPT � Career Field Education and Training Plan
CFP � Communications Focal Point
CFR � Crash Fire Rescue
CFT � Cockpit Familiarization Trainer
CGO � Company Grade Officer (lieutenants and captains)
CGOC � Company Grade Officers' Council
Charlie Bravo � Cut-back, or being released early from duty
Charlie Foxtrot � Cluster Fuck
Chief � Proper term of address for Chief Master Sergeant. Also frequently used by pilots to informally refer to maintenance personnel, specifically "Crew Chiefs."
CI � Counterintelligence, Compliance Inspection
CISM � Close In Security Mobile
Class Six � BX-administered store where beer, wine & liquor is sold at a discounted price with no sales tax
CJCS � Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
CMO � Civil-Military Operations
CMO � Chief Medical Officer (term for senior medical officer at each MEPS�Military Entrance Processing Station)
CMSAF � Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force; senior active duty enlisted member of the Air Force and a direct advisor to CSAF (holds enlisted pay grade E-9)
CMSgt � Chief Master Sergeant; enlisted pay grade E-9
CNA � Computer Network Attack
CND � Could Not Duplicate
CND � Computer Network Defense
CNO � Computer Network Operations
CNT � Counter Narco-Terror
COA � Course of Action
Col � Colonel; officer pay grade O-6
COLA � Cost of Living Adjustment
COMINT � Communications Intelligence
CONOPS � Concept of Operations
CONS � Contracting Squadron
CONUS � Continental United States
COMAFFOR � Commander, Air Force Forces
Cop � Term for Air Force Security Forces personnel
COT � Commissioned Officer Training
CPF � Civilian Personnel Flight
CPTS � Comptroller Squadron
Crew Chief � Generally used as an informal slang term for Aerospace Maintenance Personnel, AFSC 2A5. More formally used to refer to an individual in charge of an aircraft maintenance related task requiring multiple people.
CRO � Combat Rescue Officer; commissioned officer equivalent of an enlisted PJ
CRO � COMSEC Responsible Officer
CS � Communications Squadron
CSAF � Chief of Staff of the Air Force; senior ranking active duty General in USAF unless the CJCS or VCJCS post is held by a USAF General (holds officer pay grade O-10)
CSAR � Combat Search and Rescue
CSC � Central Security Control
CSS � Commander's Support Staff (orderly room)
CSO � Combat Systems Officer; a commissioned officer aeronautical rating known as Navigator until 1992
CUI � Combined Unit Inspection
CWO � Chief Warrant Officer; commissioned officer pay grades W-2 through W-5, currently discontinued in USAF
D[edit]
D-Day � The unnamed day on which an operation begins or is to begin
DACBT � Dissimilar Air Combat Training
DAFSC � Duty Air Force Specialty Code
DART � Dumbass Radio Troop
DAS � Date Arrived Station
DBA � Dirtbag Airman (An Airman who does not represent the Air Force Core Values)
DCO � Defensive Cyber Operations
DEAD � Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses
DEERS � Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System
DEROS � Date Estimated Return from OverSeas
Dependent � Non-Military family member of a service member, typically a non-military spouse and/or children, entitled to a DD 1173 Military Dependent ID Card
DFAC � Dining Facility
DFAS � Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Dickbeaters � term referring to one's hands. Often yelled by MTIs in the form of "pin those Dickbeaters to your side!"
DINSTAAR � Danger Is No Stranger To An AGE Ranger (See AGE)
DMSP � Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
DNIF � Duties Not Including Flying
DOE � Date of Enlistment
Dollar Ride � A pilot's first flight in an airframe
Doolie � nickname for a first year Air Force Academy cadet
DOR � Date of Rank
Double Dip � Term used for certain full-time Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel when in a dual status and receiving income from two sources (e.g., Air Reserve Technician on civilian military leave as a Department of the Air Force civil servant and on concurrent active duty USAF orders)
DRSN � Defense Red Switch Network
DRU � Direct Reporting Unit
DSCS � Defense Satellite Communications System
DSD � Developmental Special Duty
DSN � Defense Switched Network
DSP � Defense Support Program
DSPD � Defense Support to Public Diplomacy
DT � Development Team
DTS � Defense Travel System
DV � Distinguished Visitor; visiting enlisted personnel in pay grade E-9, visiting officer personnel in pay grades O-6 through O-10, or visiting civilian equivalents such as GS-15, SES or politically-appointed or elected government officials
DVQ � Distinguished Visitors Quarters
DVOQ � Distinguished Visiting Officers Quarters
DWC � Deputy Wing Chaplain
E[edit]
EAD � Extended Active Duty
EADS � Eastern Air Defense Sector
ECM � Electronic Counter Measures
ECP � Entry Control Point
EELV � Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle
EET � Exercise Evaluation Team
EFMP � Exceptional Family Member Program
EI � Engineering & Installation
EIS � Engineering & Installation Squadron
ELINT � Electronic signals Intelligence
EGI � Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation
Embrace The Suck � Slang used among junior enlisted referencing they have little say in undesirable decisions, effectively advice that one should not worry themselves over things they cannot control
EMEDS � Expeditionary Medical Support
EMSEC � Emission Security
ENJJPT � Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training
EO � Equal Opportunity
EOC � Emergency Operations Center
EOD � Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EPR � Enlisted Performance Report
ERCC � Engine Run Crew Change
E-VAR � Electronic Visitor Access Request
ERO � Engine Running Onload/Offload
EW � Electronic Warfare
EWO � Electronic Warfare Officer
F[edit]
FA � Fitness Assessment
FAA � Federal Aviation Administration
FAB � Forward Air Base
FAC � Forward Air Controller
FAIP � First Assignment Instructor Pilot
FAM � Functional Area Manager
Farts and darts � clouds and darts embroidery found on field grade and general officers' service cap visors
Fat Albert � Nickname used for the C-5A Galaxy until revoked by USAF as �derogatory�. Name came from Bill Cosby's recording of �Revenge� in 1968, with the story of �Buck Buck� and Fat Albert shaking the ground as he ran.
FGO � Field Grade Officer (majors, lieutenant colonels, and colonels)
FIGMO � Fuck it I Got My Orders
Fini Flight � A pilot's last flight in the aircraft before he/she leaves a squadron, a wing, or retires from the Air Force
FLPP � Foreign Language Profeciency Pay
FM � Financial Management Comptroller
FMC � Fully Mission Capable
FMS � Foreign Military Sales
FMS -Field Maintenance Squadron
FNG � Fucking New Guy
FOA � Field Operating Agency
FOD � Foreign Object Damage or debris that can cause damage
FOUO � For Official Use Only
Four Fan Trash Can � Nickname for the C-130 Hercules
Four Fans of Freedom � Nickname for the C-130 Hercules
FRED � Fucking Ridiculous Economic Disaster (term for the C-5 Galaxy)
FS � Fighter Squadron
FSB � Force Shaping Board
FSS � Force Support Squadron
FTAC � First Term Airman's Center
FTS � Flying Training Squadron
FTU � Formal Training Unit
FTW � Flying Training Wing
FUBAR � Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition
FW � Fighter Wing
FYSA - For Your Situational Awareness
G[edit]
G-LOC � G-induced Loss of Consciousness
GBS � Global Broadcast Service (pronounced: jibz�IPA: d??bz)
GC / GNC � Guidance and Control
GCCS � Global Command and Control System (pronounced: geeks�IPA: giks)
GCIC � Global Cyberspace Integration Center
GCS � Ground Control Station
GDT � Ground Data Terminal
Gen � General; officer pay grade O-10
GLCM � Ground Launched Cruise Missile
GO � General Officer; officers in pay grades O-7, O-8, O-9 and O-10 � analogous to Flag Officer in USN and USCG
GOCO � Government Owned, Contractor Operated
GOGO � Government Owned, Government Operated
GOV � Government Owned Vehicle
Gp � Group
GPC � Government Purchase Card
GPS � Global Positioning System
GTC � Government Travel Card
GWOT � Global War On Terrorism
H[edit]
HAF � Headquarters Air Force
HALO � High Altitude, Low Opening
HAHO � High Altitude, High Opening
Hangar "[#]" � A nonexistent hangar (e.g., if there are 4 hangars, then it would be Hangar 5); heard most often over radios as slang code for latrine/bathroom/Porta John. Example: "Get me to Hangar 5!"
HARM � High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile
HARM � Host Aviation Resource Management
HARRT � Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team
Hawg � Nickname for the A-10 Thunderbolt II
HAZCON � Hazardous Condition
HC � Chaplain Headquarters
HIA � Held in Abeyance
HO � Historian's Office
HPC � Historic Properties Custodian
HTS � HARM Targeting System
HUA � Heard, Understood, Acknowledged
HUAW � Hurry Up and Wait
HUD � Head-Up Display
HUMINT � Human Intelligence
I[edit]
IA � Information Assurance
IAW � In Accordance With
ICBM � Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
ID 10 T Problem � A problem that is created by an "idiot"
IFE � In-Flight Emergency
IFF � Identification Friend or Foe
IFF � Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals
IFFCC � Integrated Flight and Fire Control Computer
IFS � Introductory Flight Screening
IFT � Introductory Flight Training
IG � Inspector General
ILS � Instrument landing system
IMDS � Integrated Maintenance Database System
IMINT � Imagery Intelligence
INOP � Inoperative/Inoperable
INOSC � Integrated Network Operations and Security Center
IP � Instructor Pilot
IPB � Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace
IO � Information Operations
IOC � Initial Operational Capability
IOIC � Information Operations Integration Course
IS � Intelligence Squadron
ISR � Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
ITT � Information, Tickets, and Travel
IYAAYAS � If You Ain't Ammo, You Ain't Shit
IYAAYWOT � If You Ain't Ammo, You're Waitin' On Them
J[edit]
J-STARS � Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System on the E-8 JSTARS aircraft
JA � Judge Advocate
JA/ATT � Joint Airborne/ Air Transportability Training
JAOC � Joint Air and Space Operations Center
JATO � Jet-Assisted Take-Off
JDAM � Joint Direct Attack Munition
JEEP � Just Enough Education To Pass
JEEP � Just Entering Electronic Principals
JEEP � Just Educated Enough to Post (Security Forces)
JFACC � Joint Forces Air Component Commander
JEIM � Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance
JOAP � Joint Oil Analysis Program
JOPES � Joint Operation Planning and Execution System
JPATS � Joint Primary Air Training System
JPME � Joint Professional Military Education
JPPT � Joint Primary Pilot Training
JSF � Joint Strike Fighter
JSOW � Joint Standoff Weapon
JSUPT � Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
JWICS � Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System
K[edit]
KISS � Keep It Simple Stupid
L[edit]
LAPES � Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System.
LATN � Low Altitude Tactical Navigation.
Lawn Dart � Nickname for F-16 Fighting Falcon or any other fast, pointy-nosed, single-engine fighter aircraft.
LCAP � Logistics Compliance Assessment Program.
LEAP � Language Enabled Airman Program.
LG � Logistics Group.
LGB � Laser-Guided Bomb.
LIFT � Lead In Fighter Training.
LIMFAC � Limiting Factor.
Linda Lovelace (Reference to the C-5 Galaxy aircraft, because it kneels and takes it from both ends.)
LMR � Land Mobile Radio
LOA � Letter of Admonishment.
LOA � Letter of Appreciation.
LOAC � Law of Armed Conflict.
LOC � Letter of Counseling.
LOGI � Logistics NCOIC (Squadron, Group, Wing).
LOR � Letter of Reprimand.
LOWAT � Low Altitude Training.
LRS � Logistics Readiness Squadron.
LT � Familiar term for a Lieutenant, Second or First; usually used as a form of address by those under his/her command.
Lt Col � Lieutenant Colonel; officer pay grade O-5.
Lt Gen � Lieutenant General; officer pay grade O-9.
LWOP � Leave Without Pay.
M[edit]
MAC � Military Airlift Command (disestablished MAJCOM)
MAF � Mobility Air Force
Maj � Major; officer pay grade O-4
Maj Gen � Major General; officer pay grade O-8
MAJCOM � Major Command
MANPADS � Man-Portable Air Defense System
MARE � Major Accident Response Exercise
MASINT � Measurement and Signature Intelligence
MATS � Military Air Transport Service (disestablished command, superseded by MAC and then AMC
MDG � Medical Group
MDS � Mission Design Series of aircraft; analogous to T/M/S for Type/Model/Series in USN & USMC (Naval Aviation)
MEO � Military Equal Opportunity
MEPS � Military Entrance Processing Station
METL � Mission Essential Task Listing
MFLC � Military and Family Life Counselor
MFT � Mobile Fire Team
MICAP � Mission Incapable
MICT � Management Internal Control Toolset
MIF � Maneuver Item File
MILDEC � Military Deception
MILSTRIP � Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedure
MLR � Management Level Review
MOAB � Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb/Mother Of All Bombs
MOOTW � Military Operations Other than War
MOS � Maintenance Operations Squadron
Mosquito Wings � Nickname for the Airman rank insignia
MPF � Military Personnel Flight
MRE � Meal Ready to Eat
MS � Missile Squadron
MSG � Mission Support Group
MSME � Medical Standard Management Element
MSgt � Master Sergeant; enlisted pay grade E-7
MSS � Mission Support Squadron
MTI � Military Training Instructor
MTL � Military Training Leader
Mud Hen � Nickname for the F-15E Strike Eagle
MW � Missile Wing
MWR � Morale, Welfare and Recreation
MWS � Major Weapons System
MX � Maintenance
MXG � Maintenance Group
MXS � Maintenance Squadron
N[edit]
NAF � Numbered Air Force
Nav � Navigator, now known since 2009 as a Combat Systems Officer
NCC � Network Control Center
NCO � Non-commissioned Officer
NCOA � Non-commissioned Officer Academy
NCOIC � Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge
NCW � Network-Centric Warfare
NDI � Nondestructive Inspection
NEADS � Northeast Air Defense Sector
NGB � National Guard Bureau
NIPR � Non-secure Internet Protocol (IP) Router Network
NKAWTG � Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas
NMC � Non Mission Capable
NMSA � Non-Nuclear Munitions Storage Area
NMUSAF � National Museum of the United States Air Force
Nonner � "Non-sortie generating." Derogatory term used by aircraft maintenance personnel when referring to enlisted and officers who are not directly involved in aircraft maintenance or manning aircraft
Non-rated Officer � USAF commissioned officer not holding an aeronautical rating
NOSC � Network Operations and Security Center
NOTAM � Notice To Airmen
NSI � Nuclear Surety Inspection
NVG � Night Vision Goggles
NUB � New Useless Bitch (reference for new person on station; contraction from newbie (which was originally new boy), and then backronymed)
O[edit]
OA � Occupational Analysis
OA � Outstanding Airman
OAPT � Officer Awaiting Pilot Training.
OAPTer � An officer in OAPT status. While other 2nd Lt's begin their flight training, non-flying technical training and/or initial leadership roles, OAPTers complete menial tasks in support of the mission while they wait for their assigned training date (this is known as "casual status"). It is important for all operational bases, as OAPTers are most often supplemental to the assigned commissioned officer workforce.
OAR � Occupational Analysis Report
OAY � Outstanding Airman of the Year
OAYA � Outstanding Airman of the Year Award
OCO � Offensive Cyber Operations
OCONUS � Outside the Continental United States
OCR � Office of Collateral Responsibility
OFO � Out Fucking Off
OG � Operations Group
OIC � Officer in Command
OL � Operating Location
OODA � Observe Orient Decide Act
OPCON � Operational Control
OPR � Office of Primary Responsibility
OPR � Officer Performance Report
OPSEC � Operations Security
OPTN � Operationalizing and Professionalizing the Network
ORI � Operational Readiness Inspection
ORM � Operation Risk Management
OSI � Office of Special Investigation
OSR � Occupational Survey Report
OSS � Operations Support Squadron
OT&E � Operational Test and Evaluation
OTS � Officer Training School
P[edit]
PA � Public Affairs
PACAF � Pacific Air Forces
PAFSC � Primary Air Force Specialty Code
PAR � Precision Approach Radar
PAS � Political Affairs Strategist
PAX � Air passengers
PCS � Permanent Change of Station
PDS � Permanent Duty Station
PERSCO � Personnel Support for Contingency Operations
Perpes � Humorous nickname for PRP, takeoff on herpes
PFE � Promotion Fitness Examination
PFM � Pure Fucking Magic; Term to refer to a technical problem that somehow resolved itself
PFT � Physical Fitness Test
PICNIC � Problem In Chair, Not In Computer; Used by help desk personnel to indicate user ignorance
PING � Person In Need of Graduation
PITT � Person In need of Technical Training
PJ � Pararescueman
PMC � Partially Mission Capable
PME � Professional Military Education
PMEL � Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory
Pocket Rocket � Term for the missile badge on the uniforms of current and former ICBM and cruise missile launch operations and missile maintenance personnel
POL - Petroleum, Oils, & Lubricants, the traditional name for the Fuels Management Flight
Pop Tart � Airman whose technical career schools are 6 weeks or less
posn � position
Prime Beef � Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force
PRF � Promotion Recommendation Form
PRP � Personnel Reliability Program
PSDM � Personnel Services Delivery Memorandum
PSYOP � Psychological Operations
PTL � Physical Training Leader
Q[edit]
QAF � Quality Air Force
Queep � A task or duty that is completely useless and ultimately unrelated to your primary job. It is often assigned by superiors not of your career field as they assume that you have time to constantly work these tasks. Example: "I have a lot of queep to do before I go home." "I need to finish all of this queep before I can go fly."
R[edit]
RA � Resource Advisor
RAF � Royal Air Force
Rainbow Flight � Fresh trainees at BMT who have not yet received uniforms (clothing colors represent the rainbow)
RAM � Random Antiterrorism Measure
RAPCON � Radar Approach Control
RAS � Regional Affairs Strategist
Rated Officer � USAF commissioned officer holding an aeronautical rating as a Pilot (to include Astronaut), Combat Systems Officer (to include Astronaut), Navigator (to include Astronaut), Air Battle Manager, Observer (Astronaut) or Flight Surgeon
RED HORSE � Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers
RET, Ret, (Ret) � Designations for retired military personnel, typically following the service designation in a title, e.g., Col USAF (Ret)
RF � Radio frequency
RFF � Request [F]or Forces (initiated by Army)
RHIP � "Rank Has Its Privileges"
RIF � Reduction In Force
RIP � Report on Individual Personnel
RNLTD � Report No Later Than Date
ROAD � Retired On Active Duty
RON � Remain overnight
ROTC � Reserve Officers' Training Corps
RPA � Remotely Piloted Aircraft
RQG � Rescue Group
RQS � Rescue Squadron (formerly ARS)
RQW � Rescue Wing
RTB � Return To Base
RTIC � Real Time In the Cockpit
RS � Reconnaissance Squadron
RW � Reconnaissance Wing
S[edit]
SAASS � School of Advanced Air and Space Studies
SABC � Self Aid Buddy Care
SAC � Strategic Air Command (disestablished MAJCOM)
SAF/SECAF � Secretary of the Air Force
SAM � Surface to Air Missile
SAPR � Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
SARC � Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
SATCOM � Satellite Communications
SAV � Staff Assistance Visit
SBIRS � Space-Based Infrared System
SCOD � Static Close Out Date
SDF � Standard Deployment Folder
SEAD � Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (pronounced "seed")
SEADS � Southeast Air Defense Sector
SEI � Special Experience Identifier
Secret squirrel stuff � Material classified above secret or special compartmentalized information.
Senior � Informal shortening for Senior Master Sergeant
SEPCOR � Separate Correspondence
SERE � Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape
SF � Security Forces
SFS � Security Forces Squadron
Sgt � Sergeant; a since discontinued additional rank in enlisted pay grade E-4 from 1976 to 1991
Shirt � A unit first sergeant
Short � Close to a PCS date or retirement
Sierra Hotel (SH) � Shit Hot
SIGINT � Signals Intelligence
SIPR � Secret Internet Protocol
SKT � Specialty Knowledge Test
Slick Sleeve � Nickname for an Airman Basic (owing to the absence of rank insignia on an individual's sleeve)
SLUF � Short Little Ugly Fucker (Derogatory nickname for the LTV A-7 Corsair II)
SME � Subject Matter Expert
SMSgt � Senior Master Sergeant, enlisted pay grade E-8
SNAFU � Situation Normal All Fucked Up
SNCO � Senior Non-commissioned Officer; enlisted pay grades E-7, E-8 and E-9
SNCOA � Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy
Snacko � A highly underestimated, mission critical position held most often by newly reported Lieutenants in a flying squadron. Doing well at the Snacko position will prompt one for a laudable career. Failing at such a job will often entail severe ridicule and, if necessary, replacement and retraining by the flying squadron.
Snuffy � Generic term given to any Airmen of lower rank. "And here came Airman Snuffy late to the party as usual."
SOP � Standard Operating Procedure
SOPS � Space Operations Squadron
SOS � Squadron Officer School
SOS � Special Operations Squadron
SOW � Special Operations Wing
SOWT - Special Operations Weather Technician
Spark Chaser � Nickname for aircraft maintenance personnel dealing with electronic, non-mechanical systems
Spirit Mission � A good-natured act, commonly in the form of a prank, banner, or...reacquisition...of a person/thing, to show pride for a group of individuals. Usually harmless.
Sq � Squadron
SrA � Senior Airman; enlisted pay grade E-4
SRC � Solid Rock Cafe (new as of 2011, located at Sheppard AFB, TX � unofficial anogram that is used by officers as well as students)
SRT � Security Response Team
SSgt � Staff Sergeant; enlisted pay grade E-5
SST � Supervisor Safety Training
Staff � Informal shortening for Staff Sergeant
STEP � Stripe Through Exceptional Performance
Stick Actuator � Pilot
Stink Bug � Nickname for the F-117 Nighthawk
Strike Eagle � Nickname for the F-15E Strike Eagle
STS � Special Tactics Squadron
SURF � Single Uniform Request Format
SVS � Services Squadron
SW � Space Wing
SWA � Southwest Asia
SWAG � Scientific Wild-Ass Guess
SWO- Staff Weather Officer
T[edit]
T&A � Test and Acceptance
TAC � Tactical Air Command (disestablished MAJCOM)
TAC-P � Tactical Air Control Party
TACAN � Tactical Air Navigation
TACON � Tactical Control
TAFCSD � Total Active Federal Commission Service Date
TAFMSD � Total Active Federal Military Service Date
TAG (AG) � The Adjutant General
Tail-End Charlie � Person bringing up the rear of a formation or a tail gunner
TAP � Transition Assistance Program
TBA � Training Business Area
TCNO � Time Compliance Network Order
TCTO � Time Compliance Technical Order
TDY � Temporary Duty; analogous to Temporary Additional Duty (TAD / TEMADD) in USN, USMC and USCG
Tech � Informal shortening of Technical Sergeant
TFCSD � Total Federal Commissioned Service to Date
TGP � Targeting Pod
TIG � The Inspector General
TLAR � That Looks About Right
TLF � Temporary Living Facility
TO � Technical Order
TOT � Time Over Target
Tracking � Reference to offensive avionics on combat aircraft. Following and understanding the subject at hand. (IE: "I need this done yesterday, Airman. Are you tracking?")
TRG � Training Group
TRS � Training Squadron
TRW � Training Wing
TSgt � Technical Sergeant; enlisted pay grade E-6
TST � Time-Sensitive Target
TTP � Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures
TU � Tango Uniform, slang for 'tits up'.
U[edit]
UAS � unmanned aircraft system
UAV � unmanned aerial vehicle
UCI � unit compliance inspection
UCSOT � Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training
UHT � Undergraduate Helicopter Pilot Training
UIF � unfavorable information file
ULN � unit line number
UMD � unit manpower document
UNT � Undergraduate Navigator Training (superseded by UCSOT)
UNWT � Undergraduate Network Warfare Training
UPT � Undergraduate Pilot Training (superseded by ENJJPT, JSUPT and UHT)
USAF � United States Air Force
USAFA � United States Air Force Academy
USAFE � United States Air Forces in Europe
USAFEC � United States Air Force Expeditionary Center
USAFR � United States Air Force Reserve
USAFWC � United States Air Force Warfare Center
V[edit]
VAQ � visiting airman quarters
VFR � visual flight rules
Viper � nickname for the F-16 Fighting Falcon
VML � vulnerable to move list
vMPF � virtual military personnel flight
VOQ � visiting officer quarters
VOR � VHF omnidirectional range
V/R � virtual regards / very respectfully (closing salutation)
vRED � virtual record of emergency data
VSP � voluntary separation pay
W[edit]
WADS � Western Air Defense Sector
WAF � Women in the Air Force
WAG � wild-ass guess
WAPS � Weighted Airman Promotion System
WASP � Women Airforce Service Pilots
WC � wing chaplain
WG � wing
WIC � weapons instructor course
WIT � wing inspection team
Winchester � out of ammo
WOWWAJAA � with out weapons we are just another airline
WRM � war reserve material
WRT � with regard to / with reference to
WSA � weapons storage area
WSO � weapon systems officer
WX � weather
X[edit]
X-plane � experimental aircraft
Y[edit]
Y-plane � prototype aircraft
Z[edit]
Zero � officer
Zoo � nickname for the Air Force Academy
Zoomie � nickname for an Air Force Academy graduate or cadet
See also[edit]

List of United States Marine Corps acronyms and expressions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
This is a list of acronyms, expressions, euphemisms, jargon, military slang, and sayings in common or formerly common use in the United States Marine Corps. Many of the words or phrases have varying levels of acceptance among different units or communities, and some also have varying levels of appropriateness (usually dependent on how senior the user is in rank). Many terms also have equivalents among other service branches that are not acceptable among Marines, but are comparable in meaning. Many acronyms and terms have come into common use from voice procedure use over communication channels, translated into the phonetic alphabet, or both. Many are or derive from nautical terms and other naval terminology. Most vehicles and aircraft have a formal acronym and/or an informal nickname, those are detailed in their own articles.

The scope of this list is to include words and phrases that are unique to or predominantly used by the Marine Corps or the United States Naval Service. Recent joint operations have allowed terms from other military services to leak into the USMC lexicon, but can be found with their originating service's slang list, see the "See also" section.

Contents [hide]
0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See also References
0�9[edit]

Marine wearing 782 gear
1st Civ Div � 1st Civilian Division. Civilian life, usually applied to Marines facing discharge or retirement. As in "getting assigned to 1st Civ Div." Also occasionally referred to as "1st Couch Company."
360 � Forming a complete circle (as in on a compass (360�)); to put protection all around.
48, 72, 96 � In hours, the standard liberty periods of two, three, four days.
4th Battalion � Pejorative used to describe an individual or unit lacking toughness as in "He was trained in 4th Battalion". Derived from the 4th Battalion of the Recruit Training Regiment at MCRD Parris Island, which trains female enlisted Marines.
4th Marine Dimension � Derogatory term for the 4th Marine Division, the division to which the ground combat element of the Marine Forces Reserve is assigned; used by active duty Marines to denote displeasure with the difference in culture and operating procedures within the division as opposed to active duty units.
5.56 hickey � A scar or blister resulting from a burn suffered (usually on the neck) due to hot brass.
7 Day Store/Troop Store/Mini P � Convenience store (Mini-P denotes a "mini" or smaller sized version of the PX, or Post-Exchange).
Deuce Gear � Standard issue web gear, combat gear, or field equipment, such as ALICE, MOLLE, or ILBE. Named after standard Marine Corps Form 782, which Marines formerly signed when they took custody of and responsibility for their equipment.[1]
8 bells � Signal for the end of a four-hour watch, so named for the increase in bell strike each half-hour of the watch.[2]
8th & I � Nickname for Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. so named from its street address at the corner of 8th and I Streets SE.
A[edit]
Aboard � Term for all personnel being accounted for in a building, such as a classroom.
Above my/your pay grade � Expression denying responsibility or authority (indicating that the issue should be brought to higher-ranking officials); alternatively, a semi-sarcastic way of telling someone that they're not authorized to receive certain information.[3]
Acquire(d) � euphemism denoting theft.

ALICE equipment
Air Crew � Personnel that work on board any aircraft that can carry a crew (i.e. huey, CH-46, CH-53, V-22, etc.), and are normally charged with loading gear, passengers, and manning the door/ tail guns.
Air Force pockets or Army gloves � An individual's hands being inside his or her pockets.
ALICE � All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, an older form of combat gear still in occasional use in some Marine activities, replaced by MOLLE and ILBE[4]
All Hands � entire ship's company or unit personnel, including all officers and enlisted personnel; also, the official Navy magazine
Alphas or Class As � Service Alpha uniform from the phonetic letter A
AMTRAC � Portmanteau for amphibious tractor; not to be confused with the railroad company Amtrak. Also referred to as "Tracks."
ANGLICO � Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
Ant Farm � Area of an encampment where the radio antennae are emplaced.
ARMY � Ain't Ready to be a Marine Yet � backronym used for the Army.
ASP � Ammunition Supply Point, where ammo is stored and issued.
ASVAB waiver � Insinuates someone's inability to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
As You Were � Order to disregard the immediately preceding order[5][6]
Asiatic - World War II term for eccentric behavior characteristic of men serving too long in the Far East[7]
Aviation Units � See also active squadrons, inactive squadrons, & aviation support units
HAMS � Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron, also H&MS
HMA � Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron
HMH � Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron
HMHT � Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron
HML � Marine Light Helicopter Squadrons
HMLA � Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron
HMLAT � Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron
HMM � Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (formerly HMR)
HMMT � Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron
HMR � Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron
HMT � Marine Helicopter Training Squadron (General designation prior to specific communities (i.e. HMHT(CH-53), HMLAT(H-1))
HMX-1 � Marine Helicopter Squadron One (divided into operational test & Executive transport support)
LAAD Bn � Low-altitude Air Defense Battalion
MABS � Marine Air Base Squadron
MACG � Marine Air Command Group
MACS � Marine Air Control Squadron
MAMS � Marine Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
MASS � Marine Air Support Squadron
MALS � Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron
MATCS � Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron
MCAS � Marine Corps Air Station
MOTS � Marine Operational Training Squadrons
MTACS � Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron
MWSS � Marine Wing Support Squadron
MWCS � Marine Wing Communications Squadron
MWHS � Marine Wing Headquarters squadron
MWSG � Marine Wing Support Group
SOES � Station Operations and Engineer Squadron
VMAQ � Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron
VMA � Marine Attack Squadron
VMAT � Marine Attack Training Squadron
VMB � Marine Bombing Squadron
VMC � Marine Composite Squadron
VMCJ � Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron
VMD � Marine Photographic Squadron
VMF � Marine Fighter Squadron
VMF(N) � Marine Night Fighter Squadron
VMFA � Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
VMFA(AW) � Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron
VMFAT � Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron
VMFP � Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
VMGR � Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron
VMGRT � Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Training Squadron
VMJ � Marine Reconnaissance Squadron / Marine Target Towing Detachments
VML � Marine Glider Squadron
VMM � Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (formerly HMM, HMH & VMFA)
VMMT � Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (formerly HMMT)
VMO � Marine Observation Squadron
VMP � Marine Patrol Squadron
VMR � Marine Transport Squadron
VMS � Marine Scouting Squadron
VMSB � Marine Scout Bombing Squadron
VMTB � Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron
VMTD � Marine Target Towing Detachment
VMU � Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron
VMX � Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron
WES � Wing Engineer Squadron
WTS � Wing Transport Squadron
ZMQ � Marine Barrage Balloon Squadrons
Aye-Aye � Nautical term used as a response to orders meaning "I understand the orders I have received and will carry them out"; aye (descended from Middle English yai) dialectical for 'yes',[8] once common in the regions from which the Royal Navy drew its sailors
B[edit]

bag nasty, breakfast version
Back on the Block � Behaving like a civilian.
Bag Nasty a.k.a. "Box Nasty"� A-ration Brown-bag meal issued to Marines (usually recruits or those in-field): it often contains a sandwich, a boiled egg, fruit, potato chips, juice or milk.[9]
BAH (a.k.a. "bee ay aych" � Basic Allowance for Housing: Supplemental pay for living off-base; previously known as Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ).
BAMCIS � a mnemonic For military tacticians: Begin the planning, Arrange reconnaissance, Make reconnaissance, Complete the planning, Issue orders, Supervise.[10] It is also used as an exclamation of success or accomplishment.
Barney-style � to perform strictly according to regulation; idiot proof; simplified for the benefit of mental underachievers; often said as "Breaking it down Barney-style" or "Mr. Potato Head style"; Bert and Ernie for the 1980s and 1990s Marines[11]
Barracks � On base housing for Marines who have no dependents, any dependents living with them. Military dormitory rooms.
Barracks Cover � Fabric-cover frame cap worn green with the service uniform and white with the dress uniform; traditionally officers wear this cap with quatrefoil and gilt devices that increase with rank.
Barracks Rat � Guy who stays in the barracks instead of going into town.[12]
Barracks Bunny � Common term for Female Marines that tend or are rumored to sleep around in the barracks, also referred to as "hopping from room to room".
BAS � Battalion Aid Station: A unit's medical post for routine ailments and injuries; also Basic Allowance for Subsistence. See also sick bay.
Battery Operated Grunt � combat radio operator.
Battle Blaze � original name for the 1st & 2nd Marine Division shoulder sleeve insignias commemorating service in the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Battle Pin � Tie clasp or tie tack; until the start of World War II a metal bar worn on shirt collar.
Battle Sight Zero or BZO � calibrated settings on a gunsight that contribute to accuracy; used as default before adjusting windage or elevation; also used as verb when triangulating a BZO.

BCGs
BB Counter � Marine whose duties are the handling, storage, issue of ordnance.[13]
BCGs or BCs � Birth Control Glasses or Boot Camp Glasses: military issue glasses worn at recruit training; so called because they make the wearer too ugly to engage in sexual relations. See also portholes & RPGs.
Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids � Meant to imply the basic supplies that military logisticians must provide for: rations, ammunition, medical care.
Beer Garden � Social area permitting the consumption of alcohol etc.; may contain barbecue or picnic facilities.
Belay � To cancel an order; to stop; to firmly secure a line.
Below Decks � Area below the surface (deck) of a ship.
BEQ � Bachelor Enlisted Quarters: living spaces for single enlisted Marines; usually a barracks.[14]
BCD � Bad Conduct Discharge; also known as Big Chicken Dinner.
Big Green Weenie � Denotes that a Marine has been "screwed over" or cheated by the Marine Corps.[15]
Bird, Ball & Fish Hook � derogatory term used to describe the Eagle Globe and Anchor of the beloved Marine Corps Emblem.
Binnacle List � sick list: those excused from duty for health reasons; traditionally posted on or near the binnacle.
Blanket Party � Group assault: victim's head is covered by a blanket so the perpetrators can't be identified.
Blood stripe � Red band on dress uniform trousers; traditionally said to symbolize blood shed by Marine officers and NCOs during the Battle of Chapultepec; worn by NCOs and officers.
Blooper � Grenade launcher: from the distinctive noise made when one is fired. See also thump gun.
Blousing Garters � The correct name for "boot bands."
BLT � Battalion Landing Team: the ground combat element of a MEU; not to be confused with a Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich.
Blues or Dress Blues � Blue Dress uniform.
BLUF � Bottom Line Up Front.
Bn � battalion.
boondoggle � project or trip on government time and/or expense that serves no purpose other than to entertain the person making it.
Boot � A term for Marines who are new to the Marine Corps. Derived from the term "boot camp", to insinuate that the Marine is fresh out of boot camp. Generally used as a pejorative term (even if in an affectionate manner) in the Fleet and elsewhere, sometimes as a way to explain that new Marines should know their place. It can also be used as a term for a Marine who is new to a rank or billet. e.g. � "He's a boot Corporal". Meaning, said Marine was just recently promoted to Corporal. Also used by infantry Marines as a pejorative for any other Marine who has not gone on a combat deployment, regardless of rank or time in service.

The first thing a recruit sees at boot camp
Boot Bands � Elastic bands or metal springs rolled into the hem of the trousers to blouse them near the top of the boot.
Boots and Utes � The utility uniform without the normal uniform blouse, typically used for PT.
boot camp � Training hub for new Marines at Parris Island, SC and San Diego, CA.
BOQ � Bachelor Officer Quarters: housing for single Marine officers.[16][17]
Box-kicker � Pejorative for a Marine who works in supply (either the MOS 3043 (Supply Administration) or usually a 3051 � (Basic Warehouseman)). warehouse clerk.[18]
brove
Brain Bucket � Helmet.[19]
Brain-housing Group � Pejorative for a Marine's head or skull.[20]
Brain Strap � Elastic strap used for securing eyeglasses during rigorous activities; often found on BCG's.
Brass � 1) Shell casings; 2) Uniform insignia; 3) Senior officers (cf. rank insignia); 4) (BRASS) USMC shooting technique: Breathe, Relax, Aim, Slack, Squeeze.
brat � A servicemember's child.
Break-off Session � Extraordinarily strenuous or tiring physical activity; usually PT.
Brig � Military prison on ship or ashore.
Brig Rat � Marine who has served much brig time; also used to refer to the 5831 MOS Marines who serve as corrections specialists (guards).[21]
Brightwork � Shiny metal that Marines must polish.[22]
Broke-dick � Any person who does not perform up to standards, or a sorry piece of equipment.[23]
Broke � Feeling severe fatigue. Also refers to anything that isn't working.
Brown-bagger � Marines (usually married) who live off base; instead of eating at mess halls they pack meals to work.[24]
Buddy-fucker, (Blue Falcon) � One who disregards a team-member's welfare; a Marine who will turn on a fellow Marine in order to save himself/herself.[25]
Bug Juice � Insect repellent.
Bulkhead � A wall.[26]
Bum Scoop � Bad information.[27]
Burning Man � A Marine who is scorched by hot gun casings.
Bus Driver � Air Force pilot; so called because early USAF uniforms were said to resemble those of municipal streetcar officials.
Busted � Reduced in rank.
Butt Pack � Small pack fastened to the waist in the back. Usually the field issued first aid kit. See also Fanny pack.[28]
Butter Bar � A second lieutenant, due to the gold color of his rank insignia.
"By your leave sir/ma'am." � Used with a salute prior to passing senior officers who might be advancing in the same direction; protocol states the senior must acknowledge by returning salute with phrase "Carry on" before the junior passes on the left.[29]
C[edit]
C & S � "Clean & Sober" notation formerly entered on the liberty list beside the names of Marines returning from liberty in that condition.
CACO � Casualty Assistance Calls/Counseling Officer, a Marine detailed to help the family of a Marine killed, wounded, or captured in the line of duty.[30][31]
Cadillacs � boots; method of transportation when no other vehicle is available. Also refers to all leather combat boots.
Call Out � To challenge, often by announcing incriminating information about a person. See also drop a dime.
Cammies � camouflage utility uniform.[32]
Camp Living Room � Duty station after discharge. Civilian life. 1980s usage.
Campaign Cover � Official term for the green campaign hat worn by drill instructors and designated rifle range personnel. Occasionally referred to as a "Smokey Bear" for obvious reasons. See also field hat, hat, & smokey bear/brown.
Cannon Cocker � artilleryman.[33] See also gun bunny and red leg.
Cannon Fodder � Marines regarded merely as material to be expended in war.
Canoe U. � nickname for United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.[34] See also South Maryland Small Boat & Barge Institute.
CAR � Short for Combat Action Ribbon
Captain's Mast � Office Hours afloat. The term "Captain's Mast" is almost universally negative, implying non-judicial punishment. The modern Navy and Marine Corps use the term "Meritorious Mast" to announce any ceremony involving the meritorious award of a higher rank or of a particular recognition or honor. USA & USAF refer to this as "Article 15" hearing.[35]
Carry On � Order to continue after being interrupted. Also music played immediately following playing of "colors" to inform people to resume activities.
CAS � Close Air Support, aircraft fire on ground troops in support of nearby friendly troops.
CASEVAC � CASualty EVACuation, emergency evacuation of injured personnel from combat zone by any modes transport available to nearest triage area, treatment area, or field hospital. As opposed to a MEDEVAC which is the transport from a field hospital to a Medical Treatment Facility.[36] See also MEDEVAC.
Casual Company � A holding unit/formation of Marines awaiting one of the following: discharge from the Corps, training (usually at a formal school), or deployment to a unit.[37]
CAX � Combined Arms eXercise. Outdated term, it has since been replaced by the ITX (Integrated Training eXercise).[38]
CBRN � Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear. See also NBC.
CCU � Correctional Custody Unit, a hard-labor and heavy discipline unit overseen by MPs or Navy Masters-at-Arms to which Marines and Sailors found guilty of minor UCMJ offenses through NJP are sent for up to 30 days in lieu of confinement in the brig.[39][40]
Chair Force � Derogatory term for the US Air Force.
Chairborne or Chairborne Ranger � Someone who works in an office environment, a play on airborne.[41]

A single chevron
Charlies or Chucks � The service "C" uniform, consisting of the short-sleeve khaki shirt and green trousers.
Chaser � Pejorative for a Marine assigned prisoner escort duties, an escort for a single prisoner or detail of prisoners.[42]
Check Fire � Order to stop firing due to a safety condition, possible error or mistarget.
Chest Candy � Used in reference to the ribbons and medals on a Marine's uniform.
chevron � Symbols of enlisted ranks above private, usually not acceptably called "stripes" unless describing the rank insignia itself.
China Marines � Those United States Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment who were stationed in Shanghai, China during 1927�1941
Chinese Field Day � A form of field day where every item from a room is removed for cleaning; when tending to last much longer than necessary, it is used as a punishment, typically for unsatisfactory performance in routine field day.[citation needed]
Chit � Voucher, receipt, letter, or note, entitling the bearer to special treatment, such as medical restrictions from duty; derived from Hindi word for "letter", "chitti".[43]
CIF � Consolidated Issue Facility, a place on a station where all personal equipment is stored and issued, often contracted to civilians.[44]
CID � Criminal Investigation Division, is an accredited Federal law enforcement agency of the U.S. Marine Corps whose mission it is to conduct official criminal investigations into misdemeanor and felony offenses committed on Marine Corps installations as may directed and not under the primary jurisdiction of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). These Marines are not formal law enforcement officers per se, and only perform investigations under the cognizance of NCIS.
Civvies � Civilian clothing or mufti.[45][46][47]
CLP � Cleaner, Lubricant, Preservative, teflon-based cleaning and lubricating fluid used for maintaining small arms. Also slang for coffee.
Cluster fuck � Chaotic and messy situation from multiple mistakes or problems happening in rapid succession. See also goat rope / goat rodeo / goat screw.
CMC � Acronym for Commandant of the Marine Corps.[48]
COB � Close Of Business, the end of working hours; or Close Order Battle, a synonym for CQB.
COC � Combat Operations Center, the command post for a combat arms unit, usually of battalion-size or larger; personnel assigned to the COC may derisively refer to such duty as "coc-watch" or "working the coc".
COG � Corporal Of the Guard, The acting corporal, (or near rank) that acts under the SOG Sgt. of the Guard on watch, radio watch, or post.
Colonel � Proper means of addressing lieutenant colonels and colonels.
Commie Killer � Derogative term used for the hand which a Marine masturbates with, originates from the fact that most men masturbate with their dominant hand, i.e. their firing hand.
CONUS � CONtinental United States (48 states excluding Alaska and Hawaii), as opposed to OCONUS.
Corfams � Uniform dress shoes made from poromeric imitation leather.
Corpsman � Navy hospital corpsman attached to a Marine unit; also known as "doc"; inappropriate to address as "medic" or "aid man".[49] See also boxsee.
Cover � Headgear (a hat) protection from enemy fire.
Cover and Alignment � When in a formation, this refers to the proper distance between those next to, in front of, and behind a person; to seek the proper interval.[50]
CQB or CQC � Close Quarters Battle/Combat, combat within a confined space, such as urban warfare. See also MOUT.
Crew-Served � Short for crew-served weapon; also large and very powerful, based on a crew-served weapon being such.
Cruise � Deployment aboard ship; or enlistment period, inappropriately called a stint.
CS � 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, a white solid powder commonly used for CBRN defense training.
Cumshaw � Something extra or free, given as a favor or gift; pidgin expression using the Chinese word for "grateful thanks", "kamsia".[51]
D[edit]
D & D � Drunk and Disorderly, an entry formerly made on the liberty list beside the name of any Marine returning from liberty in that condition.
Daijoubu � OK, from Japanese for "don't worry".
Daily 7 or Daily 16 � stretches and exercises used as a warmup for other, more strenuous physical training.
Dark Green/Light Green � Common reference to a Marine's skin color. Marines are not black or white, the saying goes, only different shades of green.
Dead Horse � To draw advance pay out of the normal pay cycle, the Marine is then obligated to repay the debt at the government's convenience.
deck � Floor or surface of the earth; to punch or knock down with one blow.[26]

Devil Dog
Deep Six � To dispose of by throwing overboard ship.
Detachment � A portion of a unit sent independently of its parent organization, usually in support of a larger headquarters; or a small stand alone unit isolated geographically from its parent command.
Deuce � Reference to the number two in various unit or equipment names; the senior intelligence officer for a unit;
Deuce Gear � See 782 gear, from the last digit in that term.
Devil Dog or Devil � Nickname for Marines, from the German word "Teufelhunden", supposedly given by German troops at the Battle of Belleau Wood,[52] though the correct grammatical form would be "Teufelshunde".[53][54]
Devil Nuts � A regional variation of devil dog and nickname for Marines. Popular with Marines serving at Marine Barracks Japan (Late 1990s era).
Devil Pup � Nickname for a Marine's child(ren); a member of the Young Marines; a patronizing nickname for a junior Marine. Mostly used by senior Marines to reference junior Marines in a polite way, and commonly used around higher ups.
DGAF � Doesn't/Don't Give A Fuck. Generally coincides with one who is OFP.
DI � Drill Instructor, inappropriate to use the Army term "drill sergeant".
DI Hut � Office for drill instructors in a platoon's squad bay; doubles as sleeping quarters for the drill instructor on duty. See also house mouse.
Dickskinner or Dickbeater � Human hand.

DI
Diddy Bop � Poor performance in close order drill, or marching in a manner that does not present a crisp military appearance. One who conducts himself/herself in this manner is labelled a diddy bopper.
Diet Recruit or Diet Tray � A recruit in Boot Camp who has been deemed overweight according to regulations. These recruits are usually the last through the chow line and have their meals inspected by DI's.
Digis or Diggis � Digital camouflage such as MARPAT; also refers to the digital-patterned MCCUU.
Dime Out � To reveal incriminating information about a person. See also call out.
Disneyland East � Headquarters Marine Corps at Arlington, Virginia.
Doc or Devil Doc � Navy hospital corpsman attached to the Marines; Devil Doc is a term of respect normally reserved for Corpsmen who are Fleet Marine Force qualified or who have served in combat with Marines.
Dog and Pony Show � Any display, demonstration, or appearance by Marines at the request of seniors for the pleasure of someone else, such as a ceremony or parade; also, pejorative for the requirement for over-perfection of such a venue.
Doggie � Enlisted member of the United States Army, from the diminutive "dog-face".
Donkey Dick � Specifically, a jerrycan fuel spout. Alternatively, slang for virtually any piece of equipment having a generally cylindrical or phallic shape with unknown, or obscure official name. For example, a static hook suspended from an overhead helicopter for the purpose of picking up external loads.
Dope � Data On Previous Engagements, information, or sight settings and/or wind corrections for a rifle under given conditions.
DPICM � Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions, a specialized artillery round that releases sub-munitions.
Drill � Close order drill, the procedures and methodology of handling weapons and moving troops about in an orderly fashion, used to indoctrinate recruits in obedience to commands and military appearance.[55][56]
Drill Hat � A Drill Instructor, usually the second most senior behind the SDI and who specializes in the instruction of close order drill.
DRMOed � To dispose of an item by taking it to the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO).
Drug Deal � To obtain needed supplies, equipment or services outside official channels via barter rather than theft.
Dry fire � Practice firing of a weapon without using ammunition in order to refine body position and other shooting fundamentals.
DTG � Date-Time Group, a numeric code denoting the time and date of a message.
Dual-cool or Double-trouble � A Marine that possesses both the parachutist and diver badges, usually associated with the Reconnaissance community.[57]
Dummy Cord � Lanyard or tether used to secure a piece of equipment to an anchor to prevent losing it.
Duty NCO or Duty � Sentry responsible for patrol and security of a specific area (usually a barracks and/or working space in garrison). See also fire watch and OOD
E[edit]

EGA
EAS � End of Active Service, the date of discharge from active duty.
EGA � Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, the emblem of the Marine Corps. The usage of the term discouraged by older Marines.
Eight Ball � A Marine who lacks an aggressive spirit.[58]
Eighth & I or Eighth & Eye � Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., located at 8th and I Streets SE. See also 8th & I.
Einstein � A derogatory term for a Marine who is found to be responsible for a particularly notable unwise action or plan.
EM � Enlisted Marine/Man, very inappropriate to use today.
Elephant Hat � Pith helmet first issued in 1940 and worn by rifle range coaches today.
Embed � To place within, or fix in place.
National Ensign � A.k.a. colors, national flag.
EOD � Explosive Ordnance Disposal, responsible for the safe handling, deactivation, and removal of unexploded ordnance, the military version of a bomb squad.
EPD � Extra Punitive Duties, punishment assigned where the individual is required to perform cleaning duties after working hours (on his or her liberty time).
EPW � Enemy Prisoner of War.
F[edit]
Fallen Angel � Marine Officer who failed out of flight school and is now in another MOS.
FAP � Fleet Assistance Program, a program designed to assign Marines to extra duties outside his or her normal chain of command. Long seen as a means for commands to "reassign" their lowest-performing or misbehaving Marines.

AH-1W Cobras at a FARP during Op Iraqi Freedom
FARP � Forward Area Refueling/Rearming Point or Forward Arming Refueling Point, a space on the battlefield designated for the re-arming and re-fueling of aircraft.
Fart Sack � Cotton mattress cover; large sack made of linen that a mattress is inserted into. Serves as a military form of a fitted sheet.
FAST � Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team, sarcastically referred to as Fake Ass SEAL Team.
Fast-mover � Fast-moving fixed-wing aircraft; term popular during the Vietnam War but fallen into disuse as jets replaced propeller-powered aircraft. Also used to describe a Marine moving fast (promoted) up the ranks.
Fat Barrel � Round in the chamber, no magazine inserted.
Fat-body � Overweight recruit or servicemember.
FEBA � Forward Edge of the Battle Area, the line of departure where a unit enters enemy territory.
Felony Creek � Slang for the French Creek area of Camp Lejeune. French Creek is the home for the Marine units that are service and support. Some Marines who reside there think they are back on the block.
Fiddler's Green � Imaginary afterlife; paradise.
Field 10 � A physically unattractive female servicemember who becomes an object of desire for male servicemembers after extended time in a field or combat environment away from civilian women. A perfect "10" in the field.
Field Day � Day or portion of day set aside for top-to-bottom cleaning of an area; also as a verb for the act of conducting a field day.
Field Expedient � Improvisation, to make do with what's available.

field stripped M16
Field Cover � Campaign Cover, a broad-brimmed felt hat, originally with one straight crease down the middle, then with a Montana peak, worn on expeditionary missions from 1912 to 1942, and then again authorized in 1961 for wear at recruit depots by drill instructors and rifle ranges by marksmanship instructors. See also campaign cover, hat, & smokey bear/brown.
Field Meet � Organized sporting competition, often involving athletics and/or soldierly skills.
Field Music � Drummer, trumpeter, bugler, fifer; mostly an antiquated term.
Field-Strip � To disassemble a piece of ordnance or weapon to the major part groups for routine cleaning or lubricating; to strip cigarette butts to their filters before throwing away. Also to remove unwanted items from an MRE in order to save space.
Fifty-cal � M2 Browning machine gun, from its .50 caliber ammunition. See also Ma Deuce.

fifty-cal
Fighting Hole � A defensive position dug into the ground; can be dug for one Marine, a pair, or a weapon crew; formerly known as a "foxhole" by the Army. Marine Corps is "firing hole" "Forward Firing Position" should be considered.
Final Duty Station � A reference to a Marine's final posting, i.e., Heaven, referencing the last verse of the Marine's Hymn.
Final Protective Fire or FPF � The last volley sent toward an advancing enemy during a Marine unit's withdrawal from defensive position. All weapons are fired simultaneously at maximum rate of fire.
Fire for Effect � Indicates that the adjustment/ranging of indirect fire is satisfactory and the actual effecting rounds should be fired; also a euphemism for the execution of a plan.
Fire Watch � Sentry on duty specifically guarding a person, place, object, or area in a non-combat area (such as a barracks); considered under arms but usually unarmed. See also duty & OOD.
Fire Watch Medal � Pejorative for National Defense Service Medal, so named because even recruits rate it despite firewatch being their most important duty.
First Lieutenant, Second Award � Derogatory term used to describe a former First Lieutenant who has been frocked (promoted ahead of schedule) to Captain.
First Shirt � company or battery First Sergeant.
Fitness Report or FITREP � Evaluation report written on Marines (sergeant and above) detailing proficiency and conduct and fitness for command, reviewed for promotion.
Five-jump Chump � A servicemember who has only performed the minimum five paratrooper jumps to receive the Basic Parachute Insignia, as opposed to the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, which requires additional jumps.[26][59]
Flak Jacket � Antiquated term for ballistic vest or body armor.
Flak and Kevlar � Used when referring to body armor and a helmet respectively (the standard US Military issued helmet is made out of kevlar).
Float � Deployment aboard ship.
Float Widow � Unfaithful wife of a Marine or Sailor deployed aboard a ship. a.k.a. Med Float Widow.
FMC � Fully Mission Capable, refers to equipment such as aircraft that need no repairs and are fully capable of their intended mission.
FMF or Fleet � Fleet Marine Force, the operational forces of the Corps, as opposed to reserve or supporting establishment.
FMTU � Foreign Military Training Unit.
FNG � Fucking New Guy, derogatory term for a Marine recently graduated recruit training and new to a unit. It has far and wide been replaced by the term "boot".
Fobbie or Fobbit � A Marine who rarely sees combat; pejorative term for Marines stuck inside a forward operating base.
Form ID-10T or ID-Ten-Tango � Pejorative for "idiot".
Fortitudine � Former motto of the Marine Corps in the 19th century (replaced by Semper Fidelis), from the Latin word for "fortitude"; also the name of the Marine Corps History Division's quarterly magazine.
Four Fingers of Death � Nickname for the ill famed frankfurter MRE (Meals-Ready-to-Eat) with four small hot dogs as the main meal MRE[60]
Foxhole � Fighting hole as termed by the Army and Marines of the past, no longer appropriate for Marine use. "Fighting hole," "firing hole," and "Forward Firing Position" should be considered. There is a difference between 1 MARDIV and 2 MARDIV[clarification needed].
FRAGO � FRAGmentary Order, an addendum to published operational orders.
FRO � Family Readiness Officer
Frock � To be authorized to wear the next higher grade before promotion, confers authority but not pay grade.
Frock You � Response to an inappropriate request to be promoted to a Marine's selected rank, ahead of their scheduled promotion.
FUBAR � Fucked/Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition/Repair.
FUBIJAR � Fuck yoU Buddy, I'm Just A Reservist.[61][62]
Full-Bird � Colonel, as opposed to a half-bird, light-colonel, or short-bird / short colonel, Lieutenant Colonel; so named because his or her rank insignia is a silver eagle.
G[edit]
G-2 � An individual's intellect, from designation for a staff intelligence organization.
Gaff Off � To disregard or ignore a person or order, context usually denotes insubordination.[63][64]
Gagglefuck � Group of Marines grouped too closely or in an unorganized fashion; from gaggle, the term for a flock of grounded geese, and clusterfuck, a term for a messy situation.
Gangway � Ship's passageway; also used to order juniors to give way to seniors in passageways, and particularly when going up and down ladders.
Garrison � In addition to the traditional meaning, an adjective referring to not being deployed or deployable, such as buildings at a unit's home base.
Garrison Cover � Soft green folded cap worn with the service uniform. See also fore-and-aft cap and piss cover/cutter.
Gate Fishing � An off-duty Marine who chats up a girl who may or may not be loitering outside the main gate of Yokosuka, Naval Base (Late 1990s era).
Gear � Property or equipment; usually referring to an individual's combat equipment.
Gear Adrift � Gear found left lying around or unguarded, from the saying "gear adrift, must be a gift!".
Geedunk � Candy and other sweets, or a location where such items are obtained (such as a store or vending machine); borrowed from the comic strip Harold Teen.[65] See also pogey bait.
General � One method of addressing a Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, or General. The other would be either "Sir" or Ma'am."
General Orders � List of 11 General Orders for Sentries detailing rules for guard or sentry duty.
Get Some � Spirited cry expressing approval and the desire for more or to continue, traditionally associated in the Vietnam War to killing or sex.
GI Shower � Bathing with limited water (often with the use of wet wipes); forcibly bathing an individual who refuses to meet minimum hygiene standards.[66]
GITMO � U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Glow Belt � A reflective belt used when running on or near hard-surfaced roads that makes pedestrians more visible to motorists.
Go-fasters � Running shoes or sneakers, named so because they help a person run faster than boots.[citation needed]
Goat Rope � A chaotic and messy situation.[67] See also cluster fuck.
Going High and to the Right � losing one's temper or rationality; from the common error of a poor shooter to jerk the trigger and impact the upper right side of a target.
Gomer or GOMER � Antiquated slang for a stupid person, from the character Gomer Pyle; or as a backronym for "Get Out of My Emergency Room" used by corpsmen to refer to malingerers who faked illness to avoid duties.
Good Cookie � Good Conduct Medal.
Good to Go � Expression denoting that difficulties will be overcome; ready; well done or satisfactory.[68]
Gook � Anything foreign or strange.[69] In modern US usage, "gook" refers particularly to Communist soldiers during the Vietnam War. It is generally considered to be highly offensive and viewed as a racial slur.
Gore-Tex � All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS), a cold/wet weather protective parka and trousers, based on the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System, usually in reference to the parka; from the fabric it is made from.[70]
Gouge � Information or news. See also word.
Grab-Ass � Horseplay, usually wrestling.[19]
Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps � Usually refers to Brevet Brigadier General Archibald Henderson.
Grape � A Marine's head, as in: "Keep on grab assing and you're going to fall and bust your grape!"
Greens � service uniforms in reference to their color.

Gunny
Grid Squares � Marked reference lines on a map; often used as a prank fool's errand where an unsuspecting Marine is asked to find a box of them when they don't physically exist.
Grinder � parade ground or deck used primarily for drill and/or formations.[71]
Ground Guide � A person who walks in front of a vehicle in order to detect and avoid obstacles and guide the driver to the proper spot.[72]
Grunt or Ground Pounder � Infantryman, formerly a pejorative that has taken more neutral tones.
GT Score � Intelligence, from the General Technical score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and the minimum scores that many Military Occupational Specialties require to qualify.[73]
Guide � Unit guidon-bearer; in recruit training, also the senior recruit and responsible for the actions of all recruits in a platoon.[74]
Gumby Suit � Two pieced wet weather gear consisting of a hooded jacket and overalls used until the mid-1990s when the Gore-Tex replaced it. So named because it is green in color and the wearers tended to look like the character Gumby. Those who have worn them can remember its distinctive rubber cloth odor. Gumby Suits can still be found for purchase at military surplus stores.
Gun Bunny � Artilleryman. See also cannon cocker and red leg. Also refers to a Marine unit's Armorers, as they spend long hours inside the armory conducting maintenance on weapons.
Gun Club � slang term for the USMC at-large as in "I've been in this gun club longer than you." Use in presence of senior personnel is inappropriate. Use by civilians or members of other services is considered disrespectful.
Gung ho � Chinese phrase meaning to "work together," it became the battle cry of the Marine Raiders.
Gunner � shortened form of Marine Gunner, a nickname for an Infantry Weapons Officer; used informally to refer to all warrant officer ranks.
Gunny � Nickname for Gunnery Sergeant, improper to call a Master Gunnery Sergeant this.[75]
Gyrene � Nickname for a Marine, considered to be a grievous insult; combination of the words "GI" and "Marine".[76][77]
H[edit]

half-mast
H&S � Headquarters & Service/Supply Company, much like a Headquarters Battalion.
hack � arrest.
Haji (hah-jee) � Arab or Middle Eastern person or object, from the Arabic term for one who has completed a pilgrimage to Mecca, or "hajj"
Half-bird � Lieutenant Colonel, as opposed to a full-bird. See also short colonel.
Half-Mast � position of the ensign when hoisted to one flag/ensign height below the top, usually done in respect to a deceased person; also called "half-staff" among non-naval forces. Half-Mast is also a term used by aircraft personnel and aircrew, describing the wearing of the flight suits and coveralls (a one piece uniform) rolled down to the waist so as to only look like pants.
Hard Charger or Hard � term of endearment from a senior to a junior Marine when he or she completes a difficult task, so named for charging through the assignment; or general toughness.
Hashmark � service stripe worn on the uniform sleeve by enlisted men and women for completion of four years of honorable service in any of the U.S. Armed Services and Reserves.
Hatch � Door; more specifically, the watertight cover over an opening between compartments or that leads to the ladder wells between decks of a ship.
HBT � HerringBone Twill; the cotton material of Marine utilities from 1941 to the late 1950s.
HDR � Humanitarian Daily Ration, a variation of the MRE used to feed a single malnourished person for one day with 2,300 calories.
HE � High Explosive, used to describe various kinds of ordnance, or Heavy Equipment.

looking out the hell hole
head � bathroom or latrine, a nautical term from the days of sailing ships when the designated place to defecate and urinate was forward, at the bow or "head" of the ship.
Head Shed � Command post or other headquarters area where senior Marines gather.
Headgear � Hats, helmets, caps, etc.
HEAT � High-Explosive AntiTank, type of tank round.
Heavy Hat � Second-most senior drill instructor in a platoon.
Hell Hole � Hatch mounted in the deck of many helicopters (such as the CH-53E Super Stallion) for rappeling and cargo lifting.
Helo � Helicopter. "Chopper" is an Army term.
HEDP � High-Explosive Dual Purpose, type of armor-piercing ammunition.
High and Tight � Nickname for a common variant of the buzz cut, where the hair is clipped very close. Although having become heavily associated with Marines (giving rise to the term "jarhead"), it's generally not the most common or preferred haircut worn among most Fleet Marines. Also referred to as a "High reg(ular)."
"Higher-ups" � Nickname for Marines above the rank of E-5 Sergeant.
High-speed � New, interesting, or cool; often used to sarcastically denote that the subject looks good, but performance is dubious.
Hillbilly Armor � improvised vehicle armor.
HIMARS � High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
Hippity-hop, mob stop! � Used in place of "Platoon, halt!" by a drill instructor displeased with a platoon's drill performance.
HMMWV or Humvee � High-Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, common utility vehicle.
Hollywood Marine � Marine who has graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, stemming from rivalry between the two recruit depots (the other being Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island).
Homeslice � Person, often a sarcastic overture to civilians from a drill instructor; from the terms homie and homeboy.
Homesteading � Remaining at one duty station for an extended tour or consecutive tours.
Honcho or Head Honcho � Person in charge, from the Japanese word for "boss', "hancho"; also a nickname for Okinawan taxi drivers.
Hooch � Field living quarters. Also tied into the term Hooch maid, which referred to a woman in Vietnam who would clean the dwellings of soldiers, which were deemed "hooches."
Hot-Shit � Sarcastic reference to an overly arrogant person.
Horse-cock Sandwich � Any sandwich or meal created using an unknown or mystery meat. Often, specifically, sliced balogna. Occasionally served as breakfast meat.
House Mouse � Recruit tasked with cleaning and performing domestic chores in drill instructor-only areas. See also DI hut.
Housewife � Girlfriend; also sewing kit.
HQMC � Headquarters Marine Corps.
Hump � Carry or lift a load, originally an Australian term meaning "to carry one's swag,"; also a forced march carrying full equipment loads.
Hurry up and wait � Expression denoting inefficient time management or planning, often when a senior rushes a unit into a situation too fast that subsequently makes them wait. This can refer to the period between receiving a Warning Order and actually implementing an Operations Order.
Huss � To give a helping hand, so named because the H-34 Choctaw helicopter's utility configuration was designated as the "HUS-1 Seahorse," leading to Vietnam-era Marines that needed a medical evacuation helicopter to ask for or to be "cut a huss".
I[edit]
IAW � In Accordance With, term often used to denote compliance with published orders or procedures.
IG � Inspector General.
ILBE � Improved Load Bearing Equipment, the newest iteration of personal combat gear, utilizes the PALS, replaced MOLLE.
In Country � Phrase referring to being within a war zone.
Incentive/Individual Training or IT � Physical training used as a punishment, especially in recruit training, sometimes nicknamed "incentive torture," "indoor tennis," or getting "thrashed/bent/slayed/destroyed" by recruits.[78][79][80] See also pitting & quarterdecking.
Inkstick � Pen[26]
Irish Pennant or IP � Any loose thread, string, or strap on a uniform or equipment that detracts from a perfect appearance.
Iron Mike � Originally a nautical term for a gyrocompass; name for various memorial statues, such as at Parris Island, SC, Quantico, VA, and Belleau, France; nickname bestowed on Marines who score a perfect 300 points on the Physical Fitness Test; nickname for a company or battery named "M or "Mike" in NATO phonetic alphabet.
IRR � Individual Ready Reserve, branch of the reserve that most former servicemembers fall under upon the end of active service, may be called to involuntarily return to active status.
J[edit]
JAG � Judge Advocate General, colloquial name for the legal entity within the Marine Corps, more properly called Judge Advocate Division, from the Judge Advocate General of the Navy, the naval officer who oversees both the Navy's and Marine Corps' legal entities; also, a television show by the same name.
Jarhead � Pejorative term for a Marine. Jarhead has several supposed origins: the regulation "High and Tight" haircut resembles a mason jar (to add insult, some note that the jar is an empty vessel, also therefore a Marine's head an empty vessel); the Mason Jar Company stopped making jars and made the helmets for Marines during World War II.
JAX � Jacksonville, North Carolina. Located outside Camp Lejeune. Also called J-ville. Typical US military town filled with bars/taverns, pawn shops, tattoo parlors, car dealers and strip clubs. More commonly referred to as J-ville.
Jesus slippers or Jesus boots � Government-issue sandals or flip-flops for sanitation in showers. Also known as a "Boot from the Heavens". "Best boot I ever had". See also shower shoes.
JETDS � Joint Electronics Type Designation System, used to categorize the nomenclature of electronic equipment.
JEW � Junior enlisted warrior, E-3 and below.
JJ DID TIE BUCKLE � Mnemonic for the 14 leadership traits: Justice, Judgement, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, Endurance.

John Wayne
JOB � Junk On the Bunk, a formal inspection of gear that takes place in the squad bay where the gear is placed on the rack in a predesignated order. Also known as 'Things On the Springs'.
John Wayne � P-38 can opener, a small folding blade used to open canned rations (such as K-rations or C-rations), so named because the actor was shown in a training film using it.
Joker � Military journalist, from Private Joker from the movie Full Metal Jacket; also a derogatory term for a junior enlisted servicemember. Also, used by aviators, the time at which only 60 minutes of fuel remain.
Jungle Bunny � Vietnam War�era phrase for infantry.
Junk on [the] Bunk � Inspection where all uniforms and equipment to be displayed is laid on the Marine's rack.
K[edit]

KA-BAR
K or klicks � Kilometer.
KA-BAR � Fighting/utility knife first issued during World War II Knife Accessory � Browning Automatic Rifle.
K-Bay � Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Keeper � Cloth loop on the green service blouse to hold the cloth belt neatly in place.
Kelly Helmet or K-pot � 1917-model basin helmet worn during World War I until 1942.
Kevlar � Helmet made from kevlar.
Keyboard Jockey � Person whose job causes him or her use a computer for a length of time.
Kill � A positive affirmation.
Kill Hat � A junior Drill Instructor who specializes in discipline and punishment. See also heavy hat.
Kin Town � A small town located just outside Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Also called Kinville or Sinville. Great place to get Taco rice and cheese and Yakisoba.
Kit � another term for the old wb gear (LBE) when it included the butt-pack.
Kuni � Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
L[edit]
Lad � term that came out of WW I for a young Marine.
Ladder Well � Stairway or ladder connecting different decks of a ship, so named because naval stairs tend to be so steep as to almost be vertical.
Laminated � Perceived semi-permanent state of issue for a normally temporary status.
Lance Colonel � Derivation of Lance Corporal denoting a junior Marine with extended time in service or grade. See also terminal lance.
Lance Coolie, Lance Criminal, or Lance Coconut � derogatory terms for Lance Corporal.
Lance Corporal Underground or Lance Corporal Network � Joking reference to the gulf between non-NCOs and their superiors; also refers to the spread of foolish rumors that a more experienced Marine would immediately recognize as false.[81][82]
Landing Gear � Crossed rifles exposed on the rank insignia of Lance Corporals, Corporals, and Sergeants.
Land of the big PX � Used in reference to CONUS by Marines deployed overseas.
Lawn Dart � Pejorative for various aircraft, possibly from the lawn dart effect.[83]
LBV � Load Bearing Vest, personal equipment used to keep the most commonly used items within easy reach utilizing the PALS, usually a component of MOLLE or ILBE.
LCPLIC � Lance Corporal in Charge. A salty Lance Corporal.
Leatherneck � Nickname for Marine, so named for legends stating that stiff leather collars were once worn to protect the throat from sword-blows (also thought that high stocks were worn for discipline, to keep Marines' heads high and straight). The dress blue uniform still bears a high stock collar today. Also, Leatherneck Magazine.
Leg � Servicemember who does not rate to wear the Parachutist Insignia, borrowed from the Army Airborne.
leggings � Leg coverings made of canvas with eyelets and laces or buckles to secure the trouser legs over boots.[84]
Liberty � Authorized free time ashore or off station, not counted as leave, known in the Army as a "pass".
Liberty List � List containing the names of Marines entitled to liberty and those employed by the guard during the liberty period (and thus not entitled to leave post).
Liberty Risk � A Marine with a high risk of getting into trouble on liberty.
Lifer � Career servicemember, as opposed to one who serves for a single enlistment.
Lima Charlie or Lickin' Chicken � Loud and Clear, an expression meaning that the communication has been received and understood; originally exclusive to radio traffic.
Line Company � Lettered Marine companies or the aviation term for ground units, originally, an infantry company.

1st Lt (left) and Chief Warrant Officer 3 (right) insignias
Lipstick Lieutenant � Pejorative for warrant officer, so named from the appearance of their rank insignia: the addition of red to the gold and silver bars of a lieutenant.[85]
Lollygag � Dawdle or fool about.
Long Handles � Long sleeved/legged undershirt/shorts.
Long War � Term for the War on Terrorism favored by senior military leaders.
Lost Lieutenant Finder � Hand-held GPS unit, a joke term on the reputation for new lieutenants to be incompetent in land navigation.
LPCs � Abbreviation for Leather Personnel Carriers, aka combat boots
LPD � Abbreviation for Landing Platform/Dock, aka Amphibious transport dock
LT � Abbreviation for lieutenant, inappropriate to address as such verbally.
LWH � LightWeight Helmet.
LZ � Landing Zone, a clearing designated as the place where a helicopter (or other VTOL aircraft) can land.
M[edit]
M � A prefix to the model number of a specific nomenclature of equipment, generally considered to denote "model" or "mark". Also us in the phonetic alphabet for "Mike".
Ma'am � Proper method of addressing female officers.
Mac Marine � Nickname for Marine, popular during World War II, also the career planner popular on posters of the 1960s.
Mad Max � term for a military vehicle that is irregular in appearance due to repairs, modifications or the presence of extra equipment. See also hillbilly armor.
Maggie's Drawers � Red flag attached to a pole, used to signal a miss on the rifle range, replaced by a red disk.
MAGTF � Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
MAGTFery � I.e., "Mag-taf-ery." Anything associated with MAGTF-type operations, or the unique structure of the Marine Corps MAGTF.

Master Guns
Major � A Captain in command of a ship's Marine detachment, so titled because a ship may have only one Captain, the commanding officer.
Mama-san � Term of endearment for an elder Japanese woman, often a maid, cook, or tailor/seamstress performing services for Marines; from the Japanese honorific "san".
MARINE � Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Non-Essential or My Ass Really Is Navy Equipment, pejorative backronyms used by other branches.
Marine � The following nicknames are usually acceptable: leatherneck, devil dog, sea soldier, warrior, hard charger, motivator; the following are acceptable from other Marines: jarhead, gyrene; the following are grievous insults: soldier, seabag.
Marine house � Security Guard term for living quarters for Marines, on or off embassy grounds.
Master Guns or Master Gunny � Master Gunnery Sergeant. Also sometimes referred to as "Maverick" due to the combination of slang for Master Sergeant "Top" and Gunnery Sergeant "Gunny".
Marine Mattress � A woman who is thought to be sexually promiscuous with other Marines. The plural form is colloquially referred to as M&Ms.
MATMEP � Maintenance Training Management and Evaluation Program. Used to document individual formal and informal training in 6XXX series occupations (i.e., aviation maintenance); this information then rolls up to show an aviation unit's overall readiness to sustain operations. Sometimes referred to as "Me And The Marines Enjoy Paperwork" from the voluminous amounts of documentation generated.
MCI � Marine Corps Institute, a distance education program; also, the courses available to Marines for bonus promotion credit.
MCCS � Marine Corps Community Services (also known by the humorous backronym Marine Corps Crime Syndicate)
MCMAP, MCNinja � Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
MCT � Marine Combat Training, infantry skills training for non-infantry Marines.
MCSF- Marine Corps Security Forces (Company) usually a company size unit assigned to the security of Naval assets. MOS 8152, MCSF School is at NSGA Northwest VA, and due to the intense marksmanship training Marines are known as 'Gunslingers', Marine Corps Super Friends.
Meat Gazer � Urinalysis observer who observes the servicemember peeing into the sample container to prevent tampering with the sample.
MEB � Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
MEDEVAC or Medivac � MEDical EVACuation, removing a wounded person to the closest medical or triage facility using designated ambulance equipment, vehicles, or aircraft. See also CASEVAC.
Med Float Widow � Unfaithful wife of a Marine or Sailor deployed from the East Coast on a float a.k.a. float widow
MEF � Marine Expeditionary Force.
MEPS � Military Entrance Processing Station, facility where prospective recruits are screened medically, psychologically, and legally for recruit training.
Mess Hall � Cafeteria. See also chow hall.
Messman � cook.
MEU � Marine Expeditionary Unit.
MEU(SOC) � Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable); 11th MEU(SOC), 13th MEU(SOC), 15th MEU(SOC), 22nd MEU(SOC), 24th MEU(SOC), 26th MEU(SOC) or 31st MEU(SOC).
Mickey Mouse Boots � Boots designed for extreme cold weather using an air bladder for insulation, so named for their oversized and bloated appearance.
Midrats � Midnight (or other late-night) rations provided for servicemembers who work late hours.[86]
Mike � Minute.
Mike-mike � Millimeter.
Military Left � Pertaining to the left side of something or the direction to the left of the subject in question. Used sarcastically when giving orders when a subordinate turns the wrong way or is unsure of which way to turn.
Military Right � Pertaining to the right side of something or the direction to the right of the subject in question. Used sarcastically when giving orders when a subordinate turns the wrong way or is unsure of which way to turn.
Military Time � The time of day on a 24-hour clock. General Wallace M. Greene forbade the practice of suffixing the unnecessary word "hours" after each indication of time of day ("1330" or "thirteen-thirty" instead of "1330 hours"); the practice of saying "oh" instead of "zero" for hours before 1000 has diminished as well.

MOPP equipment
MOLLE � MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, type of load-bearing equipment utilizing the PALS, replaced ALICE and replaced by ILBE.
Molly Marine � Nickname associated with World War II era female Marines. Also the name of the award given to the top ranking female Marine in her recruit platoon.
Monkey Suit � Slang for the MARPAT uniform, otherwise known as digital cammies.
Moonbeam � flashlight.
MOPP � Mission Oriented Protective Posture, or an out-of-date term for the defense equipment (gas masks and overgarment suits) worn to protect against Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical weapons.
Mosquito Wings or Skeeter Wings � Rank insignia for a Private First Class, a single chevron.
Motivator � Term of endearment from a senior to a junior Marine, so named when the junior displays motivation for his or her duties.
Moto � Motivated/motivating, often used to describe a person, object, or event that would motivate an individual Marine.
Moto Tats � tattoos displaying USMC logos or slogans, often gotten by young Marines right out of basic training, that are looked upon as being overly gratuitous and boastful.
Motarded � Displaying excess motivation, often in the form of visual symbols and lore (such as unit logos); a combination of the terms "moto" and "retarded".
Motor T or MT � Motor Transport, a subunit of Marines responsible for the operation and maintenance of wheeled non-combat and non-engineer vehicles.
MOUT � Military Operation in Urban Terrain. See also CQB/CQC.
MOS � Military Occupational Specialty, a job classification.
MP � Military Police, mostly replaced by PMO.
MRE � Meal, Ready-to-Eat, standard U.S. field ration. Sometimes jokingly referred to with backronyms such as "Meals Rejected by the Enemy," "Meals Rejected by Ethiopia," "Meal, Rotten to Eject," "Meals Rarely Eaten," "Meal, Refusing to Exit," "Meal, Reluctant to Exit," "Mister E," or the "Three Lies for the Price of One".
MRE bomb � Bursting plastic bag made from chemical heating pouches found inside of a standard MRE.
MSG � Marine Corps Security Guard, responsible for guarding United States Embassies.
MTO � Motor Transport Officer, the Marine in charge of maintenance and operation of a unit's trucks.
MTV � Modular Tactical Vest, the newest type of ballistic vest for Marines.
MTVR � Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement See also 7-ton.
Mustang/Mustanger � Marine Officer who has previously served in the enlisted ranks.
MWD � Military Working Dog, a trained government canine for law enforcement, detection of explosives and/or drugs, sentry, or other military use(s).
Mystery Meat � A low quality unknown type of meat patty served at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
N[edit]

NCIS logo
NAVY � Never Again Volunteer Yourself, Never Actually Ventures Yonder, pejorative backronym used by sailors who regret volunteering or are otherwise dissatisfied with their post.
NBCD � Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense. See also CBRN. Need Bitches Call, No Body Cares.
NCIS � Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the primary law enforcement agency of the DoN, also a television show of the same name.
NCO � Non-commissioned officer: corporal or sergeant; the Army term "noncom" is no longer appropriate.
NCOIC � Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, an NCO responsible for a group of Marines, but without the authority of a commissioned officer; somes also the senior enlisted Marine acting with the officer in charge. See also OIC & SNCOIC.
NJP or Ninja Punch � Non-Judicial Punishment, a legal proceeding much like a court-martial of much smaller scope. A commanding officer is authorized to issue summary punishments at office hours (called Captain's Mast afloat) under Article 15, UCMJ, to punish offenses too serious to be dealt with by a mere rebuke, but not serious enough to warrant court-martial.
NMCI � Navy/Marine Corps Intranet, the program that outsources garrison information technology services for the Department of the Navy, sometimes jokingly referred to as "Non-Mission-Capable Internet".[87][88]
Non-rate � Junior to the NCO ranks: a Private, Private First Class, or Lance Corporal; borrowed from naval use, where personnel below the petty officer ranks had no rating, thus "non-rated men."
No impact, no idea � Expression denoting a miss on a weapons range (the scorer cannot find an impact on target); also used as an "I don't know" response.
North Carolina Lawn Dart � Expression denoting the AV-8 and the many mishaps that took place during the aircraft's development and testing.
NROTC � Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, a college-based recruiting program for officers for the Navy and Marine Corps.
O[edit]

OCS logo
OCONUS � Outside CONtinental United States, as opposed to CONUS.
O-Course � Obstacle course.
OCS � Officer Candidate School, recruit training for officers.
O-dark thirty � Very early hours before dawn. See also military time, Zero-dark thirty. The custom of saying "oh" instead of zero has diminished, but remains in this expression.
Office Hours � Administrative ceremony where legal, disciplinary, and other matters (such as praise, special requests, etc.) are attended, designed to dramatize praise and admonition, in a dignified, disciplined manner, out of the ordinary routine. Known as Captain's Mast afloat. An award given during a positive office hours or Mast is known as a Meritorious Mast, a negative office hours with punishment awarded is an example of non-judicial punishment.
Officers' Country � Living spaces for officers aboard ship, or portion of post or station allocated for the exclusive use of officers.
Oki � Okinawa.
Old Asia Hand � Person with more than one tour in Asia.
Old Man � Very informal nickname for the commanding officer, considered an inappropriate term of endearment for use by a junior, thus used in reference but never in address.
OMPF � Official Military Personnel File, a record of all awards, punishments, training, and other records compiled by Headquarters Marine Corps.
Oorah � Spirited cry used since the mid-20th century, comparable to Hooah used in the Army or Hooyah by Navy SEALs; most commonly used to respond to a verbal greeting or as an expression of enthusiasm. The origin is often disputed.
OP � Observation Post, a position used for reconnaissance; also, the post newspaper of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
OQR � Officer Qualification Record, a service record for officers, much like an enlisted Marine's SRB.
OOB � Out Of Bounds, or straying into an area restricted from use by normal traffic, prohibited to Marines, or too far from base for a given liberty period.
OOD � Officer Of the Deck, or the senior Marine responsible for the patrol and security of a unit's garrison working spaces and sleeping quarters after working hours, usually responsible for subordinate sentries and acts as a guard commander. See also duty & firewatch
Oscar Mike � On the Move, the names of the two NATO phonetic alphabet letters O and M, which stand for the phrase. Used on the radio and in shorthand to each other. See also NATO phonetic alphabet
OTV � Outer Tactical Vest, militarized version of Interceptor body armor, a common type of ballistic vest; being replaced by the MTV.
Outside � Civilian life after discharge. See also real world.
Overhead � Ceiling.
Over the Hill � Excessively old, or a Marine so long in the service they have become institutionalized.
P[edit]

padre conducting mass
padre � chaplain, usually Catholic, from the Spanish and Italian terms for "father".
PALS � Pouch Attachment Ladder System, a webbing system used to attach combat accessories to MOLLE and ILBE equipment.
Page 11 � NAVMC 118(11), a page of a Marine's Service Record Book or Officer Qualification Record where administrative remarks are made concerning a Marine's performance and conduct, and which may contain negative recommendations regarding promotion or re-enlistment; while not a punishment itself or inherently negative, it is part of a Marine's permanent service record and used as a basis for administrative decisions regarding a Marine's career; the term commonly refers to an entry itself made in this section.
Parade Deck � Area set aside for the conduct of parades, drill, and ceremonies, often paved or well-maintained lawn. See also grinder.
Paradise Island � Nickname for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Passageway � Corridor or hallway.
Passed over � Having failed selection for the next higher rank (for SNCOs and officers).
Pay Grade � DOD system of designating a U.S. serviceperson's pay (E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-5, and O-1 through O-10), not to be confused with rank (though the two usually correspond) or billet.
PCP � Physical Conditioning Program, exercise regimen for Marines failing to meet the minimum physical requirements; also Physical Conditioning Platoon, for the unit where a physically unfit recruit is sent prior to recruit training, nicknamed Pork Chop Platoon.
PCS � Permanent Change of Station, transfer to another post, station, base, or installation.
PFC � Private First Class.
PFT � Physical Fitness Test, a semiannual test measuring strength, agility, and endurance by scoring performance in pull-ups (flexed-arm hang for females), abdominal crunches, and a 3-mile run.
PRT � Physical Readiness Test, an annual test conducted in utilities, with rifle and web gear. consisted of a rope climb, step-ups, fireman's carry, fire & maneuver course and a 3-mile run.
Phrog � Nickname for CH-46 Sea Knight.
Phone Watch � Duty where a Marine is responsible for answering phones when others are busy or unavailable (such as lunch hours); also the person filling the duty.
PI � Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island; formerly also Philippine Islands, a frequent port of call for Pacific Marines until 1992
Pickle Suit � Service "A" uniform, from its all over green appearance.

pogey rope
Pinning or Pinning On � Promotion by pinning the new rank insignia onto the MCCUU collar; also a form of hazing by striking the pins into the wearer's chest.
Pisscutter � Nickname for soft green garrison cap worn with the service uniform.[89] See also fore-and-aft cap.
(The) Pits � Depressed area on a shooting range where the targets are located, shooters staff it by marking, raising, and lowering targets from behind a berm.[90] See also butts and pulling butts / pits.
Pitting � Incentive training for a large group of recruits, so named for the sandy pits set aside for such events.[citation needed] See also quarterdecking.
Pizza Box � The Marksman Weapons Qualification Badge, so named for its square shape.
Pizza Stain � A nickname used by some Marines during recruit training to refer to the National Defense Service Medal, so named for the red and yellow appearance, like the cheese and sauce of a pizza.
Platoon Sergeant � SNCO executive to the platoon commander, usually the senior enlisted man.
PMCM � Equipment such as aircraft that are partially mission capable due to maintenance that needs to be performed. Parts are available but not manpower.
PMCS � Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services, regularly performed maintenance on equipment, as opposed to corrective maintenance. Also, partial mission capability of equipment such as aircraft due to parts shortage in the supply chain.
PMO � Provost Marshal's Office, the military police force of a Marine installation.
P.O.A � Position Of Attention [2].
Pogue � Marine not of the combat arms (infantry), etymology is disputed: possibly "pogue" derived from the Tagalog word meaning "prostitute" or the Erse Gaelic word meaning "to kiss [my ass]", while "POG" could be from the acronym Persons Other than Grunt, but could be a backronym.
Poguey or Pogey Bait � Candy or sweets. See also geedunk.
Poguey or Pogey Rope � The French Fourrag�re authorized for wear by members of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments.
Police � To pick up items (such as litter or expended ammunition casings), to return an area to a natural state, or to correct another Marine.
Poncho Liner � Insulating blanket used to warm the individual wearing a rain poncho, often used as a stand-alone blanket.
Pop Smoke � To leave quickly or hastily; from the method of throwing a smoke grenade to mark a landing zone or conceal a retreat.
Port � Naval term for "left side of ship" when on board a ship and facing forward, opposite of starboard. "Port" is the same with respect to a ship regardless of where a person is located or which way a person is facing, whereas "left" might be ambiguous.
Portholes � military issue eyeglasses, or the wearer of glasses. See also BCGs & RPGs.
Pot Shack � Place where cooking utensils are washed.
Possible � Slang term for the highest score possible in a marksmanship exercise as in "shooting a possible"; used on the rifle range during Recruit Training to denote the shooter possibly achieving a perfect score in a given round of firing.
Pos � Radio lingo for position.
PowerPoint Ranger � Pejorative for Marines (usually officers) who have spent too much time in an office.
Prick � Slang for any equipment bearing the "PRC" JETDS designator, usually man-portable radios.
Pro & Cons � Contraction of "Proficiency and Conduct marks", a numeric system for evaluating enlisted Marines. Usually written or spoken consecutively, with the first being Proficiency and the second being Conduct, e.g. 4.5/4.8. Hypothetically, the scale is from 0.0 to 5.0, but a perfect 5.0 is so rare that a Marine who receives it is called a "water-walker" (in reference to Mark 6:48) and the worst marks awarded almost never fall below 2.0 .
Property Cage � Place where organizational property is stored, often a warehouse.
PT � Physical Training, physical exercise to build or maintain strength, agility, and flexibility.
Pucker Factor � High level of anxiety experienced by those in tight situations, usually aircrew.
Pull Butts � To mark and score targets on a shooting range from behind a berm. See also butts & pits.
PX � Post eXchange; more properly the Marine Corps Exchange.
Q[edit]
QRF � Quick Reaction Force, a highly mobile stand-by force designed to add firepower in precise places as the commander decides on a changing battlefield, often used for MEDEVAC purposes.
Quarter Deck � A location of prominence in a barracks or office; in recruit training, this area by the drill instructor's office is usually off-limits to recruits except during ceremonial discipline; the term comes from the quarter deck of a ship defined as "the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. Usually reserved for ship's officers, guests, and passengers."
Quarterdecking � Incentive training at recruit training by means of repetitive and constant physical exercises, so named because it is usually a recruit's only opportunity to visit the quarter deck. See also pitting.
Quarters � Housing, whether bachelor (barracks) or family (government-leased apartments or houses); or periodic, muster of a ship's company.
Quatrefoil � Four-pointed embroidered pattern stitched on to the top of a Marine officer's barracks cover, from the tradition of wearing it to be identified as friendly to Marine sharpshooters during boarding actions in the era of wooden sailing ships.
R[edit]
R/S � Respectfully Submitted, used as an end greeting in written communication.
Rack or Sack � Bed, inappropriate to use the Army term "bunk" except when used in conjunction with "junk on the bunk".
Radio Watch � Duty monitoring radio networks for relevant traffic, also; the person filling that duty.
Rah � A shortened version of Ooh-rah
Raider Cap � cover worn with the M1941 HBT utilities
Rain Locker � Shower.
Ranks � There are no acceptable contractions or shortened ways of addressing the following: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer/Chief Warrant Officer, Major, Colonel, and General. The following may be addressed with permission or informally: Private First Class as PFC, a Gunnery Sergeant as "Gunny", a Master Sergeant as "top", a Master Gunnery Sergeant as "Master Gunny" or "Master Guns", a Second Lieutenant or First Lieutenant as "Lieutenant", a Captain as "Skipper", a Lieutenant Colonel as "Colonel", and a Brigadier General, Major General, and Lieutenant General as "General". It is inappropriate to abbreviate an enlisted Marine's rank (Staff Sergeant or above) as "Sergeant," nor can the nickname "sarge" be used. Appropriate written abbreviations for all ranks can be found on United States Marine Corps rank insignia.
Ratfuck � Taking the best available selection and leaving less desirable alternatives for others.
RCO � Rifle Combat Optic, optical sight issued for use with the M16A4 service rifle or M4 carbine; see also Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight.
Real World � Civilian life after discharge. See also outside.
Rear Echelon Pogue � Pejorative for a person who chooses to stay behind the lines to avoid danger; someone assigned to duty to the rear of the battle lines.
Recon � Used as a verb to denote stealthy acquisition by theft. Not to be confused with "Recon". See also acquire.
Red Leg � Artilleryman. See also cannon cocker and gun bunny.
Red Patch � Device worn on the uniforms of landing support Marines to distinguish the shore party from landing troops.
Request Mast � Appealing to increasingly higher links in the chain of command in order to seek satisfaction for a grievance the requester feels was not adequately handled at a lower level; DoN orders permit any Marine to request mast up to the individual's commanding general without repercussions.
Re-up � Reenlist, an Army term that has made its way into the vernacular for volunteering for an additional period of service. The correct term is Ship-over.
Reverse Raider � Derogatory term for MARSOC Marines, due to their reputed tendency to assume they are superior to regular Marines. Many in the Marine Reconnaissance community see MARSOC as wanting to emulate the Marine Raiders of WWII, which they are not meant to be.
RFI � Request For Information.
Roach coach � Civilian vehicle allowed on base to sell fast food (see Pogey Bait).
Rocks and Shoals � Articles for the Government of the Navy, the pre-UCMJ code of law for the United States Department of the Navy.
Rotate � Return home at the end of a deployment.
ROE � Rules Of Engagement, the restrictions on when and how a servicemember may use force on the enemy and other forces.
Rubber Bitch � Name given to the ISO mat or sleeping pad made of a rubber foam-like material. It is used by Marines when sleeping on the ground or other hard surfaces. It is sometimes used during PT (physical training) for calisthenics.
Running Lights � Navigational night lights on a ship; or the small red rectangular Red Patch sewn onto the uniforms of landing support team Marines; a person's eyes.
S[edit]

Peter Pace's salad
SACO � Substance Abuse Control Officer, a Marine responsible for the initial screening and evaluation of a Marine or sailor with alcoholism or illegal drug use issues to the proper medical facilities for rehabilitation & treatment.
SAFE � Mnemonic for the set up of weapons in small-unit defense, denotes: Security, Automatic weapons, Fields of fire, Entrenchment.[91]
Safety Brief � Usually given by an NCO to junior enlisted Marines prior to being released for liberty. "Marines if you are going to drink, don't drive, if you are going to drive, don't drink, if you meet some gal be smart and use a condom (if you can't wrap it, smack it, as my sergeant would tell us) etc..."
S/F � Abbreviation for Semper Fidelis when used as an end greeting in written communication.
Sailor � The following nicknames are usually acceptable: bluejacket, tar, whitehat; while the following are considered insults: gob, swab, swabbie, swab jockey, squid, anchor clanker, rust picker, deck ape.
Salt, Salty, or Salt/salty dog � Experienced or well-worn person or object, from the salt that would accumulate after long-term exposure to salt water.
Salty Language � Profanity.
Sandbox � Iraq or other desert area.
Sand Monster � To bury/hide something in the sand, usually MRE trash and brass. (Locale to 29 Palms)
SARC � Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, a Marine (usually an SNCO) assigned as the point of contact for personnel who are victims of or witnesses to sexual assault. Such duty is often ironically assigned to one of the least tactful/sensitive members of a unit.
Say Again (Your Last) � Request to repeat a statement, question, or order, especially over a radio, or as "I say again" to preface a repetition by the sender; the word "repeat" is not to be used in this context, as it calls for a preceding fire mission to be fired again.
Sayonara � Japanese for "goodbye".
Schmuckatelli � Generic, unnamed junior Marine, from the Yiddish pejorative "schmuck".
SCIF � Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, a place classified materials are processed and/or stored.
scrambled eggs � Gold oak leaf embroidery found on field grade and general officers' barracks cap visors and mess dress cuffs.
Scrounge � Appropriate, borrow, or acquire (possibly by doubtful means); derived from "scringe," meaning to search about, rummage, or pilfer.
Scullery � Place where dishes are washed.
Scuttlebutt � Gossip; or a drinking fountain, from "butt" (cask) and "scuttle" (a hole in a ship's side at deck level that allows water to drain from the deck), a cask that had an opening fitted with a spigot used to contain fresh water for drinking purposes. Because people gathered around a scuttlebutt, gossip, rumors, and sea stories are also known as scuttlebutt.[92][93]

seabags
SDI � Senior Drill Instructor, the leader of a recruit platoon.
Seabag or Sea Bag � Duffel bag used to carry one's personal belongings. "Duffel bag" is an Army term not used by Marines.
Seabag Drag � Manually carrying personal items (often within seabags) to new or temporary living quarters.
Seagoing Bellhop � Derogatory term for a Marine stationed aboard a ship on sea duty.
Sea Lawyer � Person who attempts to argue by continually providing explanations for minutiae.
Sea Story � Story, tale, or yarn calculated to impress others, often contains exaggeration or even outright lies.
Secret Squirrel � Intelligence personnel or activity.
Secure � Stop, cease; or put away and lock.
Semper Fi � Shortened version of "Semper Fidelis", the motto of the Corps, Latin for "always faithful". Can be used ironically, as in, "Semper Fi, Mac", which basically means, "That's the breaks," or "Too fucking bad."
Semper Fu- Marine Corps martial arts
Semper Gumby � Colloquialism denoting tactical flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
Semper I � Colloquialism denoting selfish or self-centered behavior.
Semper Sometimes � Appropriation of Semper Fi used to deride the part-time nature of service in the Marine Corps Reserve.
Shellback � Marine who has taken part in the crossing of the line ceremony or crossing the equator ceremony while on a Naval vessel.
Ship Over � To reenlist for an additional period of service.
Shit Bag or Shitbird � Habitually unkempt or undisciplined Marine. Also called a "10 percenter."
Shit-Brick � Useless or ignorant person.
Shit Detail � An undesirable (usually temporary) assignment.
Shit-Hot � Term used to notify something as exceptional or very good. Not to be confused with Hot-Shit
Shitter � Bathroom, head, or latrine, most often an outdoor portable toilet or outhouse. Also a nickname for the CH-53 helicopter.
Shooter � Person whose primary duty involves marksmanship with a rifle or pistol, such as students at a rifle range or competition team members.
Shore Party � Landing support specialists that direct the disposition of troops during an amphibious assault.
Short-timer � Person nearing the completion of his/her present tour of duty or enlistment.
Short-timer's Disease � Apathy to duties and regulations from a person nearing EAS.
Shove Off � To leave the vicinity, from the naval term meaning to push a boat off the shore or pier.
Shower Shoes � Pair of rubber sandals issued to recruits to prevent infections from the use of community or shared showers. See also Jesus shoes. Also sometimes used as a facetious, almost-always joking pejorative term for new Marines. That is to say that they're so new that they don't even rate to be called "boots".
Sick bay � Infirmary or other medical facility aboard ship, can also refer to aid stations ashore. See also BAS.
Sick Call � Daily period when routine ailments are treated at sick bay.
Sick Call Commando � Person who constantly finds medical reasons to avoid work, may suffer from a factitious disorder such as hypochondriasis, Munchausen syndrome, or malingering. More commonly referred to as sickbay commando.
Sidearm � Weapon (usually a pistol) carried by a sentry under arms; also, cream and sugar in coffee.
Side Straddle Hop � Jumping Jack.
Silver Bullet � Rectal thermometer used to check the core temperature of a person suffering from heat-related injuries, such as hyperthermia; often referred to as an incentive to avoid dehydration.
Skate � Avoiding work by finding an excuse to be elsewhere or unavailable by doing something easier (but important enough to avoid re-tasking); also used as an adjective to describe such an easier duty.
Skid squadron � Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, so named because the assigned helicopters (AH-1 & UH-1) utilize skids instead of wheels for undercarriage.

recruits wearing skivvies
Skipper � Informal term of respect for a Marine captain (who is equivalent in rank to a Navy Lieutenant) who is in command of an infantry company or US Navy Commanding Officer of a ship or aviation squadron.
Skivvies � Underwear: skivvie shirt (T-shirt) and skivvie drawers (underwear).
Skuzz � To wash a deck or floor with a brush or towel (skuzz rag) in place of a mop, used in Boot Camp as a method to physically toughen recruits while cleaning the squadbay.
Skylark � To casually frolic or take excess time to complete a task, from the old naval term to run up and down the rigging of a ship in sport.
Slick sleeve � A private in the Marine Corps; refers to the fact that this person does not wear any rank insignia.
Slide Bite/Beretta Bite � Pinching or abrasions of hand due to holding a semi-automatic pistol too closely to a recoiling slide.
Slider � A hamburger so greasy that it slides right through you�typical of those served at flight line galleys. This meaning is evidently lost on restaurants whose menus proudly feature "sliders."
Slop chute � Impolite term for restaurant within the PX or beer garden. Enlisted Marine's club.[94]
SMAT � Supply maintenance assistance team, provide the commanding general with a technical supply inspection and assistance capability to improve control and management of all organic supply operations.
Smokey Bear or Smokey Brown � The campaign cover worn by a drill instructors, so named because of their similarity to the hat worn by Smokey Bear. See also campaign cover, field hat, & hat.
Smokin' and Jokin' / Smoke and Joke � When a mass of Marines is acting unproductively.
SNCO � Staff Non-Commissioned Officer, Enlisted Marines of a rank having a pay grade of E-6 or higher: Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Master Gunnery Sergeant and Sergeant Major.
SNCOIC � Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, a SNCO responsible for a group of Marines, but without the authority of a commissioned officer; sometimes also the senior enlisted Marine acting with the officer in charge. See also NCOIC & OIC.
Snap In � Conduct sighting in or aiming exercises with an unloaded weapon.
SNM � Said Named Marine. Used in written communications to avoid having to repeatedly type the Marine's rank and name after the first instance.
Snow Job � Misleading or grossly exaggerated report; sales talk.
Snuffie or Snuffy � Junior Marine, Lance Corporal and below.
SOC or (SOC) � Special Operations Capable used in conjunction with MEU written as MEU (SOC).
SOG Sgt. of the Guard � The acting Sgt (or near rank) Commanding the 'COG'Corporal of the Guard and all other marines for watch, radio watch, and/or post.
Soup Cooler � Synonym for the mouth. Term oft used by DIs in reference to the mouth of a recruit, or other senior person in reference to trainees.
Soup Sandwich � Refers to a disorganized operation or a gaggle.
South Maryland Small Boat & Barge Institute � Nickname for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. See also Canoe U.
SOTG � Special Operations Training Group
Spit and Polish � Extreme individual or collective military neatness, extreme devotion to the minutiae of traditional military procedures and/or ceremonies; from spit-polishing boots and dress shoes.
Spit-Shine � polish leather footwear (boots and dress shoes), employing spittle to remove excess grease and produce a high polish.
Splice the Mainbrace � Invitation to drink, from the old naval custom of drinking grog after repairing battle-damage to the main braces.
Spud Locker � Place where fresh vegetables are stored, after the nickname for potatoes.
Squadbay � Living quarters with open rooms and shared head, as opposed to the more common barracks that offer individual rooms.
Square(d) Away � Make neat and regulation appearance, to be in a neat and regulation appearance.
Squid � Pejorative for sailor.
SRB � Service Record Book, an administrative record of an enlisted Marine's personal information, promotions, postings, deployments, punishments, and emergency data; much like an officer's OQR.
SSDD � Same Shit, Different Day, euphemism denoting frustration with an unchanging situation or boredom.
Stacking Swivel � Oblong-shaped link with an opening screwed to the rifle that allowed other rifles to be hooked and stacked (the M1 Garand was the last service rifle to have a stacking swivel, this function is now held by the weapon's sling); "Grab him by the stacking swivel" infers grabbing a person's throat.
Staff NCO � Staff Non-Commissioned Officer, Enlisted Marines of a rank having a pay grade of E-6 or higher: Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Master Gunnery Sergeant and Sergeant Major.
Stage - To pre-position something.
Stand By � Command to wait.
Starboard � Naval term for "right side of ship" when on board a ship and facing forward; opposite of port. "Starboard" is the same with respect to a ship regardless of where a person is located or which way a person is facing, whereas "right" might be ambiguous.
STEAL- Stealthily Transport Equipment to Another Location.
stick � Squad of servicemembers being transported either via aircraft or ground vehicle. (Term "Chalk" is used by Army to reference platoon plus size unit.)
STOL � Short TakeOff/Landing, takeoff and landing technique needing only a short runway to become airborne. See also STOVL, VTOL, & V/STOL.
STOVL � Short TakeOff, Vertical Landing, takeoff and landing technique where a V/STOL aircraft will make a non-vertical take-off to carry greater weight, such as fuel and weapons, expend that weight, and make a vertical landing. See also STOL, VTOL, and V/STOL.
Suck � Mouth.[26]
The Suck � Miserable situation or place, often used to describe the Marine Corps or a combat zone.
Survey � Medical discharge or to effect discharge/retirement of an individual for medical reasons; dispose of an item of government property by reason of unserviceability.
Swab � Mop; also pejorative for sailor, so named because sailors of wooden ships had to swab the decks to keep them from warping.
Swamp-ass � Unpleasant collection of sweat soaking undergarments.
Swinging Dick � Vulgarity for male Marine, usually used as "every swinging dick" to emphasize an order to a whole group instead of individual(s).
Swoop � Make a long trip in a short period of time, usually in reference to returning to post after liberty to avoid an UA status.
Sympathy Chit � Voucher sarcastically authorizing the recipient sympathy from others.
T[edit]

Thousand-yard stare
Taco Rice � A popular dish invented and served on Okinawa. It's basically a taco without the shell served on rice. Every Marine, Sailor, Airman and Soldier on Oki has their favorite taco rice place which they swear is the best on the island.
TAD � Temporary Assigned Duty, a duty where the Marine or Sailor is detached from his or her unit temporarily and serves elsewhere; comparable to the Army term TDY.
TBS � The Basic School, the six-month combat training school for new Marine officers.
Terminal Lance � Marine nearing the end of his enlistment at the rank of lance corporal and unlikely to get promoted; also a webcomic of the same name.[95][96] Also referred to as Lance Colonel.
Terp � An interpreter.
The Rock � Okinawa.
Thousand-yard stare � unfocused gaze of a battle-weary servicemember.
Thump Gun � grenade launcher, from the distinctive noise made when firing. See also blooper and gerbil launcher.
TIC- Troops In Contact
Tie-ties � Straps or strings used to tie items to another line, such as laundry or rifle targets.
Tight-jawed � Angry, so named from the human tendency to clench the jaw when angered.
Tip of the Spear � Term for a unit or subunit that enters enemy territory first.
T/O&E � Table of Operations and Equipment, a list authorizing a unit personnel of a particular rank and MOS, as well as organic equipment; often seen separately as T/O and T/E.
Top � informal nickname for a Master Sergeant or Master Gunnery Sergeant, inappropriate to use without permission.
Topside � Ship's upper deck.
Tore up � Broken, messy, unserviceable.
Trade-school- Refers to graduate of one of the Military Academies.
TRAM � Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated steering, Multi-purpose.
T-Rats � Tray ration, nickname for Unitized Group Ration, a ration heated and served to a group of servicemembers.
Trooper � Soldier, considered a grievous insult to refer to a Marine unless plural.
TS Chit � A "Tough Shit" Chit is a (fictitious) small card, to be punched by a senior person upon hearing a high-grade TS (very sad) story. When completely punched around the edge, the bearer is entitled to a half hour with the chaplain. "That story is so sad I'll punch your TS Chit twice."
Two-block � Hoist a flag or pennant to the peak, truck, or yardarm of a staff; or a tie with the knot positioned exactly in the gap of a collar of a buttoned shirt. Correctly, "to-block"�hoisted all the way to the block (pulley) at the top of signal halliard.
Two-digit Midget- An enlisted Marine with 99 or fewer days remaining on his or her enlistment or tour of duty. A variation is the single-digit midget, with nine or fewer days remaining.
U[edit]
UA � Unauthorized Absence, the naval version of the term AWOL.
UCMJ � Uniform Code of Military Justice (Public Law 506, 81st Congress) 1951, the system of military law, both judicial and non-judicial.
UD � Unit Diary, the computerized system that maintains all administrative records for a unit. Also, Uniform of the Day (or UDs) � prescribed uniform for the day; more generally associated with 'Charlies'
Un-fuck � To correct a deficiency, usually on a person.
Under Arms � Status of having a weapon, sidearm, "MP" or "SP" brassard, or wearing equipment pertaining to an arm such as a sword sling, pistol belt, or cartridge belt as part of guard duty; Marines under arms do not remove covers indoors.
Under Canvas � Living under temporary sheltering, such as a tent.

utilities
Under Way � To depart or to start a process for an objective.
UNQ � Unqualified, usually in reference to training events. Pronounced "unk."
Unsat � Abbreviation of unsatisfactory.
USMC � Acronym for United States Marine Corps. Also used as a pejorative backronym: Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, U Signed the Motherfucking Contract, U Suckers Missed Christmas, Unlimited Shit and Mass Confusion, University of Science, Music and Culture, Uncomplicated Shit Made Complicated, Under Seabee Management Constantly.
Utilities � field and work uniforms (currently the MCCUU), formerly called dungarees, inappropriately called the Army term BDU.
V[edit]
VERTREP � vertical replenishment, the use of helicopters for cargo transfer to ships or distant outposts.
VEERP � Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program, getting out of the Marine Corps early
VTOL � Vertical TakeOff/Landing, takeoff and landing technique that does not need a runway to become airborne. See also STOL, STOVL, & V/STOL.
V/R � Very Respectfully, used as an end greeting in written naval communication to senior.
V/STOL � Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing, a type of aircraft that can perform STOL, STOVL, and VTOL.
W[edit]
Walking John � Nickname for a Marine marching in dress blues uniform that appeared on World War I-era recruiting posters.[97][98]
War Belt � A web belt used to carry canteens in pouches and other miscellaneous equipment.
War Paint � Camouflage face paint.
Watch � Formal tour of duty of prescribed length, usually a guard-related task.
Water Bowl � Synonym for a canteen (1990s era).
Water Buffalo or Water Bull � 400-gallon potable water tank, trailer-mounted, towed behind a truck.
Wetting-down or Wet Down � Celebration in honor of one's promotion as an officer or to the SNCO ranks, so named for the tradition of wetting the recipient and/or the promotion warrant.[99]
Whiskey Locker � Supply locker/closet.
WP or Willie Pete[r] � White Phosphorus munition, whether in grenade, mortar, artillery, or aerial bomb form, so named from the pre-1956 phonetic alphabet letters "William" and "Peter."
Wilco � Voice procedure term shortened from "Will Comply".
Willie Pete Bag � Waterproof bag.
Wing Wiper � Aviation person, usually a maintenance person and not a pilot.
Winger � Aviation Marine.
WIR � DRMO; Washed-out In Repair; waste incidental to reprocessing; collection of items and/or equipment for turn-in that may be re-used by someone else at a later time, preferably at a savings to the government.
The Wire � Defensive perimeter of a firm base, crossing it denotes the end of relative safety
Wook � a female marine
Wooly Pully � Green wool sweater worn with the service uniform (or blue with the dress uniform) over the khaki shirt.
Word � General term for instructions, orders, and information that is required for all members of a unit to know; or the act of passing information to a collected group of servicemembers. See also gouge.
WM � Unofficial acronym for a Woman Marine.
Work your Bolt � resort to special measures, either by energy or guile, in order to attain a particular end; from the action of racking a rifle's bolt to clear a stoppage.
X[edit]
Y[edit]

YAT-YAS on the tracks museum
YATYAS or YAT YAS � You ain't tracks, You ain't shit, an amtrac slogan or term for AAV Marines.[100]
Yellow leg � Marine, nickname given by North Korean Army in reference to Korean War-era discolored, yellow-looking leggings.[101][102]
You-who -When an NCO or Higher wants the attention of a Junior/Boot and does not know his name
Yut or Yut Yut � Young underaged Twat
Z[edit]
Zero � Pronounced zee-ROW in an exaggerated manner, as used by Drill Instructors at the end of a count-down implying that recruits are to immediately cease all activity and remain silently in place. Used by Marines to gain the immediate attention of all personnel in the area without calling attention on deck.
Zero � Disparaging term used amongst enlisted personnel when referring to officers. Derived from the "o" in officer.
Zero-dark thirty � Very early hours before dawn. See also military time, O-dark thirty.
Zero-stupid thirty � An unnecessarily early time for which personnel are required to assemble for an activity. See also Zero-dark thirty, O-dark thirty.
Zoomie � pilot, usually an Air Force pilot.[103]
Zoomie U � United States Air Force Academy
See also[edit]

Glossary of military abbreviations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of abbreviations, acronyms and initials related to military subjects such as modern armour, artillery, infantry, and weapons, along with their definitions.

Contents
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A[edit]
AA � anti-aircraft
AA � AEGIS Ashore
AAA � anti-aircraft artillery "Triple A"
AAAV � Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAD � Armoured amphibious dozer
AADC � Area Air Defense Commander
AAG � Anti-aircraft gun
AAK � Appliqu� armor kit (US)
AAN � Army after next
AAP � Advance Authority to Procure
AAPC � Advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (Turkey)
AARADCOM � Army Armament Research and Development Command
AAR � After Action Review
AAV � Amphibious assault vehicle
AAV � Assault Amphibious Vehicle
AAW � Anti-Aircraft Warfare
AAWC � Anti-Aircraft Warfare Coordinator
AB � Air burst
ABC � Atomic, biological, chemical (replaced by chemical, biological, radiological (CBR), and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC))
ABC � Automatic brightness control
AB(C) � Aviation battalion (combat)
ABIT � Advanced Built-In Test
ABM � Air Bursting Munition
ABM � Anti-Ballistic Missile
ABMD � AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense
ABMS � air bursting ammunition system
ABRO � Army Base Repair Organisation
ABS � Aww-Busting System
ABS � anti-skid braking system
ABSP � AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Signal Processor
ABSV � Armoured Battlegroup Support Vehicle
A/C � aircraft commander
AC � alternating current
ACA � ammunition container assembly
ACADA � Automatic Chemical Agent Detector and Alarm
ACAVP � Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform (UK)
ACB � Advanced Capability Build
ACB/TI � Advanced Capability Baseline/Technical Insertion
ACC � AEGIS Computer Center
ACCE � Abrams/Crusader Common Engine
ACCV � Armored Cavalry Cannon Vehicle (US)
ACD � Automated Common Diagrams
ACE � Armored Combat Earthmover (US)
ACEGIO � Advanced Conversion Equipment Group Input Output
ACH � Advanced Combat Helmet (MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet)
ACLOSAutomatic Command to Line of Sight
ACM � Acoustic Countermeasures
ACOG � Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight
ACOMMS � Acoustic Communications
ACP � Automatic Colt Pistol
ACP � Alignment control Panel
ACPU � Aft Central Processing Unit
ACR � Advanced Combat Rifle
ACR � Armored cavalry regiment
ACRV � Armoured command and reconnaissance vehicle
ACS � Artillery communications system
ACS � AEGIS Combat System
ACS � Air Control Supervisor
ACSC' � AEGIS Combat Systems Center
ACTS � AEGIS Combat Training System
ACU � Army combat uniform
ACU � Antenna Coupler Unit
ACV � Aardvark Cleaning Vehicle (US)
ACV � Armoured combat vehicle
ACVT � Armored Combat Vehicle Technology Program (US)
A/D � Analog to Digital
ADA � air defense artillery
ADAM � Area Denial Artillery Munition
ADAMS � Air Defense Advanced Mobile System (US)
ADAP � Advanced Digital Antenna Production
ADATS � Air Defence Anti-Tank System
ADC-A � Assistant Division Commander � Fire and Maneuver
ADC-B � Assistant Division Commander � Combat Support
ADEA � Army Development and Employment Agency
ADF � Australian Defence Force
ADG' � Acoustic Display Generator
ADI � Australian Defence Industries
ADM � Advanced Development Model
ADNS � Automated Digital Network System
ADS � Advanced Display System
AE � action express
AECU � Antenna Environmental Control Unit
AEF � Allied expeditionary force
AEP � Action Entry Panel
AER � Alteration Equivalent to Repair
AESA � Active electronically scanned array
AEWC � Airborne Early Warning and Control
AEV � Armoured engineer vehicle
AF � Air force
AF � And Following (as "in DDG-113 AF ships will receive the AMDR Radar")
AFA/ARA � Aerial field artillery/aerial rocket artillery (US, Vietnam war era attack helicopter batteries employing 2.75 in. FFAR)
AFARV � Armored, Forward Area, Re-arm Vehicle (US)
AFAS � advanced Field Artillery System
AFATDS � Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System
AFC � Australian Flying Corps
AFCS � automatic fire-control systems
AFD � automatic feeding device
AFDL � Advanced Flight Deck Lighting
AFFF � Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (smothers fire cutting off oxygen)
AFSC � air force specialty code
AFSV � armoured fire support vehicle
AFV � Armored Family of Vehicles (US)
AFV � Armoured fighting vehicle
AGC � automatic gain control
AGF � Army ground forces
AGL � above ground level
AGL � automatic grenade launcher
AGLS � automatic gun laying system
AGS � armored gun system (US)
AGS � Advanced Gun System
AGV � assault gun vehicle
AGVT � Advanced Ground Vehicle Technology
Ah � Ampere hour
AHC � Attack Helicopter Company (USA)
AHE � Aircraft Handling Equipment
AI � Action Item
AIC � Air Intercept Controller (US Navy)
AICS � Accuracy International Chassis System
AICW � Advanced Individual Combat Weapon
AIF � Australian Imperial Force (Australia, WWI)
AIFS � Advanced Indirect Fire System
AIFV � Armoured infantry fighting vehicle
AIPS � Advanced Integrated Propulsion System (US)
AIS � Automatic Identification System (US NAVY)
AIT � Alteration Installation Team
AIT � Advanced Information Technology
AK � Acknowledgement
ALAAVS � Advanced Light Armored/Amphibious Vehicle System (US)
ALC � Advanced Land Combat (US)
ALICE � All-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment
ALO � AEGIS Light Off
ALS � Advanced laying system
ALS � Advanced Lighting System (flight deck)
ALSV � Armoured logistics support vehicle
ALT � Armoured launching turret
ALWT � Advanced Lightweight Torpedo
AM � Acquisition Manager
AMC � United States Army Materiel Command
AMC � Advanced Mortar Carrier (Turkey)
AMCCOM � Armament Munitions and Chemical Command
AMDR � Air and Missile Defense Radar
AMDS � Anti-Missile Discarding Sabot
AMF � Amphibische Mehrzweck-Fahrzeuge (multipurpose amphibious vehicle)
AML � Automitrailleuse L�g�re (light armoured car)
AMLCD � Active-matrix liquid crystal display
AMN - Afghanistan Mission Network
AMOS � Advanced mortar system
AMPS � Afloat Master Planning System (US NAVY)
AMR � Anti-materiel rifle
AMR � Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance
AMRWS � Advanced multi-role weapon station
AMS � Armoured mortar system
AMS-H � Advanced Missile System � Heavy
AMX � Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
ANAD � Anniston Army Depot
ANZAC � Australia and New Zealand Army Corps
ANZUS � Australia New Zealand United States Treaty
AO � Area of operations
AOI � Arab Organisation for Industrialisation
AOS � Add-on stabilisation
AP � Anti-personnel
AP � Armour-piercing
APAM � Anti-personnel, anti-mat�riel
APBC � Armour-piercing ballistic cap
APC � Armoured personnel carrier
APC � Armour-piercing capped
APCBC � Armour-piercing capped ballistic cap
APC-T � Armour-piercing capped � tracer
APCT-BF � Armour-piercing capped tracer � base fuze
APCNR � Armour-piercing composite non-rigid
APCR � Armour-piercing composite rigid
APCRBC � Armour-piercing composite rigid ballistic cap
APDS � Armour-piercing discarding sabot
APDS-T � Armour-piercing discarding sabot � tracer
APE � Amphibisches Pionier-Erkundungsfahrzeug (amphibious front-line reconnaissance vehicle)
APEP � Armour-Piercing Enhancement Programme
APERS � Anti-personnel
APERS-T � Anti-personnel tracer
APFIDS � Armour-piercing fragmentation incendiary discarding sabot
APFSDS-T � Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot � tracer
APFSDS(P) � Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (practice)
APFSDSDU � Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot, depleted uranium
APG � Aberdeen Proving Grounds
APGM � Autonomous precision-guided munition
APHC � Armour-piercing hard core
APHE � Armour-piercing high-explosive
API � Armour-piercing incendiary
APIT � Armour-piercing incendiary tracer
APM � Anti-personnel mine
APS � Advanced propulsion system
APS � Artillery pointing system
APSA � Armour-piercing secondary effect
APSE � Armour-piercing secondary effect
APSE-T � Armour-piercing secondary effect � tracer
APT � Armour-piercing tracer
APTE � Abrams Power Train Evolution (US)
APU � Auxiliary power unit
APV � Armoured patrol vehicle
AR � Assault rifle
AR/AAV � Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle (US)
ARD � Anti-reflective device
ARDEC � Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
ARDNOT � Automatic day/night optical tracker
ARE � Atelier de Construction Roanne
ARETS � Armour Remote Target System
ARFORGEN � Army force generation
ARMAD � Armoured and Mechanised Unit Air Defence
ARMSCOR � Armament Manufacturing Corporation (South Africa)
ARMVAL � Anti-armor vehicle evaluation (US)
ARP � Anti-radiation projectile
ARP � Armoured repair plates
ARRADCOM � Armament Research and Development Command
ARRV � Armoured repair and recovery vehicle
ARSV � Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle (US)
ART � Armoured Recon Transport
ARV � Armoured recovery vehicle or Armed Robotic Vehicle (XM1219)
ASAAdvanced security agency
ASAP � As soon as possible
ASARC � Army Systems Acquisition Review Council
ASCOD � Austrian Spanish Co-operative Development
ASM � Armored Systems Modernisation (US)
ASP � Automatic, self-powered
ASTROS � Artillery Saturation Rocket System (Brazil)
ASV � Armored Security Vehicle (US)
ASV � Ammunition supply vehicle
AT � Anti-tank
AT � Ape tape
ATACS � Advanced tank cannon system (US)
ATAS � Automatic target acquisition system
ATCAS � Advanced towed cannon system
ATD � Advanced technology demonstration
ATD � Advanced technology demonstrator (US)
ATD � Automatic target detection
ATDT � Automatic target detection and tracking
ATDU � Armoured Trials and Development Unit (UK)
ATFCS � Automated Targeting and Fire Control System
ATG � Anti-tank gun
ATGL � Anti-tank grenade launcher
ATGM � Anti-tank guided missile
ATGW � Anti-tank guided weapon
ATK � Alliant Techsystems
ATLAS � Advanced technology light artillery system
ATLV � Artillery target location vehicle
ATM � Anti-tank mine
ATR � - EDS Automotive test rig � Electric drive system
ATS � Atelier de Construction de Tarbes
ATTC � All Terrain Tracked Carrier
ATTS � Air Transportable Towed System
ATV � All-terrain vehicle
ATV � Armoured TOW vehicle (Turkey)
AUG � Armee Universal Gewehr
AVGP � Armoured Vehicle General Purpose (Canada)
AVH � Armoured Vehicle Heavy
AVL � Armoured Vehicle Light
AVLB � Armoured vehicle-launched bridge
AVM � Armoured Vehicle Medium
AVR � Armoured vehicle reconnaissance
AVRE � Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers (UK)
AVT � Advanced Vehicle Technologies (US)
AWE � Advanced Warfighting Experiment
AWOL � Absent without official leave
B[edit]
BAe � British Aerospace
BAR � M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
BARV � Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle
BASE � British Aerospace Systems and Equipment
BATES � Battlefield Artillery Target Engagement System
BAT � Biometrics Automated Toolset
BB � Base bleed
BBSP � Blowback shifted pulse
BC � Battery commander
BCC � battery control centre
BCP � Battery command post
BCT � Brigade combat team (US)
BCT � Basic combat training
BCV � Battle command vehicle
BD � base detonating
BDA � Browning double action or bomb damage assessment
BDM � Bunker demolition munition
BDU � Battle dress uniform
BE � Base ejection
BFA � Blank-firing adaptor or blank-firing attachment
BFV � Bradley Fighting Vehicle
BGT � Brigade combat team
bhp � Brake horsepower
BIFF � Battlefield identification friend or foe
BILL � Bofors, infantry, light and lethal
BITE � Built-in test equipment
BL � Blank
BL-T � Black tracer
BLITS � Beta lighted infantry telescope system
BLT � Battalion landing team
BLR � Blindado Ligero de Ruedas
BMF � Belgian Mechanical Fabrication
BMNT � Begin morning nautical twilight
BMP � Pronounced "bimp". A Former Warsaw Pact IFV
BMR � Blindado Medio de Ruedas
BMS � Battalion mortar system
BMS � Battlefield management system
BNCC (USAF) � Base network control center
BNS � Bill night sight
BOCV � Battery operations centre vehicle
BOG-Dwell � Boots on the ground � dwell (down time)
BOL � Bearing-only launch
BOLTS � Bolt-on loading tray system
BOSS � Ballistic optimizing shooting system
BPS � Battery power source
BSP � Bright source protection
BSSG � Brigade service support group
BST � Basic skills trainer
BT � Boat tail
BT � Bullet trap
BTA � Best technical approach
BTRY � Battery
BTU � Bullet trap universal
BUA � BILL under armour or built-up area
BW � Bacteriological warfare
BX � Bionix AFV
C[edit]
C3I � Command, control, communications, and intelligence
CAB � Combat aviation battalion
CAD � Computer-assisted design
CAG � Commander of the Air Group
CAL � Canadian Arsenals Limited
CAP � Civil air patrol (USAF civilian auxiliary)
CAP � Combat air patrol
CAP � Combustible augmented plasma
CAP � Covering Agent Program
CARRV � Challenger armoured repair and recovery vehicle
CAS � Close air support
CASEVAC � Casualty evacuation
CAT/FCS � Command adjusted trajectory/fire-control system (US)
CAT/LCV � Combined arms team/lightweight combat vehicle (US)
CATT � Combined arms tactical trainer (UK)
CATT-B � Component Advanced Technology TestBed (US)
CAV � Composite armored vehicle (US)
CAWS � Cannon Artillery Weapons Systems (US)
CAX � Combined arms exercise
CBR � Chemical, biological, radiological
CBRN � Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear
CCC � Combustible cartridge case
CCD � Charge-coupled device
CCO � Close combat optic
CCP � Computer control panel
CCR � Crown copyright reserved
CCTV � Closed-circuit television
CCU � Central control unit
CCV � Close combat vehicle
CCV � Command and control vehicle (US)
CCV-L � Close combat vehicle � light
cd � candela
CDA � Combat defensive action
CDM � Coastal defence missile
CDU � Command display unit
CDU � Computer display unit
CE � Chemical energy
C/E � Crew/enlisted (enlisted aircrew member)
CECOM � Communications-electronics command
CEFO � Combat equipment fighting order (webbing contents)
CENTCOM � Central command
CENTO � Central Treaty Organisation or Baghdad Pact
CEOI � Communications electronics operating instruction
CEP � Circular error of probability
CES � Engineer Services Regiment (Sri Lanka)
CEPP � Controlled effect police projectile
CET � Combat engineer tractor
CEU � Computer electronics unit
CEV � Combat engineer vehicle
CF � Canadian Forces
CF � Controlled fragmentation
CFE � Conventional forces Europe
CFV � Cavalry fighting vehicle (US)
CG � Commanding general
CGS � Crew gunnery simulator
CHA � Cast homogeneous armour
CHARM � Challenger chieftain armament
CHIP � Challenger improvement programme
CIFV � Composite infantry fighting vehicle
CILAS � Compagnie Industrielle des Lasers
CINC � Commander In-Chief
CIS � Chartered Industries of Singapore
CIS � Commonwealth of Independent States
CITV � Commander's independent thermal viewer (US)
CIWS � Close-in weapons system
CLAMS � Clear lane marking system (US)
CLASS � Computerised Laser Sight System
CLAWS � Close combat light armor weapon system (US)
CLGP � Cannon-launched guided projectile (US)
CLOS � Command to line of sight
CLU � Command launch unit
CM � Colour-marking or "continue mission"
CMS � Common missile system
CMS � Compact modular sight
CMT � Cadmium�mercury telluride
CMV � Combat mobility vehicle (US)
CNVD � Clip-on night vision device
COA � Course Of Action
COB � Close of Business
CO � Commanding officer
COG � Course over ground
Comp � B Composition B
COMVAT � Combat vehicles armament technology (US)
COMZ � Communications zone
COP � Combat out post
COS � Chief of section
COSCOM � Corps support command (US Army)
CofS � Chief of staff
COTAC � Conduite de Tir Automatique pour Char (tank automatic fire)
COTS � Commercial-off-the-shelf
COV � Counter obstacle vehicle (US)
CP � Concrete-piercing
CPR � Common practice round
CPS � Cardinal points specification (UK)
CPV � Command post vehicle
CQB � Close quarters battle
CQBW � Close-quarters battle weapon
CR � Capability requirement
CR � Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
CRISAT � Collaborative research into small arms technology
CRM � Composite risk management (US)
CROWS � Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station
CRR � Carro de Reconhecimento Sobre Rodas (reconnaissance tracking scout car)
CRT � Cathode ray tube
CRU � Cable reel unit
CS � Communications subsystem
CS � Confined space
CS (USAF) � Communications squadron
CSB � Combat Support Boat
CSF � Combined service forces
CSI � computer-synthesised image
CSS � Computer sighting system
CSSD � Combat service support detachment
CTA � Case telescoped ammunition
CTD � Concept technology demonstrator
CTI � Central tyre inflation
CTIS � Central tyre inflation system
CTO � Central Treaty Organisation or Baghdad Pact
CTR � Close Target Recce
CTRA � Carro de Transporte Sobre Rodas Anfibo (amphibious tracking scout car)
CTT � Challenger training tank
CV90 � Combat Vehicle 90
CVAST � Combat vehicle armament system technology (US)
CVR(T) � Combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked) (UK)
CVR(W) � Combat vehicle reconnaissance (wheeled) (UK)
CVRDE � Combat vehicle research and development establishment (India)
CVT � Controlled variable time
CVTTS � Combat vehicle targeting system
CW � Chemical warfare
CWR � Continuous wave radar
CWS � Cupola weapon station
D[edit]
DA � double action
DAHA � dual-axis head assembly
DAO � double action only
DARCOM � US Army Mat�riel Development and Readiness Command
DAREOD � damaged airfield reconnaissance explosive ordnance disposal
DARPA � Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US)
DAS � deep air support
DAS � defensive aid system/suite
DASP � demountable artillery surveillance pod
DBMS � dead bodies make sense
DC � direct current
DCA � d�fense contre avions (anti-aircraft)
DCCT � dismounted close combat trainer
DD � Detroit diesel
DDA � Detroit Diesel Allison
DDS � Department of Defense Support
DDU � digital display unit
DECA � digital electronic control assembly
DEFA � direction des �tudes et fabrications d'armement
DERA � Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (UK)
DESO � Defence Export Sales Organisation (UK)
DFAC � Dining Facility (US)
DFCS � digital fire-control system
DFSV � direct fire support vehicle
DFV � desert fighting vehicle
DHSS � data handling subsystem
DIA � Defense Intelligence Agency (US)
DICON � Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria
DIP � driver instrument panel
DISA � Defense Information Systems Agency
DISCOM � division support command
DIVARTY � division artillery
DMC � digital magnetic compass
DMR � dedicated marksman rifle
DMU � distance measurement unit
DNRS � day/night range sight
DoD � Department of Defense (US)
DOIM (US Army) � Directorate of Information Management
DOP � Department of Productivity
DP � demonstration purpose
DP � dual purpose
DPA � Defence Procurement Agency (UK)
DPICM � dual-purpose improved conventional munition (US)
DPTR � diopter
DRA � Defence Research Agency (UK)
DROPS � demountable rack offloading and pick-up system
DROS � Date of Return Overseas (US)
DS/T � practice discarding sabot/tracer
DSACS � direct support armored cannon system (US)
DSETS � direct support electrical test system
DSO � Defence Sales Organisation
DSRV � Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (US)
DSWS � Division Support Weapon System
DTAT � Direction Technique des Armements Terrestres
DTT � driver training tank
DU � depleted uranium
DV � demining vehicle
DVE � driver's vision enhancer
DWFK � deep water fording kit
DZ � drop zone
E[edit]
EAAK � Enhanced Appliqu� Armor Kit (US)
EAOS � Enhanced Artillery Observation System
EBG � Engin Blind� G�nie (armoured combat vehicle)
EBR � Engin Blind� de Reconnaissance (armoured reconnaissance vehicle)
EBRC � Engine Blind� � roues de Contact
EC � Enhanced Carbine
ECB � Engineering and Construction Bulletins
ECM � Electronic countermeasures
ECOS � Enhanced Combat Optical Sight
ECS � Environmental Control Subsystem
ECV � Enhanced Capacity Vehicle
EDD � Explosive Detonation Disruption
EDS � Electric Drive System
EFAB � Etablissement d'Etudes et de Fabrications d'Armement de Bourges
EFC � equivalent full charge
EFCR � equivalent full charge rounds
EFM � Explosives Factory Maribyrnong
EFP � Expanded Feasibility Phase
EFP � Explosively Formed Penetrator
EFV � Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (New name for AAAV)
EFVS � Electronic Fighting Vehicle System (US)
EG � External Gun
EGLM � Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module
EI � Engineering and Installation
EIS � Engineering and Installation Squadron
EI SIT � Engineering and Installation Site Implementation Team
ELB � Extended Life Barrel
ELEC � Electronic
ELEX � Electronics
ELKE � Elevated Kinetic Energy Weapon (US)
ELS � Electromagnetic Launcher System
ELSAP � Elektronische Schiessanlage f�r Panzer (electronic fire system for tanks)
EM � electromagnetic
EMC � Executive Management Committee
EMD � Engineering and Manufacturing Development
EMDG � Euromissile Dynamics Group
EMEW � Electromagnetically-Augmented High Explosive Warhead
EMG � externally mounted gun
EMP � electromagnetic pulse
EMPG � Electromagnetic Pulse Grenade
ENGESA � Engesa Engenheiros Especializados (Brazil)
EOC � Essential Operational Capability
EOD � explosive ordnance disposal
EOR � Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance
EOTS � Electro-Optical Tracking System
EPC � electronic plane conversion
EPC � Engin Principal de Combat (future main battle tank)
EPG � Enhanced Performance Grenade
EPG � European Production Group
EPG � European Programme Group
EPS � Electrical Power Subsystem
EPU � Electronics Processing Unit
ER � enhanced radiation
ER � extended range
ERA � explosive reactive armour
ERA � extended range ammunition
ERC � Engin de Reconnaissance Canon
ERFB � extended range full-bore
ERFB-BB � extended range full-bore � base bleed
ERGFCDS � Extended Range Gunnery Fire-Control Demonstration System
ERGP � extended range guided projectile
ERMIS � Extended Range Modification Integration System
ERP � Extended Range Projectile
ERSC � extended range subcalibre
ERV � emergency rescue vehicle
ERV � Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle
ES � Extreme Spread
ESAF � Electronic Safety and Arm Function
ESD � Electronique Serge Dassault
ESLDE � Eyesafe Laser Daylight Elbow
ESPAWS � Enhanced Self-Propelled Artillery Weapon System (US)
ESRS � electro-slag refined steel
ETA � Estimated Time of Arrival
ETC � ElectroThermal Cannon
ETD � Estimated Time of Departure
ETE � Estimated Time of Endurance
ETM � Electronic Technical Manuals
ETS � Elevated TOW System
ETS � Engineer Tank System
ETS � End of Term of Service (discharge date) (US)
EW � electronic warfare
EWK � Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern G?ppner
EWS � external weapon station
F[edit]
FAAD � Forward Area Air Defense
FAAR � Forward Area Alerting Radar (US)
FAARP � Forward Area Arming & Refueling Point
FAASV � Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (US)
FAC � Forward Air Control(er)
FAC-A � Forward Air Control(er)-Airborne
FACE � Field Artillery Computer Equipment
FAL � Fusil Automatique L�g�re
FAPDS � Frangible Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot
FARP � Forward Area Refueling Point
FARS � field artillery rocket system
FARV-A � Future Armored Resupply Vehicle � Artillery (US)
FAST � Forward Area Support Team
FAV � Fast Attack Vehicle (US)
FBI � Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBM � Fleet Ballistic Missile
FBRV � Future Beach Recovery Vehicle (UK)
FCC � Fire Command Centre
FCC � Fire-Control Computer
FCCVS � Future Close-Combat Vehicle System (US)
FCE � fire-control equipment
FCLV � Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (UK)
FCS � fire-control system/subsystem
FCS � Future Combat System
FCU � Fire Control Unit
FDC � fire direction centre
FDCV � fire direction centre vehicle
FDSWS � Future Direct Support Weapon System
FEBA � Forward Edge of the Battle Area
FEP � Firepower Enhancement Programme
FET � Future Engineer Tank
FFAR � Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket
FFE � Fire for Effect
FFR � Fitted For Radio
FFSS � Future Fighting Soldier System
FFW � Fitted For Wireless
FG � field gun
FH � field howitzer
FIBUA � Fighting In Built-Up Areas
FID � Foreign Internal Defenses
FIFV � Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle (US)
FIRM � Floating Integrated Rail Mount
FIS � Fuze Interface System
FISH � Fighting In Someone's House (UK) (Colloquial. Slang term for FIBUA)
FIST � Future Integrated Soldier Technology (UK), Fire Support Team (US)
FISTV � Fire Support Team Vehicle (US)
FITOW � Further Improved TOW (US)
FLEA � Frangible Low-Energy Ammunition (i.e. a fragmentation grenade or a low-yield IED)
FLIR � forward-looking infra-red
FLOT � forward line of own troops
FLSW � Future Light Support Weapon
FM � U.S. Army Field Manuals
FM � Titanium tetrachloride (code designation)
FMBS � Family of Muzzle Brake/Suppressors
FMC � Food Machinery Corporation
FMF � Fleet Marine Force
FMJ � Full Metal Jacket
FMJBT � Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail
FMJLF � Full Metal Jacket Lead Free
FMN - Federated Mission Networking
FMPDS � Frangible Missile Piercing Discarding Sabot
FMS � Foreign Military Sales
FMTV � Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles
FN � Fabrique Nationale (Manufacturer)
FO � Forward Observer
FOB � Forward Operating Base
FOC � Full Operational Capability
FOD � Foreign Object Damage (i.e., damage not caused by enemy fire. Includes bugs, dirt, etc.) (Aviation)
FOG � Fibre Optic Gyro
FOM � Fibre Optic Missile
FOO � forward observation officer
FORTIS � Forward Observation and Reconnaissance Thermal Imaging System
FOTT � Follow On To TOW
FOV � field of view
FPA � Focal Plane Array
FRAG � fragmentation
FRAGO � FRAGmentary Order. (see OPORD)
FRES � Future Rapid Effect System
FROG � free rocket over ground
FSCL � fire support coordination line
FSCM � fire support coordination measure
FSCV � fire support combat vehicle
FS � fire support element
FSED � full-scale engineering development (US)
FSSG � Force Service Support Group
FST � Future Soviet Tank/Follow-on Soviet Tank
FSV � fire support vehicle
FSV � Future Scout Vehicle (US)
FTA � Frangible Training Ammunition
FTMA � Future Tank Main Armament
FTS � Future Tank Study
FTT � Field Tactical Trainer
FUBAR � Fouled/Fucked Up Beyond All Reason/Recognition/Repair
FUE � First Unit Equipped
FUG � Felderit? Us? G�pkosci
FV � fighting vehicle
FV/GCE � fighting vehicle gun control equipment
FVDD � Fighting Vehicle Development Division
FVRDE � Fighting Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (UK)
FVS � Fighting Vehicle System (US)
FVSC � Fighting Vehicle Systems Carrier (US)
FY � fiscal year
G[edit]
g � gramme(s)
G � gendarmerie
GAMA � Gun Automatic Multiple Ammunition
GAO � General Accounting Office
GAP � Gun Aiming Post
GBAD � Ground Based Air Defence
GCE � gun control equipment
GCT � Grande Cadence de Tir (high rate of fire)
GCU � Gun Control Unit
GCW � Gross Combined Weight (not "Gross Combat Weight"). Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) plus Gross Trailer Weight (GTW).
GD � General Dynamics
GDLS � General Dynamics Land Systems
GDU � Gun Display Unit
GFE � Government Furnished Equipment
GH � gun-howitzer
GIGN-Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale ("National Gendarmerie Intervention Group")
GIAT � Groupement Industriel des Armements Terrestres
GL � Grenade Launcher
GLATGM � Gun Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile
GLC � gun lay computer
GLDNSM � Grenade Launcher Day-Night Sight Mount
GLH-H � Ground-Launched Hellfire-Heavy (US)
GLLD � Ground Laser Locator Designator (US)
GLS � Gesellschaft f�r Logistischen Service
GM, MVO � General Motors, Military Vehicle Operations
GMC � General Motors Corporation
GMG � Grenade Machine Gun
GMLRS � Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System
GMS � Gun Management System
GND � Ground (electrical)
GOCO � government-owned, contractor-operated (US)
GOP � General Out Post
GP � General Purpose
GP � guided projectile
GPMG � General Purpose Machine Gun
GPO � gun position officer
GPS � Global Positioning System
GPS � gunner's primary sight
GPSS � Gunner's Primary Sight Subsystem
GR � Gajaba Regiment (Sri Lanka)
GREM � Grenade Rifle Entry Munition
GRU � Glavnoe Razvedyvatel'noe Upravlenie, meaning Main Intelligence Directorate
GSR � General Staff Requirement (US)
GSRS � General Support Rocket System
GSG9- Grenzschutzgruppe 9 der Bundespolizei (Border Protection Group 9 of the Federal Police)
GST � General Staff Target
GST � Gesellschaft f?r System-Technik
GTCS � Gun Test and Control System
GTG � Good To Go
GTI � German Tank Improvement
GTW � Gross Trailer Weight
GVW � Gross Vehicle Weight. Curb weight plus max payload weight.
GW � Gemunu Watch (Sri Lanka)
GW � guided weapon
H[edit]
h � hour(s)
H&K � Heckler and Koch
HAB � Heavy Assault Bridge (US)
HAB � Heavy Artillery Brigade (UK)
HAG � Heavy Artillery Gun
HALO � High Altitude Low Opening, High Activity/Low Observable
HAMS � Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron � Marine Aircraft Group (USMC)
HAWK � Homing-All-the-Way-Killer (US)
HB � heavy barrel
HBAR � Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle
HC � Hexachloroethane/zinc
HC � high-capacity
HC � Hollow Charge
HCER � high-capacity extended range
HCHE � high-capacity high-explosive
HCT � HOT Compact Turret
HDS � HOLOgraphic Diffraction Sight
HE � high-explosive
HE-APERS � high-explosive anti-personnel
HE-FRAG � high-explosive fragmentation
HE-FRAG-FS � high-explosive fragmentation � fin-stabilised
HE-FS � high-explosive � fin-stabilised
HE-S � high-explosive spotting
HE-T � high-explosive tracer
HE/PR � high-explosive practice
HEAA � High-Explosive Anti-Armour
HEAB � High-Explosive Air Burst
HEAP � High-Explosive Armor-Piercing
HEAP-T � high-explosive anti-personnel � tracer
HEAT � high-explosive anti-tank
HEAT-FS � high-explosive anti-tank fin-stabilised
HEAT-MP � high-explosive anti-tank multipurpose
HEAT-MP(P) � high-explosive anti-tank multipurpose (practice)
HEAT-T � high-explosive anti-tank � tracer
HEAT-T-HVY � high-explosive anti-tank � tracer � heavy
HEAT-T-MP � high-explosive anti-tank � tracer � multipurpose
HEAT-TP-T � high-explosive anti-tank � target practice � tracer
HED-D � Hybrid Electric Drive � Demonstrator
HEDP � high-explosive dual-purpose
HEER � High-Explosive Extended Range (US)
HEF � High-Explosive Fragmentation
HEFT � High-Explosive Follow Through
HEI � high-explosive incendiary
HEIT � high-explosive incendiary tracer
HEL � High-Energy Laser (US)
HEL � Human Engineering Laboratory (US)
HELP � Howitzer Extended Life Program (US)
HEMAT � Heavy Expanded Mobility Ammunition Trailer (US)
HEMP � High-Explosive Multi-Purpose
HEMTT � Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (US)
HEP � high-explosive plastic
HEP-T � high-explosive practice � tracer
HEPD � high-explosive point detonating
HERA � high-explosive rocket-assisted
HESH � high-explosive squash head
HESH-T � high-explosive squash head � tracer
HET-PF � high-explosive tracer � percussion fuze
HETF � High Explosive Time Fuzed
HETS � Heavy Equipment Transport System
HFCC � Howitzer Fire-Control Computer (US)
HFHTB � Human Factors Howitzer TestBed (US)
HFM � Heavy Force Modernisation (US)
HIFV � Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
HIMAG � High-Mobility Agility Test Vehicle (US)
HIMARS � High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (US)
HIP � Howitzer Improvement Program (US)
HIRE � Hughes Infrared Equipment
HITP � High-Ignition Temperature Propellant
HIU � Heading Indicator Unit
HMC � Howitzer Motor Carriage
HMD � Helmet-Mounted Display
HMG � Heavy Machine Gun
HMH � Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron
HMLC � High-Mobility Load Carrier
HML/A � Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron
HMM � Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron
HMMWV � High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
HMX � Marine Special Mission Helicopter Squadron
HOE � Holographic Optical Element
HOT � Haute subsonique Optiquement T�l�guid�
How � Howitzer
HP � High Power; Hollow Point
hp � Horsepower
HPFP � High-Performance Fragmentation Projectile
HPS � Helmet Pointing System (or Sight)
HPT � high-pressure test
HRU � Heading Reference Unit
HS � Headquarters Squadron � Marine Wing Support Group (USMC)
HSS � Hunter Sensor Suite
HSTV(L) � High-Survivability Test Vehicle (Lightweight) (US)
HTTB � High-Technology TestBed (US)
HVAP � high-velocity armour-piercing
HVAP-T � high-velocity armour-piercing tracer
HVAPDS-T � high-velocity armour-piercing discarding sabot � tracer
HVAPFSDS � high-velocity armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot
HVCC � High Velocity Canister Cartridge
HVM � Hypervelocity Missile
HVSS � horizontal volute spring suspension
HVSW � Hypervelocity Support Weapon
HVTP-T � high-velocity target practice � tracer
HWSTD � High Water Speed Technology Demonstrator
HYPAK � Hydraulic Power Assist Kit
I[edit]
I � Incendiary
IAF - Indian Air Force
IAFV � infantry armoured fighting vehicle
IAI � Israel Aircraft Industries
IAL � Infra-red Aiming Light
IASD � Instant Ammunition Selection Device
IBAS � Improved Bradley Acquisition System
ICC � information co-ordination centre
ICM � improved conventional munition
ICM � BB improved conventional munition base bleed
ICV � Infantry Combat Vehicle
IDF � Israel Defense Forces
IDF � Indirect fire
IDW � Individual Defence Weapon
IED � Improvised Explosive Device
IEPG � Independent European Program Group
IFCS � Improved/Integrated Fire-Control System
IFF � Identification Friend or Foe
IFV � infantry fighting vehicle
IFVwCM � Infantry Fighting Vehicle with Integrated Countermeasures (US)
IGLS � Individual Grenade Launcher System
II � image intensification/intensifier
IIR � Imaging Infra-Red
ILL � illuminating
ILMS � Improved Launcher Mechanical System
ILS � Integrated Logistic Support
IM � Insensitive Munition(s)
IMMLC � Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier
IMU � Inertial Measurement Unit
INSAS � Indian Small Arms System
InSb � Indium-antimonide
IOC � initial operational capability
IOF � Indian Ordnance Factory
IPB � Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
IPF � Initial Production Facility
IPO � International Programme Office
IPPD � Integrated Product Process Development
IR � Infra-Red
IRBM � Intermediate-range ballistic missile
IRU � Inertial Reference Unit
IS � internal security
ISD � In Service Date
ISGU � Integrated Sight and Guidance Unit
ISR � Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
ISU � Integrated Sight Unit
ISV � Internal Security Vehicle
ITAS � Improved Target Acquisition System
ITOW � Improved TOW
ITPIAL � Infra-red Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser
ITT � Invitation To Tender
ITV � Improved TOW Vehicle (US)
IVPDL � Inter-Vehicle Positioning and Data Link (US)
IW � Individual Weapon
IWS � Improved Weapon System
J[edit]
JBMoU � Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding
JDAM � Joint Direct Attack Munition
JERRV � Joint Engineer Rapid Response Vehicle
JGSDF � Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force
JHP � Jacketed hollow point
JLTA � Javelin Composite Launch Tube
JMAC � Joint Medium-calibre Automatic Cannon
JPO � Joint Project Office
JSC � Joint Steering Committee
JSCS � Joint Service Combat Shotgun
JSDFA � Japanese Self-Defence Force Agency
JSP � Jacketed Soft Point
JSSAMP � Joint Services Small Arms Master Plan
JSSAP � Joint Services Small Arms Programme
K[edit]
KAAV � Korean Armoured Amphibious Vehicle
KAC � Knight's Armament Company
KE � Kinetic energy
KEC � Kaman Electromagnetics Corporation
KEM � Kinetic Energy Missile (US)
kg � kilogramme(s)
KIA � Killed in Action
KIFV � Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle
KPA � Korean People's Army
L[edit]
LAAG � light anti-aircraft gun
LAAM � Light Anti-Aircraft Missile
LAAW � Light Anti-Tank Assault Weapon
LCAC � Landing Craft Air Cushion
LAD � light aid detachment
LADS � light air defense system (US)
LAG � Light Artillery Gun
LALO � Low Altitude Low Opening
LAM � Laser Aiming Module
LAPES � Low-Altitude Parachute Extraction System
LAR � Light Automatic Rifle
LASER � Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
LASIP � Light Artillery System Improvement Plan
LATS � Light Armoured Turret System
LAU � Light Armoured Unit
LAV � Light Armored Vehicle (US)
LAV � Light Assault Vehicle (US)
LAV-AD � Light Armored Vehicle � Air Defense
LAW � light anti-tank weapon
LB � Long Barrel
LC � Laser Collimator
LCD � Liquid crystal display
LCS � Loader Control System
LCU � Landing Craft Utility
LCV � Light Contingency Vehicle (LCV) (US)
LD � Low drag, Line of Departure
LE � Law Enforcement
LED � light emitting diode
LEP � Life Extension Programme
LEU � Launcher Erector Unit
LF � ATGW Light Forces' Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
LF � Linked Feed
LFHG � Lightweight Fragmentation Hand Grenade
LFL � Light Fighter Lethality
LIA � Linear Induction Accelerator
LIMAWS � Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System
LION � Lightweight Infra-red Observation Night sight
LIW � Lyttleton Engineering Works
LKP � Loader Keyboard Panel
LLAD � low-level air defence
LLLTV � low light level television
LLM � Launcher Loader Module
LMAW � Light Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
LMG � light machine gun
LNS � Land Navigation System
LNS � Laying and Navigation System
L/O � Liaison Officer
LOAL � Lock-On After Launch
LOBL � Lock-On Before Launch
LOC � Line Of Communication
LOS � Line Of Sight
LOSAT � Line Of Sight Anti-Tank
LP � Liquid Propellant
LP � Listening Post
LPC � Launch Pod Container
LPC � Launcher Pod Carrier
LPG � Liquid Propellant Gun
LPO � Leading Petty Officer
LPT � Low-Profile Turret
LPTS � Lightweight Protected Turret System
LR � Long Rifle
LR � Long-Range
LRAR � Long Range Artillery Rocket
LRASS � Long-Range Advanced Scout System
LRAT � long-range anti-tank
LRBB � long-range base bleed
LRD � Long Range Deflagrator
LRF � laser rangefinder
LRF � Low Recoil Force
LRHB � long-range hollow base
LRIP � Low-Rate Initial Production
LRM � Laser Rangefinder Module
LRN � Lead Round Nose
LRN � Low Recoil NORICUM
LRRP � Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol
LRSA � Long Range Sniper Ammunition
LRSU � Long Range Surveillance Unit
LRU � Launcher Replenishment Unit
LRU � Line Replacement Unit
LRU � Line-Replaceable Unit
LSAT- Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
LSB � Landing Support Battalion
LSS � Lightweight Shotgun System
LSVW � Light Support Vehicle, Wheeled (Canada)
LSW � Light Support Weapon
LTA � Launch Tube Assembly
LTD � Laser Target Designator
LTFCS � Laser Tank Fire-Control System
LTP � Laser Target Pointer, Luminesant Training Projectile
LUTE � Lightweight Uncooled Thermal Imager Equipment
LVA � landing vehicle assault (US)
LVS � Lightweight Video Sight
LVT � Landing Vehicle Tracked (US)
LVTC � Landing Vehicle Tracked Command (US)
LVTE � Landing Vehicle Tracked Engineer (US)
LVTH � Landing Vehicle Tracked Howitzer (US)
LVTP � Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel (US)
LVTR � Landing Vehicle Tracked Recovery (US)
LWC � Lead Wad Cutter
LWIR � Long Wave Infrared
LWL � LightWeight Launcher
LWML � LightWeight Multiple Launcher
LWMS � LightWeight Modular Sight
LWS � laser warning system
LWT � light weapon turret
LZ � landing zone
LRW � Light Repair Works (Indian Army)
M[edit]
m � metre(s)
m/s � metres per second
MAB � Marine Amphibious Brigade
MABS � Marine Air Base Squadron
MAC � Medium Armored Car (US)
MAC � Military Airlift Command
MACS � Modular Artillery Charge System
MACS � Marine Air Control Squadron
MADLS � Mobile Air Defence Launching System
MAF � Marine Amphibious Force
MAG � Marine Aircraft Group
MAGTEC � Marine Air/Ground Training & Education Command
MAGTF � Marine Air/Ground Task Force
MAHEM � Magnetohydrodynamic Explosive Munition
MALOS � Miniature Laser Optical Sight
MALS � Marine Air Logistics Squadron
MAMBA � Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar
MANPADS � Man Portable Air Defense System
MAOV � Mobile Artillery Observation Vehicle
MAP � Military Aid Programme
MAPS � Modular Azimuth Position System
MAR � Micro Assault Rifle
MARDI � Mobile Advanced Robotics Defence Initiative (UK)
MARDIV � Marine Division (US)
MARS � Military Amateur Radio Station
MARS � Mini Assault Rifle System
MARS � Multi-purpose Aiming Reflex Sight
MARS � Multiple Artillery Rocket System
MASS � Marine Air Support Squadron
MATCS � Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron
MATSG � Marine Air Training Support Group
MAU(SOC) � Marine Amphibious Unit (Special Operations Capable)
MAV � maintenance assist vehicle
MAVD � MLRS Aim Verification Device
MAW � Marine Air Wing (US)
MBA � main battle area
MBB � Messerschmitt-B?lkow-Blohm
MBC � Mortar Ballistic Computer
MBT � main battle tank
MCISRE � Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise
MCLOS � Manual Command to Line Of Sight
MCRV � Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle
MCS � Microclimate Conditioning System
MCS � modular charge system
MCSK � Mine Clearance System Kit (US)
MCT � Medium Combat Tractor (US)
MCT � Mercury Cadmium Telluride
MCV � Mechanised Combat Vehicle
MCWL � Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
MCWS � Minor Calibre Weapons Station (US)
MDB � Multi Domain Battle
MDMP � Military Decision Making Process
MDU � Map Display Unit
MEB � Marine Expeditionary Brigade
MEDEVAC � Medical Evacuation
MEF � Marine Expeditionary Force
MENS � Mission Element Need Statement (US)
MEP � Modular Explosive Penetrator
MEPS � Military Entrance Processing Station
METO � Middle East Treaty Organisation; CENTO or Baghdad Pact
METL � Mission Essential Task List
METT-TC � Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support available�Time available, Civilians
METT-TSL � Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and fire support available - Time available, Space, Logistics
MEU(SOC) � Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
MEV � medical evacuation vehicle (US)
MEWS � Mobile Electronic Warfare System
MEWSS � Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System
MF � multifunction
MFC � Mortar Fire Control(ler)
MFCS � Multi-Fire Control System/Mortar Fore Control System
MFCV � Missile Fire-Control Vehicle
MFF � munition filling factory
MG � machine gun
MGB � Medium Girder Bridge
MGL � Multiple Grenade Launcher
MGS � Mobile Gun System
MGTS � MultiGun Turret System
MGU � Mid-course Guidance Unit
MI � Military Intelligence
MIA � Missing In Action
MICOM � Missile Command (US)
MICV � mechanised infantry combat vehicle
MILAN � Missile d'Infantrie L�ger Antichar (light infantry anti-tank missile)
MILES � Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (US)
MILSPEC � Military Specification
MILSTAN � MILitary STANdard
MILSTAR � MILitary Strategic and Tactical Relay (US)
MIPS � Medium Integrated Propulsion System (US)
MIR - Mechanized Infantry Regiment (Sri Lanka)
MIRV - Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle
MLA � Manufacturing Licence Agreement
MLC � Military Load Class
MLC � Modular Load Carrier
MLF � Marine Logistics Force
MLR � Marine Logistics Regiment
MLI � Mid-Life Improvement
MLO � Muzzle Loaded Ordnance
MLRS � Multiple Launch Rocket System (US)
mm � millimetre(s)
MMBF � mean miles between failures
MMG � Medium Machine Gun
MMS � mast-mounted sight
MMS � Modular Mounting System
MNVD � Monocular Night Vision Device
MoA � Memorandum of Agreement
MOA � Minute Of Angle
MoD � Ministry of Defence
MODA � Ministry of Defence and Aviation
MOLF � Modular Laser Fire Control (Germany)
MOLLE � MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
MOPP � Mission Oriented Protective Posture (US)
MOS � Military Occupational Specialty (US)
MoU � Memorandum of Understanding
MOUT � Military Operations in Urban Terrain (urban warfare) (US)
MP � Machine Pistol
MPBAV � MultiPurpose Base Armoured Vehicle
MPC � MultiPurpose Carrier (Netherlands)
MPDS � Missile Piercing Discarding Sabot
MPGS � Mobile Protected Gun System (US)
MPI � Mean Point of Impact
MPIM � MultiPurpose Individual Munition
MPM � MultiPurpose Munition
MPS � Maritime Prepositioning Ships (US)
MPV � Multi-Purpose Vehicle
MPWS � Mobile Protected Weapon System (US)
MR � Medium Range
MRAP � Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (Vehicle)
MRAR � MultiRole Assault Round
MRAV � MultiRole Armoured Vehicle
MRBF � mean rounds before failure
MRBS � mean rounds between stoppages
MRE � Meal Ready to Eat
MRS � multiple rocket system
MRS � muzzle reference system
MRSI � Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact
MRV(R) � Mechanised Recovery Vehicle (Repair)
MRVR � Mechanised Repair and Recovery Vehicle (US)
MSSG � MAU/MEU Service Support Group (USMC)
MSL � Missile
MSR � Missile Simulation Round
MSR � Main Supply Route
MSTAR � Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar
MSV � Modular Support Vehicle
MT � mechanical time
MTB � Mobility TestBed
MTBF � Mean Time Between Failure
MTI � moving target indication
MTL � Materials Technology Laboratory (US)
MTR � Mobile Test Rig (US)
MTSQ � mechanical time and super-quick
MTSQ � Mechanical Time Semi-Quick
MTU � Motoren- und Turbinen-Union
MTVL � mobile tactical vehicle light
MUGS � Multipurpose Universal Gunner Sight
MULE � Modular Universal Laser Equipment (US)
MUSS � Multifunctional Selfprotection System
MV � muzzle velocity
MVEE � Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (UK)
MVRS � Muzzle Velocity Radar System
MWCS � Marine Wing Communications Squadron
MWHS � Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron
MWS � Manned Weapon Station (US)
MWS � Modular Weapon System
MWSG � Marine Wing Support Group
MWSS � Marine Wing Support Squadron
N[edit]
NATO � North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NAVSEA � Naval Sea Systems Command
NBC � Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
NBMR � NATO Basic Military Requirement
NCIS � Naval Criminal Investigative Service (US)
NCO � Non-Commissioned Officer (US, E-4 � E-9)
NCOIC � Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge
NDI � Non-Developmental Item
NDU � Navigation Display Unit
NFOV � Narrow Field Of View
NG � New/Next Generation
Ni/Cd � Nickel Cadmium
NLAW � Next Light (weight) Anti-armour Weapon
NLOS-C � Non-Line Of Sight-Cannon
NLOS-M � Non-Line Of Sight-Mortar
NOD(s) � Night Optical Device(s)
NRF � NATO Response Force
NS � Network Services
NTC � National Training Center (USA)
NUGP � nominal unit ground pressure
NV � Night Vision
NVD � Night Vision Device
NVE � Night Vision Equipment
NVESD � Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
NVG � Night Vision Goggle
NVS � Night Vision System
NZDF � New Zealand Defence Force
NZEF � New Zealand Expeditionary Force (in WWI & WWII)
NZSAS - New Zealand Special Air Service
O[edit]
OBR � Optical Beam-Riding
OCC � Obus � Charge Creus� (shaped-charge shell)
OCOKA � Observation and fields of fire, Cover and concealment, Obstacles, Key terrain, and Avenues of Approach.
OCSW � Objective Crew-Served Weapon
OCU � Operational Centre Unit
ODE � Ordnance Development and Engineering (Singapore)
OEG � Occluded Eye Gunsight (a type of Collimator sight)
OEO � optical and electro-optical
OFSA � Objective Family of Small Arms
OFSA � One Size Fits All
OFW � Objective Force Warrior
OHWS � Offensive Hand Weapon System
OIC � Officer In Charge
OICW � Objective Individual Combat Weapon
OOTW � Operations Other Than War
OP � Observation post
OP � Operators Panel
OPCON � OPerational CONtrol
OPDW � Objective Personal Defense Weapon
OPORD � OPerations Order
OPSEC � OPerational SECurity
OPV � Observation Post Vehicle
OSW � Objective Sniper Weapon
OSC � Operation Strategy Command
OSS (USAF) � Operational Support Squadron
OSW (USAF) � Operational Support, Weather
OT � operational test
OTA � overflight top attack
OTEA � Operational Test and Evaluation Agency (US)
P[edit]
P � How pack howitzer
P-38 � P-38 can opener (US)
P3I � Pre-Planned Product Improvements
PAR � pulse acquisition radar
PAT � power-assisted traverse
PC � Personal Computer
PCB � printed circuit board
PCC � Police Compact Carbine
PCI � Pre-combat inspection
PD � Point Defense
PD � point detonating
PD � Point of Departure
PDNA � Positioning Determining/Navigation Unit
PDRR � Program Definition and Risk Reduction
PDW � Personal Defence Weapon
PE � MoD Procurement Executive (UK)
PE � Peace Enforcement (US DoD)
PEC � Printed Electronic Circuits
PFD � proximity fuze disconnector
PFHE � prefragmented high-explosive
PLF � protective line of fire
PFPX � prefragmented proximity fuzed
PGMM � Precision Guided Mortar Munition
PH � Probability of Hit
Pi � Probability of incapacitation
PIAT � Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank
PIBD � Point Initiating Base Detonated
PID � Positive Identification
PIE � pyrotechnically initiated explosive
PIP � Product Improvement Programme
PL � Phase Line
PLA � People's Liberation Army
PLARS � Position Location And Reporting System (US)
PLC � Programmable Logic Control
PLO � Palestinian Liberation Army
PLOS � Predicted Line Of Sight
PLS � Palletised Load System (US)
PM � porte mortier (mortar carrier)
PM � Product Manager
PMCS � Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services
PMEE � U.S. Air Force abbreviation for Prime Mission Electronic Equipment
PMO � Program Management Office (US)
PMO � Provost Marshall's Office
PMOD � Platform Modifications
PMS � Pedestal-Mounted Stinger
PNU � Position Navigation Unit
POA&M � Plan Of Action & Milestones
POF � Pakistan Ordnance Factory
POS � Postes Optiques de Surveillance
POW � Prisoner(s) of War
PPG � PT Parade Games (Bangladesh Cadet Colleges)
PPI � plan position indicator
PPS � Precise Positioning Service
PRAC � practice
PRAC-T � practice tracer
PRI � projector reticle image
PRP � Personnel Reliability Program (screening and monitoring of individuals with access to "special" weapons)
PSD � Propulsion System Demonstrator
PSO � Peace Support Operations
PSS � Primary Sight System
PTO � power take-off
PVP � Petit V�hicule Prot�g�
PW � Prisoner of War
PWI-SR(GR) � Panser Wagen Infanterie-Standaard (Groep)
PWP � Plasticised White Phosphorus
PWR � Power
Q[edit]
QCB � Quick Change Barrel
QE � Quadrant Elevation
QRF � Quick Reaction Force
R[edit]
RA � Royal Artillery
RAA � Royal Australian Artillery
RAAM � Rifle-launched Anti-Armour Munition
RAAMS � Remote Anti-Armor Mine System (US)
PABD � Pay Entry Base Date
RAC � Royal Armoured Corps
RADIRS � Rapid Deployment Multiple Rocket System (US)
RAAF � Royal Australian Air Force
RAE � Royal Aircraft Establishment, Royal Aircraft Establishment (Farnborough)
RAE � Royal Australian Engineers, Australian Combat Engineers
RAF � Royal Air Force
RAM-D � reliability, availability, maintainability and durability
RAN � Royal Australian Navy
RAO � Rear Area Operations
RAP � Regimental Aid Post [1]
RAP � rocket-assisted projectile
RAPI � Reactive Armour Protection
RARDE � Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (UK)
RATAC � Radar de Tir pour L'Artillerie de Campagne (radar for field artillery fire)
RATELO � Radio Telephone Operator
RAW � Rifleman's Assault Weapon
RBL � Range and Bearing Launch
RC/MAS � Reserve Component/Modified Armament System
RCAAS � Remote-Controlled Anti-Armor System (US)
RCAF � Royal Canadian Air Force
RCC � ROLAND Coordination Center (US)
RCDU � Remote-Controlled Defence Unit
RCL � Recoilless rifle
RCN � Royal Canadian Navy
RCS � Radar Cross Section
RCT � Regimental Combat Team
RCT � Royal Corps of Transport
RCV � Robotic Command Vehicle
RDF � Rapid Deployment Forces
RDF/LT � Rapid Deployment Force Light Tank (US)
RDJTF � Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (US)
RDT&E � Research Development Test and Evaluation
REME � Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
REMF � Rear Echelon Mother F*cker
RF � Rimfire
RFA � Royal Field Artillery
RFAS � Russian Federation and Associated States
RFC � Royal Flying Corps
RFI � request for information
RFP � request for proposals
RFPI � Rapid Force Projection Initiative
RFQ � Request For Quotations
RGGS � Rifle Grenade General Service
RHA � rolled homogeneous armour
RHA � Royal Horse Artillery
RIN � the former Royal Indian Navy
RIS � Rail Interface System
RISE � Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RLC � Royal Logistic Corps
RLEM � Rifle-Launched Entry Munition
RLG � Ring Laser Gyro
RLT � Regimental Landing Team
RMG � ranging machine gun
RN � Royal Navy
RNZAF � Royal New Zealand Air Force
RNZN � Royal New Zealand Navy
RO � Royal Ordnance
ROBAT � Robotic Counter-Obstacle Vehicle (US)
RoC � Republic of China
ROC � required operational characteristics
ROE � Rules Of Engagement
ROF � Royal Ordnance Factory (UK)
ROF � Rate of fire
RoK � Republic of Korea
RoKMC � Republic of Korea Marine Corps
RoKIT � Republic of Korea Indigenous Tank
ROR � range only radar
ROTA � Royal Ordnance Training Ammunition
RP � Red phosphorus
RP � rocket-propelled
RPC � Rocket Pod Container
RPG � Rocket-propelled grenade
RPG � Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot
RPV � Remotely piloted vehicle
RR � Recoilless rifle
RRPR � Reduced Range Practice Rocket
RRT � Radio Recon Team
RRTR � Reduced Range Training Round
RSAF � Royal Small Arms Factory (UK) (now closed)
RSN � Role Specialist Nation (US & NATO)
RSS � Rosette Scanning Seeker
RTE � Rifle Team Equipment
RTT � Roues Transporteur de Troupes
RUC � Royal Ulster Constabulary
RWS � Remote weapon system (or station)
S[edit]
s � second(s)
S&W � Smith & Wesson
SABCA � Soci�t� Anonyme Belge de Constructions A�ronautiques
SABR � Selectable Assault Battle Rifle
SABS � Stabilizing Automatic Bomb Sight
SAC � Small Arms Collimator
SACLOS � Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight
SADA � Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly
SADARM � Sense And Destroy Armor (US)
SADF � South African Defence Force
SAE � Society of Automotive Engineers
SAF � Small Arms Fire
SAFCS � Small Arms Fire Control System
SAFIRE � Surface-to-Air Fire
SAL � semi-active laser
SAM � surface-to-air missile
SAMM � Soci�t� d'Applications des Machines Motrices
SANDF � South African National Defence Force
SANG � Saudi Arabian National Guard
SAP � Semi-Armour-Piercing
SAPHEI � Semi-Armour-Piercing High Explosive Incendiary
SAPI � semi-armour-piercing incendiary
SAS � Special Air Service
SASR � Special Air Service Regiment
SAS-EAS � Sealed Authenticator System � Emergency Action Procedures (Nuclear Weapons Release Control)
SASR � Special Application Sniper Rifle
SAT � Small Arms Trainer
SATCP � Syst?me Anti-a�rien � Tr?s Courte Port�e (very short-range anti-aircraft system)
SAVA � Standard Army Vectronics Architecture
SAW � Squad Automatic Weapon
SAWS � Squad Automatic Weapon System
SB � Short Barrel
SCORE � Stratified Charge Omnivorous Rotary Engine
SD � self-destruct(ion)
SEAL � Sea/Air/Land
SEALOCK � Search, Locate, and Communicate or Kill
SEATO � Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation
SEME � School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
SEN � shell extended range NORICUM
SEP � Soldier Enhancement Programme
SFCS � Simplified Fire-Control System
SFIM � Soci�t� de Fabrication d'Instrument de Mesure
SFIRR � solid fuel integral rocket/ramjet
SFM � Sensor Fuzed Munitions
SFMG � Sustained Fire Machine Gun
SFSW � Special Forces Support Weapon
SFW � Special Forces Weapon
SGTS � Second-Generation Tank Sight
SH/PRAC � squash head practice
SHORAD � Short-Range Air Defence System
shp � shaft horsepower
SIC � Second in Command
SICPS � Standard Integrated Command Post Systems
SINCGARS � Single Channel Ground/Air Radio System
SIP � System Improvement Plan/Programme
SIPS � Small Integrated Propulsion System
SITREP � Situation Report
SJFN � Semi-Jacketed Flat Nose
SJHP � Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point
SKOT � Sredni Kolowy Opancerzny Transporter (armoured personnel carrier)
SLA - Sri Lanka Army
SLAC - Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
SLAF - Sri Lanka Air Force
SLAGSE - Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps
SLAOC - Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps
SLAPC - Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps
SLASC - Sri Lanka Army Service Corps
SLAWC - Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps
SLCG - Sri Lanka Coast Guard
SLCMP - Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
SLE - Sri Lanka Engineers
SLEME - Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
SLLI - Sri Lanka Light Infantry
SLMC - Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
SLNG - Sri Lanka National Guard
SLN - Sri Lanka Navy
SLRC - Sri Lanka Rifle Corps
SLSR - Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
SLAP � saboted light armor penetrator
SLAW � Shoulder-Launched Assault Weapon
SLEP � Service Life Extension Program (US)
SLR � Self-Loading Rifle
SLR � Super Low Recoil
SLWAGL � Super Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher
SM � smoke
SMAW � Shoulder-launched Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
SMG � sub-machine gun
SMK � Smoke
Smoke � BE smoke base ejection
Smoke � WP smoke white phosphorus
SMP � Surface Mine Plough
SMU � Special Mission Unit
SNAFU � Situation Normal, All Fouled Up
SNCO � Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (USMC, E-6 � E-9)
SNCOIC � Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (USMC)
SOCOM � Special Operations Command
SOF � Special Operations Force(s)
SOG � Speed Over Ground
SOP � Standing/Standard Operational Procedure(s)
SOS � Struck Off Strength
SP � Shore Patrol
SP � self-propelled
SP � Soft Point
SPAAG � self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
SPAAM � self-propelled anti-aircraft missile
SPAG � self-propelled assault gun
SPARK � solid propellant advanced ramjet kinetic energy missile
SPAS � Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun
SPATG � self-propelled anti-tank gun
SPAW � self-propelled artillery weapon
SPG � self-propelled gun
SPH � self-propelled howitzer
SPL � self-propelled launcher
SPLL � Self-propelled Loader Launcher
SPLY � Supply
SPM � self-propelled mortar
SPP � Special Purpose Pistol
SPR � Special Purpose Rifle
SPS � Standard Positioning Service
SPSM � Sensorgezundete Panzerabwehr SubMunition
SPW � Special Purpose Weapon
SR � Short Rifle
SR � Staff Requirement
SRAW � Short Range Assault Weapon
SRC � Space Research Corporation
SRG � shell replenishment gear
SRI � Short Range Insert
SRTS � Short Range Thermal Sight
SRU � Shop Replaceable Unit
SRU � Slip Ring Unit
SRV � Surrogate Research Vehicle (US)
SSA � Special Spaced Armour
SSG � Single Shot Gun
SSK � Single Shot Kill
SSW � Squad Support Weapon
ST6 - seal team six
ST � Staff Target
STA � shell transfer arm
STAB � Steered Agile Beams
STAFF � Small Target Activated Fire-and-Forget (US)
STANAG � STANdardisation Agreement
STARTLE � Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar for Tank Location and Engagement (US)
STE/ICE � Simplified Test Equipment/Internal Combustion Engine (US)
STOVL � Short Take Off and Vertical Landing
STUP � spinning tubular projectile
SUB � SUBstitute
SUC � Square Ultra Compact
SUIT � Sight Unit Infantry Trilux
SUSAT � Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux
SWARM � Stabilised Weapon and Reconnaissance Mount
SWAT � Special Weapons And Tactics
SWC � Semi WadCutter
SWS � Sniper Weapon System
T[edit]
T � Tracer
TACBE � Tacbe
TACMS � Army Tactical Missile System (US)
TACOM � Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (US)
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
TAD � Temporary Additional Duty (Naval Services term)Temporary Duty
TADDS � Target Alert Display Data Set (US)
TADS � Target Acquisition and Designation System (US)
TAM � Tanque Argentino Mediano
TAS � Target Acquisition Subsystem
TAS � tracking adjunct system
TAS � Turret Attitude Sensor
TBAT � TOW/Bushmaster Armored Turret (US)
TC � Tank Commander, also Truck Commander (US Army)
TCO � Tactical Combat Operations
TCTO � Time-Compliance Technical Order
TCU � tactical control unit
TD � Tank Destroyer
TDCS � Tank Driver Command System
TDD � Target Detection Device
TDR � Target Data Receiver
TDY � Temporary Duty
TE � Tangent Elevation
TEL � Transporter-Erector-Launcher
TELAR � Transporter-Erector-Launcher And Radar
TES � Tactical Environment Simulation
TES � target engagement system
TGMTS � Tank Gunnery Missile Tracking System
TGP � Terminally Guided Projectile
TGP � Targeting pod
TGS � Tank Gun Sight
TGSM � terminally guided submunition
TGTS � tank gunnery training simulator
TI � thermal imaging/imager
TIC � Troops In Contact
TICM � thermal imaging common modules
TIIPS � Thermal Imaging and Integrated Position System
TIM � Thermal Imaging Module
TIPU � Thermal Image Processing Units
TIRE � Tank Infra-Red Elbow
TIS � thermal imaging system
TLC � Transport Launching Container
TLD � Top Level Demonstrations
TLE � Treaty Limited Equipment
TLP � Troop Leading Procedures (US)
TLR � Tank Laser Rangefinder
TLS � Tank Laser Sight
TM&LS � Textron Marine & Land Systems
TMBC � Turret Management Ballistic Computer
TMP � Tactical Machine Pistol
TMS � Turret Modernisation System
TMUAS � Turreted Mortar Under Armor System (US)
TNT � Trinitrotoluene
TO � Technical Order
TOE � table of organisation and equipment
TOGS � Thermal Observation and Gunnery System (UK)
TOP � Total Obscuring Power
TOPAS � Transporter Obrneny Pasovy
TOTE � Tracker, Optical Thermally Enhanced
TOW � Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire command link guided (US)
TP � Target Practice
TP-FL � target practice flash
TP-S � or TPS Target Practice-Spotting/Signature
TP-SM � target practice � smoke
TP-SP � target practice � spotting
TP-T � target practice � tracer
TPCM � Target Practice Colour-Marking
TPDS � Target Practice Discarding Sabot
TPFSDS-T � target practice fin-stabilised discarding sabot � tracer
TPTF � Target Practice Time Fuzed
TR � Triple Rail
TRACER � Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (UK)
TRACKSTAR � Tracked Search and Target Acquisition Radar System (US)
TRADOC � Training and Doctrine Command (US)
TSFCS � Tank Simplified Fire-Control System
TSQ � time and super-quick
TSR � Tavor Sporting Rifle
TT � transport de troupes (troop transporter)
TTB � Tank TestBed (US)
TTD � Transformation Technology Demonstrator
TTG � Time To Go
TTS � Tank Thermal Sight
TU � Terminal Unit
TU � Traversing Unit
TUA � TOW Under Armor (US)
TUR � Tiefflieger-?berwachungs-Radar (low-level surveillance radar)
TV � Television
TWD � Thermal Warning Device
TWMP � Track Width Mine Plough
TWS � Thermal Weapon Sight
TYDP � Ten Year Defence Programme (Australia)
U[edit]
UAV � Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UBLE � Universal Bridge Launching Equipment
UCVP � Universal Combat Vehicle Platform
UDR � Ulster Defence Regiment
UET � Universal Engineer Tractor (US)
UGV � Unmanned Ground Vehicle
ULC � Unit Load Container
UMA � Universal Mounting Adapter
UMP � Universal Machine Pistol
USA � United States of America/United States Army
USAADS � U.S. Army Air Defense School
USAARMS � U.S. Army Armor School
USAAVNS � U.S. Army Aviation School
USAAF � United States Army Air Forces
USAF � United States Air Force
USCG � United States Coast Guard
USMC � United States Marine Corps
USN � United States Navy
USP � Universal Self-loading Pistol
UTL � Universal Tactical Light
UTM � Universal Transverse Mercator
UTS � Universal Turret System
UV � Ultraviolet
UW � Urban warfare
V[edit]
V � Volt(s)
VAB � V�hicule de l'Avant Blind� (front armoured car)
VAB � Vickers Armoured Bridgelayer
VADS � Vulcan Air Defense System (US)
VAE � Vehiculo Armado Exploracion
VAK � Vehicle Adaptor Kit
VAPE � Vehiculo Apoyo y Exploracion
VARRV � Vickers Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
VARV � Vickers Armoured Recovery Vehicle
VBC � V�hicule Blind� de Combat (armoured combat vehicle)
VBCI � V�hicule Blind� de Combat d'Infanterie
VBL � V�hicule Blind� L�ger (light armoured vehicle)
VBM � V�hicules Blind�s Modulaires
VC � Vehicle Commander
VCA � V�hicule Chenill� d'Accompagnement (tracked support vehicle)
VCC � Veicolo Corazzato de Combattimento
VCG � V�hicule de Combat du Genie (armoured engineer vehicle)
VCI � V�hicule de Combat d'Infanterie; Vehiculo combate infanteria (infantry combat vehicle)
VCP � Vehicle Check Point
VCR � variable compression ratio
VCR � V�hicule de Combat � Roues (wheeled combat vehicle)
VCR/AT � V�hicule de Combat � Roues/Atelier Technique (salvage)
VCR/IS � V�hicule de Combat � Roues/Intervention Sanitaire (stretchers)
VCR/PC � V�hicule de Combat � Roues/Poste de Commandement (HQ)
VCR/TH � V�hicule de Combat � Roues/Tourelle HOT (turret with four HOT ATGW)
VCR/TT � V�hicule de Combat � Roues/Transport de Troupes (troop carrier)
VCTIS � Vehicle Command and Tactical Information System
VCTM � Vehiculo de Combate Transporte de Mortero (armoured mortar carrier)
VCTP � Vehiculo de Combate Transporte de Personal (armoured personnel carrier)
VDA � V�hicule de D�fense Anti-a�rienne (anti-aircraft defence vehicle)
VDAA � V�hicule d'Auto-D�fense Anti-a�rienne
VDC � Voltage Direct Current
VDM � viscous damped mount
VDSL � Vickers Defence Systems Ltd
VDU � visual display unit
VEC � Vehiculo de Exploraci�n de Caballerie
VEDES � Vehicle Exhaust Dust Ejection System (US)
VERDI � Vehicle Electronics Research Defence Initiative (UK)
VHIS � visual hit indicator system
VIB � V�hicule d'Intervention du Base
VIDS � Vehicle Integrated Defence System
VINACS � Vehicle Integrated Navigation and Command System
VIRSS � Visual and InfraRed Smoke Screening System
VITS � Video Image Tracking Systems
VLAP � Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile
VLC � V�hicule L�ger de Combat (light armoured car)
VLI � Visible Light Illuminator
VLSMS � Vehicle-Launched Scatterable Mine System
VMA � Marine Light Attack Squadron
VMA(AW) � Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron
VMBT � Vickers Main Battle Tank
VMF � Marine Fighter Squadron
VMFA � Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
VMFA(AW) � Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron
VMGR � Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron
VMFP � Marine Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron
VMM � Marine Tilt-rotor (MV-22B) Squadron
VMU � Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron
VMR � Marine Transport Squadron
VMAQ � Marine Electronic Warfare Attack Squadron
VMS � Vehicle Motion Sensor
VNAS � Vehicle Navigation Air System
VRL � V�hicule Reconnaissance L�ger (light reconnaissance vehicle)
VSEL � Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd
VT � variable time (fuse)
VTOL � Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft
VTP � v�hicule transport de personnel (personnel carrier)
VTT � v�hicule transport de troupe (troop transporter)
VVSS � vertical volute spring suspension
VXB � V�hicule Blind� � Vocations Multiples (multipurpose armoured car)
W[edit]
WAAC � Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and individual members of; obsolete
WAC � Women's Army Corps and individual members of; obsolete
WAF � Women (in the) Air Force and individual members of; obsolete
WAM � Wide Area Mines (US)
WAMI � Wide Area Motion Imagery (US)
WAPC � Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (Canada)
WASAD � Wide Angle Surveillance and Automatic Detection Device
WAV � Wide Angle Viewing
WAVES � Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (USN); obsolete
WES � Wing Engineer Squadron (USMC)
WFOV � Wide Field Of View
WFSV � Wheeled Fire Support Vehicle (Canada)
WHA � Weapons Head Assembly
WHSA � Weapons Head Support Assembly
WLR � Weapon Locating Radar
WM � Woman/Women Marine(s)
WMD � Weapon(s) of Mass Destruction
WMRV � Wheeled Maintenance and Recovery Vehicle (Canada)
WP � white phosphorus
WP-T � white phosphorus � tracer
WSM � Winchester Short Magnum
WTS � Wing Transportation Squadron (USMC)
X[edit]
XO � Executive Officer
Y[edit]
YMRS � Yugoslav multiple rocket system
Z[edit]
ZULU � GMT/UTC

Glossary of nautical terms
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
This is a partial glossary of nautical terms; some remain current, while many date from the 17th to 19th centuries. See also Wiktionary's nautical terms, Category:Nautical terms, and Nautical metaphors in English. See the Further reading section for additional words and references.

Contents :
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y See also References Further reading
A[edit]
A & A's
Alterations and additions to the structure, rigging and equipment of a warship.[1]
A-back
A foresail when against the wind, used when tacking to help the vessel turn.[2]
Abaft
Toward the stern, relative to some object ("abaft the fore hatch").
Abaft the beam
Further aft than the beam: a relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow: "two points abaft the beam, starboard side". That would describe "an object lying 22.5 degrees toward the rear of the ship, as measured clockwise from a perpendicular line from the right side, center, of the ship, toward the horizon."[3]
Abandon ship!
An imperative to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of some imminent overwhelming danger.[4] It is an order issued by the Master or a delegated person in command. (It must be a verbal order). It is usually the last resort after all other mitigating actions have failed or become impossible, and destruction or loss of the ship is imminent; and customarily followed by a command to "man the lifeboats" or life rafts.[4][5]
Abeam
On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the ship's keel.[6]
Able seaman
Also able-bodied seaman. A merchant seaman qualified to perform all routine duties, or a junior rank in some navies.
Aboard
On or in a vessel. Synonymous with "on board." (See also close aboard.)
About
"To go about is to change the course of a ship by tacking. Ready about, or boutship, is the order to prepare for tacking."[7]
Above board
On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything. Pirates would secret their crews below decks, thereby creating the false impression that an encounter with another ship was a casual matter of chance.[8]
Above-water hull
The hull section of a vessel above the waterline, the visible part of a ship. Also, topsides.
Absentee pennant
Special pennant flown to indicate absence of commanding officer, admiral, his chief of staff, or officer whose flag is flying (division, squadron, or flotilla commander).
Absolute bearing
The bearing of an object in relation to north. Either true bearing, using the geographical or true north, or magnetic bearing, using magnetic north. See also bearing and relative bearing.
Accommodation ladder
A portable flight of steps down a ship's side.
Accommodation ship (or accommodation hulk)
A ship or hulk used as housing, generally when there is a lack of quarters available ashore. An operational ship can be used, but more commonly a hulk modified for accommodation is used.
Act of Pardon or Act of Grace
A letter from a state or power authorising action by a privateer. See also Letter of marque.
Action Stations
See Battle stations.
Admiral
Senior naval officer of Flag rank. In ascending order of seniority, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral and (until about 2001 when all UK five-star ranks were discontinued) Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy). Derivation Arabic, from Amir al-Bahr ("Ruler of the sea").
Admiralty
1. A high naval authority in charge of a state's Navy or a major territorial component. In the Royal Navy (UK) the Board of Admiralty, executing the office of the Lord High Admiral, promulgates Naval law in the form of Queen's (or King's) Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.
2. Admiralty law
Admiralty law
Body of law that deals with maritime cases. In the UK administered by the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice or supreme court.
Adrift
1. Afloat and unattached in any way to the shore or seabed, but not under way. When referring to a vessel, it implies that the vessel is not under control and therefore goes where the wind and current take her (loose from moorings or out of place).
2. Any gear not fastened down or put away properly.
3. Any person or thing that is misplaced or missing. When applied to a member of the navy or marine corps, such a person is "absent without leave" (AWOL) or, in US Navy and US Marine Corps terminology, is guilty of an "unauthorized absence" (UA).[1]
Advance note
A note for one month's wages issued to sailors on their signing a ship's articles.
Adviso
See aviso.
Afloat
Of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). More generally of vessels in service ("the company has 10 ships afloat").
Afore
1. In, on, or toward the front of a vessel.
2. In front of a vessel.
Aft
1. The portion of the vessel behind the middle area of the vessel.
2. Towards the stern (of the vessel).[2]
Afterbrow
1. On larger ships, a secondary gangway rigged in the area aft of midship. On some military vessels, such as US Naval vessels, enlisted personnel below E-7 board the ship at the afterbrow; officers and CPO/SCPO/MCPO board the ship at the brow.[9]
Afternoon watch
The 1200�1600 watch.
Aground
Resting on or touching the ground or bottom (usually involuntarily).
Ahead
Forward of the bow.
Ahoy
A cry to draw attention. Term used to hail a boat or a ship, as "Boat ahoy!"
Ahull
1. Lying broadside to the sea.
2. To ride out a storm with no sails and helm held to leeward.
Aid to Navigation
1. (ATON) Any device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation.
2. (ATON) Any sort of marker which aids the traveler in navigation; the term is most commonly used to refer to nautical or aviation travel. Common types of such aids include lighthouses, buoys, fog signals, and day beacons.
Aircraft carrier
A warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Since 1918, the term generally has been limited to a warship with an extensive flight deck designed to operate conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Also called a flat top or a bird farm (US Navy).
Alee
1. On the lee side of a ship.
2. To leeward.
All hands
Entire ship's company, both officers and enlisted personnel.
All night in
Having no night watches.
All standing
Bringing a person or thing up short, that is an unforeseen and sudden stop.[1]
Allision
A term used in maritime law � To impact a stationary object (not submerged), such as a bridge abutment or dolphin, pier or wharf, or another vessel made fast to a pier or wharf. More than incidental contact is required. The vessel is said to "allide" with the fixed object and is considered at fault. As opposed to collision.
Aloft
In the rigging of a sailing ship. Above the ship's uppermost solid structure; overhead or high above.
1. In the rigging of a sailing ship.
2. Above the ship's uppermost solid structure.
3. Overhead or high above.
Alongside
By the side of a ship or pier.
Amidships
The middle section of a vessel with reference to the athwartships plane, as distinguished from port or starboard ("Put your rudder amidships." (Compare Midships.))
Anchor
1. an object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain; typically a metal, hook-like or plough-like object designed to grip the bottom under the body of water (but see also sea anchor).
2. to deploy an anchor ("She anchored offshore.")
Anchor ball
Round black shape hoisted in the forepart of a vessel to show that it is anchored.
Anchor buoy
A small buoy secured by a light line to an anchor to indicate position of anchor on bottom.
Anchor chain (or anchor cable)
Chain connecting the ship to the anchor.
Anchor detail
Group of men who handle ground tackle when the ship is anchoring or getting under way.
Anchor home
When the anchor is secured for sea. Typically rests just outside the hawsepipe on the outer side of the hull, at the bow of a vessel.
Anchor light
White light displayed by a ship at anchor. Two such lights are displayed by a ship over 150 feet (46 m) in length.
Anchor rode
The anchor line, rope or cable connecting the anchor chain to the vessel. Also Rode.
Anchor sentinel
A separate weight on a separate line which is loosely attached to the anchor rode so that it can slide down it easily. It is made fast at a distance slightly longer than the draft of the boat. It is used to prevent the anchor rode from becoming fouled on the keel or other underwater structures when the boat is resting at anchor and moving randomly during slack tide. Also called a kellet.
Anchor watch
The crewmen assigned to take care of the ship while anchored or moored, charged with such duties as making sure that the anchor is holding and the vessel is not drifting. Most marine GPS units have an Anchor Watch alarm capability.
Anchor winch
Horizontal capstan in the bow used for weighing anchor.[2]
Anchorage
A suitable place for a ship to anchor. Area of a port or harbor.
Anchor's aweigh
Said of an anchor when just clear of the bottom.
Andrew
Traditional lower-deck slang term for the Royal Navy.
Answer
The expected response of a vessel to control mechanisms, such as a turn answering to the wheel and rudder. "She won't answer" might be the report from a helmsman when turning the wheel under a pilot's order fails to produce the expected change of direction.
Anti-rolling tanks
A pair of fluid-filled, usually water, tanks mounted on opposite sides of a ship below the waterline. Fluid would be pumped between them in an attempt to dampen the amount of roll.
Aport
Over to the port side.
Apparent wind
The combination of the true wind and the headwind caused by the boat's forward motion. For example, it causes a light side wind to appear to come from well ahead of the beam.
Arc of visibility
The portion of the horizon over which a lighted aid to navigation is visible from seaward.
Archboard
The plank along the stern where the name of the ship is commonly painted.
Armament
A ship's weapons.
Articles of War
Regulations governing the military and naval forces of UK and US; read to every ship's company on commissioning and at specified intervals during the commission.
As the crow flies
A direct line between two points (which might cross land) which is the way crows travel rather than ships which must go around land.
ASDIC
Purportedly an acronym. A type of sonar used by the Allies for detecting submarines during the First and Second World War. abbreviation: Allied Submarine Devices Investigation Committee (World War I). The term has been generically applied to equipment for "under-water supersonic echo-ranging equipment" of submarines and other vessels.[10]
Ashore
1. On the beach, shore, or land (as opposed to aboard or on board).
2. Towards the shore.
3. "To run ashore": To collide with the shore (as opposed to "to run aground," which is to strike a submerged feature such as a reef or sandbar)
Astarboard
Over to the starboard side.
Astern
1. Toward the stern (rear) of a vessel.
2. Behind a vessel.
Astern gear
The gear or gears which, when engaged with an engine or motor, result in backwards movement or force. Equivalent to reverse in a manual-transmission automobile.
Asylum harbour
A harbour used to provide shelter from a storm. See "Harbor of refuge."
ASW
Anti-submarine warfare.
Athwart, athwartships
At right angles to the fore and aft or centerline of a ship.
Auxiliary ship (or auxiliary)
A naval ship designed to operate in any number of roles supporting combatant ships and other naval operations, including a wide range of activities related to replenishment, transport, repair, harbor services, and research.
Avast
Stop, cease or desist from whatever is being done. From the Dutch hou' vast ("hold on"), the imperative form of vasthouden ("to hold on to") or the Italian word "Basta"[1] Compare �Ya basta!
Aviso (formerly also an adviso)
A kind of dispatch boat or advice boat, survives particularly in the French navy, they are considered equivalent to the modern sloop.
Awash
So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the surface.
Aweigh
Position of an anchor just clear of the bottom.
Axial fire
Fire oriented towards the ends of the ship; the opposite of broadside fire. In the age of sail this was known as 'raking' fire.
Aye, aye /?a? 'a?/
Reply to an order or command to indicate that it, firstly, is heard; and, secondly, is understood and will be carried out. ("Aye, aye, sir" to officers). Also the proper reply from a hailed boat, to indicate that an officer is on board.
Azimuth circle
Instrument used to take bearings of celestial objects.
Azimuth compass
An instrument employed for ascertaining position of the sun with respect to magnetic north. The azimuth of an object is its bearing from the observer measured as an angle clockwise from true north.
B[edit]
B & R rig
A style of standing rigging used on sailboats that lacks a backstay. The mast is said to be supported like a "tripod," with swept-back spreaders and a forestay. Used widely on Hunter brand sailboats, among others. Designed and named by Lars Bergstrom and Sven Ridder and protected by US Patent number 3866558, dated February 18, 1975.
Back and fill
To use the advantage of the tide being with you when the wind is not.
Backstays
Long lines or cables, reaching from the stern of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast.
Baggywrinkle
A soft covering for cables (or any other obstructions) that prevents sail chafing.
Bailer
A device for removing water that has entered the boat.
Ballast
Heavy material that is placed in the hold of a vessel to provide stability. (See also in ballast.)
Ballast tank
A device used on ships and submarines and other submersibles to control buoyancy and stability.
Balls to four watch
The 0000�0400 watch. (US Navy)
Bank
A large area of elevated sea floor.
Banyan
Traditional Royal Navy term for a day or shorter period of rest and relaxation.
Bar
Large mass of sand or earth, formed by the surge of the sea. They are mostly found at the entrances of great rivers or havens, and often render navigation extremely dangerous, but confer tranquility once inside. See also: touch and go, grounding. Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Crossing the bar" is an allegory for death.
Bar pilot
A bar pilot guides ships over the dangerous sandbars at the mouth of rivers and bays.
Barber hauler
A technique of temporarily rigging sailboat lazy sheet allowing the boat to sail closer to the wind. i.e. Using the lazy jib sheet to pull the jib closer to the mid line, allowing a point of sail that would otherwise not be achievable.
[citation needed]
Barbette
1. During the second half of the 19th century, a fixed armored enclosure protecting a ship's guns aboard warships without gun turrets, generally taking the form of a ring of armor over which guns mounted on an open-topped rotating turntable could fire.
2. Since the late 19th century, the inside fixed trunk of a warship's turreted gun-mounting, on which the turret revolves, containing the hoists for shells and cordite from the shell-room and magazine.
Barca-longa
A two- or three-masted lugger used for fishing on the coasts of Spain and Portugal and more widely in the Mediterranean Sea in the late 17th century and 18th century. The British Royal Navy also used them for shore raids and as dispatch boats in the Mediterranean.
Bareboat charter
An arrangement for the chartering or hiring of a vessel, whereby the vessel's owner provides no crew or provisions as part of the agreement; instead, the people who rent the vessel are responsible for crewing and provisioning her.
Barge
1. A towed or self-propelled flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river, canal, and coastal transport of heavy goods.
2. Admiral's barge: A boat at the disposal of an admiral for his or her use as transportation between a larger vessel and the shore or within a harbor.
Bark
Alternative spelling of barque.
Barkentine
Alternative spelling of barquentine.
Barque (also bark)
A sailing vessel of three or more masts, with all masts but the sternmost square-rigged, the sternmost being fore-and-aft-rigged.
Barquentine (also barkentine)
A sailing vessel with three or more masts; with a square-rigged foremast and all other masts fore-and-aft rigged.
Barrack ship
A ship or craft designed to function as a floating barracks for housing military personnel.
Barrelman
A sailor that was stationed in the crow's nest.
Batten
1. A stiff strip used to support the roach of a sail, enabling increased sail area.
2. Any thin strip of material (wood, plastic etc) which can be used any number of ways
Batten down the hatches
To prepare for inclement weather by securing the closed hatch covers with wooden battens so as to prevent water from entering from any angle.
Battle Stations (also: general quarters, action stations)
1. An announcement made aboard a naval warship to signal the crew to prepare for battle, imminent damage, or a damage emergency (such as a fire).
2. Specific positions in a naval warship to which one or more crew are assigned when battle stations is called.
Battlecruiser
A type of large capital ship of the first half of the 20th century, similar in size, appearance, and cost to a battleship and typically armed with the same kind of heavy guns, but much more lightly armored (on the scale of cruiser) and therefore faster than a battleship but more vulnerable to damage.
Battleship
A type of large, heavily armored warship of the second half of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century armed with heavy-caliber guns, designed to fight other battleships in a line of battle. It was the successor to the ship-of-the-line of the Age of Sail.
Beaching
Deliberately running a vessel aground to load and unload (as with landing craft), or sometimes to prevent a damaged vessel sinking.
Beacon
A lighted or unlighted fixed aid to navigation attached directly to the earth's surface. (Lights and daybeacons both constitute beacons.)
Beakhead
1. The ram on the prow of a fighting galley of ancient and medieval times.
2. The protruding part of the foremost section of a sailing ship of the 16th to the 18th century, usually ornate, used as a working platform by sailors handling the sails of the bowsprit. It also housed the crew's heads (toilets).
Beam
The width of a vessel at the widest point, or a point alongside the ship at the midpoint of its length.
Beam ends
The sides of a ship. "On her beam ends" may mean the vessel is literally on her side and possibly about to capsize; more often, the phrase means the vessel is listing 45 degrees or more.
Beam reach
Sailing with the wind coming across the vessel's beam. This is normally the fastest point of sail for a fore-and-aft rigged vessel.
Beam sea
A sea where waves are moving perpendicular to the direction a ship is moving
Beam wind
A wind at right angles to the vessel's course.
Bear
Large squared off stone used with sand for scraping clean wooden decks.
Bear away
To steer (a vessel) away from the wind.[2]
Bear down or bear away
Turn away from the wind, often with reference to a transit.
Bear up
Turn into the wind.[2]
Bearing
The horizontal direction of a line of sight between two objects on the surface of the earth. See also absolute bearing and relative bearing.
Beat to quarters
Prepare for battle (beat = beat the drum to signal the need for battle preparation)
Beating or Beat to
Sailing as close as possible towards the wind (perhaps only about 60�) in a zig-zag course to attain an upwind direction to which it is impossible to sail directly.(also tacking)
Beaufort scale
The scale describing wind force devised by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort in 1808, in which winds are graded by the effect of their force (originally, the amount of sail that a fully rigged frigate could carry).
Becalm
To cut off the wind from a sailing vessel, either by the proximity of land or by another vessel.
Becalmed
Unable to move due to lack of wind; said of a sailing vessel.
Before the mast
Literally, the area of a ship before the foremast (the forecastle). Most often used to refer to men whose living quarters are located here, officers being quartered in the stern-most areas of the ship (near the quarterdeck). Officer-trainees lived between the two ends of the ship and become known as "midshipmen". Crew members who started out as seamen, then became midshipmen, and later, officers, were said to have gone from "one end of the ship to the other". (See also hawsepiper.)
Belay
1. To make fast a line around a fitting, usually a cleat or belaying pin.
2. To secure a climbing person in a similar manner.
3. An order to halt a current activity or countermand an order prior to execution.
Belaying pins
Short movable bars of iron or hard wood to which running rigging may be secured, or belayed.
Bell
A type of buoy with a large bell and hanging hammers that sound by wave action.[citation needed] (See also ship's bell.)
Below
On or into a lower deck, e.g., The captain has gone below.
Below decks
In or into any of the spaces below the main deck of a vessel.
Belt armor
A layer of heavy metal armor plated onto or within the outer hulls of warships, typically on battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, usually covering the warship from her main deck down to some distance below the waterline. If built within the hull, rather than forming the outer hull, the belt would be installed at an inclined angle to improve the warship's protection from shells striking the hull.
Bend
1. A knot used to join two ropes or lines. See also hitch.[2]
2. To attach a rope to an object[2]
3. Fastening a sail to a yard[11]
Bermuda rig or Bermudan rig
A triangular mainsail, without any upper spar, which is hoisted up the mast by a single halyard attached to the head of the sail. This configuration, introduced to Europe about 1920, allows the use of a tall mast, enabling sails to be set higher where wind speed is greater.
Bermuda sloop
A fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel with Bermuda rig developed in Bermuda in the 17th century. In its purest form, it is single-masted, although Bermuda sloops can have up to three masts, three-masted ships being referred to as schooners. Originally gaff rigged, but evolved to use Bermuda rig. The Bermuda sloop is the basis of nearly all modern sailing yachts.
Berth (moorings)
A location in a port or harbour used specifically for mooring vessels while not at sea.
Berth (navigation)
Safety margin of distance to be kept by a vessel from another vessel or from an obstruction, hence the phrase, "to give a wide berth."[12]
Berth (sleeping)
A bed or sleeping accommodation on a boat or ship.
Best bower (anchor)
The larger of two anchors carried in the bow; so named as it was the last, best hope.
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
See devil seam.
Between wind and water
The part of a ship's hull that is sometimes submerged and sometimes brought above water by the rolling of the vessel.
Bight /'ba?t/
1. Bight, a loop in rope or line � a hitch or knot tied on the bight is one tied in the middle of a rope, without access to the ends.[2]
2. An indentation in a coastline.
Bilander (also billander or be'landre)
a small European merchant sailing ship with two masts, the mainmast lateen-rigged with a trapezoidal mainsail, and the foremast carrying the conventional square course and square topsail. Used in the Netherlands for coast and canal traffic and occasionally in the North Sea, but more frequently used in the Mediterranean Sea.
Bilge
The compartment at the bottom of the hull of a ship or boat where water collects and must be pumped out of the vessel. The space between the botton hull planking and the ceiling of the hold.[2]
Bilge keels
A pair of keels on either side of the hull, usually slanted outwards. In yachts, they allow the use of a drying mooring, the boat standing upright on the keels (and often a skeg) when the tide is out.
Bilged on her anchor
A ship that has run upon her own anchor, so the anchor cable runs under the hull.
Bill
The extremity of the arm of an anchor; the point of or beyond the fluke.
Bimini top
Open-front canvas top for the cockpit of a boat, usually supported by a metal frame.
Bimmy
A punitive instrument
Binnacle
The stand on which the ship's compass is mounted.
Binnacle list
A ship's sick list. The list of men unable to report for duty was given to the officer or mate of the watch by the ship's surgeon. The list was kept at the binnacle.
Bite
Verb used in reference to a rudder, as in "the rudder begins to bite." When a vessel has steerageway the rudder will act to steer the vessel, i.e. it has enough water flow past it to steer with. Physically this is noticeable with tiller or unassisted wheel steering by the rudder exhibiting resistance to being turned from the straight ahead � this resistance is the rudder "biting" and is how a helmsman first senses that the vessel has acquired steerageway.
Bitt or bitts
1. A post or pair mounted on the ship's bow, for fastening ropes or cables.
2. Strong vertical timbers or irons fastened through the deck beams used for securing ropes or hawsers.[2]
Bit heads
The tops of two massive timbers that support the windlass on a sailing barge.[2]
Bitter end
The last part or loose end of a rope or cable. The anchor cable is tied to the bitts; when the cable is fully paid out, the bitter end has been reached.
Black gang
The engineering crew of the vessel, i.e., crew members who work in the vessel's engine room, fire room, and boiler room, so called because they would be covered in coal dust during the days of coal-fired steamships.
Block
A pulley with one or more sheaves (grooves), over which a rope is roved. It can be used to chage the direction of the rope, or in pairs used to form a tackle.[2]
Blockship
A vessel sunk deliberately to block a waterway to prevent the waterway's use by an enemy.
Blue Peter
A blue and white flag (the flag for the letter "P") hoisted at the foretrucks of ships about to sail. Formerly a white ship on a blue ground, but later a white square on a blue ground.
Board
1. To step onto, climb onto, or otherwise enter a vessel.
2. The side of a vessel.
3. The distance a sailing vessel runs between tacks (q.v.) when working to windward (q.v.).
Boat
1. A small craft or vessel designed to float on, and provide transport over, or under, water.
2. Naval slang for a submarine of any size.
Boat-hook
A pole with a hook on the end, used to reach into the water to catch buoys or other floating objects.
Boatswain or bosun (both /'bo?s?n/)
A non-commissioned officer responsible for the sails, ropes, rigging and boats on a ship who issues "piped" commands to seamen.
Boatswain's call, also bosun's call, boatswain's pipe, bosun's pipe, boatswain's whistle, or bosun's whistle
A high-pitched pipe or a non-diaphragm-type whistle used on naval ships by a boatswain, historically to pass commands to the crew but in modern times limited to ceremonial use.
Boatswain's chair or bosun's chair
A short board or swatch of heavy canvas, secured in a bridle of ropes, used to hoist a man aloft or over the ship's side for painting and similar work. Modern boatswain's chairs incorporate safety harnesses to prevent the occupant from falling.
Boatswain's pipe
See boatswain's call.
Boatswain's whistle
See boatswain's call.
Boatwright
A maker of boats, especially of traditional wooden construction.
Bob or bobfly
A pennant or flag bearing the owner's colours, mounted on the Topsail trunk [2]
Bobstay
A stay which holds the bowsprit downwards, counteracting the effect of the forestay and the lift of sails. Usually made of wire or chain to eliminate stretch.[2]
Body plan
In shipbuilding, an end elevation showing the contour of the sides of a ship at certain points of her length.
Boiler room
See fire room.
Bolt rope
A rope, sewn on to reinforce the edges of a sail.[2]
Bollard
From "bol" or "bole", the round trunk of a tree. A substantial vertical pillar to which lines may be made fast. Generally on the quayside rather than the ship.
Bombay runner
Large cockroach.
Bonded jacky
A type of tobacco or sweet cake.
Bonnet
A strip of canvas secured to the foot of the course (square sail) to increase sail area in light airs.
Booby
A type of bird that has little fear and therefore is particularly easy to catch.
Booby hatch
A sliding hatch or cover.
Boom (navigational barrier)
A floating barrier to control navigation into and out of rivers and harbours.
Boom (sailing)
A spar attached to the foot of a fore-and-aft sail.
Boomer
Slang term in the US Navy for a ballistic missile submarine.
Boom gallows
A raised crossmember that supports a boom when the sail is lowered (obviates the need for a topping lift).
Boomie or Booms'l rig
A ketch rigged barge with gaff (instead of spritsail) and boom on main and mizzen.Booms'l rig could also refer to cutter rigged early barges.[2]
Boom vang or vang
A sail control that lets one apply downward tension on a boom, countering the upward tension provided by the sail. The boom vang adds an element of control to sail shape when the sheet is let out enough that it no longer pulls the boom down. Boom vang tension helps control leech twist, a primary component of sail power.
Boomkin
See bumpkin.
Booms
Masts or yards, lying on board in reserve.
Bore, as in Bore up or Bore away
To assume a position to engage, or disengage, the enemy ship(s)
Bosun
See boatswain.
Bosun's call
See boatswain's call.
Bosun's chair
See boatswain's chair.
Bosun's pipe
See boatswain's call.
Bosun's whistle
See boatswain's call.
Bottlescrew
A device for adjusting tension in stays, shrouds and similar lines.[2]
Bottom
1. The underside of a vessel; the portion of a vessel that is always underwater.
2. A ship, most often a cargo ship.
3. A cargo hold.
Bottomry
Pledging a ship as security in a financial transaction.
Bow
1. The front of a vessel.
2. Either side of the front (or bow) of the vessel, i.e., the port bow and starboard bow. Something ahead and to the left of the vessel is "off the port bow", while something ahead and to the right of the vessel is "off the starboard bow." When "bow" is used in this way, the front of the vessel sometimes is called her bows (plural), a collective reference to her port and starboard bows synonymous with bow (singular) as described in Definition (1).
Bow chaser
See chase gun
Bowline
1. A type of knot, producing a strong loop of a fixed size, topologically similar to a sheet bend.[2]
Also a rope attached to the side of a sail to pull it towards the bow (for keeping the windward edge of the sail steady).[2]. {{{content}}}
Also a rope attached to the foresail to hold it aback when tacking.[2]. {{{content}}}
Bowse
To pull or hoist.
Bowsprit
A spar projecting from the bow used as an anchor for the forestay and other rigging. On a barge it may be pivoted so it may be steeved up in harbour.[2]
Bow thruster
A small propeller or water-jet at the bow, used for manoeuvring larger vessels at slow speed. May be mounted externally, or in a tunnel running through the bow from side to side.
Boxing the compass
To state all 32 points of the compass, starting at north, proceeding clockwise. Sometimes applied to a wind that is constantly shifting.
Boy Seaman
a young sailor, still in training
Brace abox
To bring the foreyards flat aback to stop the ship.
Brail
To furl or truss a sail by pulling it in towards the mast, or the ropes used to do so. To brail up � to stow the sails.[2]
Brake
The handle of the pump, by which it is worked.
Brass monkey or brass monkey weather
Used in the expression "it is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey."
Brass pounder
Early 20th-century slang term for a vessel's radio operator, so called because he repeatedly struck a brass key on his transmitter to broadcast in Morse code.
Break bulk cargo (or breakbulk cargo)
Goods that must be loaded aboard a ship individually, and not in intermodal containers or in bulk, carried by a general cargo ship.
Breakwater
1. A structure constructed on a coast as part of a coastal defense system or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.
2. A structure built on the forecastle of a ship intended to divert water away from the forward superstructure or gun mounts.
Breeches buoy
A ring lifebuoy fitted with canvas breeches, functionally similar to a zip line, used to transfer people from one ship to another or to rescue people from a wrecked or sinking ship by moving them to another ship or to the shore.
Bridge
A structure above the weather deck, extending the full width of the vessel, which houses a command centre, itself called by association, the bridge.
Bridge wing
An open-air extension of the bridge to port or starboard, intended for use in signaling.
Brig
1. (historically) A vessel with two square-rigged masts.
2. (in the US) An interior area of the ship used to detain prisoners (possibly prisoners-of-war, in war-time) and stowaways, and to punish delinquent crew members. Usually resembles a prison cell with bars and a locked, hinged door.
Brig sloop
A type of sloop-of-war introduced in the 1770s which had two square-rigged masts like a brig (in contrast to ship sloops of the time, which had three masts).
Brigantine (also hermaphrodite brig)
A two-masted vessel, square-rigged on the foremast, but fore-and-aft-rigged on the mainmast.
Brightwork
Exposed varnished wood or polished metal on a boat.
Bring to
Cause a ship to be stationary by arranging the sails.
Broach
When a sailing vessel loses control of its motion and is forced into a sudden sharp turn, often heeling heavily and in smaller vessels sometimes leading to a capsize. The change in direction is called broaching-to. Occurs when too much sail is set for a strong gust of wind, or in circumstances where the sails are unstable.
Broad
Wide (broad) in appearance from the vantage point of a lookout or other person viewing activity in the vicinity of a ship, e.g., another ship off the starboard bow with her side facing the viewer's ship could be described as "broad on the starboard bow" of the viewer's ship.
Broadside
1. One side of a vessel above the waterline.
2. All the guns on one side of a warship or mounted (in rotating turrets or barbettes) so as to be able fire on the same side of a warship.
3. The simultaneous firing of all the guns on one side of a warship or able to fire on the same side of a warship.
4. Weight of broadside, the combined weight of all projectiles a ship can fire in a broadside, or the combined weight of all the shells a group of ships that have formed a line of battle collectively can fire on the same side.
Brow
See gangplank.
Buffer
The chief bosun's mate (in the Royal Navy), responsible for discipline.
Bulbous bow
A protruding bulb at the bow of a ship just below the waterline which modifies the way water flows around the hull, reducing drag and thus increasing speed, range, fuel efficiency, and stability.
Bulk cargo
Commodity cargo that is transported unpackaged in large quantities.
Bulk carrier (also bulk freighter or bulker)
A merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo in its cargo holds.
Bulkhead
An upright wall within the hull of a ship, particularly a watertight, load-bearing wall.
Bulwark or Bulward (/'b?l?k/ in nautical use)

Bulwark (or Bulward)
The extension of the ship's side above the level of the weather deck.
Bull ensign (also "boot ensign" or "George ensign")
The senior ensign (q.v.) of a US Navy command (i.e., a ship, squadron, or shore activity). The bull ensign assumes additional responsibilities beyond those of other ensigns, such as teaching less-experienced ensigns about life at sea, planning and coordinating wardroom social activities, making sure that the officers' mess runs smoothly, and serving as an officer for Navy-related social organizations. The bull ensign also serves as the focal point for the unit's expression of spirit and pride.
Bumboat
A private boat selling goods.
Bumpkin or boomkin
1. A spar, similar to a bowsprit, but which projects from the stern. May be used to attach the backstay or mizzen sheets.
2. An iron bar (projecting out-board from a ship's side) to which the lower and topsail brace blocks are sometimes hooked.
Bunker
A container for storing coal or fuel oil for a ship's engine.
Bunker fuel or bunkers
Fuel oil for a ship.
Bunting tosser
A signalman who prepares and flies flag hoists. Also known in the American Navy as a skivvy waver.
Buntline
One of the lines tied to the bottom of a square sail and used to haul it up to the yard when furling.
Buoy
A floating object of defined shape and color, which is anchored at a given position and serves as an aid to navigation.
Buoyed up
Lifted by a buoy, especially a cable that has been lifted to prevent it from trailing on the bottom.
Burden (Early Modern English: Burthen, Middle English: Byrthen)
The Builder's Old Measurement, expressed in "tons bm" or "tons BOM", a volumetric measurement of cubic cargo capacity, not of weight. This is the tonnage of a ship, based on the number of tuns of wine that it could carry in its holds. One 252-gallon tun of wine takes up approximately 100 cubic feet � and, incidentally, weighs 2,240 lbs (1 long ton, or Imperial ton).
Burgee
A small flag, typically triangular, flown from the masthead of a yacht to indicate yacht-club membership.
By and large
By means into the wind, while large means with the wind. "By and large" is used to indicate all possible situations "the ship handles well both by and large".
By the board
Anything that has gone overboard.
C[edit]
Cabin
an enclosed room on a deck or flat.
Cabin boy
attendant on passengers and crew. often a young man
Cable
A large rope.
Cable length
A measure of length or distance. Equivalent to (UK) 1/10 nautical mile, approx. 600 feet; (US) 120 fathoms, 720 feet (219 m); other countries use different values.
Caboose
a small ship's kitchen, or galley on deck.
Cabotage
The transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country, alongside coastal waters, by a vessel or an aircraft registered in another country.
Camels
Loaded vessels lashed tightly, one on each side of another vessel, and then emptied to provide additional buoyancy that reduces the draught of the ship in the middle.
Can
1. A type of navigational buoy often a vertical drum, but if not, always square in silhouette, colored red in IALA region A or green in IALA region B (the Americas, Japan, Korea and the Philippines). In channel marking its use is opposite that of a "nun buoy".
2. A shortened version of tin can (q.v.).
Canal boat
A specialized watercraft designed for operation on a canal.
Canister
a type of antipersonnel cannon load in which lead balls or other loose metallic items were enclosed in a tin or iron shell. On firing, the shell would disintegrate, releasing the smaller metal objects with a shotgun-like effect.
Canoe stern
A design for the stern of a yacht which is pointed, like a bow, rather than squared off as a transom.
Cape Horn fever
The name of the fake illness a malingerer is pretending to suffer from.
Capital ship
A navy's most important warships, generally possessing the heaviest firepower and armor and traditionally much larger than other naval vessels, but not formally defined. During the Age of Sail, generally understood to be ships-of-the-line; during the second half of the 19th century and the 20th century, understood to be battleships and battlecruisers; and since the 1940s considered to include aircraft carriers. Since the second half of the 20th century, ballistic missile submarines sometimes have been considered capital ships.
Capsize
When a ship or boat lists too far and rolls over, exposing the keel. On large vessels, this often results in the sinking of the ship. Compare Turtling, infra.
Capstan
A large winch with a vertical axis. A full-sized human-powered capstan is a waist-high cylindrical machine, operated by a number of hands who each insert a horizontal capstan bar in holes in the capstan and walk in a circle. Used to wind in anchors or other heavy objects; and sometimes to administer flogging over.
Captain
1. The person lawfully in command of a vessel. "Captain" is an informal title of respect given to the commander of a naval vessel regardless of his or her formal rank; aboard a merchant ship, the ship's master is her "captain."
2. A naval officer with a rank between commander and commodore.
3. In the US Navy, US Coast Guard, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, a commissioned officer of a grade superior to a commander and junior to a rear admiral (lower half), equal in grade or rank to a US Army, US Marine Corps, or US Air Force colonel.
Captain of the Port
1. In the United Kingdom, a Royal Navy officer, usually a captain, responsible for the day-to-day operation of a naval dockyard.
2. In the United States, a US Coast Guard officer, usually a captain, responsible for enforcement of safety, security, and marine environmental protection regulations in a commercial port.
Captain's daughter
The cat o' nine tails, which in principle is only used on board on the captain's (or a court martial's) personal orders.
Car carrier
A cargo ship specially designed or fitted to carry large numbers of automobiles Modern pure car carriers have a fully enclosed, boxlike superstructure that extends along the entire length and across the entire breadth of the ship, enclosing the automobiles. The similar pure car/truck carrier also can accommodate trucks.
Car float (also railroad car float or rail barge)
An unpowered barge with railroad tracks mounted on its deck, used to move railroad cars across water obstacles.
Caravel (also caravelle)
A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship with lateen rig used by the Portuguese in the 15th and 16th centuries to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean.
Cardinal
Referring to the four main points of the compass: north, south, east and west. See also bearing.
Careening
Tilting a ship on its side, usually when beached, to clean or repair the hull below the water line. Also known as to "heave down".
Cargo ship
Any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another, including general cargo ships (designed to carry break bulk cargo), bulk carriers, container ships, multipurpose vessels, and tankers. Tankers, however, although technically cargo ships, are routinely thought of as constituting a completely separate category.
Carpenter
1. In the Age of Sail, a warrant officer responsible for the hull, masts, spars, and boats of a vessel, and whose responsibility was to sound the well to see if the vessel was making water.
2. A senior rating responsible for all the woodwork aboard a vessel.
Carrack (also nau)
A three- or four-masted sailing ship used by Western Europeans in the Atlantic Ocean from the 15th through the early 17th century.
Carronade
A short, smoothbore, cast iron naval cannon, used from the 1770s to the 1850s as a powerful, short-range anti-ship and anti-crew weapon.
Carvel built
A method of constructing wooden hulls by fixing planks to a frame so that the planks butt up against each other. Cf. "clinker built".
Cat
1. To prepare an anchor, after raising it by lifting it with a tackle to the cat head, prior to securing (fishing) it alongside for sea. (An anchor raised to the cat head is said to be catted.)
2. The cat o' nine tails (see below).
3. A cat-rigged boat or catboat.
Cat o' nine tails
A short nine-tailed whip kept by the bosun's mate to flog sailors (and soldiers in the Army). When not in use, the cat was kept in a baize bag, this is a possible origin for the term "cat out of the bag," though livestock trade was more likely[13] where this phrase came from. "Not enough room to swing a cat" also derives from this.
Catamaran
A vessel with two hulls.
Catboat
A cat-rigged vessel with a single mast mounted close to the bow, and only one sail, usually on a gaff.
Catharpin
A short rope or iron clamp used to brace in the shrouds toward the masts so as to give a freer sweep to the yards.
Cathead
A beam extending out from the hull used to support an anchor when raised in order to secure or 'fish' it.
Cats paws
Light variable winds on calm waters producing scattered areas of small waves.
Ceiling
1. A lining applied to the interior of a hull for both aesthetic reasons and to bar or insulate the ship's cargo from the cold hull surface. Often made of thin strips of wood, attached horizontally with a small gap between to allow air flow to the interior hull surface.[2]
2. The inside planking forming the floor of a barges hold; at the lining was carried up to the inwale.[2]
Center of effort (or centre of effort)
The point of origin of net aerodynamic force on sails, roughly located in the geometric center of a sail, but the actual position of the center of effort will vary with sail plan, sail trim or airfoil profile, boat trim, and point of sail. Also known as center (or centre) of pressure
Center of lateral resistance (or centre of lateral resistance)
The point of origin of net hydrodynamic resistance on the submerged structure of a boat, especially a sailboat. This is the pivot point about which the boat turns when unbalanced external forces are applied, similar to the center of gravity. On a balanced sailboat the center of effort should align vertically with the center of lateral resistance. If this is not the case the boat will be unbalanced and exhibit either lee helm or weather helm and will be difficult to control.
Centerline (or centerline)
An imaginary line down the center of a vessel lengthwise. Any structure or anything mounted or carried on a vessel that straddles this line and is equidistant from either side of the vessel is on the centerline (or centreline).
Centreboard (or centerboard)
A board or plate lowered through the hull of a dinghy on the centreline to resist leeway.
Chafing
Wear on line or sail caused by constant rubbing against another surface.
Chafing gear
Material applied to a line or spar to prevent or reduce chafing. See Baggywrinkle.
Chain locker
A space in the forward part of the ship, typically beneath the bow in front of the foremost collision bulkhead, that contains the anchor chain when the anchor is secured for sea.
Chain-shot
Cannon balls linked with chain used to damage rigging and masts.
Chain-wale or channel
A broad, thick plank that projects horizontally from each of a ship's sides abreast a mast, distinguished as the fore, main, or mizzen channel accordingly, serving to extend the base for the shrouds, which supports the mast.
Chains
Small platforms built into the sides of a ship to spread the shrouds to a more advantageous angle. Also used as a platform for manual depth sounding.
Charley Noble
The metal stovepipe chimney from a cook shack on the deck of a ship or from a stove in a galley .
Charthouse
A compartment, especially in the Royal Navy, from which the ship was navigated.
Chase gun, chase piece, or chaser
A cannon pointing forward or aft, often of longer range than other guns. Those on the bow (bow chaser) were used to fire upon a ship ahead, while those on the rear (stern chaser) were used to ward off pursuing vessels. Unlike guns pointing to the side, chasers could be brought to bear in a chase without slowing.
Cheeks
1. Wooden blocks at the side of a spar.
2. The sides of a block or gun-carriage.
Chine
1. An angle in the hull.
2. A line formed where the sides of a boat meet the bottom.[2] Soft chine is when the two sides join at a shallow angle, and hard chine is when they join at a steep angle.
Chock
Hole or ring attached to the hull to guide a line via that point. An opening in a ships bulwark normally oval in shape designed to allow mooring lines to be fastened to cleats or bits mounted to the ship's deck. See also Panama chock and Dutchman's chock.
Chock-a-block
Rigging blocks that are so tight against one another that they cannot be further tightened.[2]
Chronometer
A timekeeper accurate enough to be used to determine longitude by means of celestial navigation.
Cigarette boat
see go-fast boat.
Citadel
A fortified safe room on a vessel to take shelter in the event of pirate attack. Previously, a fortified room to protect ammunition and machinery from damage.
Civil Red Ensign
The British Naval Ensign or Flag of the British Merchant Navy, a red flag with the Union Flag in the upper left corner. Colloquially called the "red duster".
Class
1. A group of naval ships of the same or similar design.
2. A standard of construction for merchant vessels, including standards for specific types or specialized capabilities of some types of merchant vessels. A ship meeting the standard is in class, one not meeting them is out of class.
Clean bill of health
A certificate issued by a port indicating that the ship carries no infectious diseases. Also called a pratique.
Clean slate
At the helm, the watch keeper would record details of speed, distances, headings, etc. on a slate. At the beginning of a new watch the slate would be wiped clean.
Clear
To perform customs and immigration legalities prior to leaving port.
Cleat
A stationary device used to secure a rope aboard a vessel.[2]
Clench
A method of fixing together two pieces of wood, usually overlapping planks, by driving a nail through both planks as well as a washer-like rove. The nail is then burred or riveted over to complete the fastening.
Clew
The lower corners of square sails or the corner of a triangular sail at the end of the boom.[2]
Clew-lines
Used to truss up the clews, the lower corners of square sails.Used to reduce and stow a barge's topsail.[2]
Clinker built
A method of constructing hulls that involves overlapping planks, and/or plates, much like Viking longships, resulting in speed and flexibility in small boat hulls. Cf. "carvel built".
Clipper
A very fast sailing ship of the 19th century that had three or more masts, a square rig, a long, low hull, and a sharply raked stem.
Close aboard
Near a ship.
Close-hauled
Of a vessel beating as close to the wind direction as possible.
Clove hitch
A bend used to attach a rope to a post or bollard. Also used to finish tying off the foresail.[2]
Club hauling
The ship drops one of its anchors at high speed to turn abruptly. This was sometimes used as a means to get a good firing angle on a pursuing vessel. See kedge.
Coal hulk
A hulk used to store coal.
Coal trimmer, or Trimmer
person responsible for ensuring that a coal-fired vessel remains in 'trim' (evenly balanced) as coal is consumed on a voyage.
Coaming
The raised edge of a hatch, cockpit or skylight to help keep out water.
Coaster (or coastal trading vessel)
A shallow-hulled ship used for trade between locations on the same island or continent.
Cockbill)
Used of spars, to stow by swinging askew.[2]
Cockpit
The seating area (not to be confused with Deck). The area towards the stern of a small decked vessel that houses the rudder controls.
Cog
A type of sailing ship with a single mast and square-rigged single sail first developed in the 10th century and widely used, particularly in the Baltic Sea region, in seagoing trade from the 12th through the 14th century.
Collier
A bulk cargo ship designed to carry coal, especially such a ship in naval use to supply coal to coal-fired warships.
Comber
A long, curving wave breaking on the shore.
Come about
1. To tack.
2. To change tack.
3. To manoeuver the bow of a sailing vessel across the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the vessel to the other.
4. To position a vessel with respect to the wind after tacking.
Come to
To stop a sailing vessel, especially by turning into the wind.
Commission
To formally place (a naval vessel) into active service, after which the vessel is said to be in commission. Sometimes used less formally to mean placing a commercial ship into service.
Commodore
1. Commodore (rank), a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Often equivalent to the rank of "flotilla admiral" or sometimes "counter admiral" in non-English-speaking navies.
2. Convoy Commodore, a civilian put in charge of the good order of the merchant ships in British convoys during World War II, but with no authority over naval ships escorting the convoy.
3. Commodore (yacht club), an officer of a yacht club.
4. Commodore (Sea Scouts), a position in the Boy Scouts of America's Sea Scout program.
Communication tube, speaking tube, or voice tube
An air-filled tube, usually armored, allowing speech between the conning tower with the below-decks control spaces in a warship.
Companionway
A raised and windowed hatchway in the ship's deck, with a ladder leading below and the hooded entrance-hatch to the main cabins.
Compass
Navigational instrument showing the direction of the vessel in relation to the Earth's geographical poles or magnetic poles. Commonly consists of a magnet aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, but other technologies have also been developed, such as the gyrocompass.
Complement
The number of persons in a ship's crew, including officers.
Comprise
To include or contain: As applied to a naval task force, the listing of all assigned units for a single transient purpose (mission). "The Task Force comprises Ship A, Ship B, and Ship C." 'Comprise' means exhaustive inclusion � there aren't any other parts to the task force, and each ship has a permanent squadron existence, independent of the task force.
Conn
(Also written con, conne, conde, cunde, or cun) To direct a ship or submarine from a position of command. While performing this duty, an officer is said to have the conn.
Conning officer
An officer on a naval vessel responsible for instructing the helmsman on the course to steer. While performing this duty, the officer is said to have the conn.
Conning tower
1. The armoured control tower of an iron or steel warship built between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries from which the ship was navigated in battle.
2. A tower-like structure on the dorsal (topside) surface of a submarine, serving in submarines built before the mid-20th century as a connecting structure between the bridge and pressure hull and housing instruments and controls from which the periscopes were used to direct the submarine and launch torpedo attacks. Since the mid-20th century, it has been replaced by the sail (United States usage) or fin (European and British Commonwealth usage), a structure similar in appearance which no longer plays a function in directing the submarine.
Consort
Unpowered Great Lakes vessels, usually a fully loaded schooner, barge, or steamer barge, towed by a larger steamer that would often tow more than one barge. The consort system was used in the Great Lakes from the 1860s to around 1920.
Constant bearing, decreasing range (CBDR)
When two boats are approaching each other from any angle and this angle remains the same over time (constant bearing) they are on a collision course. Because of the implication of disaster (ships might collide) it has come to mean a problem or an obstacle which is heading your way. Often used in the sense of a warning, as in "watch out for this problem you might not see coming."[14]
Container ship
A cargo ship that carries all of her cargo in truck-size intermodal containers.
Convoy
A group of ships traveling together for mutual support and protection.
Corinthian
An amateur yachter.[15][16]
Corrector
A device to correct the ship's compass, for example counteracting errors due to the magnetic effects of a steel hull.
Corsair
1. A French privateer, especially from the port of St-Malo.
2. Any privateer or pirate.
3. A ship used by privateers or pirates, especially of French nationality.
4. Corsair, a class of 16-foot (4.9-meter) three-handed sailing dinghy.
Corvette
1. A flush-decked sailing warship of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries having a single tier of guns, ranked next below a frigate. Called in the US Navy a sloop-of-war.
2. A lightly armed and armored warship of the 20th and 21st centuries, smaller than a frigate, capable of trans-oceanic duty.
Counter
The part of the stern above the waterline that extends beyond the rudder stock culminating in a small transom. A long counter increases the waterline length when the boat is heeled, so increasing hull speed.
Counterflood
To deliberately flood compartments on the opposite side from already flooded ones. Usually done to reduce a list.
Course
The direction in which a vessel is being steered, usually given in degrees.
Courses
the lowest square sail on each mast � The mainsail, foresail, and the mizzen on a four masted ship (the after most mast usually sets a gaff driver or spanker instead of a square sail).
Cowl
1. A ship's ventilator with a bell-shaped top which can be swivelled to catch the wind and force it below.
2. A vertical projection of a ship's funnel which directs the smoke away from the bridge.
Coxswain or cockswain /'k?ks?n/
The helmsman or crew member in command of a boat.
Crab
A winch used for raising the leeboard which has a barrel fir pulling in the staysail sheets.[2]
Crance/Crans/Cranze iron
A fitting, mounted at the end of a bowsprit to which stays are attached.
Crane vessel or crane ship
A ship with a crane specialized in lifting heavy loads.
Crazy Ivan
US Navy slang for a maneuver in which a submerged Soviet or Russian submarine suddenly turns 180 degrees or through 360 degrees to detect submarines following it.
Crew
1. On warships and merchant ships, those members of a ship's company who are not officers
2. On leisure vessels with no formal chain of command, those persons who are not the skipper (q.v.) or passengers.
Crew management
Otherwise known as crewing, are the services rendered by specialised shipping companies to manage the human resources and manning of all types of vessels, including recruitment, deployment to vessel, scheduling, training, as well as the on-going management and administrative duties of seafarers, such as payroll, travel arrangements, insurance and health schemes, overall career development, as well as their day-to-day welfare
Cringle
A rope loop, usually at the corners of a sail, for fixing the sail to a spar. They are often reinforced with a metal eye.[2]
Cro'jack or crossjack
a square yard used to spread the foot of a topsail where no course is set, e.g. on the foremast of a topsail schooner or above the driver on the mizzen mast of a ship rigged vessel.
Crosstrees
two horizontal struts at the upper ends of the topmasts of sailboats, used to anchor the shrouds from the topgallant mast.Lateral spraders for the topmast shrouds (standing back stays) [2]
Crow flies, as the
see as the crow flies.
Crow's nest
Specifically a masthead constructed with sides and sometimes a roof to shelter the lookouts from the weather, generally by whaling vessels, this has become a generic term for what is properly called masthead. See masthead.
Cruise ship
A passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way. Transportation is not the prime purpose, as cruise ships operate mostly on routes that return passengers to their originating port. A cruise ship contrasts with a passenger liner, which is a passenger ship that provides a scheduled service between published ports primarily as a mode of transportation. Large, prestigious passenger ships used for either purpose sometimes are called ocean liners.
Cruiser
1. From the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, a classification for a wide variety of gun- and sometimes torpedo-armed warships, usually but not always armored, intended for independent scouting, raiding, or commerce protection; some were designed also to provide direct support to a battlefleet. Cruisers carried out functions performed previously by the cruising ships (sailing frigates and sloops) of the Age of Sail.
2. From the early 20th century to the mid-20th century, a type of armored warship with varying armament and of various sizes, but always smaller than a battleship and larger than a destroyer, capable of both direct support of a battle fleet and independent operations, armed with guns and sometimes torpedoes.
3. After the mid-20th century, various types of warships of intermediate size armed with guided missiles and sometimes guns, intended for air defense of aircraft carriers and associated task forces or for anti-ship missile attack against such forces; virtually indistinguishable from large destroyers since the late 20th century.
Crutches
Metal Y shaped pins to hold oars whilst rowing.
Cuddy
A small cabin in a boat; a cabin, for the use of the captain, in the after part of a sailing ship under the poop deck.
Cunningham
A line invented by Briggs Cunningham, used to control the shape of a sail.
Cunt splice or cut splice
A join between two lines, similar to an eye-splice, where each rope end is joined to the other a short distance along, making an opening which closes under tension.
Cuntline
The "valley" between the strands of a rope or cable. Before serving a section of laid rope e.g. to protect it from chafing, it may be "wormed" by laying yarns in the cuntlines, giving that section an even cylindrical shape.
Cut and run
When wanting to make a quick escape, a ship might cut lashings to sails or cables for anchors, causing damage to the rigging, or losing an anchor, but shortening the time needed to make ready by bypassing the proper procedures.
Cut of his jib
The "cut" of a sail refers to its shape. Since this would vary between ships, it could be used both to identify a familiar vessel at a distance, and to judge the possible sailing qualities of an unknown one. Also used figuratively of people.[17]
Cutter
1. A small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The mast is set farther back than on a sloop.
2. A small boat serving a larger vessel, used to ferry passengers or light stores between larger vessels and the shore.
3. In the 20th and 21st centuries, a small- or medium-sized vessel whose occupants exercise official authority, such as harbor pilots' cutters, US Coast Guard Cutters, and UK Border Agency cutters.
Cutwater
The forward curve of the stem (q.v.) of a ship
D[edit]
Daggerboard
A type of light centerboard that is lifted vertically; often in pairs, with the leeward one lowered when beating.
Dandy
1. A rig with a small mizzen abaft the steering post.[2]
2. In British usage, an alternative term for a yawl (q.v.).
3. In British usage, a small after-sail on a yawl.
Dart
To run dart, to run dead before the wind.[2]
Davit
1. A spar formerly used on board ships as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship.
2. A crane, often working in pairs and usually made of steel, used to lower things over the side of a ship, including launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship.
Davy Jones' Locker
An idiom for the bottom of the sea.
Day beacon
An unlighted fixed structure which is equipped with a dayboard for daytime identification.
Day-blink
Moment at dawn where, from some point on the mast, a lookout can see above low lying mist which envelops the ship.
Dayboard
The daytime identifier of an aid to navigation presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, white, orange, yellow, or black).
Dead ahead
Exactly ahead, directly ahead, directly in front.
Dead in the water
Not moving (used only when a vessel is afloat and neither tied up nor anchored).
Dead run
See running.
Dead wake
The trail of a fading disturbance in the water. See also wake.
Deadeye
A wooden block with three holes (but no pulleys) which is spliced to a shroud. It is used to adjust the tension in the standing rigging of large sailing vessels, by lacing through the holes with a lanyard to the deck. Performs the same job as a turnbuckle.[2]
Deadlight
A strong shutter fitted over a porthole or other opening that can be closed in bad weather.
Deadrise
The design angle of the hull at the keel (q.v.) relative to horizontal when viewing the cross section, or the distance of rise from the keel to a defined point on the hull.
Deadwood
A wooden part (vertical timbers or planking) of the centerline structure of a boat, usually between the sternpost and amidships. It is used to "fill the spaces where, owing to the shape of the vessel, the floor-timbers have to be discontinued."[18][19]
Death roll
In a keel boat, a death roll is the act of broaching to windward, putting the spinnaker pole into the water and causing a crash-gybe of the boom and mainsail, which sweep across the deck and plunge down into the water. During a death roll, the boat rolls from side to side, becoming gradually more unstable until either it capsizes or the skipper reacts correctly to prevent it.
Debarcation or disembarkation
The process of leaving a ship or aircraft, or removing goods from a ship or aircraft.
Debunk
The process of removing fuel from a vessel. After a ship wreck, a "debunkering" operation will be performed in an effort to minimize damage and protect the environment from fuel spills.
Decks
The top of the boat; the surface is removed to accommodate the seating area. The structures forming the approximately horizontal surfaces in the ship's general structure. Unlike flats, they are a structural part of the ship.
Deck hand or decky
A person whose job involves aiding the deck supervisor in (un)mooring, anchoring, maintenance, and general evolutions on deck.
Deck supervisor
The person in charge of all evolutions and maintenance on deck; sometimes split into two groups: forward deck supervisor, aft deck supervisor.
Deckhead
The under-side of the deck above. The inside of the boat is normally paneled over to hide the structure, pipes, electrical wires. It can be in thin wood planks, often covered with a vinyl lining, or in thin PVC or now even in fiberglass planks.
Decks awash
A situation in which the deck of the vessel is partially or wholly submerged, possibly as a result of excessive listing or a loss of buoyancy.
Decommission
To formally take (a naval vessel) out of active service, after which the vessel is said to be out of commission or decommissioned. Sometimes used less formally to mean taking a commercial ship out of service.
Depot ship
A ship which acts as a mobile or fixed base for other ships and submarines or supports a naval base.
Depth of hold
The height from the lowest part of the hull inside the ship, at its midpoint, to the ceiling that is made up of the uppermost full length deck. For old warships it is to the ceiling that is made up of the lowermost full length deck.
Derrick
A lifting device composed of one mast or pole and a boom or jib which is hinged freely at the bottom.
Despatch boat
Alternative spelling of dispatch boat.
Destroyer (originally torpedo boat destroyer)
A type of fast and maneuverable small warship introduced in the 1890s to protect capital ships from torpedo boat attack, since increased in size and capabilities to become a long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy, or battle group and defend them against submarines, surface ships, aircraft, and missiles.
Destroyer escort
US Navy term for a smaller, lightly armed warship built in large numbers during World War II (and in smaller numbers thereafter), cheaper, slower, and less-well-armed than a destroyer but larger and more heavily armed than a corvette and designed to escort convoys of merchant ships or naval auxiliaries or second-line naval forces. Employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provided some protection against aircraft and smaller surface ships. Generally known as "frigates" in other navies, and designated as such in the US Navy as well by the 1970s.
Destroyer leader
A large destroyer suitable for commanding a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships; a type of flotilla leader.
Devil seam
The devil was possibly a slang term for the garboard seam, hence "between the devil and the deep blue sea" being an allusion to keel hauling, but a more popular version seems to be the seam between the waterway and the stanchions which would be difficult to get at, requiring a cranked caulking iron, and a restricted swing of the caulking mallet.
Devil to pay (or Devil to pay, and no pitch hot)
"Paying" the devil is sealing the devil seam. It is a difficult and unpleasant job (with no resources) because of the shape of the seam (up against the stanchions) or if the devil refers to the garboard seam, it must be done with the ship slipped or careened.
Dhow
the generic name of a number of traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts with lateen sails used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region, typically weighing 300 to 500 tons, with a long, thin hull. They are trading vessels primarily used to carry heavy items, like fruit, fresh water or merchandise. Crews vary from about thirty to around twelve, depending on the size of the vessel.
Dinghy
1. A type of small boat, often carried or towed as a ship's boat by a larger vessel.
2. Also a small racing yacht or recreational open sailing boat, often used for beginner training rather than sailing full-sized yachts.
3. Utility dinghies are usually rowboats or have an outboard motor, but some are rigged for sailing.
Directional light
A light illuminating a sector or very narrow angle and intended to mark a direction to be followed.
Dipping the eye

Dipping the eye
Method of attaching more than one hawser to a single bollard, so that each can be lifted off without disturbing the other(s). The second hawser is passed under the first, then up through the eye of the first (hence the name), before being secured over the bollard.
Dispatch boat
A vessel ranging in size from a small boat to a large ship tasked to carry military dispatches from ship to ship, from ship to shore, or, occasionally, from shore to shore.
Displacement
The weight of water displaced by the immersed volume of a ship's hull, exactly equivalent to the weight of the whole ship.
Displacement hull
A hull designed to travel through the water, rather than planing over it.
Disrate
To reduce in rank or rating; demote.
Distinguishing mark
A flag flown to distinguish ships of one seagoing service of a given country from ships of the country's other seagoing service(s) when ships of more than one of the country's seagoing services fly the same ensign.
Dock
1. In American usage, a fixed structure attached to shore to which a vessel is secured when in port, generally synonymous with pier and wharf, except that pier tends to refer to structures used for tying up commercial ships and to structures extending from shore for use in fishing, while dock refers more generally to facilities used for tying up ships or boats, including recreational craft.
2. In British usage, the body of water between two piers or wharves which accommodates vessels tied up at the piers or wharves.
3. To tie up along a pier or wharf.
Dockyard
A facility where ships or boats are built and repaired. Routinely used as a synonym for shipyard, although dockyard sometimes is associated more closely with a facility used for maintenance and basing activities, while shipyard sometimes is associated more closely with a facility used in construction.
Dodger
A hood forward of a hatch or cockpit to protect the crew from wind and spray. Can be soft or hard.
Dog watch
A short watch period, generally half the usual time (e.g. a two-hour watch rather than a four-hour one). Such watches might be included in order to rotate the system over different days for fairness, or to allow both watches to eat their meals at approximately normal times.
Doghouse
A slang term (in the US, mostly) for a raised portion of a ship's deck. A doghouse is usually added to improve headroom below or to shelter a hatch.
Dogvane
A small weather vane, sometimes improvised with a scrap of cloth, yarn or other light material mounted within sight of the helmsman. (See tell-tale)
Doldrums or equatorial calms
The equatorial trough, with special reference to the light and variable nature of the winds.[20]
Dolly winch
A small winch mounted on the windlass which is used as an alternative to the brails winch when that is obstructed in some way. (stack, deck cargo, for example)[2]
Dolphin
A structure consisting of a number of piles driven into the seabed or riverbed as a marker.
Donkey engine
A small auxiliary engine used either to start a larger engine or independently, e.g. for pumping water on steamships.[21]
Donkeyman
One of a ship's engineering crew. Often a crewman responsible for maintaining a Steam donkey, or any machinery other than the main engines. On some ships, the Petty Officer in charge of engineroom ratings.
Dory or doree, dori, or (Royal Navy) dorey
A shallow-draft, lightweight boat, about 5 to 7 metres (16 to 23 feet) long, with high sides, a flat bottom and sharp bows. Traditionally used as fishing boats, both in coastal waters and in the open sea.
Double-shotted
The practice of loading smooth-bore cannon with two cannon-balls.
Dover cliffs
Very rough seas with large white capped waves.
Downbound
1. A vessel traveling downstream.
2. Eastward-traveling vessels in the Great Lakes region (terminology as used by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation).
Downhaul
A line used to control either a mobile spar, or the shape of a sail. A downhaul can also be used to retrieve a sail back on deck.
Drabbler
An extra strip of canvas secured below a bonnet (q.v.), further to increase the area of a course
Draft or draught (both /'dr??ft/)
The depth of a ship's keel below the waterline.
Dragon boat (also dragonboat)
One of a family of traditional paddled long boats of various designs and sizes found throughout Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. For competitive events, they are generally rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. Dragon boat races are traditionally held during the annual summer solstice festival.
Dreadnought
A type of battleship designed with an "all-big-gun" armament layout in which the ship's primary gun power resided in a primary battery of its largest guns intended for use at long range, with other gun armament limited to small weapons intended for close-range defense against torpedo boats and other small warships. Most, but not all, dreadnoughts also had steam turbine propulsion. Predominant from 1906, dreadnoughts differed from earlier steam battleships, retroactively dubbed "predreadnoughts", which had only a few large guns, relied on an intermediate secondary battery used at shorter ranges for most of their offensive power, and had triple-expansion steam engines.
Dress overall
To string International Code of Signals flags, arranged at random, from stemhead to masthead, between mastheads (if the vessel has more than one mast), and then down to the taffrail, on a ship in harbor as a sign of celebration of a national, local, or personal anniversary, event, holiday, or occasion. When a ship is properly dressed overall, ensigns fly at each masthead unless displaced by another flag � for example, that of a flag officer on board � in addition to the ensign flown in the usual position at the stern.
Dressing down
1. Treating old sails with oil or wax to renew them.
2. A verbal reprimand.
Dressing lines
Lines running from stemhead to masthead, between mastheads, and then down to the taffrail, to which flags are attached when a ship is dressed overall.
Drifter
A type of fishing boat designed to catch herring in a long drift net, long used in the Netherlands and Great Britain.
Drink
Overboard and into the water, as it fell into the drink.
Driver
The large sail flown from the mizzen gaff.
Driver-mast
The fifth mast of a six-masted barquentine or gaff schooner. It is preceded by the jigger mast and followed by the spanker mast. The sixth mast of the only seven-masted vessel, the gaff schooner Thomas W. Lawson, was normally called the pusher-mast.
Drogue /'dro?g/
A device to slow a boat down in a storm so that it does not speed excessively down the slope of a wave and crash into the next one. It is generally constructed of heavy flexible material in the shape of a cone. See also sea anchor.
Drudging
A technique of maintaining steerage-way when going downstream with neither engine nor wind to sail. The vessel uses its anchor to draw itself head-to-stream, then lifts the anchor and drifts stern-first downstream, ferry gliding to maintain position within the stream. As steerage begins to reduce, the vessel anchors again and then repeats the whole procedure as required.
Drydock
A narrow basin or vessel used for the construction, maintenance, and repair of ships, boats, and other watercraft that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform.
Dunnage /'d?n?d?/
1. Loose packing material used to protect a ship's cargo from damage during transport. (See also fardage)
2. Personal baggage.
Dunsel
A part on a ship that has no use.
E[edit]
Earings
Small lines, by which the uppermost corners of the largest sails are secured to the yardarms.
East Indiaman
Any ship operating under charter or license to the East India Company (England), or to the Danish East India Company, French East India Company, Dutch East India Company, Portuguese East India Company, or Swedish East India Company from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Echo sounding
Measuring the depth of the water using a sonar device. See also sounding and swinging the lead.
Embayed
The condition where a sailing vessel (especially one which sails poorly to windward) is confined between two capes or headlands by a wind blowing directly onshore.
En echelon
An arrangement of gun turrets whereby the turret on one side of the ship is placed further aft than the one on the other side, so that both turrets can fire to either side.

Diagram showing the Minas Geraes-class battleship with its central guns arranged en echelon.
Engine order telegraph
A communications device used by the pilot to order engineers in the engine room to power the vessel at a certain desired speed. Also Chadburn.
Engine room
One of the machinery spaces of a vessel, usually the largest one, containing the ship's prime mover (usually a diesel or steam engine or a gas or steam turbine). Larger vessels may have more than one engine room.
Ensign
1. Ensign, the principal flag or banner flown by a ship to indicate her nationality.
2. Ensign, the lowest grade of commissioned officer in the US Navy.
Escort carrier
An aircraft carrier, smaller and slower than a fleet carrier, used by some navies in World War II to escort convoys, ferry aircraft, and provide air support for amphibious operations.
Extremis
(also known as "in extremis") the point under International Rules of the Road (Navigation Rules) at which the privileged (or stand-on) vessel on collision course with a burdened (or give-way) vessel determines it must maneuver to avoid a collision. Prior to extremis, the privileged vessel must maintain course and speed and the burdened vessel must maneuver to avoid collision.
Eye splice
A closed loop or eye at the end a line, rope, cable, etc. It is made by unraveling its end and joining it to itself by intertwining it into the lay of the line. Eye splices are very strong and compact and are employed in moorings and docking lines among other uses.
F[edit]
Factory ship
A large ocean-going vessel with extensive on-board facilities for processing and freezing caught fish or whales. Some also serve as mother ships (q.v.) for smaller fishing or whaling vessels. Those used for processing fish are also known as fish processing vessels.
Fair
1. A smooth curve, usually referring to a line of the hull which has no deviations.
2. To make something flush.
3. A line is fair when it has a clear run.
4. A wind or current is fair when it offers an advantage to a boat.
Fair winds and following seas
A blessing wishing the recipient a safe journey and good fortune.
Fairlead
A ring, hook or other device used to keep a line or chain running in the correct direction or to prevent it rubbing or fouling.[2]
Fairwater
A structure that improves the streamlining of a vessel.
Fake
To coil a rope down on the deak to enable it to pay out without fouling.[2]
Falku�a
A traditional fishing boat with a lateen sail on a single mast used by fishermen from the town of Komi�a on the Adriatic island of Vis.
Fall
The part of the tackle that is hauled upon.[2]
Fall off
To change the direction of sail so as to point in a direction that is more down wind. To bring the bow leeward. Also bear away, bear off or head down. This is the opposite of pointing up or heading up.
Fantail
Aft end of the ship, also known as the Poop deck.
Fardage
Wood placed in bottom of ship to keep cargo dry. (See also dunnage)
Fashion boards
Loose boards that slide in grooves to close off a companionway or cabin entrance .[2]
Fast
Fastened or held firmly (fast aground: stuck on the seabed; made fast: tied securely).[2]
Fathom /'f��?m/
A unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.8 m), roughly measured as the distance between a man's outstretched hands. Particularly used to measure depth.
Fathometer
A depth finder that uses sound waves to determine the depth of water.
Felucca
A traditional wooden sailing boat with a rig consisting of one or two lateen sails, used in protected waters of the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean and particularly along the Nile in Egypt and Sudan, and also in Iraq.
Fend off
A command given to the crew to stop what they are now doing and to immediately manually prevent the boat from banging into the docks or other boats.
Fender
A flexible bumper used in boating to keep boats from banging into docks or each other. Often an old car tyre
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Ferry glide
1. To hold a vessel against and at an angle to the current/stream such that the vessel moves sideways over the bottom due to the effect of the current operating on the upstream side of the vessel.
Fetch
1. The distance across water which a wind or waves have traveled.
2. To reach a mark without tacking.
Fid
1. A tapered wooden tool used for separating the strands of rope for splicing.
2. A bar used to fix an upper mast in place.
Fife rail
A freestanding pinrail surrounding the base of a mast and used for securing that mast's sails' halyards with a series of belaying pins.
Fifie
A sailing boat with two masts with a standard rig consisting of a main dipping lug sail and a mizzen standing lug sail developed in Scotland; used for commercial fishing from the 1850s until the 20th century.
Fig
US Navy slang for a guided-missile frigate, especially of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, derived from its class designation ("FFG").
Fighting top
An enlarged top designed to allow gunfire downward onto an enemy ship. A fighting top could have small guns installed in it or could serve as a platform for snipers armed with muskets or rifles.
Figure of eight
A stopper knot.[2]
Figurehead
A symbolic image at the head of a traditional sailing ship or early steamer.
Fin
A term used in European and British Commonwealth countries for a tower-like structure on the dorsal (topside) surface of a submarine; called a sail in the United States.
Fine
Narrow (fine) in appearance from the vantage point of a lookout or other person viewing activity in the vicinity of a ship, e.g., another ship off the starboard bow with her bow or stern facing the viewer's ship could be described as "fine on the starboard bow" of the viewer's ship.
Fire ship
A ship loaded with flammable materials and explosives and sailed into an enemy port or fleet either already burning or ready to be set alight by its crew (who would then abandon it) in order to collide with and set fire to enemy ships.
Fire room, also boiler room
The compartment in which the ship's boilers or furnaces are stoked and fired.
First-rate
The classification for the largest sailing warships of the 17th through 19th centuries. They had 3 masts, 850+ crew and 100+ guns.
First lieutenant
1. In the Royal Navy, the senior lieutenant on board; responsible to the commanding officer for the domestic affairs of the ship's company. Also known as 'Jimmy the One' or 'Number One'. Removes his cap when visiting the mess decks as token of respect for the privacy of the crew in those quarters. Officer in charge of cables on the forecastle.
2. In the US Navy, the officer on a ship serving as the senior person in charge of all deck hands.
First mate
The second-in-command of a commercial ship.
Fish
1. To repair a mast or spar with a fillet of wood.
2. To secure an anchor on the side of the ship for sea (otherwise known as "catting".)
3. A slang term for a self-propelled torpedo.
Fisherman's reef
A sailing tactic for handling winds too strong for the sail area hoisted when reefing the sails is not feasible or possible. The headsail is set normally while the mainsail is let out till it is constantly luffing. This creates loss of force on the main and also reduces the efficiency of the headsail while still retaining sailing control of the vessel.
Fitting-out
The period after a ship is launched during which all the remaining construction of the ship is completed and she is readied for sea trials and delivery to her owners.
Fixed propeller
A propeller mounted on a rigid shaft protruding from the hull of a vessel, usually driven by an inboard motor; steering must be done using a rudder. See also outboard motor and sterndrive.
Flag hoist
A number of signal flags strung together to convey a message, e.g., 'England expects...'
Flag of convenience
The business practice of registering a merchant ship in a sovereign state different from that of the ship's owners, and flying that state's civil ensign on the ship. The practice allows the ship's owner to reduce operating costs or avoid the regulations of the owner's country.
Flag officer
1. A commissioned officer senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark the ship or installation from which he or she exercises command, in English-speaking countries usually referring to the senior officers of a navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks and in some cases to those holding the rank of commodore. In modern American usage, additionally applied to US Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps officers and general officers in the US Army, US Air Force, and US Marine Corps entitled to fly their own flags.
2. A formal rank in the mid-19th-century US Navy, conveyed temporarily upon senior captains in command of squadrons of ships, soon rendered obsolete by the creation of the ranks of commodore and rear admiral.
Flagship
1. A vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships. The term derives from the custom of the commander of such a group of ships, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag aboard the ship on which he or she is embarked.
2. Used more loosely, the lead ship in a fleet of naval or commercial vessels, typically the first, largest, fastest, most heavily armed, or, in terms of media coverage, best-known.
Flank
The maximum speed of a ship. Faster than "full speed".
Flare
1. A curvature of the topsides outward towards the gunwale.
2. A pyrotechnic signalling device, usually used to indicate distress.
Flatback
A Great Lakes slang term for a vessel without any self-unloading equipment.
Flattop
Slang term for an aircraft carrier (q.v.).
Flemish
To coil a line that is not in use so that it lies flat on the deck.
Flettner rotor
A spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to propel a ship.
Flight deck
A flat deck used for the launch and recovery of aircraft.
Floor
The transverse structural timbers to which the longitudinal bottom planking is attached. The equivalent side timbers are called the frames. The keelson is fastened on top of the floors, bolting them to the keel. The planking is the exterior of the hull, while the ceiling is attached on top of the floors, and it forms the base of the hold. [2]
Flotilla leader
A warship suitable for commanding a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships, typically a small cruiser or a large destroyer, in the latter case known as a destroyer leader.
Flotsam
Debris or cargo that remains afloat after a shipwreck. See also jetsam.
Fluke
The wedge-shaped part of an anchor's arms that digs into the bottom.
Flush deck
An upper deck of a vessel that extends unbroken from stem to stern.
Flush decker
1. A US Navy destroyer of the World War I-era Caldwell, Wickes, or Clemson class, produced in very large numbers.
2. Any ship with a flush deck.
Flushing board
Board inserted vertically in a cabin entrance.[2]
Fluyt (also fluit or flute)
A Dutch transoceanic sailing cargo vessel, square-rigged with two or three masts that were much taller than the masts of a galleon, developed in the 16th century and widely used in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Fly by night
A large sail used only for sailing downwind, requiring little attention.
Folding propeller
A propeller with folding blades, furling to reduce drag on a sailing vessel when not in use.
Following sea
Wave or tidal movement going in the same direction as a ship
Foo-foo band
An impromptu musical band on late 19th-century sailing vessels, made up from members of the ship's crew[22][23]
Foot
1. The lower edge of any sail.[2]
2. The bottom of a mast.
3. A measurement of 12 inches.
Footloose
If the foot of a sail is not secured properly, it is footloose, blowing around in the wind.
Footboat
A barges boat or dinghy.[2]
Footrope
Each yard on a square rigged sailing ship is equipped with a footrope for sailors to stand on while setting or stowing the sails
Force
See Beaufort scale.
Fore, forward (/'f?r?rd/, and often written "for'ard")
Towards the bow (of the vessel).
Fore-and-aft rig
A sailing rig consisting mainly of sails that are set along the line of the keel rather than perpendicular to it. Such sails are referred to as "fore-and-aft rigged."
Fore-and-afters
removable wooded beams running along the centre of the hold openings, beneath the hatches that they support[2]
Fore horse
Transverse wooden or iron beam afore the main mast to which the foresail sheet is attached.[2]
Forecastle
A partial deck, above the upper deck and at the head of the vessel; traditionally the sailors' living quarters. Pronounced /'fo?ks?l/. The name is derived from the castle fitted to bear archers in time of war.[2]
Forefoot
The lower part of the stem of a ship.
Foremast jack
An enlisted sailor, one who is housed before the foremast.
Forepeak
The part of the hold of a ship within the angle of the bow.
Forestays
Triangular sail set on the forestay.[2]
Forestays
Long lines or cables, reaching from the bow of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast.[2]
Foul
1. Having freedom of motion interfered with by collision or entanglement; entangled; the opposite of clear. For instance, a rope is foul when it does not run straight or smoothly, and an anchor is foul when it is caught on an obstruction.
2. A breach of racing rules.
3. An area of water treacherous to navigation due to many shallow obstructions such as reefs, sandbars, or many rocks, etc.
4. Foul the range: To block another vessel from firing her guns at a target.
Foulies
Slang for oilskins, the foul-weather clothing worn by sailors. See also oilskins.
Founder
To fill with water and sink ? Founder (Wiktionary)
Four piper
A term sometimes used to refer to United States Navy four-funneled destroyers of the Bainbridge-class destroyer, Paulding-class destroyer, Wickes-class destroyer, and Clemson-class destroyer classes, all built for service in World War I.
Fourth rate
In the British Royal Navy, a fourth rate was, during the first half of the 18th century, a ship of the line mounting from 46 up to 60 guns.
Frame
A transverse structural member which gives the hull strength and shape. Wooden frames may be sawn, bent or laminated into shape. Planking is then fastened to the frames. A bent frame is called a timber.
Freeboard
The height of a ship's hull (excluding superstructure) above the waterline. The vertical distance from the current waterline to the lowest point on the highest continuous watertight deck. This usually varies from one part to another.
Freighter
A cargo ship.
Frigate
1. In the 17th century, any warship built for speed and maneuverability.
2. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a sailing warship with a single continuous gun deck, typically used for patrolling, blockading, etc., but not in line of battle.
3. In the second half of the 19th century, a type of warship combining sail and steam propulsion, typically of ironclad timber construction, with all guns on one deck.
4. In the 20th and 21st centuries, a warship, smaller than a destroyer, originally introduced during World War II as an anti-submarine vessel but now general-purpose.
5. In the US Navy from the 1950s until the 1970s, a type of guided-missile antiaircraft ship built on a destroyer-sized hull, all reclassified as "guided-missile cruisers" in 1975.
Full and by
Sailing into the wind (by), but not as close-hauled as might be possible, so as to make sure the sails are kept full. This provides a margin for error to avoid being taken aback (a serious risk for square-rigged vessels) in a tricky sea. Figuratively it implies getting on with the job but in a steady, relaxed way, without undue urgency or strain.
Full-rigged ship
A sailing vessel with three or more masts, all of them square-rigged. A full-rigged ship is said to have a "ship rig".
Funnel (also stack)
The smokestack of a ship, used to expel boiler steam and smoke or engine exhaust.
Furl
To roll or gather a sail against its mast or spar.
Fusta (also fuste, foist, or galliot)
A narrow, light, and fast ship with shallow draft, powered by both oars and sail, with a single mast carrying a lateen sail; a favorite of North African corsairs during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Futtocks
Pieces of timber that make up a large transverse frame.
G[edit]
Gaff
1. Gaff rig: The spar that holds the upper edge of a four-sided fore-and-aft mounted sail.
2. Fishing gaff: A hook on a long pole to haul fish in.
Gaff rigged
A boat rigged with a four-sided fore-and-aft sail with its upper edge supported by a spar or gaff which extends aft from the mast.
Gaff vang
A line rigged to the end of a gaff and used to adjust a gaff sail's trim.
Galleass
1. An oared warship of the 1500s equipped with a gundeck, larger and equipped with more sails than a galley.
2. A flat-bottom commercial sailing vessel of the North Sea and western Baltic Sea.
Galleon
A large, multi-decked sailing ship used primarily by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Galley
1. Galley, the kitchen of a ship.
2. Galley, a type of ship propelled by oars used especially in the Mediterranean for warfare, piracy, and trade from the 700s BC to the 1500s AD, with some in use until the early 1800s.
3. A type of oared gunboat built by the United States in the late 18th century, akin to a brigantine but termed "galley" for administrative and funding purposes.
Galliot
See fusta.
Gam
A meeting of two (or more) whaling ships at sea. The ships each send out a boat to the other, and the two captains meet on one ship, while the two chief mates meet on the other.[24]
Gammon iron
The bow fitting which clamps the bowsprit to the stem.
Gangplank
A movable bridge used in boarding or leaving a ship at a pier; also known as a "brow".
Gangway
An opening in the bulwark of the ship to allow passengers to board or leave the ship.
Garbling
The (illegal) practice of mixing cargo with garbage.
Garboard
The strake closest to the keel (from Dutch gaarboard).
Garboard planks
The planks immediately either side of the keel.
Gash
Any refuse or rubbish which is discarded into a refuse container or dustbin which is known as "gash fanny" (South African Navy).
Gasket
A rope used to secure a sail (particularly the topsail) when stowed.[2]
Gear
A vessels sails and rigging.[2]
General Quarters
See Battle Stations.
Gennaker
A large, lightweight sail used for sailing a fore-and-aft rig down or across the wind, intermediate between a genoa and a spinnaker.
Genoa or genny (both /'d??ni/)
A large jib, strongly overlapping the mainmast.
Ghost
To sail slowly when there is apparently no wind.
Gibe
See gybe.
Gig (Captain's gig)
A boat on naval ships at the disposal of the ship's captain for his or her use in transportation to other ships or to the shore.
Gin-pole
A pole that is attached perpendicular to the mast, to be used as a lever for raising the mast. Also jin-pole.
Give-way (vessel)
Where two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve a risk of collision, this is the vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of the other.
Glass
A marine barometer. (Older barometers used mercury-filled glass tubes to measure and indicate barometric pressure.)
Global Positioning System
(GPS) A satellite based radionavigation system providing continuous worldwide coverage. It provides navigation, position, and timing information to air, marine, and land users.
Go-fast boat
is a small, fast boat designed with a long narrow platform and a planing hull to enable it to reach high speeds � also called 'a rum-runner', or, more recently, 'a cigarette boat'.
Goat locker
A mess hall reserved for Chief petty officers in the US Navy
Going about or tacking
Changing from one tack to another by going through the wind (see also gybe).
Gondola
A traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat.
Gooseneck
Fitting that attaches the boom to the mast, allowing it to move freely.
Goosewinged
Of a fore-and-aft rigged vessel sailing directly away from the wind, with the sails set on opposite sides of the vessel � for example with the mainsail to port and the jib to starboard, to maximize the amount of canvas exposed to the wind. See also running.
Grapeshot
Small balls of lead fired from a cannon, analogous to shotgun shot but on a larger scale. Similar to canister shot but with larger individual shot. Used to injure personnel and damage rigging more than to cause structural damage.
Grave
To clean a ship's bottom.
Graving dock
A narrow basin, usually made of earthen berms and concrete, closed by gates or by a caisson, into which a vessel may be floated and the water pumped out, leaving the vessel supported on blocks; the classic form of drydock.
Green-to-green
A passage of two vessels moving in the opposite direction on their starboard sides, so called because the green navigation light on one of the vessels faces the green light on the other vessel.
Gripe
Temporary eye in a line (rope).
Gripie
Cockney (London dialect) name for a barge.[2]
Grog
Watered-down pusser's rum consisting of half a gill with equal part of water, issued to all seamen over twenty. (CPOs and POs were issued with neat rum) From the British Admiral Vernon who, in 1740, ordered the men's ration of rum to be watered down. He was called "Old Grogram" because he often wore a grogram coat, and the watered rum came to be called 'grog'. Often used (illegally) as currency in exchange for favours in quantities prescribed as 'sippers' and 'gulpers'. Additional issues of grog were made on the command 'splice the mainbrace' for celebrations or as a reward for performing especially onerous duties. The RN discontinued the practice of issuing rum in 1970. A sailor might repay a colleague for a favour by giving him part or all of his grog ration, ranging from "sippers" (a small amount) via "gulpers" (a larger quantity) to "grounders" (the entire tot).
Groggy
Drunk from having consumed a lot of grog.
Ground
The bed of the sea.
Grounding
When a ship (while afloat) touches the bed of the sea, or goes "aground" (q.v.).
Growler
A small iceberg or ice floe which is barely visible above the surface of the water.
Guard boat
A boat which makes the rounds of a fleet at anchor to see that due watch is kept at night.
Guard ship
1. A warship stationed at a port or harbour to act as a guard there.
2. In former times in the British Royal Navy, a ship which received men impressed for naval service, often the flagship of the admiral commanding along the coast.
3. In Soviet and Russian terminology, a guard ship (storozhevoj korabl') is a small, general purpose patrol or escort vessel.
Gun deck
1. Up through the 19th century, a deck aboard a ship that was primarily used for the mounting of cannon to be fired in broadsides.
2. On smaller vessels (of frigate size or smaller) up through the 19th century, the completely covered level under the upper deck, even though in such smaller ships it carried none of the ship's guns.
3. On marine seismic survey vessels, the lowest deck on the ship, which carries the seismic source arrays, consisting of air guns arranged in clusters.
4. In naval slang, to fabricate or falsify something; in modern usage, meaning especially to falsify documentation in order to avoid doing work or make present conditions seem acceptable without having made a real effort to improve them.
Gunner's daughter
see Kissing the gunner's daughter.
Gunport
The opening in the side of the ship or in a turret through which the gun fires or protrudes.
Gunter
1. A wire that leads from one point near the end of a gaff to a point near the other end; a block travels along the wire and a halyard is attached to the block, allowing the gaff to be raised to the vertical by a single halyard, though another halyard is required at the gaff jaws to control height.
2. Hoops or parrel beads which secure a gaff loosely to a mast in a vertical position; a halyard is bent to the gaff jaws to control height.
Gunter rig
A vessel with a gunter-rigged mainsail.
Gunter-rigged
A sail raised by means of a gunter.
Gunwale /'g?n?l/
Upper edge of the hull. The top timber on the rail round the outer edge of the deck.[2]
Gybe or jibe (both /'d?a?b/)
To change from one tack to the other away from the wind, with the stern of the vessel turning through the wind. (See also going about and wearing ship.)[2]
H[edit]
Half-breadth plan
In shipbuilding, an elevation of the lines of a ship, viewed from above and divided lengthwise.
Halyard or halliard
Originally, ropes used for hoisting a spar with a sail attached; today, a line used to raise the head of any sail.[2]
Hammock
Canvas sheets, slung from the deckhead in messdecks, in which seamen slept. "Lash up and stow" a piped command to tie up hammocks and stow them (typically) in racks inboard of the ship's side to protect crew from splinters from shot and provide a ready means of preventing flooding caused by damage.
Hand
To furl a sail.
Hand bomber
A ship using coal-fired boilers shoveled in by hand.
Hand over fist
To climb steadily upwards, from the motion of a sailor climbing shrouds on a sailing ship (originally "hand over hand").
Handsomely
With a slow even motion, as when hauling on a line "handsomely".
Handy billy
A loose block and tackle with a hook or tail on each end, which can be used wherever it is needed. Usually made up of one single and one double block.
Hangar deck
An enclosed deck, usually beneath the flight deck, on an aircraft carrier intended for use as a hangar in servicing and storing aircraft.
Hank
A fastener attached to the luff of the headsail that attaches the headsail to the forestay. Typical designs include a bronze or plastic hook with a spring-operated gate, or a strip of cloth webbing with a snap fastener.
Harbour
A harbour or harbor (US), or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored. Harbours can be man-made or natural.
Harbor of refuge
A place where ships in transit can find shelter from a storm. These are often man-made jetty enclosed areas along a featureless coastline where no nearby natural deep water harbors exist.
Hard
A section of otherwise muddy shoreline suitable for mooring or hauling out.
Hard-a-lee
See lee-oh.
Harden in
Haul in the sheet and tighten the sails.[2]
Harden up
Turn towards the wind; sail closer to the wind.
Harness cask
A large usually round tub lashed to a vessel's deck and containing dried and salted provisions for daily use.
Harness tub
See "harness cask".
Hardtack
A hard and long-lasting dry biscuit, used as food on long journeys. Also called ship's biscuit.
Hatchway, hatch
A covered opening in a ship's deck through which cargo can be loaded or access made to a lower deck; the cover to the opening is called a hatch.
Haul
1. To steer (a vessel) closer to the direction of the wind.
2. To shift forward, i.e., more toward the bow of the vessel.
Hauling wind
Pointing the ship towards the direction of the wind; generally not the fastest point of travel on a sailing vessel.
Hawsepipe, hawsehole or hawse /'h??z/
The shaft or hole in the side of a vessel's bow through which the anchor chain passes.
Hawsepiper
An informal term for a merchant ship's officer who began their career as an unlicensed merchant seaman, and so did not attend a traditional maritime academy to earn their officer's licence (see also before the mast).
Hawser
Large rope used for mooring or towing a vessel.
Head
1. The forwardmost or uppermost portion of the ship.
2. The forwardmost or uppermost portion of any individual part of the ship, e.g., the masthead, the beakhead, the stemhead, etc.
3. The top edge of a sail.[2]
4. The toilet or latrine of a vessel, which in sailing ships projected from the bows and therefore was located in the "head" of the vessel.
Head boat
A fishing boat that takes recreational fishermen out for a fee paid individually by each person (i.e., per head). A head boat differs from a charter boat, which is a fishing boat that a party of fishermen hires for an agreed-upon period.
Head of navigation
The farthest point above the mouth of a river that can be navigated by ships.
Head rail
A curved rail that extends from the figurehead to the bow of a ship.
Head rope
Part of the bolt rope, at the head of a sail, running from the mast to the sprit.[2]
Head sea
A sea where waves are directly opposing the motion of the ship.
Header
A change in the wind direction which forces the helmsman of a close hauled sailboat to steer away from its current course to a less favorable one. This is the opposite of a lift.
Heading
The direction a thing's nose is pointing.
Headsail and Headsails.
Any sail flown in front of the most forward mast.Headsails the collective name for all sails afore the mast. [2]
Headstick
The spar laced to the head of the topsail. [2]
Heave
A vessel's transient, vertical, up-and-down motion.
Heave down
Turn a ship on its side (for cleaning). Also known as Careening
Heaving to
Or Hove to. Stopping a sailing vessel by lashing the helm in opposition to the sails. The vessel will gradually drift to leeward, the speed of the drift depending on the vessel's design.
Heel
1. The lean caused by the wind's force on the sails of a sailing vessel.
2. The inclination or canting of a vessel to one side or the other from the vertical as she maneuvers, as The ship heeled to port as she turned to starboard.
3. The lowest or last part of something, such as the heel of the mast or the heel of the vessel.
Helm
A ship's steering mechanism; see tiller and ship's wheel. The wheel and/or wheelhouse area. See also wheelhouse.Take the helm, means take over the steering of the vessel.[2]
Helmsman
A person who steers a ship.
Herring buss
A type of seagoing fishing vessel used by Dutch and Flemish herring fishermen from the 15th through the early 19th century.
Highfield lever
A particular type of tentioning lever, usually for running backstays. Their use allows the leeward backstay to be completely slackened so that the boom can be let fully out.
Hitch
A knot used to tie a rope or line to a fixed object. See also bend.[2]
Hog
1. A fore-and-aft structural member of the hull fitted over the keel to provide a fixing for the garboard planks.
2. A rough flat scrubbing brush for cleaning a ship's bottom under water.
Hogging
When the peak of a wave is amidships, causing the hull to bend so the ends of the keel are lower than the middle. The opposite of sagging. Also refers to a permanent distortion of the hull in the same manner caused, over time, by the bow and stern of a ship being less buoyant than the midships section. During the Age of Sail, shipwrights employed a number of different designs of braces to stiffen ships' hulls against this warping.
Hoist
The height of a fore-and-aft sail as measured next to the mast or stay.
Hold
In earlier use, below the orlop deck, the lower part of the interior of a ship's hull, especially when considered as storage space, as for cargo. In later merchant vessels it extended up through the decks to the underside of the weather deck.
Holiday
A gap in the coverage of newly applied paint, slush, tar or other preservative.
Holystone
A chunk of sandstone used to scrub the decks. The name comes from both the kneeling position sailors adopt to scrub the deck (reminiscent of genuflection for prayer), and the stone itself (which resembled a Bible in shape and size).
Home port
The port at which a vessel is based. Often confused with the ship's port of registry, which is the port listed in the vessel's registration documents and lettered on her stern and which may differ from her home port. In the cruise ship industry, the term "home port" often is mistakenly used to refer to a ship's port of departure.
Homeward bounder
Deep sea expression for a sail repair, done with large herringbone stitches.[2]
Hoop
Wooden or metal hoops used to secure the topsail to the topmast so it can be speedily raised or lowered.[2]
Horn
A sound signal which uses electricity or compressed air to vibrate a disc diaphragm.
Horns
Shaped ends to the chocks where the main horse is bolted.[2]
Horn timber
A fore-and-aft structural member of the hull sloping up and backwards from the keel to support the counter.
Horse
1. Sand lying mid-channel.[2]
2. Prominent wooden or iron beams lying across the deck of a sailing barge taking the foresheet and mainsheet.[2]
3. Attachment of sheets to deck of vessel (main-sheet horse).
4. (v.) To move or adjust sail by brute hand force rather than using running rigging.
Hounds
Attachments of stays to masts.[2]
Hotel load
The electrical load for all non-propulsion systems on a ship.
Hoy
Barge making regular passages on a fixed route with mixed third-party cargoes. aka Passage barge, goods barge.[2]
Hufflers
Men employed to help the barges crew along tortuous channels or through bridges. See shooting a bridge.[2]
Hulk
1. A ship, often an old ship or one that has become obsolete or uneconomical to operate, that has had its rigging or internal equipment removed and is incapable of going to sea, but that is afloat and continues to serve a useful function, such as providing living, office, training, storage, or prison space.
2. To convert a ship into such a hulk.
3. Less commonly, a ship that has been launched but not completed.
4. Also less commonly, an abandoned wreck or shell of a ship.
Hull
The shell and framework of the basic flotation-oriented part of a ship.
Hull-down
Of a vessel when only its upper parts are visible over the horizon.
Hull speed
The maximum efficient speed of a displacement-hulled vessel.
Hydrofoil
A boat with wing-like foils mounted on struts below the hull, lifting the hull entirely out of the water at speed and allowing water resistance to be greatly reduced.
I[edit]
Icebreaker
A special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters.
Icing
A serious hazard where cold temperatures (below about -10�C) combined with high wind speed (typically force 8 or above on the Beaufort scale) result in spray blown off the sea freezing immediately on contact with the ship
Idlers
Members of a ship's company not required to serve watches. These were in general specialist tradesmen such as the carpenter and the sailmaker.
In ballast (or "in ballast condition")
Of a vessel: Having only ballast (q.v.) � and no cargo � as a load.
In Irons/In stays
When a sailing vessel has lost its forward momentum while heading into the wind, rendering it unable to steer.[2]
In ordinary
An 18th- and 19th-century term originally used to refer to a naval vessel out of service for repair or maintenance, later coming to mean naval ships in reserve with no more than a caretaker crew.
In-water Survey
A method of surveying the underwater parts of a ship while it is still afloat instead of having to drydock it for examination of these areas as was conventionally done.
In way of
In the vicinity of; in the area of.
Inboard
1. Situated within a vessel.
2. Situated within a vessel and positioned close (or closer than another item, when contrasted with that item) to her centerline (q.v.).
3. Situated outside a vessel but nearer to her hull, e.g., The larger boat was tied up alongside the ship inboard of the smaller boat.
4. Nearer the pier or shore, e.g., The tanker and cargo ship were tied up at the pier alongside one another with the tanker inboard of the cargo ship.
Inboard motor
An engine mounted within the hull of a vessel, usually driving a fixed propeller by a shaft protruding through the stern. Generally used on larger vessels. See also sterndrive and outboard motor.
Inboard-Outboard drive system
See sterndrive.
Inglefield clip
A type of clip for attaching a flag to a flag halyard.
Inshore
1. Near (especially in sight of) or toward the shore.
2. Of a wind, blowing from the sea to the land.
Iron Mike
A slang term for autopilot.
Iron topsail
An auxiliary motor on a schooner.
Iron wind
What sailors call inboard engines.
Ironclad
A steam-propelled warship protected by iron or steel armor plates of the period from 1859 until the 1890s (when the term "ironclad" fell out of use).
Island
The superstructure of an aircraft carrier that extends above the flight deck. A carrier that lacks one is said to be flush-decked.
J[edit]
Jack
1. A sailor. Also jack tar or just tar.
2. A flag. Typically the flag was talked about as if it were a member of the crew. Strictly speaking, a flag is only a "jack" if it is worn at the jackstaff at the bow of a ship.
Jackass-barque
Sometimes spelled jackass bark, is a sailing ship with three (or more) masts, of which the foremast is square-rigged and the main is partially square-rigged (topsail, topgallant, etc.) and partially fore-and-aft rigged (course). The mizzen mast is fore-and-aft rigged.
Jack Dusty
A naval stores clerk.
Jack Tar
A sailor dressed in 'square rig' with square collar. Formerly with a tarred pigtail.
Jacklines or jack stays
Lines, often steel wire with a plastic jacket, from the bow to the stern on both port and starboard. A crewmember clips his safety harness to a jackline, allowing him to walk along the deck while still being safely attached to the vessel.
Jackstay
Iron rod bolted clear of the mainmast, to which the luff of the mainsail is laced. [2]
Jenny
See genoa
Jetty
A man-made wall in open water rising several feet above high tide made of rubble and rocks used to create a breakwater, shelter, erosion control, a channel, or other such purpose.
Jetsam
Debris ejected from a ship that sinks or washes ashore. See also Flotsam.
Jib
A triangular staysail at the front of a ship. More specifically, one mounted between bowsprit and the head if the mainmast.[2]
Jibboom
A spar used to extend the bowsprit.
Jibe
See gybe.
Jibe-ho
See gybe-oh.
Jigger-mast
The fourth mast, although ships with four or more masts were uncommon, or the aft most mast where it is smallest on vessels of less than four masts.
Jollies
Traditional Royal Navy nickname for the Royal Marines.
Jolly boat
On a barge, the ships boat used to ferry crew and stores when the barge is moored off.[2]
Joggle
a slender triangular recess cut into the faying surface of a frame or steamed timber to fit over the land of clinker planking, or cut into the faying edge of a plank or rebate to avoid feather ends on a strake of planking. The feather end is cut off to produce a nib. The joggle and nib in this case is made wide enough to allow a caulking iron to enter the seam.
Jonah
A person (either a sailor or a passenger) who carries a jinx, one whose presence on board brings bad luck and endangers the ship.
Junk
1. Old cordage past its useful service life as lines aboard ship. The strands of old junk were teased apart in the process called picking oakum.
2. A sailing ship of classic Chinese design with characteristic full batten sails that span the masts usually on unstayed rigs.
Jury rig
Both the act of rigging a temporary mast and sails and the name of the resulting rig. A jury rig would be built at sea when the original rig was damaged, then it would be used to sail to a harbor or other safe place for permanent repairs.
K[edit]
Kaep
a type of Proa native to Palau.[25]
Kedge
A technique for moving or turning a ship by using a relatively light anchor known as a kedge. The kedge anchor may be dropped while in motion to create a pivot and thus perform a sharp turn. The kedge anchor may also be carried away from the ship in a smaller boat, dropped, and then weighed, pulling the ship forward.
Keel
The central structural basis of the hull.
Keelhauling
Maritime punishment: to punish by dragging under the keel of a ship.
Kellet
See anchor sentinel.
Keelson
A baulk of timber or steel girder immediately above the keel that forms the backbone of a wooden ship. Chine keelson of more modest proportions are fitted at the junction of the floors and frames.[2]
Kentledge
Weights (often scrap or pig iron) used as permanent high-density ballast.
Ketch
A two-masted fore-and-aft rigged sailboat with the aft mast (the mizzen) mounted (stepped) afore (in front of) the rudder.
Killick
A small anchor. A fouled killick is the substantive badge of non-commissioned officers in the RN. Seamen promoted to the first step in the promotion ladder are called 'Killick'. The badge signifies that here is an able seaman skilled to cope with the awkward job of dealing with a fouled anchor.
Kicking strap
1. A rope, tackle or hydraulic ram running from the mast at or just above deck level to a point part-way along the boom of a yacht's mainsail or mizzen. Its function is to pull the boom down, flattening the sail in strong winds, reducing twist and preventing the boom from kicking up when running.
1. A chain rigged from the rudder to quarter, tightened when anchored, it relieve the pressure on the gudgeon pin ,[2]
King plank
The centerline plank of a laid deck. Its sides are often recessed, or nibbed, to take the ends of their parallel curved deck planks.
Kingston valve
A valve, which can be opened from the inside of the ship, that connects the sea to internal fuel, water, or ballast tanks (see also seacock).
Kissing the gunner's daughter
Bending over the barrel of a gun for punitive beating with a cane or cat.
Kitchen rudder
Hinged cowling around a fixed propeller, allowing the drive to be directed to the side or forwards to manoeuvre the vessel.
Knee
1. Connects two parts roughly at right angles, e.g. deck beams to frames.
2. A vertical rubber fender used on pushboats or piers, sometimes shaped like a human leg bent slightly at the knee
Knighthead
1. A mitred backing timber which extends the after line of the rabbet in the stem to give extra support to the ends of the planks and the bowsprit.
2. A bollard or bitt.
3. Either of two timbers rising from the keel of a sailing ship and supporting the inner end of the bowsprit.
Knock
See Header.
Knockdown
The condition of a sailboat being pushed abruptly to horizontal, with the mast parallel to the water surface.
Knot
A unit of speed: 1 nautical mile (1.8520 km; 1.1508 mi) per hour. Originally speed was measured by paying out a line from the stern of a moving boat; the line had a knot every 47 feet 3 inches (14.40 m), and the number of knots passed out in 30 seconds gave the speed through the water in nautical miles per hour. Sometimes "knots" is mistakenly stated as "knots per hour," but the latter is a measure of acceleration (i.e., "nautical miles per hour per hour") rather than of speed.
Know the ropes
A sailor who 'knows the ropes' is familiar with the miles of cordage and ropes involved in running a ship.
L[edit]
Lace
To attach a sail to a spar by passing a rope through eyelet holes and around the spar or its jackstay. [2]
Ladder
On board a ship, all "stairs" are called ladders, except for literal staircases aboard passenger ships. Most "stairs" on a ship are narrow and nearly vertical, hence the name. Believed to be from the Anglo-Saxon word hiaeder, meaning ladder.
Lagan
Debris that has sunk to the seabed.
Laid up
To be placed in reserve or mothballed. The latter usage is used in modern times and can refer to a specific set of procedures used by the US Navy to preserve ships in good condition.
Laker
Great Lakes slang for a vessel which spends all her time on the five Great Lakes.
Land lubber
A person unfamiliar with being on the sea.
Lanyard
A rope that ties something off.
Larboard
Obsolete term for the left side of a ship. Derived from "lay-board" providing access between a ship and a quay, when ships normally docked with the left side to the wharf. Replaced by port side or port, to avoid confusion with starboard.
Large
See By and large.
Lateen sail or Latin-rig
A fore-and-aft triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle to the mast.
Lateral system
A system of aids to navigation in which characteristics of buoys and beacons indicate the sides of the channel or route relative to a conventional direction of buoyage (usually upstream).
Launch
1. Traditionally, a launch was the largest ship's boat carried by a warship.
2. In modern usage, a large motorboat.
3. To dispatch a ship down a slipway, prior to fitting-out and commissioning.
Lay
To come and go, used in giving orders to the crew, such as "lay forward" or "lay aloft". To direct the course of vessel. Also, to twist the strands of a rope together. To make it to a mark, buoy, or harbor, such as "We will lay the mark".
Lay day
An unexpected delay time during a voyage often spent at anchor or in a harbor. It is usually caused by bad weather, equipment failure or needed maintenance.
Laying down
Laying the keel of a ship in a shipyard to begin her construction.
Lazaret (also Lazarette or Lazaretto)
1. A small stowage locker at the aft end of a boat.
2. A ship or building used for quarantine of sick patients.
3. An area on some merchant ships where provisions are stored.
4. In modern shipbuilding and on powerboats of all sizes, the location of the steering gear equipment for the vessel.
Lazy jacks, lazyjacks
A network of cordage rigged to a point on the mast and to a series of points on either side of the boom that cradles and guides the sail onto the boom when the sail is lowered.
Leach
The after edge of a sail.[2]
Lead
1. A plummet or mass of lead attached to a line, used in sounding depth at sea.
2. In former usage, to estimate velocity in knots.
Leadline (also sounding line)
An instrument used in navigation to measure water depth; the line attached to a lead.
Leadsman
A sailor who takes soundings with a lead, measuring the depth of water.
League
A unit of length, normally equal to three nautical miles.
Lee helm
The tendency of a sailboat to turn to leeward in a strong wind when there is no change in the rudder's position. This is the opposite of weather helm and is the result of a dynamically unbalanced condition. See also Center of lateral resistance.
Lee side
The side of a ship sheltered from the wind (cf. weather side).
Lee shore
A shore downwind of a ship. A ship which cannot sail well to windward risks being blown onto a lee shore and grounded.
Leeboard
A large fan shaped wooden board or fin mounted in pairs on the side of a boat. They can be lowered on the lee side of the ship to reduce leeway (similarly to a centerboardon a dinghy).[2]
Leeboard irons
The iron bars that run from the mainmast case to the head of each leeboard, which they support.[2]
Leeboard pendant
A wire connecting the fan of the leeboard, to a winch on the barges quarter. They control the fall of the leeboard. [2]
Leech
The aft or trailing edge of a fore-and-aft sail; the leeward edge of a spinnaker; a vertical edge of a square sail. The leech is susceptible to twist, which is controlled by the boom vang, mainsheet and, if rigged with one, the gaff vang. [2]
Lee-oh or hard-a-lee
The command given to come about (tack through the wind) on a sailing boat.
Leeward (/'lu??rd/ in nautical use)
In the direction that the wind is blowing towards.
Leeway
The amount that a ship is blown leeward by the wind. Also the amount of open free sailing space available to leeward before encountering hazards. See also weatherly.[2]
Leg
In navigation, a segment of a voyage between two waypoints.
Length between perpendiculars, also p/p, p.p., pp, LPP, LBP or Length BPP
The length of a vessel along the waterline from the forward surface of the stem, or main bow perpendicular member, to the after surface of the sternpost, or main stern perpendicular member. Believed to give a reasonable idea of the vessel's carrying capacity, as it excludes the small, often unusable volume contained in her overhanging ends.
Length overall, or LOA
The maximum length of a vessel's hull measured parallel to the waterline, usually measured on the hull alone, and including overhanging ends that extend beyond the main bow and main stern perpendicular members. For sailing vessels, this may exclude the bowsprit and other fittings added to the hull, but sometimes bowsprits are included.
Let go and haul
An order indicating that the ship is now on the desired course relative to the wind and that the sails should be trimmed ('hauled') to suit.
Letter of marque and reprisal or just Letter of marque
A warrant granted to a privateer condoning specific acts of piracy against a target as a redress for grievances.
Liberty
A relatively short period when a sailor is allowed ashore for recreation. See also shore leave.
Lie to
To have the ship's sails arranged so as to counteract each other. A ship in this condition or in the process of achieving this condition is lying to.
Lifebelt, lifebuoy, lifejacket, life preserver, personal flotation device
A device such as a buoyant ring or inflatable jacket which keeps a person afloat in the water.
Lifeboat
1. Shipboard lifeboat, kept on board a vessel and used to take crew and passengers to safety in the event of the ship being abandoned.
2. Rescue lifeboat, usually launched from shore, used to rescue people from the water or from vessels in difficulty.
Liferaft
An inflatable, covered raft, used in the event of a vessel being abandoned.
Lift
An enabling wind shift that allows a close hauled sailboat to point up from its current course to a more favorable one. This is the opposite of a header.
Light irons
Iron bars mounted near the main shrouds which support the navigation lights.[2]
Light screens
Boards on which the navigation lights are hooked, that shield the direction that the red or green light shows.[2]
Lighter
A flat-bottomed barge used to transfer goods and passengers to and from moored ships, traditionally unpowered and moved and steered using "sweeps" (long oars), with their motive power provided by water currents.
Lightering
The process of transferring cargo from one vesel to another to reduce the draft of the first vessel. Done to allow a vessel to enter a port with limited depth or to help free a grounded vessel.
Lightvessel or lightship
A permanently anchored vessel performing the functions of a lighthouse, typically in a location where construction of the latter is impractical. These have largely been replaced by buoys or, as construction techniques have improved, actual lighthouses.
Line
The correct nautical term for the majority of the cordage or "ropes" used on a vessel. A line will always have a more specific name, such as mizzen topsail halyard, that specifies its use.
Line astern
In naval warfare, a line of battle formed behind a flagship
Liner
1. During the Age of Sail, a ship-of-the-line, a major warship capable of taking its place in the main battleline of fighting ships.
2. Any cargo or passenger ship running scheduled service along a specific route with published ports of call, excluding ferries and other vessels engaged in short-sea trading. When referring to cargo ships, liner in this sense contrasts with tramp, which refers to a ship engaged in spot-market trade that does not follow a regular schedule or make regular calls at specific ports. When referring to passenger ships, liner in this sense refers to ships providing scheduled transportation between regular ports of call and excludes cruise ships, which voyage merely for recreational purposes and not primarily as a form of transportation between ports.
3. Ocean liner: Any large and prestigious passenger ship, including cruise ships.
List
A vessel's angle of lean or tilt to one side, in the direction called roll. Typically refers to a lean caused by flooding or improperly loaded or shifted cargo (as opposed to 'heeling', which see).
Lizard
short length of rope with an eye,used to hold another rope in position.[2]
Loaded to the gunwales
Literally, having cargo loaded as high as the ship's rail; also means extremely drunk.
Lofting
The technique used to convert a scaled drawing to full size used in boat construction.
Loggerhead
An iron ball attached to a long handle, used for driving caulking into seams and (occasionally) in a fight. Hence: 'at loggerheads'.
Lolling
An uncontrollable list caused by inadequate transverse stability in the upright condition.
Long stay
The relative slackness of an anchor chain; this term means taut and extended.
Longboat
1. In the Age of Sail, a double-banked open boat carried by a sailing ship, rowed by eight or ten oarsmen, two per thwart, although designed also to be rigged for sailing; more seaworthy than a cutter or dinghy and with a beam greater than that of a gig. Eventually supplanted by the whaleboat.
2. The largest, and thus the most capable, of boats carried on a ship.
Longship
A type of ship invented and used by the Vikings for trade, commerce, exploration, and warfare, evolving over several centuries and appearing in its complete form between the 9th and 13th centuries.
Lookout
A member of the crew specifically assigned to watch surrounding waters for other vessels, land, objects in the water, hazards, threats, etc. Lookouts usually have duty stations high on a vessel's superstructure or in her rigging in order to enhance their field of view.
Loose cannon
An irresponsible and reckless individual whose behavior (either intended or unintended) endangers the group he or she belongs to. A loose cannon, weighing thousands of pounds, would crush anything and anyone in its path, and possibly even break a hole in the hull, thus endangering the seaworthiness of the whole ship.
Loose footed
A mainsail that is not connected to a boom along its foot.[2]
Lower deck
1. The deck of a ship immediately above the hold.
2. In British usage, those members of a ship's company who are not officers, often used in the plural (the lower decks)
Lowers
The lower brails on the mainsail.[2]
Lubber's hole
A port cut into the bottom of a masthead or top (crow's-nest) allowing easy entry and exit. It was considered "un-seamanlike" to use this method rather than going over the side from the shrouds, and few sailors would risk the scorn of their shipmates by doing so (at least if there were witnesses). In practice, it is actually quicker and easier for a fit sailor to climb outside the masthead rather than through the lubber's hole.
Lubber's line
A vertical line inside a compass case indicating the direction of the ship's head.
Luff
1. The forward edge of a sail.[2]
2. Process of pointing a sailing vessel closer to the wind.[2]
Luff and touch her
To bring the vessel so close to wind that the sails shake.[7]
Luff up
To steer a sailing vessel more towards the direction of the wind until the pressure is eased on the [sheet].
Luffing
1. When a sailing vessel is steered far enough to windward that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind (the luff of a fore-and-aft sail begins to flap first).
2. Loosening a sheet so far past optimal trim that the sail is no longer completely filled with wind.
3. The flapping of the sail(s) which results from having no wind in the sail at all.
Lying ahull
Waiting out a storm by dousing all sails and simply letting the boat drift.
Lumber hooker
A Great Lakes ship designed to carry her own deck load of lumber and to tow one or two barges. The barges were big old schooners stripped of their masts and running gear to carry large cargoes of lumber.
Lugger
A small sailing vessel with lug sails set on two or more masts and perhaps lug topsails, widely used as traditional fishing boats, particularly off the coasts of France, England and Scotland.
Lug sail
A four-sided fore-and-aft sail supported by a spar along the top that is fixed to the mast at a point some distance from the center of the spar.
Lying to
See Lie to.
M[edit]
Mae West
A Second World War personal flotation device used to keep people afloat in the water; named after the 1930s actress Mae West, well known for her large bosom.
Magnetic bearing
An absolute bearing (q.v.) using magnetic north.
Magnetic north
The direction towards the North Magnetic Pole. Varies slowly over time.
Main deck
The uppermost continuous deck extending from bow to stern.
Mainbrace
One of the braces attached to the mainmast.
Mainmast (or Main)
The tallest mast on a ship.
Mains
The main brails on the mainsail.[2]
Mainsheet
Sail control line that allows the most obvious effect on mainsail trim. Primarily used to control the angle of the boom, and thereby the mainsail, this control can also increase or decrease downward tension on the boom while sailing upwind, significantly affecting sail shape. For more control over downward tension on the boom, use a boom vang.
Mainstay
The stay running from the top of the mainmast to the bottom of the foremast, or from the top of the foremast to the ship's stem.
Making way
When a vessel is moving under its own power.
Man-of-war or man o' war
a warship from the Age of Sail
Man overboard!
An emergency call that alerts the crew (q.v.) that someone aboard (q.v.) has gone overboard (q.v.) and must be rescued.
Man the rails
To station the crew of a naval vessel along the rails and superstructure of the vessel as a method of saluting or rendering honors.
Man the yards
To have all of the crew of a sailing vessel not required on deck to handle the ship go aloft and spread out along the yards. Originally used in harbors to display the whole crew to the harbor authorities and the other ships present to show that the vessel's guns were not manned and hence her intentions were peaceful, manning the yards has since became a display used in harbor during celebrations and other special events.
Manifest
A document listing the cargo, passengers, and crew of a ship for the use of customs and other officials.
Marconi rig
Another term for Bermudan rig. The mainsail is triangular, rigged fore-and-aft with the lead edge fixed to the mast. Refers to the similarity of the tall mast to a radio aerial.
Marina
a docking facility for small ships and yachts.
Marine
1. A soldier trained for service afloat in a (primarily) infantry force that specializes in naval campaigns and subordinated to a navy or a separate naval branch of service rather than to an army. Often capitalized (e.g., "a Marine," or "the Marines"). Notable examples are the United Kingdom's Royal Marines, formed as the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot in 1664 with many and varied duties including providing guard to ship's officers should there be mutiny aboard, and the US Marine Corps, formed in 1775 as a separate naval service alongside the US Navy. It is incorrect, and often viewed by marines as offensive, to refer to a marine as a "soldier" or "infantryman," as these terms refer to personnel of an army rather than those of a marine force. It also is incorrect, and sometimes considered offensive by both merchant mariners and marines, to refer to merchant mariners (q.v.) as "merchant marines," because merchant mariners are civilian sailors responsible for operating merchant ships and are not marines. Marines sometimes are thought by seamen to be rather gullible, hence the phrase "tell it to the marines," meaning that one does not believe what is being said.
2. An alternative term for a navy, uncommon in English, but common in other languages.
3. Of, or pertaining to, the sea (e.g, marine biology, marine insurance, marine life, marine salvage).
4. A painting representing a subject related to the sea.
Mariner
A sailor.
Maritime
1. Of or related to the sea (e.g., maritime activities, maritime law, maritime strategy).
2. Bordering on the sea (e.g., maritime provinces, maritime states).
3. Living in or near the sea (e.g., maritime animals).
4. Of or relating to a mariner or sailor.
Marlinspike
A tool used in ropework for tasks such as unlaying rope for splicing, untying knots, or forming a makeshift handle.
Mast
A vertical pole on a ship which supports sails or rigging. If a wooden, multi-part mast, this term applies specifically to the lowest portion.
Mast case
A yatchsmans tabernacle. The iron fitting in which the heel of the mast is mounted.[2]
Mast stepping
The process of raising the mast.
Masthead
A small platform partway up the mast, just above the height of the mast's main yard. A lookout is stationed here, and men who are working on the main yard will embark from here. See also crow's nest.
Master
1. The captain of a commercial vessel.
2. A senior officer of a naval sailing ship in charge of routine seamanship and navigation but not in command during combat.
3. Master, a former naval rank.
Master-at-arms
A non-commissioned officer responsible for discipline on a naval ship. Standing between the officers and the crew, commonly known in the Royal Navy as 'the Buffer'.
Matelot
A traditional Royal Navy term for an ordinary sailor.
Material
Military equipages of all descriptions for the naval services. The bombs, blankets, beans and bulletins of the Navy and Marine Corps. Taken from Nelson's British navy as the US services became professional. Related: Materiel � the military equipages of the Army and Air Force, taken from Napoleon's French army as the US services became professional.
Merchant marine
A collective term for all merchant ships registered in a given country and the civilians (especially those of that nationality) who man them; the ships and personnel in combination are said to constitute that country's merchant marine. Called the merchant navy in the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Merchant mariner
A civilian officer or sailor who serves in the merchant marine (q.v.). Sometimes such personnel are incorrectly called "merchant marines," but both merchant mariners and marines frown on this term; although merchant mariners are part of the merchant marine, they are civilians and are not in any way marines (q.v.), which are a specialized type of military personnel .
Merchant navy
A name bestowed upon the merchant marine (q.v.) of the United Kingdom by King George V, and since adopted by some other countries as well; the merchant navy's personnel are civilians, and the term "merchant navy" does not imply that they or their ships are a part of the navy. Synonymous with the term merchant marine.
Merchantman
Any non-naval passenger- or cargo-carrying vessel, including cargo ships, tankers, and passenger ships but excluding troopships.
Mess or messdeck
1. An eating place aboard ship.
2. A group of crew who live and eat together.
Mess deck catering
A system of catering in which a standard ration is issued to a mess supplemented by a money allowance which may be used by the mess to buy additional victuals from the pusser's stores or elsewhere. Each mess was autonomous and self-regulating. Seaman cooks, often members of the mess, prepared the meals and took them, in a tin canteen, to the galley to be cooked by the ship's cooks. As distinct from "cafeteria messing" where food is issued to the individual hand, which now the general practice.
Metacenter
The midway point between a vessel's center of buoyancy when upright and her center of buoyancy when tilted.
Metacentric height (also GM)
A measurement of the initial static stability of a vessel afloat, calculated as the distance between her centre of gravity and her metacenter. A vessel with a large metacentric height rolls more quickly and therefore more uncomfortably for people on board; a vessel with a small metacentric height will roll sluggishly and may face a greater danger of capsizing.
Middles
The middle brails on the mainsail, higher than the lowers, and lower than the mains.[2]
Midships
The middle section of a vessel with reference to the longitudinal plane, as distinguished from fore or aft. (Compare Amidships.)
Midshipman
1. During the 17th century, a naval rating for an experienced seaman.
2. From the 18th century, a naval commissioned officer candidate.
3. From the 1790s, an apprentice naval officer.
4. From the 19th century, an officer cadet at a naval academy.
5. In contemporary British usage, a non-commissioned officer below the rank of lieutenant. Usually regarded as being "in training" to some degree. Also known as 'Snotty'. 'The lowest form of rank in the Royal Navy' where he has authority over and responsibility for more junior ranks, yet, at the same time, relying on their experience and learning his trade from them.
6. In contemporary American usage, a cadet of either sex at the US Merchant Marine Academy or the US Naval Academy. When plural (Midshipmen), the term refers to the student body of either academy, and more formally as "the Regiment of Midshipmen" for the US Merchant Marine Academy and "the Brigade of Midshipmen" for the US Naval Academy. Midshipmen also is the name of the US Naval Academy's sports teams.
Midshipman's hitch
An alternative to the Blackwall hitch, preferred if the rope is greasy. Made by first forming a Blackwall hitch and then taking the underneath part and placing over the bill of the hook.[26]
Midshipman's nuts
Broken pieces of biscuit as dessert.[27]
Midshipman's roll
A slovenly method of rolling up a hammock transversely, and lashing it endways by one clue.[27]
Mile
see nautical mile.
Military mast
Hollow tubular masts used in warships in the last third of the 19th century, often equipped with a fighting top armed with light-caliber guns.
Mine
A self-contained explosive device intended to damage or sink surface ships or submarines, designed to be placed in water and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, proximity of, or contact with, a surface ship or submarines.
Minehunter
A vessel designed or equipped to detect and destroy individual mines. It differs from a minesweeper (q.v.), which is designed or equipped to clear areas of water of mines without necessarily detecting them first.
Minelayer
A vessel designed or equipped to deploy ("lay") mines.
Minesweeper
A vessel designed or equipped to clear areas of water of mines without necessaril detecting them first. It differs from a minehunter (q.v.), which is designed or equipped to detect and destroy individual mines.
Mizzen
1. A mast on a ketch or yawl, or spritsail barge It can be sloop, gaff of spritsail rig, its posioing affore of abaft the steering post defines the difference between a yawl and a ketch. On a barge its rig determines if she is a muffie or a mulie.[2]
2. A staysail on a ketch or yawl, usually lightweight, set from, and forward of, the mizzen mast while reaching in light to moderate air.[2]
Mizzenmast (or Mizzen)
The third mast, or mast aft of the mainmast, on a ship.
Mole
A massive structure, usually of stone or concrete, used as a pier, a breakwater, or a causeway between places separated by water. May have a wooden structure built upon it and resemble a wooden pier or wharf, but a mole differs from a pier, quay, or wharf in that water cannot flow freely underneath it.
Monitor
1. A turreted ironclad warship of the second half of the 19th century characterized by low freeboard, shallow draft, poor seaworthiness, and heavy guns, intended for riverine and coastal operations.
2. In occasional 19th-century usage, any turreted warship.
3. A shallow-draft armored shore bombardment vessel of the first half of the 20th century, designed to provide fire support to ground troops, often mounting heavy guns.
4. Breastwork monitor: A 19th-century monitor designed with a breastwork to improve seaworthiness.
5. River monitor: A monitor specifically designed for riverine operations, used during the 19th and 20th centuries and more recently than other types of monitor. River monitors generally are smaller and lighter than other monitors.
Monkey bridge
A high platform above the wheelhouse offering better visibility to the operator while maneuvering.
Monkey's fist
a ball woven out of line used to provide heft to heave the line to another location. The monkey fist and other heaving-line knots were sometimes weighted with lead (easily available in the form of foil used to seal e.g. tea chests from dampness) although Clifford W. Ashley notes that there was a "definite sporting limit" to the weight thus added.
Moor
1. To attach a boat to a mooring buoy or post.
2. To dock a ship.
3. To secure a vessel with a cable or anchor.
Mooring, also Moorings
A place to moor a vessel.
Mother ship (also mothership and mother-ship)
A vessel which leads, serves, or carries smaller vessels, in the latter case either releasing them and then proceeding independently or also recovering them after they have completed a mission or operation. A mother ship sometimes contrasts with a tender (q.v.), which often (but not necessarily) is a vessel that supports or cares for larger vessels.
Mould
A template of the shape of the hull in transverse section. Several moulds are used to form a temporary framework around which a hull is built.
Mould loft
Where the lines of the ship are drawn out full-size and the templates for the timbers are made.
Mousing
Several turns of light line around the mouth of a hook, to prevent unhooking accidents.[2]
Mulie
A barge rigged with a spritsail main, and a large gaff rigged mizzen afore the steering wheel. It is sheeted to the saddle chock.[2]
Multipurpose vessel
A cargo ship that has fittings to carry standard shipping containers and retractable tweendecks that can be moved out of the way so that the ship can carry bulk cargo.
Muster Station
The location on a vessel a person goes either during an emergency or a drill to prepare for one. i.e. A Muster Drill. If a person is believed missing, all hands would report to their muster station for a head count.
Muzzle
Iron ban around the mast to hold the heel of the sprit.[2]
M.V. (or MV)
Prefix for "Motor Vessel", used before a ship's name.
M.Y. (or MY)
Prefix for "Motor yacht", used before a yacht's name.
N[edit]
Narrows
A narrow part of a navigable waterway.
Nautical mile
A unit of length corresponding approximately to one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian arc. By international agreement it is exactly 1,852 metres (approximately 6,076 feet).
Naval Programme
The British system of authorizing naval construction by an annual bill in Parliament.
Naval infantry
1. Sailors subordinated to a navy trained and equipped to operate ashore temporarily as an organized infantry force, but at other times responsible for the normal duties of sailors aboard ship.
2. A specialized, permanent force of troops subordinated to a navy and responsible for infantry operations ashore. Although more specialized than sailors trained to operate temporarily as naval infantry and bearing similarities to a marine (q.n.) force or marine corps, such permanent naval infantry forces often lack the full capabilities of a marine force. Naval infantry forces also usually differ from marine forces in being subordinated directly to a navy rather than to a separate branch of naval service such as a marine corps.
Navigation rules
Rules of the road that provide guidance on how to avoid collision and also used to assign blame when a collision does occur.
Nay
"no"; the opposite of "aye".
Nipper
Short rope used to bind a cable to the "messenger" (a moving line propelled by the capstan) so that the cable is dragged along too (used where the cable is too large to be wrapped round the capstan itself). During the raising of an anchor the nippers were attached and detached from the (endless) messenger by the ship's boys. Hence the term for small boys: "nippers".
Nock
The throat of the mainsail.[2]
No room to swing a cat
The entire ship's company was expected to witness floggings, assembled on deck. If it was very crowded, the bosun might not have room to swing the "cat o' nine tails" (the whip).
Non-self-sustaining
See Self-sustaining.
Nun
A type of navigational buoy often cone shaped, but if not, always triangular in silhouette, colored green in IALA region A or red in IALA region B (the Americas, Japan, Korea and the Philippines). In channel marking its use is opposite that of a "can buoy".
O[edit]
Oakum
Material used for caulking hulls. Often hemp picked from old untwisted ropes.
Ocean liner
See Liner.
Offing
the more distant part of the sea as seen from the shore and generally beyond anchoring ground.
Offshore
1. Moving away from the shore.
2. Of a wind, blowing from the land to the sea.
3. At some distance from the shore; located in the sea away from the coast.
Oiler
1. A naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry cargo holds designed to replenish other ships with fuel and supplies while underway on the high seas. See Oiler (ship).
2. The job title of a seaman holding a junior position in a ship's engineering crew, senior only to the engine room wiper. See Oiler (occupation)
Oilskins or oilies
Foul-weather clothing worn by sailors.
Old man, (The)
Crew's slang for the captain (master or commanding officer) of a vessel.
Old salt
Slang for an experienced mariner.
On board (sometimes "onboard")
See "aboard".
On station
A ship's destination, typically an area to be patrolled or guarded.
On the hard
A boat that has been hauled and is now sitting on dry land.
Open registry
An organization that will register merchant ships owned by foreign entities, generally to provide a flag of convenience (q.v.).
Ordinary
See in ordinary.
Oreboat
Great Lakes term for a vessel primarily used in the transport of iron ore.
Orlop deck
The lowest deck of a ship of the line. The deck covering in the hold.
Outboard
1. Situated outside the hull of a vessel.
2. Situated within a vessel but positioned away (or farther away, when contrasted with another item) from her centerline (q.v.).
3. Farther from the hull, e.g., The larger boat was tied up alongside the ship outboard of the smaller boat.
4. Farther from the pier or shore, e.g., The tanker and cargo ship were tied up at the pier alongside one another with the tanker outboard of the cargo ship.
5. An outboard motor (q.v.).
6. A vessel fitted with an outboard motor.
Outboard motor
A motor mounted externally on the transom of a small boat. The boat may be steered by twisting the whole motor, instead of or in addition to using a rudder.
Outdrive
The lower part of a sterndrive (q.v.).
Outhaul
A line used to control the shape of a sail.
Outward bound
To leave the safety of port, heading for the open ocean.
Over-canvassed
To have too great a sail area up to safely maneuver in the current wind conditions.
Over-reaching
When tacking, holding a course too long.
Over the barrel
Adult sailors were flogged on the back or shoulders while tied to a grating, but boys were beaten instead on the posterior (often bared), with a cane or cat, while bending, often tied down, over the barrel of a gun, known as Kissing the gunner's daughter.
Overbear
To sail downwind directly at another ship, stealing the wind from its sails.
Overboard
Off or outside a vessel. If something or someone falls, jumps, or is thrown off of a vessel into the water, the object or person is said to have gone overboard. See "Man overboard!"
Overfalls
Dangerously steep and breaking seas due to opposing currents and wind in a shallow area, or strong currents over a shallow rocky bottom.
Overhead
The ceiling of any enclosed space below decks in a vessel, essentially the bottom of the deck above you.
Overhaul
Hauling the buntline ropes over the sails to prevent them from chafing.
Overwhelmed
Capsized or foundered.
Owner
Traditional Royal Navy term for the Captain, a survival from the days when privately owned ships were often hired for naval service.
Ox-eye
A cloud or other weather phenomenon that may be indicative of an upcoming storm.
P[edit]
Packet, Packet boat, or packet ship
1. Originally, a vessel employed to carry post office mail packets to and from British embassies, colonies and outposts.
2. Later, any regularly scheduled ship, carrying passengers, as in packet trade.
Packet trade
Any regularly scheduled cargo, passenger and mail trade conducted by ship.
Packetman
A seaman aboard a ship engaged in packet trade.
Painter
A rope attached to the bow of a dinghy, usually used to tow dingy or handle it at dockside, or in water.
Panting
The pulsation in and out of the bow and stern plating as the ship alternately rises and plunges deep into the water
Paravane
1. A device stabilized by vanes that functions as an underwater glider and which is streamed from (usually) the bow of a vessel and is towed alongside the vessel so that the cable attaching it to the vessel cuts the moorings of submerged mines.
2. A towed underwater object with hydrofoils, of use in commercial and sport fishing, water sports, marine exploration, marine industry, and military operations, sometimes equipped with sensors and also of use in exerting a sideward holding force on a vessel. Also called a water kite.
Parbuckle
A method of lifting a roughly cylindrical object such as a spar. One end of a rope is made fast above the object, a loop of rope is lowered and passed around the object, which can be raised by hauling on the free end of rope.
Parley
A discussion or conference, especially between enemies, over terms of a truce or other matters.
Parrel
A movable loop or collar, used to fasten a yard or gaff to its respective mast. Parrel still allows the spar to be raised or lowered and swivel around the mast. Can be made of wire or rope and fitted with beads to reduce friction.
Part brass rags
Fall out with a friend. From the days when cleaning materials were shared between sailors.
Passageway
Hallway of a ship.
Passenger-cargoman
A merchant ship configured primarily for the transportation of cargo but also for the transportation of at least some passengers.
Pawls
Iron fingers that click into notches in the barrel on a winch to prevent roll-back.[2]
Pay off
To let a vessel's head fall off from the wind (to leeward.)[2]
Paying
Filling a seam (with caulking or pitch), lubricating the running rigging; paying with slush (q.v.), protecting from the weather by covering with slush. See also: the devil to pay. (French from paix, pitch)
Paymaster
The officer responsible for all money matters in RN ships including the paying and provisioning of the crew, all stores, tools and spare parts. See also: purser.
Peak
1. The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; used in many combinations, such as peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc.[2]
2. The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it.
3. The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill.
Peaks
The uppermost brails on the mainsail.Upper and lower peaks are normal, but a barge may carry a third set too.[2]
Pelagic
1. Living in the open ocean rather than coastal or inland waters, (e.g., " a pelagic shark").
2. Taking place in the open ocean (e.g., "pelagic fishing," "pelagic sealing").
Pendant
1. A length of wire or rope secured at one end to a mast or spar and having a block or other fitting at the lower end. Often used incorrectly when referring to a Pennant (flag).
2. A length of wire or rope hooked to a tacckle on leeboards.[2]
Pennant
A long, thin triangular flag flown from the masthead of a military ship (as opposed to a burgee, the flags thus flown on yachts).
Picket boat
A boat on sentry duty, or one placed on a line forward of a position to warn against an enemy advance.
Pier
A raised structure, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars, used industrially for loading and unloading commercial ships, receationally for walking and housing attractions at a seaside resort, or as a structure for use by boatless fishermen. The lighter structure of a pier contrasts with the more solid foundations of a quay or the closely spaced piles of a wharf. In North America, the term "pier" used alone connotes either a pier used (or formerly used) by commercial shipping or one used for fishing, while in Europe the term used alone connotes a recreational pier at a seaside resort.
Pier-head jump
When a sailor is drafted to a warship at the last minute, just before she sails.
Pilot
Navigator. A specially knowledgeable person qualified to navigate a vessel through difficult waters, e.g. harbour pilot etc.
Pilot boat
A type of boat used to transport maritime pilots between land and the inbound or outbound ships that they are piloting.
PIM
Points (or plan) of intended movement. The charted course for a naval unit's movements.
Pinnace
1. Pinnace (ship's boat), a small, light boat propelled by oars or a sail, used as a tender to larger vessels during the Age of Sail.
2. Full-rigged pinnace, a small "race built" galleon, squared rigged with either two or three masts.
3. In modern usage, any small boat other than a launch or lifeboat associated with a larger vessel.
Pintle
The pin or bolt on which a ship's rudder pivots. The pintle rests in the gudgeon.
Pipe (Bos'n's), or a bos'n's call
A whistle used by Boatswains (bosuns or bos'ns) to issue commands. Consisting of a metal tube which directs the breath over an aperture on the top of a hollow ball to produce high pitched notes. The pitch of the notes can be changed by partly covering the aperture with the finger of the hand in which the pipe is held. The shape of the instrument is similar to that of a smoking pipe.
Pipe down
A signal on the bosun's pipe to signal the end of the day, requiring lights (and smoking pipes) to be extinguished and silence from the crew.
Piping the side
A salute on the bos'n's pipe(s) performed in the company of the deck watch on the starboard side of the quarterdeck or at the head of the gangway, to welcome or bid farewell to the ship's Captain, senior officers and honoured visitors.
Piracy
An act of robbery or criminal violence at sea by the occupants of one vessel against the occupants of another vessel (thus excluding such acts committed by the crew or passengers of a vessel against others aboard the same vessel). Piracy is distinguished from privateering, which is authorized by national authorities and therefore a legitimate form of war-like activity by non-state actors.
Pirate
One who engages in an act of piracy.
Pitch
A vessel's motion, rotating about the beam/transverse axis, causing the fore and aft ends to rise and fall repetitively.
Pitchpole
To capsize a boat stern over bow, rather than by rolling over.
Plane
To skim over the water at high speed rather than push through it.
Plimsoll line (also national Load Line)
A special marking, positioned amidships, that indicates the draft of the vessel and the legal limit to which the vessel may be loaded for specific water types and temperatures.
Plotting room
see transmitting station.
Point
A unit of bearing equal to one thirty-second of a circle, i.e., 11.25�. A turn of 32 points is a complete turn through 360�.
Point up
To change the direction of a sailboat so that it is more up wind. To bring the bow windward. Also called heading up. This is the opposite of falling off.
Points of sail
The course of a sailing vessel in relation to the direction of the wind, divided into six points: in irons (pointed directly into the wind), close hauled (sailing as close into the direction of the wind as possible), close reach (between close hauled and beam reach), beam reach (perpendicular to the wind), broad reach (wind behind the vessel at an angle), and running downwind or running before the wind (the wind is behind the vessel).
Pontoon
A flat-bottomed vessel used as a ferry, barge, or car float, or a float moored alongside a jetty or a ship to facilitate boarding.
Poop deck
A high deck on the aft superstructure of a ship.
Pooped
1. Swamped by a high, following sea.
2. Exhausted.
Port
The left side of the boat. Towards the left-hand side of the ship facing forward (formerly Larboard). Denoted with a red light at night.[2]
Port of registry
The port listed in a vessel's registration documents and lettered on her stern. Often used incorrectly as a synonym for "home port", meaning the port at which the vessel is based, but which may differ from her port of registry.
Port tack
When sailing with the wind coming from the port side of the vessel. Must give way to boats on starboard tack.
Porthole or port
An opening in a ship's side, esp. a round one for admitting light and air, fitted with thick glass and, often, a hinged metal cover, a window
Post-captain
An obsolete alternative form of the rank of captain in the Royal Navy; once achieved promotion thereafter was entirely due to seniority.
Powder hulk
A hulk used to store gunpowder.
Powder magazine
A small room/closet area in the hull of the ship used for storing gunpowder in barrels, or, "kegs", usually located centrally so as to have easy access to the grated loading area. Sometimes may be an enclosed closet with a door, so it can be locked and only the captain would have the key, similar to how rum is stored.
Predreadnought
Term used retrospectively after 1906 for a wide variety of steam battleships built between the 1880s and c. 1905 designed with only a few large guns for long-range fire, relying on an intermediate secondary battery used at shorter ranges for most of their offensive power, and having triple-expansion steam engines. They were rendered obsolete by the revolutionary dreadnought battleships which began to appear in 1906 and which differed from predreadnoughts in having steam turbine propulsion and an "all-big-gun" armament layout in which the ship's primary gun power resided in a primary battery of its largest guns intended for use at long range, with other gun armament limited to small weapons intended for defense against torpedo boats and other small warships.
Press gang
Formed body of personnel from a ship of the Royal Navy (either a ship seeking personnel for its own crew or from a 'press tender' seeking men for a number of ships) that would identify and force (press) men, usually merchant sailors into service on naval ships usually against their will.
Preventer (gybe preventer, jibe preventer)
A sail control line originating at some point on the boom leading to a fixed point on the boat's deck or rail (usually a cleat or pad eye) used to prevent or moderate the effects of an accidental jibe.
Principal Warfare Officer
PWO, one of a number of Warfare branch specialist officers.
Prison ship or prison hulk
A vessel used as a prison, often to hold convicts awaiting transportation to penal colonies; particularly common in the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Private ship
In British usage, a commissioned warship in active service that is not being used as the flagship of a flag officer. The term does not imply in any way that the ship is privately owned.
Privateer
A privately owned ship authorised by a national power (by means of a #Letter of marque) to conduct hostilities against an enemy. Also called a private man of war.
Prize
A property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
Prize crew
Members of a warship's crew assigned to man a vessel taken as a prize.
Propeller (fixed)
A propeller mounted on a rigid shaft protruding from the hull of a vessel, usually driven by an inboard motor;
Propeller (folding)
A propeller with folding blades, furling to reduce drag on a sailing vessel when not in use.
Propeller walk or prop walk
tendency for a propeller to push the stern sideways. In theory a right hand propeller in reverse will walk the stern to port.
Prow
a poetical alternative term for bows.
Puddening
Fibres of old rope packed between spars, or used as a fender.
Purchase
A mechanical method of increasing force, such as a tackle or lever.[2]
Purser
The person who buys, stores and sells all stores on board ships, including victuals, rum and tobacco. Originally a private merchant, latterly a warrant officer.
Q[edit]
Quarterdeck
The aftermost deck of a warship. In the age of sail, the quarterdeck was the preserve of the ship's officers.
Queen's (King's) Regulations
The standing orders governing the British Royal Navy issued in the name of the current Monarch.
Quay
1. A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels, generally synonymous with a wharf (q.v.), although the solid foundations of a quay contrast with the closely spaced piles of a wharf. When "quay" and "wharf" are used as synonyms, the term "quay" is more common in everyday speech in the United Kingdom, many Commonwealth countries, and the Republic of Ireland, while "wharf" is more commonly used in the United States.
2. To land or tie up at a quay.
Quayside
1. An area alongside a quay.
2. Having the attribute of being alongside a quay, e.g., "The ship is moored quayside."
R[edit]
Rabbet or rebate /'r�b?t/
A groove cut in wood to form part of a joint.
Radar
Acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging. An electronic system designed to transmit radio signals and receive reflected images of those signals from a "target" in order to determine the bearing and distance to the "target".
Radar reflector
A special fixture fitted to a vessel or incorporated into the design of certain aids to navigation to enhance their ability to reflect radar energy. In general, these fixtures will materially improve the visibility for use by vessels with radar.
Rake
To incline from the perpendicular; something so inclined is raked or raking, e.g., a raked or raking stem, stern, mast, funnel, etc.
Ram
1. A weapon consisting of an underwater prolongation of the bow of a vessel to form an armored beak, intended to be driven into the hull of an enemy vessel in order to puncture the hull and disable or sink that vessel.
2. An armored warship of the second half of the 19th century designed to use such a weapon as her primary means of attack.
3. To intentionally collide with another vessel with the intention of damaging or sinking her.
4. To accidentally collide bow-first with another vessel.
Range clock
A clockwork device used aboard a warship to continuously calculate the range to an enemy ship.
Range lights
Two lights associated to form a range (a line formed by the extension of a line connecting two charted points) which often, but not necessarily, indicates the channel centerline. The front range light is the lower of the two, and nearer to the mariner using the range. The rear light is higher and further from the mariner.
Rating
1. In British usage, an enlisted member of a country's navy, i.e., all members of the navy who are not officers or warrant officers.
2. In contemporary US Navy and US Coast Guard usage, the occupational specialty of an enlisted member of the service.
Ratlines
(also "rattlins" or "ratlins")
The rungs fastened between the shrouds permanently rigged from bulwarks and tops to the mast to form ladders enabling access to the topmasts and yards.[2]
Razee
1. A sailing ship that has been cut down to reduce the number of decks.
2. To cut down a sailing ship to reduce the number of decks.
Reaching
Sailing across the wind: from about 60� to about 160� off the wind. Reaching consists of "close reaching" (about 60� to 80�), "beam reaching" (about 90�) and "broad reaching" (about 120� to 160�). See also beating and running.
Reaching Sail
A specifically designed sail for tighter reaching legs. Reaching sails are often used in racing with a true wind angle of 35 to 95 degrees. They are generally used before the wind angle moves aft enough to permit spinnakers to be flown.
Ready about
A call to indicate imminent tacking (see going about).[2]
Receiver of Wreck
A government official whose duty is to give owners of shipwrecks the opportunity to retrieve their property and ensure that law-abiding finders of wreck receive an appropriate reward.
Receiving hulk or receiving ship
A hulk used in harbor to house newly recruited sailors before they are assigned to a crew.
Red Duster
Traditional nickname for the Red Ensign, the civil ensign (flag) carried by United Kingdom civilian vessels.
Red-to-red
A passage of two vessels moving in the opposite direction on their port sides, so called because the red navigation light on one of the vessels faces the red light on the other vessel.
Reduced cat
A light version on the cat o'nine tails for use on boys; also called "boys' pussy".
Reef
1. Reefing: To temporarily reduce the area of a sail exposed to the wind, usually to guard against adverse effects of strong wind or to slow the vessel.[2]
2. Reef: Rock or coral, possibly only revealed at low tide, shallow enough that the vessel will at least touch if not go aground.
Reef-points
Small flat lengths of braided cord attached by eyelets to a sail along the reef band, used to secure the excess fabric after reefing. Typically, a reef point consists of two lengths of cord which taper towards their ends � the narrow end of each is threaded through an eye in the wide end of the other and then the pair are rove through the eyelet in the reef band such that one length hangs before and the other abaft the sail.[28]
Reef-bands
Long pieces of rough canvas sewed across the sails to give them additional strength.
Reef-tackles
Ropes employed in the operation of reefing.[29]
Reefer
1. A shipboard refrigerator.
2. A refrigerated cargo ship, used to carry perishable goods that require refrigeration (also reefer ship)
Reeve
(Past tense rove) To thread a line through blocks in order to gain a mechanical advantage, such as in a block and tackle.[29]
Regatta
A series of boat races, usually of sailboats or rowboats, but occasionally of powered boats.
Relative bearing
A bearing relative to the direction of the ship: the clockwise angle between the ship's direction and an object. See also absolute bearing and bearing.
Research vessel
A ship designed and equipped to carry out research at sea, especially hydrographic survey, oceanographic research, fisheries research, naval research, polar research, and oil exploration.
Rib tickler
A bargeman's name for the tiller.[2]
Riding light
A light hung from the forestay when at anchor.[2]
Rigging
The system of masts and lines on ships and other sailing vessels.[29]
Rigging chocks
Thick blocks of wood fixed outside the rails to take the chain plates for the shrouds.[2]
Rigging screw
A bottle screw used to keep wires taut.[2]
Righting couple
The force which tends to restore a ship to equilibrium once a heel has altered the relationship between her centre of buoyancy and her centre of gravity.
Rigol
The rim or 'eyebrow' above a port-hole or scuttle.
Rip rap
A man-made pile of rocks and rubble often surrounding an off-shore lighthouse or as a base for an aid to navigation.
Roads
See roadstead.
Roadstead
A sheltered area outside a harbour where a ship can lie safe at anchor, also known as a roads.
Rode
The anchor line, rope or cable connecting the anchor chain to the vessel. Also Anchor Rode.
Rogue wave
A surprisingly large wave for a given sea state; formally, a wave whose height is more than twice the significant wave height (i.e., the mean of the largest third of waves in a wave record).
Roll
A vessel's motion rotating from side to side, about the fore-aft/longitudinal axis. Listing is a lasting, stable tilt, or heel, along the longitudinal axis. Roll is also an alternate name for the longitudinal axis (roll axis).
Roll-on/roll-off ship (also RORO or ro-ro)
A vessel designed to carry wheeled cargo that can drive on and off the ship on its own wheels.
Rolling-tackle
A number of pulleys, engaged to confine the yard to the weather side of the mast; this tackle is much used in a rough sea.[30]
Rolling vang
A second set of sprit-head vangs played out forward to rail near the bows, used to give additional control and support when needed in a seaway. [2]
Romper
In a convoy, a ship that breaks ranks and "romps" ahead.
Ropes, the
1. All cordage, the lines in the rigging.
Ropes, the
2. Cordage of over 1 inches in diameter.[30]
Rope's end
A summary punishment device.
Rope yarn
1. A period, traditionally on Wednesday afternoons, when a tailor boarded a sailing warship while the vessel was in port; the crew was excused from most duties and had light duty mending uniforms and hammocks and darning socks. When the ship was at sea, the crew similarly was excused from most duties on Wednesday afternoons to engage in mending chores. Wednesday afternoons, like Sundays, thus were a more social time which allowed crewmen a rest from their normal duties, similar to a Sunday, and, because the crew used rope yarn for mending, Wednesday afternoon became known as rope yarn Sunday.
2. After uniforms began to require less care, and through the mid-20th century, a period on Wednesday afternoon when naval crew members were excused from their regular duties to run personal errands.
3. Since the mid-20th century, any period of free time when a naval crew is given early liberty or otherwise excused from its normally scheduled duties.
4. One of threads of which a rope is composed. [30]
RORO or ro-ro
See roll-on/roll-off ship.
Round to
To turn the bow of a vessel into the wind.
Rove
see reeve.[29]
Rowlock /'r?l?k/
A bracket providing the fulcrum for an oar. See also thole.
Royal
1. In large sailing ships, a mast right above the topgallant mast.
2. The sail of such a mast.
Rubbing strake
An extra plank fitted to the outside of the hull, usually at deck level, to protect the topsides.
Rudder
A steering device which can be placed aft, externally relative to the keel or compounded into the keel either independently or as part of the bulb/centerboard.
Ruffle
Part of the anchor winch.This is a serrated iron ring attached to the barrel, to which the pawl is applied to prevent backruns of the anchor chain.[2]
Rum-runner
see go-fast boat.
Rummage (obsolete spelling "romage")
1. A place or room for the stowage of cargo in a vessel.
2. The act of stowing cargo aboard a vessel.
3. To arrange (cargo, goods, etc.) in the hold of a vessel; to move or rearrange such goods; the pulling and moving about of packages incident to close stowage aboard a vessel.
4. To search a vessel for smuggled goods, e.g., "After the long voyage, the customs officers rummaged the ship.
Rummage sale
A sale of damaged cargo (from French arrimage).
Run
1. The stern of the underwater body of a ship from where it begins to curve upward and inward.
2. A voyage.
Running before the wind or running
Sailing more than about 160� away from the wind. If directly away from the wind, it's a dead run.
Running backstays
The adjustable backstays of the main mast.[2]
Running gear
The propellers, shafts, struts and related parts of a motorboat.
Running rigging
Rigging used to manipulate sails, spars, etc. in order to control the movement of the ship. Cf. standing rigging.[31]
S[edit]
Safe harbour
A harbour which provides safety from bad weather
Safe haven
A safe harbour, including natural harbours, which provide safety from bad weather or attack.
Saddle chock
A transverse beam placed over the transom with fairleads for mooring warps.[2]
Sagging
When the trough of a wave is amidships, causing the hull to deflect so the ends of the keel are higher than the middle. The opposite of hogging.
Sail
1. A piece of fabric attached to a vessel and arranged such that it causes the wind to drive the vessel along. It may be attached to the vessel via a combination of mast, spars, and ropes.
2. The power harnessed by a sail or sails to propel a vessel.
3. To use sail power to propel a vessel.
4. A trip in a boat or ship, especially a sailboat or sailing ship.
5. In American usage, a sail is a tower-like structure on the dorsal (topside) surface of submarines constructed since the mid-20th century which houses periscopes, access trunks for the bridge, etc.; called a fin in European and British Commonwealth countries. It differs from the conning tower of earlier submarines, which was similar in appearance to a sail or fin, but housed instruments and controls from which the periscopes were used to direct the submarine and launch torpedo attacks, functions not performed in a modern sail (or fin).
Sail loft
A large open space used by sailmakers to spread out sails.
Sail-plan
A set of drawings showing various sail combinations recommended for use in various situations.
Sailing skiff
see 'skiff'.
Sailmaker
A craftsman who makes and repairs sails, working either on shore in a sail loft or aboard a large, ocean-going sailing ship.
Sailorman
London term for sailing barge, or a bargeman.[2]
Sally ship
A method of freeing a vessel grounded on mud in which the crew forms a line and runs back and forth athwartships (q.v.) to cause her to rock back and forth, breaking the mud's suction and freeing her with little or no hull damage. When this is required, the crew is given the order Sally ship!
Saltie
Great Lakes term for a vessel that sails the oceans.
Salty dog
Slang for a sailor, especially for a seaman in the navy.
Salvor
A person engaged in salvage of a ship or items lost at sea.
Sampan
A relatively flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat from 3.5 to 4.5 m long; some with a small shelter and may be used as permanent habitation on inland waters; generally used in coastal areas or rivers and as traditional fishing boats. It is unusual for a sampan to sail far from land as they do not have the means to survive rough weather.
Sampson post
A strong vertical post used to support a ship's windlass and the heel of a ship's bowsprit.
S.B. (or SB)
Prefix for "Sailing Barge", used before a ship's name.
Scandalize
To reduce the area and efficiency of a sail by expedient means (slacking the peak and tricing up the tack) without properly reefing, thus slowing boat speed. Also used in the past as a sign of mourning.
Scantlings
Dimensions of ships structural members, e.g., frame, beam, girder, etc.
Schooner
A type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts, first used by the Dutch in the 16th or 17th century.
Scow
1. A method of preparing an anchor for tripping by attaching an anchor cable to the crown and fixing to the ring by a light seizing (also known as becue). The seizing can be broken if the anchor becomes fouled.
2. A type of clinker dinghy, characteristically beamy and slow.
3. An inland racing boat with no keel, a large sail plan, and a planing hull.
Screecher
This is a specialty sail whose name comes from combining the names spinnaker and Reaching sails and can be used as an upwind genoa sail, reaching sail, or downwind sail.
Screw
1. Propeller.
2. Propeller-driven (e.g., screw frigate, screw sloop).
Scud
A name given by sailors to the lowest clouds, which are mostly observed in squally weather.
Scudding
A term applied to a vessel when carried furiously along by a tempest.
Scull
1. An oar used for sculling.
2. A boat propelled by sculling, generally for recreation or racing.
Sculling
A method of using oars to propel watercraft in which the oar or oars touch the water on both the port and starboard sides of the craft, or over the stern. On sailboats with transom-mounted rudders, forward propulsion can be made by a balanced side to side movement of the tiller, a form of sculling.
Scuppers
Originally a series of pipes fitted through the ship's side from inside the thicker deck waterway to the topside planking to drain water overboard, larger quantities drained through freeing ports, which were openings in the bulwarks.
Scuttle
A small opening, or lid thereof, in a ship's deck or hull.
Scuttlebutt
1. A barrel with a hole in used to hold water that sailors would drink from. By extension (in modern naval usage), a shipboard drinking fountain or water cooler.
2. Slang for gossip.
Scuttling
Making a hole in the hull of a vessel or opening seacocks, especially in order to sink a vessel deliberately.
Sea anchor
A stabilizer deployed in the water for heaving to in heavy weather. It acts as a brake and keeps the hull in line with the wind and perpendicular to waves. Often in the form of a large bag made of heavy canvas. See also drogue.
Sea chest
A watertight box built against the hull of the ship communicating with the sea through a grillage, to which valves and piping are attached to allow water in for ballast, engine cooling, and firefighting purposes. Also a wooden box used to store a sailor's effects.
Sea state
The general condition of the free surface on a large body of water with respect to wind waves and swell at a certain location and moment, characterized by statistics, including the wave height, period, and power spectrum. The sea state varies with time, as the wind conditions or swell conditions change.
Sea trial
The testing phase of a boat, ship, or submarine, usually the final step in her construction, conducted to measure a vessel's performance and general seaworthiness before her owners take delivery of her.
Seaboots
High waterproof boots for use at sea. In leisure sailing, known as sailing wellies.
Seacock
A valve in the hull of a boat.
Sealing
1. The hunting of seals.
2. The caulked floor of the hold. (also: ceiling). [2]
Seaman
Generic term for sailor, or (part of) a low naval rank
Seaworthy
Certified for, and capable of, safely sailing at sea.
Second mate
Also called second officer, a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship, third � or on some ocean liners fourth � in command; a watchkeeping officer, customarily the ship's navigator. Other duties vary, but the second mate is often the medical officer and in charge of maintaining distress signaling equipment. On oil tankers, the second mate usually assists the chief mate with tank-cleaning operations.
Second officer
See second mate.
Seekers
London term for sailing barges that sought cargo, carrying cargo for other merchants at a fee, rather than for the owner.[2]
Self-sustaining
A merchant ship which is able to unload herself without any assistance from a harbor's facilities is self-sustaining, while a ship which requires the assistance of a harbor's facilities to unload herself is non-self-sustaining. Self-sustaining ships are more expensive to build, maintain, and operate than non-self-sustaining ships, but have the advantage of being able to operate in less-developed ports that lack the infrastructure necessary to unload ships.
Self-unloader
Great Lakes slang term for a vessel with a conveyor or some other method of unloading the cargo without shoreside equipment.
Sennet whip
A summary punitive implement
Serve
Covering a rope with thin line to protect it.[2]
Set
The direction toward which the current is flowing.
Sextant
Navigational instrument used to measure a ship's latitude.
Shackle
U-shaped iron, with a screw pin at the open end used for securing stays to sails, allowing easy removal.[2]
Shaft alley
Section of a ship that houses the propulsion shaft, running from the engine room to the stuffing box.
Shakedown cruise
A cruise performed before a ship enters service or after major changes such as a crew change, repair, or overhaul during which the performance of the ship and her crew are tested under working conditions.
Shakes
Pieces of barrels or casks broken down to save space. They are worth very little, leading to the phrase "no great shakes".
Shanghaied
Condition of a crewman involuntarily impressed into service on a ship.
Sheave
The wheel in a block, which rotates as the rope runs.[2]
Sheer
The upward curve of a vessel's longitudinal lines as viewed from the side.[2]
Sheer plan
In shipbuilding, a diagram showing an elevation of the ship's sheer viewed from the broadside.
Sheet
A rope, attached to the clew, used to control the setting of a sail in relation to the direction of the wind. The sheet is often passed through a tackle before being attach to fixed points on the deck, or in the case of a barge, to a traveller on the main horse.[2]
Shell (in the United Kingdom also fine boat)
An extremely narrow, and often disproportionately long, rowing boat outfitted with long oars, outriggers to hold the oarlocks away from the boat, and sliding seats, specifically designed for racing or exercise.
Shelter deck
An upper deck having no overhead protection from the weather itself, but sheltering the deck below it.
Shift colors
Changing the flag and pennant display when a moored vessel becomes underway, and vice versa. A highly coordinated display that ships take pride in; the desired effect is that of one set of flags vanishing while another set flashes out at precisely the same time. Also, slang for changing out of one's Navy uniform into civilian clothes to go ashore. (The US Navy's newsletter for retired personnel is nicknamed Shift Colors from this reason.)[32]
Shift tides
Sighting the positions of the sun and moon using a sextant and using a nautical almanac to determine the location and phase of the moon and calculating the relative effect of the tides on the navigation of the ship.[33][34]
Ship
1. Noun � Strictly, a three-masted vessel square-rigged on all three masts, or on three masts of a vessel with more than three. Hence a ship-rigged barque would be a four master, square-rigged on fore, main and mizzen, with spanker and gaff topsail only on the Jigger-mast. Generally now used refers to most medium or large vessels outfitted with smaller boats. As a consequence of this, submarines may be larger than small ships, but are called boats because they do not carry boats of their own.
2. Verb � To bring something aboard swiftly, as in "Ship oars."
Ship-of-the-line
A type of sailing warship constructed from the 1600s through the mid-1800s to serve as part of the line of battle; the largest and most powerful warships of the era.
Ship over
Verb � To reenlist. When a sailor extends his or her service another term.
Ship rig
Ship-rigged ship
See full rigged ship.
Ship sloop
A type of sloop-of-war introduced in the 1740s which had three square-rigged masts (in contrast to the brig sloop introduced in the 1770s, which had two masts).
Ship's bell
Striking the ship's bell is the traditional method of marking time and regulating the crew's watches. Each bell (from one to eight) represents a 30-minute period since the beginning of a four-hour watch. For example, in the classical system, "Three bells in the morning watch" represents 90 minutes since the beginning of the morning watch, or 5:30am. "Eight bells" indicates the end of a watch.
Ship's biscuit
See hard tack.
Ship's company
The crew of a ship.
Ship's complement
The number of persons in a ship's crew, including officers.
Ship's husband
Once widely used term, now obsolete, for the man at a dockyard in charge of repairs to a ship. The term derived from the notion that the ship was a "lady" who needed to visit her "husband" when in need of repairs.
Shipwright
A person who designs, builds, and repairs ships, especially wooden ones.
Shipyard
A facility where ships or boats are built and repaired. Routinely used as a synonym for dockyard, although dockyard sometimes is associated more closely with a facility used for maintenance and basing activities, while shipyard sometimes is associated more closely with a facility used in construction.
Shoal
Shallow water that is a hazard to navigation.
Shoal draught
Shallow draught, making the vessel capable of sailing in unusually shallow water.
Shore leave
Free time given to officers and crew of a naval vessel when they are off duty and allowed to disembark and spend time on land. See also liberty.
Short stay
The relative slackness of an anchor chain; this term means somewhat slack, but not vertical nor fully extended.
Shorten
1. To take in the slack of (a rope).
2. To reduce (sail) by taking it in.
Shot across the bow
A shot fired close to and in front of a moving vessel to warn her to stop, often for boarding.
Shroud
A rope or cable serving to hold a mast up from side to side.
Shrouds
Standing rigging running from a mast to the sides of a ships to support the mast sideways. The shrouds work with the stays, which run forward and aft, to support the mast's weight.[2]
Sick bay
The compartment reserved for medical purposes.
Sideboy
One of an even-numbered group of seamen posted in two rows on the quarterdeck when a visiting dignitary boards or leaves the ship, historically to help (or even hoist) him aboard.
Sidewheel
1. A side-mounted paddle wheel used for propulsion by a paddle steamer.
2. Propelled by sidewheels (e.g., "sidewheel steamer").
Sidewheeler
A paddle steamer propelled by a pair of paddle wheels, one mounted on each side.
Siren
A sound signal which uses electricity or compressed air to actuate either a disc or a cup shaped rotor.
Sister ship
A ship of the same class as, and therefore virtually identical in design and appearance to, another ship. Sister ships share an identical or nearly identical hull and superstructure layout, similar displacement, and roughly comparable features and equipment. Often, sister ships become more differentiated during their service lives as their equipment (and, in the case of military ships, their armament) are separately altered.
Skeg
A downward or sternward projection from the keel in front of the rudder. Protects the rudder from damage, and in bilge keelers may provide one "leg" of a tripod on which the boat stands when the tide is out.
Skiff
A small boat, traditionally a coastal or river craft, for leisure or fishing, with a single person or small crew. Sailing skiffs have developed into high performance competitive classes.
Skipper
The captain of a ship.
Skysail
A sail set very high, above the royals. Only carried by a few ships.
Skyscraper
A small, triangular sail, above the skysail. Used in light winds on a few ships.
Slack tide
That period between rising tide and falling tide. or that period between falling tide and rising tide when there is no tidal induced current.
Sling
1. To pass a rope around something preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle to it.
2. A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; chiefly used in the plural, "slings".
Slip
1. A berth for a ship or boat; a place for a ship or boat to moor.
2. The difference between the theoretical distance traveled per revolution of a vessel's propeller and the actual advance of the vessel.
3. In marine engineering, the motion of the center of resistance of the float of a paddle wheel or the blade of an oar through the water horizontally.
4. In marine engineering, the difference between a vessel's actual speed and the speed it would have if the propelling instrument acted upon a solid.
5. In marine engineering, the velocity relative to still water of the backward current of water produced by the propeller.
6. In marine insurance, a memorandum of the particulars of a risk for which a policy is to be executed, usually bearing the broker's name and initiated by the underwriters.
Slipway
A ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. Slipways are used for building and repairing ships and boats. They are also used for launching and retrieving small boats on trailers towed by automobiles and flying boats on their undercarriage.
Sloop
A small to mid-sized sailboat larger than a dinghy, with one mast bearing a main sail and head sail and located farther forward than the mast of a cutter.
Sloop-of-war
1. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a small sailing warship carrying 18 or fewer guns with a single continuous gundeck.
2. In the 18th and 19th centuries, any sailing warship bearing fewer than 20 guns.
3. In the 19th-century US Navy, the term used for the type of sailing warship known in other navies as a corvette.
4. In the early and mid-20th century, a small ocean-going warship not intended for fleet deployments, used instead for convoy escort, gunboat duties, etc.
Slop chest
A ship's store of merchandise, such as clothing, tobacco, etc., maintained aboard merchant ships for sale to the crew.
Slush
Greasy substance obtained by boiling or scraping the fat from empty salted meat storage barrels, or the floating fat residue after boiling the crew's meal. In the Royal Navy the perquisite of the cook who could sell it or exchange it (usually for alcohol) with other members of the crew. Used for greasing parts of the running rigging of the ship and therefore valuable to the master and bosun.
Slush fund
The money obtained by the cook selling slush ashore. Used for the benefit of the crew (or the cook).
Smack
A traditional fishing boat used off the coast of England and the Atlantic coast of America for most of the 19th century and in small numbers up to the mid-20th century. Originally a cutter-rigged sailing boat, after about 1865 lengthened and given a ketch rig. Some had a topsail on the mizzen mast, others a bowsprit carrying a jib.
Small bower (anchor)
The smaller of two anchors carried in the bow.
Snotter
A short rope, spliced together at the ends and covered with hide, that is seized to the mast to hold the lower end of a sprit.[35]
Snotty
A midshipman (Royal Navy slang.)[36]
Snow
A form of brig where the gaff spanker or driver is rigged on a "snow mast" a lighter spar supported in chocks close behind the main-mast.
Soft eye
An eye splice without a thimble fitted.
SOG
Speed over ground, speed of the vessel relative to the Earth (and as shown by a GPS). Referenced on many fishing forums.
Sonar
1. An acronym for SOund Navigation And Ranging, a method of using sound pulses to detect, range, and sometimes image underwater targets and obstacles or the bed of the sea. See also echo sounding and ASDIC.
2. The equipment used to conduct such searches, ranging, and imaging.
Sounding

Sounding.
Measuring the depth of the water. Traditionally done by swinging the lead, now commonly by echo sounding.
Sou'wester
1. A storm from the south west.
2. A type of waterproof hat with a wide brim over the neck, worn in storms.
Spanker
A fore-and-aft or gaff-rigged sail on the aft-most mast of a square-rigged vessel and the main fore-and-aft sail (spanker sail) on the aft-most mast of a (partially) fore-and-aft rigged vessel such as a schooner, a barquentine, and a barque.
Spanker-mast
The aft-most mast of a fore-and-aft or gaff-rigged vessel such as schooners, barquentines, and barques. A full-rigged ship has a spanker sail but not a spanker-mast (see Jigger-mast).
Spar
A wooden, in later years also iron or steel pole used to support various pieces of rigging and sails. The big five-masted full-rigged tall ship Preussen (German spelling: Preu�en) had crossed 30 steel yards, but only one wooden spar � the little gaff of its spanker sail.
Spar torpedo
A weapon consisting of a bomb placed at the end of a long spar and attached to a boat.
Speaking tube
see communication tube.
Spider band or Spider hoop
An iron band around the base of a mast which holds a set of iron belaying pins.[2]
Spindrift
Finely divided water swept from crest of waves by strong winds.
Spinnaker
1. A large sail flown in front of the vessel while heading downwind.[37]
2. a headsail set windward when running before the wind. The bargemans spinnaker is his topmast staysail, tacked to the to the mast, and sheeted round the weather crosstree.[2]
Spinnaker pole
A spar used to help control a spinnaker or other headsail.
Splice
To join lines (ropes, cables, etc.) by unravelling their ends and intertwining them to form a continuous line. To form an eye or a knot by splicing.[35]
Splice the mainbrace
A euphemism, it is an order given aboard naval vessels to issue the crew with a drink, traditionally grog. The phrase splice the mainbrace is used idiomatically meaning to go ashore on liberty, intending to go out for an evening of drinking.
Sponson
A projection from the side of a vessel for protection, stability, or the mounting of equipment such as armaments or lifeboats. A sponson that extends a hull dimension at or below the waterline serves to increase flotation or add lift when underway. In salvage of a damaged or disabled vessel, a sponson may be a flotation tank attached to provide stability or buoyancy.
Sponsor
The person, traditionally a woman, who christens a ship at its launching ceremony.
Spotting top
A platform on a mast used to aid in gun laying.
Spreader
A spar on a sailboat used to deflect the shrouds to allow them to better support the mast.[2]
Spring
A line used parallel to that of the length of a craft, to prevent fore-aft motion of a boat, when moored or docked. Also used to assist the barge to swing its head round when leaving.[2]
Sprit
A spar, attached by a muzzle to a mast, or held in a snotter, that supports the peak of a spritsail. It is steadied by vangs.[2]
Spritsail
1. A fore and aft sail, where the peak is supported by a sprit. It may be free-footed or use a boom.
2. A rig that uses a spritsail.[2]
Sprittie
A spritsail rigged barge[2]
Spurling pipe
A pipe that connects to the chain locker, from which the anchor chain emerges onto the deck at the bow of a ship.
Squadron
1. In general, any significant group of warships which is considered too small to be designated a fleet, but otherwise not strictly defined by size. In some navies, the term flotilla may be used instead of or in addition to "squadron" to describe a significant group of warships smaller than a fleet.
2. Such a group of warships assigned to and named after a particular ocean, sea, or geographical region, commanded by an admiral who may be the naval commander-in-chief in that theatre, e.g., the Asiatic Squadron, the North Atlantic Squadron, etc.; generally synonymous with similar naval formations known as stations (q.v.).
3. During the Age of Sail, a temporary sub-division of a fleet.
4. A temporary detachment of ships from a fleet.
5. Especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a permanent battle formation of a fleet, equipped and trained to operate as a tactical unit under the overall command of the fleet or when detached from the fleet.
6. Especially in modern usage, an administrative naval command responsible for the manning, training, supply, and maintenance of a group of ships or submarines but not for directing their operations at sea.
Square
To place at right angles with the mast or keel and parallel to the horizon e.g., "to square the yards."
Square meal
A sufficient quantity of food. Meals on board ship were served to the crew on a square wooden plate in harbor or at sea in good weather. Food in the Royal Navy was invariably better or at least in greater quantity than that available to the average landsman. However, while square wooden plates were indeed used on board ship, there is no established link between them and this particular term. The OED gives the earliest reference from the US in the mid-19th century.
Square rig
A generic type of sail and rigging arrangement in which the primary driving sails are carried on yards which are perpendicular, or square, to the keel of the vessel and to the masts. A ship mainly so rigged is said to be square-rigged.
Square rigger
A ship which is square-rigged.
Squared away
Yards held rigidly perpendicular to their masts and parallel to the deck. This was rarely the best trim of the yards for efficiency but made a pretty sight for inspections and in harbor. The term is applied to situations and to people figuratively to mean that all difficulties have been resolved or that the person is performing well and is mentally and physically prepared.
Squat effect
The phenomenon by which a vessel moving quickly through shallow water creates an area of lowered pressure under its keel that reduces the ship's buoyancy, particularly at the bow. The reduced buoyancy causes the ship to "squat" lower in the water than would ordinarily be expected, and thus its effective draught is increased.
S.S. (or SS)
Prefix for "Steam Ship", used before a ship's name.
Stack (also funnel)
Deck cargo.[2]
2. See funnel.
Stackie
A barge designed to take a large deck cargo, usually of hay of straw needed to feed working horses. [2]
Stanchion
Vertical post near a deck's edge that supports life-lines. A timber fitted in between the frame heads on a wooden hull or a bracket on a steel vessel, approx one meter high, to support the bulwark plank or plating and the rail.
Stand (past tense stood)
Of a ship or its captain, to steer, sail, or steam, usually used in conjunction with a specified direction or destination, e.g., The ship stood out of the harbor or The ship stood toward the east or The ship stood toward the missing vessel's last known position.
Stand-on (vessel)
A vessel directed to keep her course and speed where two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve a risk of collision.
Standing part
The section of a rope at a cleat or a block that is under tension, as opposed to the loose end.[2]
Standing rigging
Rigging which is used to support masts and spars, and is not normally manipulated during normal operations. Cf. running rigging.
Stanliff
A heavy wire cable attached to the mast at the hounds to support the weight of a spritsail at the heel.[2]
Starboard
The right side of the boat. Towards the right-hand side of a vessel facing forward. [2] Denoted with a green light at night. Derived from the old steering oar or steerboard which preceded the invention of the rudder.
Starboard tack
When sailing with the wind coming from the starboard side of the vessel. Has right of way over boats on port tack.
Starter
A rope used as a punitive device. See teazer, togey.
Stateroom
1. A superior cabin for a vessel's officer.
2. In American usage, also a private passenger cabin in a vessel
Station
1. In chiefly 19th- and early 20th-century usage, a naval formation under a commander-in-chief who controls all naval operations, and sometimes all naval shore facilities, within a specified geographic area (e.g., the China Station, the East Indies Station, etc.), sometimes synonymous with squadron (q.v.).
2. In Newfoundland, a harbour or cove with a foreshore suitable for a facility to support nearby fishing.
3. Naval station, a naval base; a naval air station is a base for naval aircraft.
4. Coaling station, a facility that supplies ships with coal.
Stay
1. A strong rope supporting a mast, and leading from the head of one mast down to some other mast or other part of the vessel; rigging running fore (forestay) and aft (backstay) from a mast to the hull. The stays support a mast's weight forward and aft, while the shrouds support its weight from side to side.[38]
2. To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays, e.g., to stay a mast .
3. To tack; put on the other tack, e.g., to stay ship.
4. To change; tack; go about; be in stays, as a ship.
5. A station or fixed anchorage for vessels.
6. In stays or hove in stays: in the act of going about while tacking.
7. Miss stays an unsuccessful attempt to tack.
Stayfall
A flexible wire cable rove through blocks, one on the stemhead, and one on the end of the forestay. This is the means by which the mainmast is lowered.[2]
Staysail
A sail whose luff is attached to a forestay.[2]
Steamer
A vessel equipped with steam propulsion. Also steamboat or steamship.
Steerage
1. The effect of the helm on a vessel; the act of steering a vessel.
2. 19th- and early 20th-century term for the section of a passenger ship that provided inexpensive accommodation with no individual cabins.
Steerageway
The minimum speed at which a vessel will answer the helm, below which she cannot be steered. Speed sufficient for the rudder to "bite."
Steering flat
In a vessel, the compartment containing the steering gear.
Steering oar or steering board
A long, flat board or oar that went from the stern to well underwater, used to steer vessels before the invention of the rudder. Traditionally on the starboard side of a ship (the "steering board" side).
Steeve
1. A spar or derrick with a block at one end, used for stowing cargo.
2. To incline upwards at an angle (esp. of a bowsprit) rather than lie horizontally; to set at a particular upwards incline
Stem
1. The extension of keel at the forward end of a ship.
2. On a barge, the foremost timber set vertically to the keel, forming the head of the stem; it carries the forestay and other rigging.[2]
Stern
The rear part of a ship, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter rail to the taffrail.
Stern chaser
See chase gun.
Stern tube
1. The tube under the hull to bear the tailshaft for propulsion (usually at stern).
2. A torpedo tube mounted in the stern of a submarine.
Sterndrive
A propeller drive system similar to the lower part of an outboard motor extending below the hull of a larger power boat or yacht, but driven by an engine mounted within the hull. Unlike a fixed propeller (but like an outboard), the boat may be steered by twisting the drive. See also inboard motor and outboard motor.
Sternwalk
An external walkway or gallery for the use of officers installed on the stern chiefly of British warships until the early 20th century.
Sternway
The reverse movement of a boat or watercraft through the water.
Sternwheel
1. A stern-mounted paddle wheel used for propulsion by a paddle steamer.
2. Propelled by a sternwheel (e.g., "sternwheel steamer").
Sternwheeler
A paddle steamer propelled by a sternwheel.
Steward
A member of a vessel's crew involved in commissary duties or in personal services to passengers or other crew members.
Stood
See Stand.
Stopper knot
A knot tied in the end of a rope, usually to stop it passing through a hole; most commonly a figure-eight knot.
Stoppers
A short rope to check a cable in a fixed position. Anchor stoppers hold the anchor when catted, Bitt stoppers, Deck stoppers used to retain the cable when at anchor, shroud stoppers contain a damaged shroud, Foretack and Sheet Stoppers secure the tacks until they are belayed.[39]
Storeship
(also "store ship" or "stores ship")
1. During the Age of Sail and immediately afterwards, a captured ship used to stow supplies and other goods for naval purposes.
2. Since the mid-20th century, a type of naval ship which provides supplies such as frozen, chilled' and dry provisions and propulsion and aviation fuel to warships which are at sea for an extended period of time. In some navies, synonymous with replenishment oiler, fleet replenisher, or fleet tanker.
Stove or Stove in
(past tense of stave, often applied as present tense) to smash inward, to force a hole or break in, as in a cask, door or other (wooden) barrier.
Stow
to store, or to put away e.g., personal effects, tackle, or cargo.
Stowage
The amount of room for storing materials on board a ship.
Stowaway
A trespasser on a ship; a person aboard a ship without permission and/or without payment, and usually boards undetected, remains hidden aboard, and jumps ship just before making port or reaching a port's dock; sometimes found aboard and imprisoned in the brig until the ship makes port and the prisoner can be transferred to the police or military.
Straggler
In a convoy, a ship that is unable to maintain speed and falls behind.
Strake
One of the overlapping boards in a clinker built hull.
Stretcher
An inclined foot rest, attached to the boat, to which a rower may place and in some instances (usually in competition) attach his feet.
Strike
1. To haul down or lower (a flag, mast, etc.).
2. To surrender the vessel to the enemy, from strike the colors.
3. To remove a naval vessel's name from a country's naval register (after which the vessel is considered stricken).
Strike the colors
To surrender the vessel to an enemy, from the custom during the Age of Sail of lowering the vessel's ensign to indicate that she is surrendering.
Studding sails /'st?ns?l/
Long and narrow sails, used only in fine weather, on the outside of the large square sails.
STW
Speed through (the) water, speed of the vessel relative to the surrounding water (and as shown by a Log). Used in navigation.
Stumpie
A barge without a topmast, or a tops'l barge underway with out her topsails set. [2]
Sunfish
A personal-sized, beach-launched sailing dinghy with a pontoon-type hull, daggerboard, and lateen sail mounted to an un-stayed mast.
Superstructure
The parts of the ship or a boat, including sailboats, fishing boats, passenger ships, and submarines, that project above her main deck. This does not usually include its masts or any armament turrets.
Surge
1. A vessel's transient motion in a fore and aft direction.
2. To gently slacken a rope, so it slides up the capstan.[39]
Survey vessel
Any type of ship or boat that is used for mapping a body of water's bottom, benthic zone, full water column, and surface for purposes of hydrography, general oceanography, marine salvage, dredging, marine archaeology, or the study of marine habitats.
Sway
1. A vessel's lateral motion from side to side.
2. (v) To hoist: "Sway up my dunnage". [40]
Sweep
A long oar used to steer an unpowered lighter.
Swigging
To take up the last bit of slack on a line such as a halyard, anchor line or dockline by taking a single turn round a cleat and alternately heaving on the rope above and below the cleat while keeping the tension on the tail.
Swimmie
A barge with a square overhanging bow, like a swimhead lighter. aka Muffies.[2]
Sweat
A technique to finally tension a halyard, by pulling alternatively on the tail from the cleat and at right angles on the taut standing line.[2]
Swinging the compass
Measuring the accuracy in a ship's magnetic compass so its readings can be adjusted � often by turning the ship and taking bearings on reference points.
Swinging the lamp
Telling sea stories. Referring to lamps slung from the deckhead which swing while at sea. Often used to indicate that the story teller is exaggerating.
Swinging the lead
1. Measuring the depth of water beneath a ship using a lead-weighted sounding line. Regarded as a relatively easy job, thus:
2. Feigning illness etc to avoid a hard job.
T[edit]
Tabernacle
A large bracket attached firmly to the deck, to which the foot of the mast is fixed. It has two sides or cheeks and a bolt forming the pivot around which the mast is raised and lowered.[2]
Tack
1. A leg of the route of a sailing vessel, particularly in relation to tacking (q.v.) and to starboard tack and port tack (also q.v.).
2. Hard tack: q.v..
3. The front bottom corner of a sail.[2]
Tacking
1. Zig-zagging so as to sail directly towards the wind (and for some rigs also away from it).
2. Going about (q.v.).
Tacking duels
In sailboat racing on an upwind leg of the race course the complex manoeuvres of lead and overtaking boats to vie for the aerodynamic advantage of clear air. This results from the ongoing strategy of the lead boat's effort to keep the following boat(s) in the blanket of disturbed bad air he is creating.
Tackle
A pair of blocks through which is rove a rope to provide an advantageous purchase. Used for lifting heavy loads and to raise and trim sails. [2]
Tactical diameter
The perpendicular distance between a ship's course when the helm is put hard over and her course when she has turned through 180 degrees; the ratio of the tactical diameter divided by the ship's length between perpendiculars gives a dimensionless parameter which can be used to compare the manoeuverability of ships.
Taffrail
A rail at the stern of the boat that covers the head of the counter timbers.
Tail
The loose end of a rope that has been secured to a winch or a cleat.[2]
Tailshaft
A kind of metallic shafting (a rod of metal) to hold the propeller and connected to the power engine. When the tailshaft is moved, the propeller may also be moved for propulsion.
Taken aback
An inattentive helmsmen might allow the dangerous situation to arise where the wind is blowing into the sails 'backwards', causing a sudden (and possibly dangerous) shift in the position of the sails.
Taking the wind out of his sails
To sail in a way that steals the wind from another ship. cf. overbear.
Tall ship
A tall ship is a large, traditionally-rigged sailing vessel.
Tally
The operation of hauling aft the sheets, or drawing them in the direction of the ship's stern.
Tanker (also tank ship or tankship)
A ship designed to transport liquids in bulk.
Target ship
A vessel, typically an obsolete or captured warship, used for naval gunnery practice or for weapons testing. The term includes both ships intended to be sunk and ships intended to survive and see repeated use as a target.
Task Force
Temporary naval organisations composed of particular ships, aircraft, submarines, military land forces, or shore service units, assigned to fulfill certain missions. Seemingly drawn originally from Royal Navy heritage, the emphasis is placed on the individual commander of the unit, and references to 'CTF' are common for "Commander Task Force".
Tattle Tale
Light cord attached to a mooring line at two points a few inches apart with a slack section in between (resembling an inch-worm) to indicate when the line is stretching from the ship's rising with the tide. Obviously only used when moored to a fixed dock or pier and only on watches with a flood tide.
Tell-tale (sometimes tell-tail)
A light piece of string, yarn, rope or plastic (often magnetic audio tape) attached to a stay or a shroud to indicate the local wind direction. They may also be attached to the surface and/or the leech of a sail to indicate the state of the air flow over the surface of the sail. They are referenced when optimizing the trim of the sails to achieve the best boat speed in the prevailing wind conditions. (See dogvane)
Tender
1. A type of naval auxiliary ship (q.v.) designed to provide advanced basing services in undeveloped harbors to seaplanes, flying boats, torpedo boats, destroyers, or submarines.
2. A vessel used to provide transportation services for people and supplies to and from shore for a larger vessel, sometimes called a ship's tender.
3. A vessel used to maintain navigational aids, such as buoys and lighthouses.
T.E.V. (or TEV)
Prefix for "Turbo-Electric Vessel," used before a ship's name.
Third mate
Also called the third officer, a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship, fourth � or on some ocean liners fifth � in command; a watchkeeping officer, customarily also the ship's safety officer, responsible for the ship's firefighting equipment, lifeboats, and other emergency systems. Other duties of the third mate vary depending on the type of ship, its crewing, and other factors.
Third officer
See third mate.
Thole
Vertical wooden peg or pin inserted through the gunwale to form a fulcrum for oars when rowing. Used in place of a rowlock.
Throat
1. The forward top corner of a square fore and aft sail.[2]
2. The end of the gaff, next to the mast. [41]
Three sheets to the wind
On a three-masted ship, having the sheets of the three lower courses loose will result in the ship meandering aimlessly downwind. Also, a sailor who has drunk strong spirits beyond his capacity.
Thwart /'?w??rt/
A bench seat across the width of an open boat.
Timoneer
From the French timonnier, is a name given, on particular occasions, to the steersman of a ship.
Tin can
US Navy slang for a destroyer; often shortened to can (q.v.).
Tinclad
A lightly armored steam-powered river gunboat used by the US Navy during the American Civil War (1861�1865).
Tingle
A thin temporary patch.
Tiller
A lever used for steering, attached to the top of the rudder post. Used mainly on smaller vessels, such as dinghies and rowing boats.
Toe-rail
A low strip running around the edge of the deck like a low bulwark. It may be shortened or have gaps in it to allow water to flow off the deck.
Toe the line or Toe the mark
At parade, sailors and soldiers were required to stand in line, their toes in line with a seam of the deck.
Tompion
A block of wood inserted into the barrel of a gun on a 19th-century warship to keep out the sea spray; also used for covers for the ends of the barrels of more modern ships' guns, the larger of which are often adorned with the ship's crest or other decoration.
Tonnage
Various measures of the size or cargo carrying capacity of a ship, including:

1. Deadweight tonnage, the total weight of a vessel, mostly without payload.
2. Displacement tonnage, the total weight of a vessel.
3. Gross register tonnage, the total internal volume of a vessel, with one gross register ton equal to 100 cubic feet (2.8316846592 cubic meters).
4. Gross tonnage, a function of the volume of all of a ship's internal spaces.
5. Lightship or lightweight tonnage, the weight of a ship without any fuel, cargo, supplies, water, passengers, etc. on board.
6. Net register tonnage, the volume of cargo a vessel can carry.
7. Net tonnage, the volume of all cargo spaces on a ship.
8. Thames Measurement tonnage, the volume of a small vessel calculated based on her length and beam.
Top
The platform at the upper end of each (lower) mast of a square-rigged ship, typically one-fourth to one-third of the way up the mast. The main purpose of a top is to anchor the shrouds of the topmast that extends above it. See also fighting top.[42]
Topgallant
The mast or sails above the tops. (See topgallant mast and topgallant sail.)
Tophamper
A collective term for the masts, yards, sails and rigging of a sailing ship, or for similarly insubstantial structures above the upper deck of any ship.[43]
Topman
A crewmember stationed in a top.
Topmast
The second section of the mast above the deck; formerly the upper mast, later surmounted by the topgallant mast; carrying the topsails.
Topmast pole
Part of the spar between the hounds and the truck.[2]
Topping lift
A line which is part of the rigging on a sailing boat; it applies upward force on a spar or boom. The most common topping lift on a modern sailing boat is attached to the boom[42]
Topsail
The second sail (counting from the bottom) up a mast. These may be either square sails or fore-and-aft ones, in which case they often "fill in" between the mast and the gaff of the sail below.
Topsides
The part of the hull between the waterline and the deck. Also, Above-water hull
Torpedo
1. Prior to about 1900, the term for a variety of explosive devices designed for use in water, including mines, spar torpedoes and, after the mid-19th century, "automotive," "automobile," "locomotive," or "fish" torpedoes (self-propelled weapons which fit the modern definition of "torpedo").
2. Since about 1900, a term used exclusively for a self-propelled weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with its target or in proximity to it.
Touch and go
1. The bottom of the ship touching the bottom, but not grounding.
2. Stopping at a dock or pier for a very short time without tying up, to let off or take on crew or goods.
3. Practice of aircraft on aircraft carriers touching the carrier deck and taking off again without dropping hooks.
Towing
The operation of drawing a vessel forward by means of long lines.
Traffic Separation Scheme
Shipping corridors marked by buoys which separate incoming from outgoing vessels. Improperly called Sea Lanes.
Trailboard
A decorative board at the bow of a vessel, sometimes bearing the vessel's name.
Training ship
A ship used to train students as sailors, especially a ship employed by a navy or coast guard to train future officers. The term refers both to ships used for training at sea and to old, immobile hulks used to house classrooms.
Tramp freighter
A cargo ship engaged in the tramp trade.
Tramp steamer
A steamship engaged in the tramp trade.
Tramp trade
Shipping trade on the spot market in which the vessels involved do not have a fixed schedule or itinerary or published ports of call. This contrasts with freight liner service, in which vessels make regular, scheduled runs between published ports.
Tramper
A vessel engaged in the tramp trade.
Transmitting station
British term for a room located in the interior of a ship containing computers and other specialised equipment needed to calculate the range and bearing of a target from information gathered by the ship's spotters and range finders. These were designated "plotting rooms" by the US Navy.[44]
Transom
Lateral members fasten inside the sternpost, to which the hull and deckplanks are fitted.[2]
2. The aft "wall" of the stern; often the part to which an outboard unit or the drive portion of a sterndrive is attached.
3. A more or less flat surface across the stern of a vessel. Dinghies tend to have almost vertical transoms, whereas yachts' transoms may be raked forward or aft.
Transport
See troopship.
Travellers[42]
1. Small fittings that slide on a rod or line. The most common use is for the inboard end of the mainsheet.
2. A more esoteric form of traveller consists of "slight iron rings, encircling the backstays, which are used for hoisting the top-gallant yards, and confining them to the backstays".
An iron ring that moves on the main horse on a sailing barge.It is fitted with an eye onto which is hooked the main sheet, of the loose-footed main-sail.[2]
Trawler
1. Commercial trawler, a fishing boat that uses a trawl net or dragnet to catch fish.
2. A fisherman who uses a trawl net.
3. Naval trawler, a converted trawler, or boat built in that style, used for naval purposes.
4. Recreational trawler, a pleasure boat built in the style of a trawler.
Treenail (also trenail, trennel, or trunnel)
A wooden peg, pin, or dowel used to fasten pieces of wood together, particularly the hull, gunnels, thwarts, etc.[42]
Trice
To haul and tie up by means of a rope, to make it less inconvenient.[45]
Trick
A period of time spent at the wheel ("my trick's over").
Trim
1. Relationship of ship's hull to waterline.
2. Adjustments made to sails to maximize their efficiency.
Trimaran
A vessel with three hulls.
Trimmer, sometimes Coal trimmer
person responsible for ensuring that a vessel remains in 'trim' (that the cargo and fuel are evenly balanced). An important task on a coal-fired vessel, as it could get 'out-of-trim' coal is consumed.
Trooping
Operating as a troopship.
Troopship (also troop ship, troop transport, or trooper)
A ship used to carry soldiers. Troopships are not specially designed for military operations and unlike landing ships cannot land troops directly onto a shore; instead they unload troops at a harbor or onto smaller vessels for transportation to shore.
True bearing
An absolute bearing (q.v.) using true north.
True north
The direction of the geographical North Pole.
Truss
The rope or iron used to keep the center of a yard to the mast.
Tug or tugboat
A boat that maneuvers other vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs are powerful for their size and strongly built, and some are ocean-going.
Tumblehome
Hull shape, when viewed in a transverse section, where the widest part of the hull is someway below deck level.
Turn
A knot passing behind or around an object.
Turn To (Turn Two)
A term meaning "Get to work," often hand-signed by two fingers and hand motion in turning fashion.
Turnbuckle
see bottlescrew.
Turret
1. Originally (in the mid-to-late 19th century), an enclosed armored rotating cylindrical box mounting guns which fired through gunports, the turret rotating over a bearing mounted on a ship's deck or within her hull. Turret-equipped ships contrasted sharply with those equipped with barbettes, which in the second half of the 19th century were open-topped armored rings over which rotating gun(s) mounted on a turntable could fire.
2. Since the late 19th century, an enclosed armored rotating gunhouse mounted above a barbette, with the gun(s) and their rotating turntable mounted in the barbette protected by the gunhouse; in 20th- and 21st-century usage, this generally is any armored, rotating gun installation on a warship.
Turtleback deck
A deck that has slight positive curvature when viewed in cross-section. The purpose of this curvature is usually to shed water, but in warships it also functions to make the deck more resistant to shells.
[46]
Turtling
In dinghy sailing especially (but can include other boats), a boat is said to be turtling or to turn turtle when the boat is fully inverted with the mast pointing down to the lake bottom or seabed.[A] [47][48]
Tweendeck
A deck on a general cargo ship located between the main deck (or weather deck) and the hold space. A general cargo ship may have one or two tweendecks (or none at all).
Tweendeck space
The space on a tweendeck available for carrying cargo or other uses.
Tweendecker
A general cargo ship equipped with one or more tweendecks.
Two six heave
Royal Navy slang term meaning to pull. Originally a sailing navy term referring to the two members of a gun crew (numbers two and six) who ran out the gun by pulling on the ropes that secured it in place.
Two blocks
When the two blocks in a tackle have become so close that no further movement is possible as in chock-a-block. [2]
Tye
A chain or rope used for hoisting or lowering a yard. A tye runs from the horizontal center of a given yard to a corresponding mast and from there down to a tackle. Sometimes specifically called a chain tye or a rope tye.
U[edit]
Unassisted sailing
A voyage, usually singlehanded, with no intermediate port stops or physical assistance from external sources.
Under the weather
Serving a watch on the weather side of the ship, exposed to wind and spray.
Under way or underway
A vessel that is moving under control: that is, neither at anchor, made fast to the shore, aground nor adrift. Way refers to speed sufficient to steer with the rudder. "Under weigh" is an erroneous synonym.[2]
Underwater hull or underwater ship
The underwater section of a vessel beneath the waterline, normally not visible except when in drydock or (historically), careened.
Underway replenishment
A method employed by navies to transfer fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while underway. Sometimes abbreviation as UNREP.
Unreeve
To pull a rope from a sheave or block.[2]
Unship
1. To remove from a vessel.
2. To remove an oar or mast from its normal position
Up-and-down
The relative slackness of an anchor chain where the anchor chain is slack and hangs vertically down from the hawsepipe.
Up-behind
Slack off quickly and run slack to a belaying point. This order is given when a line or wire has been stopped off or falls have been four-in-hand and the hauling part is to be belayed.
Upbound
1. A vessel traveling upstream.
2. Westward-traveling vessels in the Great Lakes region (terminology as used by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation).
Uppers
The brails above the mains synonym of 'Peaks'.[2]
Upper-yardmen
Specially selected personnel .
V[edit]
V-hull
The shape of a boat or ship in which the contours of the hull come in a straight line to the keel.
Vang
1. A rope (line) leading from gaff to either side of the deck, used to prevent the gaff from sagging.
2. One of a pair of ropes leading from the deck to the head of a spritsail. It steadies the sprit and can control the sails performmance during a tack. The vang fall blocks are mounted slightly afore the main horse while rolling vangs are extra preventers lead forward to keep the sail to leeward in heavy weather[2]
3. See boom vang.
Vanishing angle
The maximum degree of heel after which a vessel becomes unable to return to an upright position.
Veer away
To let go a rope gently [45]
Vessel
Any craft designed for transportation on water, such as a ship or boat.
Viol
A large rope used to unmoor or heave up the anchor. [45]
Voice pipe or voice tube
see communication tube.
Voyage
1. A long journey by ship.
2. To go on such a journey.
Voyl
see voil. [45]
W[edit]
Waft
A signal flag on a vessel.
Waist
The central deck of a ship between the forecastle and the quarterdeck.[49]
Wake
Turbulence behind a vessel. Not to be confused with wash.
Wale
Any of the strong and thick planks running lengthwise along a vessel, forming the lower part of the vessel's sides.[2]
Wardroom
1. The living quarters of a naval ship designated for the use of commissioned officers other than the captain.
2. A collective term for the commissioned officers of a naval ship excluding her captain; e.g., The captain rarely referred to his wardroom for advice, and this led to their discontent.
Warp
1. To move a vessel by hauling on a line or cable that is fastened to an anchor or pier; especially to move a sailing ship through a restricted place such as a harbour.[50]
2. A line or cable used in warping a ship.[2]
3. The length of the shrouds from the bolster to the deadeye[50]
Wash
The waves created by a vessel. Not to be confused with wake.
Watch
A period of time during which a part of the crew is on duty. Changes of watch are marked by strokes on the ship's bell.
Watchstanding
The allocation of crew or staff to a watch.
Water kite
See paravane (definition 2).
Watercraft
Water transport vessels. Ships, boats, personal water craft, etc.
Waterline
The line where the hull of a ship meets the water's surface.
Watersail
A sail hung below the boom on gaff rig boats for extra downwind performance when racing.
Waterway
1. Waterway, a navigable body of water.
2. A strake of timber laid against the frames or bulwark stanchions at the margin of a laid wooden deck, usually about twice the thickness of the deck planking.
Way
Speed, progress, or momentum, or more technically, the point at which there is sufficient water flow past a vessel's rudder for it to be able to steer the vessel (i.e., the rudder begins to "bite," sometimes also called "steerage way.") To make way is to move; to "have way on" or "to have steerage way" is to have enough speed to control the vessel with its rudder; to lose way is to slow down or to not have enough speed to control with the rudder. "Way enough" is a coxswain's command that the oarsmen stop rowing, and allow the boat to proceed with its existing way.
Way-landing
An intermediate stop along the route of a steamboat.
Way-lay
The verb's origin, from wegelage, means "lying in wait, with evil or hostile intent." so to be waylaid referred to a ship taken off its course, route, or way, by surprise, typically by unfortunate or nefarious means. In H. Melville's novel, 'Moby Dick', the great white whale waylaid the ship and sank it with only a few souls surviving in lifeboats.[51]
Waypoint
A location defined by navigational coordinates, especially as part of a planned route.
Ways
The timbers of shipyard stocks that slope into the water and along which a ship or large boat is launched. A ship undergoing construction in a shipyard is said to be on the ways, while a ship scrapped there is said to be broken up in the ways.
Wearing ship
Tacking away from the wind in a square-rigged vessel. See also gybe.
Weather deck
Whichever deck is that exposed to the weather � usually either the main deck or, in larger vessels, the upper deck.
Weather gage or weather gauge or weather-beam
Favorable position over another sailing vessel with respect to the wind.
Weather helm
The tendency of a sailboat to turn to windward in a strong wind when there is no change in the rudder's position. This is the opposite of lee helm and is the result of a dynamically unbalanced condition. See also Center of lateral resistance.
Weather ship
A ship stationed in the ocean as a platform for surface and upper air meteorological observations for use in weather forecasting.
Weather side
The side of a ship exposed to the wind.
Weatherly
A ship that is easily sailed and maneuvered; makes little leeway when sailing to windward.
Weigh anchor
To heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing.[2]
Well
Place in the ship's hold for pumps.
Well-found
Properly set up or provisioned.
Wetted area
In sailboating, portion of the hull immersed in water.
Whaleback
1. A type of cargo steamship of unusual design formerly used on the Great Lakes of North America, notably for carrying grain or ore. The hull continuously curved above the waterline from vertical to horizontal, and when the ship was fully loaded, only the rounded portion of her hull (the "whaleback" proper) was visible above the waterline. With sides curved in towards the ends, whalebacks had a spoon bow and a very convex upper deck.
2. A type of high-speed launch first designed for the Royal Air Force during World War II, or certain smaller rescue and research vessels most common in Europe that, like the Great Lakes vessels, have hulls that curve over to meet the deck, although the "whaleback" designation comes not from the curve along the gunwale as in the Great Lakes vessels, but from the fore-and-aft arch in the deck.
3. A sheltered portion of the forward deck on certain British fishing boats designed, in part, so that water taken over the bow is more easily shed over the sides. The feature has been incorporated into some pleasure craft � aboard which it is known as a whaleback deck � based on the hull design of older whaling boats.
Whaleboat
1. A type of open boat that is relatively narrow and pointed at both ends, enabling it to move either forwards or backwards equally well.
2. On modern warships, a relatively light and seaworthy boat for transport of ship's crew.
3. A type of vessel designed as a lifeboat or "monomoy" used for recreational and competitive rowing in the San Francisco Bay area and coastal Massachusetts.
4. Informally, any whaler of any size.
5. Informally, any vessel engaged in whale watching.
Whaler
1. A specialized vessel designed for catching or processing whales.
2. A person engaged in the catching or processing of whales.
Wharf
A structure on the shore of a harbor or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more berths (i.e., mooring locations), and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships. The term "wharf' is generally synonymous with "quay" (q.v.), although the solid foundations of a quay contrast with the closely spaced piles of a wharf. When "quay" and "wharf" are used as synonyms, the term "quay" is more common in everyday speech in the United Kingdom, many Commonwealth countries, and the Republic of Ireland, while "wharf" is more commonly used in the United States.
Wheel or ship's wheel
The usual steering device on larger vessels: a wheel with a horizontal axis, connected by cables to the rudder.
Wheelhouse
Location on a ship where the wheel is located; also called pilothouse or bridge.
Whelkie
A small sailing pram.
Wherry
A type of boat traditionally used for carrying cargo or passengers on rivers and canals in England, particularly on the River Thames and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.
Whiff
A chiefly British term for a narrow clinker-built skiff having outriggers, for one oarsman.
Whip
A small single block tackle, used to raise light loads from a hold [50]
Whip upon whip
Connecting two whips together. This runs more smoothly than using a double block with single block tackle which would have the equivalent purchase. Can be used for topsail and top-gallant halliards.[50]
Whipping
The binding with twine of the loose end of a rope to prevent it unravelling.[2]
Whipstaff
A vertical lever connected to a tiller, used for steering on larger ships before the development of the ship's wheel.
Whiskers
Spreaders from the bows to spread the bowsprit shrouds.
Whiskerstay
One of the pair of stays that stabilize the bowsprit horizontally affixed to forward end of the bowsprit and just aft the stem.
White horses or whitecaps
Foam or spray on wave tops caused by stronger winds (usually above Force 4).
Wide berth
To leave room between two ships moored (berthed) to allow space for manoeuver.
Winch
A small hand operated horizontal geared drum, used to assist in the handling of running gear � wire or rope.[2]
Wind-over-tide
Sea conditions with a tidal current and a wind in opposite directions, leading to short, heavy seas.
Windage
Wind resistance of the boat.
Windbound
A condition wherein the ship is detained in one particular station by contrary winds.
Winding tackle
A tackle formed of two triple blocks or a triple and a double, used to raise heavy loads such as guns and anchors [50]
Windjammer
A large iron- or steel-hulled square-rigged sailing ship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries with three, four, or five masts , built mainly between the 1870s and 1900 to carry cargo on long voyages.
Windlass
A winch mechanism, usually with a horizontal axis. Used where mechanical advantage greater than that obtainable by block and tackle was needed (such as raising the anchor on small ships).[50]
Windsail
A wide tube or funnel of canvas, used to convey a stream of air into the lower compartments of a ship for ventilation.
Windward
In the direction that the wind is coming from.
Wing
An extension on the side of a vessel. A bridge wing is an open-air extension of the bridge to port or starboard, intended for use in signaling.
Working up
Training, usually including gunnery practice.
Worm, parcel and serve
To protect a section of rope from chafing by: laying yarns (worming) to fill in the cuntlines, wrapping marline or other small stuff (serving) around it, and stitching a covering of canvas (parceling) over all.[52]
Y[edit]
Yacht
A recreational boat or ship; the term includes sailing yachts, motor yachts, and steam yachts.
Yard
1. Yard: The horizontal spar from which a square sail is suspended.[52]
2. A dockyard or shipyard.
Yard number
Each shipyard typically numbers the ships that it has built in consecutive order. One use is to identify the ship before a name has been chosen.
Yard tackle
Tackles to raise boats [52]
Yardarm
The very end of a yard. Often mistaken for a "yard", which refers to the entire spar. As in to hang "from the yardarm" and the sun being "over the yardarm" (late enough to have a drink).
Yarr
Acknowledgement of an order, or agreement. Also aye, aye.
Yaw
A vessel's rotational motion about the vertical axis, causing the fore and aft ends to swing from side to side repetitively.
Yawl
A fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel with two masts, main and mizzen, the mizzen stepped abaft the rudder post.
Yawl boat
A rowboat on davits at the stern of the boat.

Call sign
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters�and historically as a call signal�or abbreviated as a call) is a unique designation for a transmitter station. In North America, they are used for all FCC licensed transmitters.[1] A call sign can be formally assigned by a government agency, informally adopted by individuals or organizations, or even cryptographically encoded to disguise a station's identity.

The use of call signs as unique identifiers dates to the landline railroad telegraph system. Because there was only one telegraph line linking all railroad stations, there needed to be a way to address each one when sending a telegram. In order to save time, two-letter identifiers were adopted for this purpose. This pattern continued in radiotelegraph operation; radio companies initially assigned two-letter identifiers to coastal stations and stations aboard ships at sea. These were not globally unique, so a one-letter company identifier (for instance, 'M' and two letters as a Marconi station) was later added. By 1912, the need to quickly identify stations operated by multiple companies in multiple nations required an international standard; an ITU prefix would be used to identify a country, and the rest of the call sign an individual station in that country.[2]

Contents [hide]
1 Transportation
1.1 Maritime
1.2 Aviation
1.3 Spaceflight
2 Broadcasting
3 Amateur radio
4 Military call signs
5 Transmitters requiring no call signs
6 Callbooks
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links
Transportation[edit]
Maritime[edit]

Russian nuclear icebreaker Arktika with call sign UKTY
Main article: Maritime call signs
Merchant and naval vessels are assigned call signs by their national licensing authorities. In the case of states such as Liberia or Panama, which are flags of convenience for ship registration, call signs for larger vessels consist of the national prefix plus three letters (for example, 3LXY, and sometimes followed by a number, i.e. 3LXY2). United States merchant vessels are given call signs beginning with the letters "W" or "K" while US naval ships are assigned callsigns beginning with "N". Originally both ships and broadcast stations were given call signs in this series consisting of three or four letters, but as demand for both marine radio and broadcast call signs grew, gradually American-flagged vessels were given longer call signs with mixed letters and numbers.

Leisure craft with VHF radios may not be assigned call signs, in which case the name of the vessel is used instead. Ships in the US wishing to have a radio licence anyway are under FCC class SA: "Ship recreational or voluntarily equipped." Those calls follow the land mobile format of the initial letter K or W followed by 1 or 2 letters followed by 3 or 4 numbers (such as KX0983 or WXX0029). U.S. Coast Guard small boats have a number that is shown on both bows (i.e. port and starboard) in which the first two digits indicate the nominal length of the boat in feet. For example, Coast Guard 47021 refers to the 21st in the series of 47-foot motor lifeboats. The call sign might be abbreviated to the final two or three numbers during operations, for example: Coast Guard zero two one.

Aviation[edit]
Main article: Aviation call signs
Call signs in aviation are derived from several different policies, depending upon the type of flight operation and whether or not the caller is in an aircraft or at a ground facility. In most countries, unscheduled general aviation flights identify themselves using the call sign corresponding to the aircraft's registration number (also called N-number in the U.S., or tail number). In this case, the call sign is spoken using the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phonetic alphabet. Aircraft registration numbers internationally follow the pattern of a country prefix, followed by a unique identifier made up of letters and numbers. For example, an aircraft registered as N978CP conducting a general aviation flight would use the call sign November-niner-seven-eight-Charlie-Papa. However, in the United States a pilot of an aircraft would normally omit saying November, and instead use the name of the aircraft manufacturer or the specific model. At times, general aviation pilots might omit additional preceding numbers and use only the last three numbers and letters. This is especially true at uncontrolled fields (those without control towers) when reporting traffic pattern positions, or at towered airports after establishing two-way communication with the tower controller. For example, Skyhawk eight-Charlie-Papa, left base.

In most countries, the aircraft call sign or "tail number"/"tail letters" (also known as registration marks) are linked to the international radio call sign allocation table and follow a convention that aircraft radio stations (and, by extension, the aircraft itself) receive call signs consisting of five letters. For example, all British civil aircraft have a five-letter call sign beginning with the letter G. Canadian aircraft have a call sign beginning with C�F or C�G, such as C�FABC. Wing In Ground-effect vehicles (hovercraft) in Canada are eligible to receive C�Hxxx call signs, and ultralight aircraft receive C-Ixxx call signs. In days gone by, even American aircraft used five letter call signs, such as KH�ABC, but they were replaced prior to World War II by the current American system of civilian aircraft call signs (see below).

Spaceflight[edit]
Main article: Spacecraft call signs
Radio call signs used for communication in manned spaceflight is not formalized or regulated to the same degree as for aircraft. The three nations currently launching manned space missions use different methods to identify the ground and space radio stations; the United States uses either the names given to the space vehicles, or else the project name and mission number. Russia traditionally assigns code names as call signs to individual cosmonauts, more in the manner of aviator call signs, rather than to the spacecraft.

The only continuity in call signs for spacecraft have been the issuance of "ISS"-suffixed call signs by various countries in the Amateur Radio service as a citizen of their country has been assigned there. The first Amateur Radio call sign assigned to the International Space Station was NA1SS by the United States. OR4ISS (Denmark), DP0ISS (Germany), and RS0ISS (Russia) are examples of others, but are not all-inclusive of others also issued.

Broadcasting[edit]

A 1940 QSL card for WWV, indicating its early location in the U.S. state of Maryland.
Main article: Broadcast call signs
Broadcasters are allocated call signs in many countries. While broadcast radio stations will often brand themselves with plain-text names, identities such as "cool FM", "rock 105" or "the ABC network" are not globally unique. Another station in another city or country may (and often will) have a similar brand, and the name of a broadcast station for legal purposes is normally its internationally recognised ITU call sign. Some common conventions are followed in each country.

Broadcast stations in North America generally use call signs in the international series. In the United States, the first letter generally is K for western stations and W for eastern stations. Historic exceptions in the east include KYW in Philadelphia and KDKA in Pittsburgh. Stations in the central United States use call signs beginning with either "K" or "W". All new call signs have been 4-character for some decades, though there are historical 3-character call letters still in use today, such as KSL in Salt Lake City, KOA in Denver, WHO in Des Moines, WJW in Cleveland, WSM in Nashville, and WGN in Chicago. American radio stations announce their call signs at the top of each hour, as well as sign-on and sign-off for stations that do not broadcast 24 hours.

In Canada, the publicly owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation use the prefix CB; privately owned commercial broadcast stations use primarily CF and CH through CK prefixes; and four stations licensed to St. John's by the Dominion of Newfoundland government retain their original VO calls. In Mexico, AM radio stations use XE call signs (such as XEW-AM), while the majority of FM radio and television stations use XH. Broadcast call signs are normally four or five alpha characters in length, plus the -FM, -TV, or -TDT suffix where applicable.

In South America call signs have been a traditional way of identifying radio and TV stations. Some stations still broadcast their call signs a few times a day, but this practice is becoming very rare. Argentinian broadcast call signs consist of two or three letters followed by multiple numbers, the second and third letters indicating region. In Brazil, radio and TV stations are identified by a ZY, a third letter and three numbers. ZYA and ZYB are allocated to television stations, ZYI, ZYJ, ZYL and ZYK designate AM stations, ZYG is used for shortwave stations, ZYC, ZYD, ZYM and ZYU are given to FM stations.

In Australia, broadcast call signs are optional, but are allocated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and are unique for each broadcast station. Most European and Asian countries do not use call signs to identify broadcast stations, but Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan do have call sign systems. Britain has no call signs in the American sense, but allow broadcast stations to choose their own trade mark call sign up to six words in length.

Amateur radio[edit]
Main article: Amateur radio call signs

All U.S. states issue call sign license plates for motor vehicles owned by amateur radio operators. This road vehicle is from California.
Amateur radio call signs are in the international series and normally consist of a one or two character prefix, a digit (which may be used to denote a geographical area, class of license, or identify a licensee as a visitor or temporary resident), and a 1, 2, or 3 letter suffix. In Australia call signs are structured with a two letter prefix, a digit (which identifies geographical area), and a 2, 3 or 4 letter suffix. This suffix may be followed by a further suffix, or personal identifier, such as /P (portable), /M (mobile), /AM (aeronautical mobile) or /MM (maritime mobile). The number following the prefix is normally a single number (0 to 9). Some prefixes, such as Djibouti's (J2), consist of a letter followed by a number. Hence, in the hypothetical Djibouti call sign, J29DBA, the prefix is J2, the number is 9, and the suffix is DBA. Others may start with a number followed by a letter, for example, Jamaican call signs begin with 6Y.

When operating with reciprocal agreements under the jurisdiction of a foreign government, an identifying station pre-pends the call sign with the country prefix and number of the country/territory from which the operation is occurring. For example, W4/G3ABC would denote a licensed amateur from the United Kingdom who is operating in the fourth district of the United States. There are exceptions; in the case of U.S./Canadian reciprocal operations, the country/territory identifier is, instead, appended to the call sign; e.g., W1AW/VE4, or VE3XYZ/W1.

Special call signs are issued in the amateur radio service either for special purposes, VIPs, or for temporary use to commemorate special events. Examples include VO1S (VO1 as a Dominion of Newfoundland call sign prefix, S to commemorate Marconi's first trans-Atlantic message, a single-character Morse code S sent from Cornwall, England to Signal Hill, St. John's in 1901) and GB90MGY (GB as a Great Britain call sign prefix, 90 and MGY to commemorate the 90th anniversary of historic 1912 radio distress calls from MGY, the Marconi station aboard the famed White Star luxury liner RMS Titanic).[3]

The late King Hussein of Jordan was issued a special amateur license number, JY1, which would have been the shortest possible call sign issued by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

When identifying a station by voice, the call sign may be given by simply stating the letters and numbers, or using a phonetic alphabet. Some countries mandate the use of the phonetic alphabet for identification.

Military call signs[edit]
Main article: Military call signs
In wartime, monitoring an adversary's communications can be a valuable form of intelligence. Consistent call signs can aid in this monitoring, so in wartime, military units often employ tactical call signs and sometimes change them at regular intervals. In peacetime, some military stations will use fixed call signs in the international series.

The United States Army uses fixed station call signs which begin with W, such as WAR, used by U.S. Army Headquarters. Fixed call signs for the United States Air Force stations begin with A, such as AIR, used by USAF Headquarters. The United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard use a mixture of tactical call signs and international call signs beginning with the letter N.

In the British military, tactical voice communications use a system of call signs of the form letter-digit-digit. Within a standard infantry battalion these characters represent companies, platoons and sections respectively, so that 3 Section, 1 Platoon of F Company might be F13. In addition, a suffix following the initial call sign can denote a specific individual or grouping within the designated call sign, so F13C would be the Charlie fire team. Unused suffixes can be used for other call signs that do not fall into the standard call sign matrix, for example the unused 33A call sign is used to refer to the Company Sergeant Major.

Transmitters requiring no call signs[edit]
No call signs are issued to transmitters of long-range navigation systems (Decca, Alpha, Omega), or transmitters on frequencies below 10 kHz, because frequencies below 10 kHz are not subject to international regulations. In addition, in some countries lawful unlicensed low-power personal and broadcast radio signals (Citizen's Band, Part 15 or ISM bands) are permitted; an international call sign is not issued to such stations due to their unlicensed nature. Also, wireless network routers or mobile devices and computers using Wi-Fi are unlicensed and do not have call signs. On some personal radio services, such as Citizen's Band it is considered a matter of etiquette to create one's own call sign, which is called a handle (or trail name). Some wireless networking protocols also allow an SSID or a MAC address to be set as an identifier, but with no guarantee that this label will remain unique.

International regulations no longer require a call sign for broadcast stations; however, they are still required for broadcasters in many countries, including the United States. Mobile phone services do not use call signs on-air for obvious reasons (the phones and their users are not licensed, instead the cell operator is); however, the U.S. still assigns a call sign to each mobile-phone spectrum license.

In the United States, voluntary ships operating domestically are not required to have a call sign or license to operate VHF radios, radar or a distress radiobeacon. Voluntary ships (mostly pleasure and recreational) are not required to have a radio. However ships which are required to have radio equipment (most large commercial vessels) are issued a call sign.[4]

Callbooks[edit]

FCC callbook, 1919
A directory of radio station call signs is called a callbook. Callbooks were originally bound books that resembled a telephone directory and contains the name and addressees of licensed radio stations in a given jurisdiction (country). Modern Electrics published the first callbook in the United States in 1909.[5]

Today, the primary purpose of a callbook is to allow amateur radio operators to send a confirmation post card, called a QSL card to an operator who they have communicated via radio. Callbooks have evolved to include on-line databases that are accessible via the Internet to instantly obtain the address of another amateur radio operator and their QSL Managers. The most well known and used on-line QSL databases include QRZ.COM,[6] IK3QAR,[7] HamCall,[8] F6CYV,[9] DXInfo,[10] OZ7C[11] and QSLInfo.[12]

See also[edit]

NATO phonetic alphabet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with International Phonetic Alphabet.

FAA radiotelephony alphabet and Morse code chart

NATO phonetic alphabet
MENU0:00
voice recording: NATO phonetic alphabet
Problems playing this file? See media help.
The International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, commonly known as the ICAO phonetic alphabet, sometimes called the NATO alphabet or spelling alphabet and the ITU radiotelephonic or phonetic alphabet, is the most widely used radiotelephonic spelling alphabet. Although often called "phonetic alphabets", spelling alphabets are not associated with phonetic transcription systems such as the International Phonetic Alphabet. Instead, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) alphabet assigned codewords acrophonically to the letters of the English alphabet, so that critical combinations of letters and numbers can be pronounced and understood by those who exchange voice messages by radio or telephone regardless of language barriers or the quality of the communication channel.[1]

The 26 code words in the NATO phonetic alphabet are assigned to the 26 letters of the English alphabet in alphabetical order as follows: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

Contents [hide]
1 International adoption
1.1 NATO
1.2 History
2 Code words
2.1 Letters
2.2 Digits
2.3 Pronunciation
3 Prior alphabets
4 Usage
5 Variants
5.1 Aviation
5.2 Telegrams
5.3 Other
6 Additions in other languages
6.1 Spanish
6.2 German and Swedish
6.3 Danish and Norwegian
6.4 Czech
6.5 Finnish
6.6 Estonian
6.7 Malay
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
International adoption[edit]
After the phonetic alphabet was developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)[2] (see history below) it was adopted by many other international and national organizations, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

It is a subset of the much older International Code of Signals (INTERCO), which originally included visual signals by flags or flashing light, sound signals by whistle, siren, foghorn, or bell, as well as one, two, or three letter codes for many phrases.[3] The same alphabetic code words are used by all agencies, but each agency chooses one of two different sets of numeric code words. NATO uses the regular English numeric words (Zero, One, with some alternative pronunciations), whereas the IMO provides for compound numeric words (Nadazero, Unaone, Bissotwo...). In practice these are used very rarely, as they frequently result in confusion between speakers of different languages.

NATO[edit]
An alternative name for the ICAO spelling alphabet, "NATO phonetic alphabet", exists because it appears in Allied Tactical Publication ATP-1, Volume II: Allied Maritime Signal and Maneuvering Book used by all allied navies of NATO, which adopted a modified form of the International Code of Signals. Because the latter allows messages to be spelled via flags or Morse code, it naturally named the code words used to spell out messages by voice its "phonetic alphabet". The name NATO phonetic alphabet became widespread because the signals used to facilitate the naval communications and tactics of NATO have become global.[4] However, ATP-1 is marked NATO Confidential (or the lower NATO Restricted) so it is not available publicly. Nevertheless, a NATO unclassified version of the document is provided to foreign, even hostile, militaries, even though they are not allowed to make it available publicly. The spelling alphabet is now also defined in other unclassified international military documents.[5] The NATO alphabet appeared in some United States Air Force Europe publications during the Cold War. A particular example was the Ramstein Air Base, Telephone Directory published between 1969 and 1973 (currently out of print). The American and NATO versions had differences and the translation was provided as a convenience. Differences included Alfa, Bravo and Able, Baker for the first two letters.

History[edit]
The ICAO developed this system in the 1950s in order to account for discrepancies that might arise in communications as a result of multiple alphabet naming systems coexisting in different places and organizations.[6]

In the official[7] version of the alphabet, the non-English spellings Alfa and Juliett are used. Alfa is spelled with an f as it is in most European languages because the English and French spelling alpha would not be pronounced properly by native speakers of some other languages � who may not know that ph should be pronounced as f. Juliett is spelled with a tt for French speakers, because they may otherwise treat a single final t as silent. In some English versions of the alphabet, one or both of these may have their standard English spelling.[8]

Code words[edit]
[] This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA.
The final choice of code words for the letters of the alphabet and for the digits was made after hundreds of thousands of comprehension tests involving 31 nationalities. The qualifying feature was the likelihood of a code word being understood in the context of others. For example, football has a higher chance of being understood than foxtrot in isolation, but foxtrot is superior in extended communication.[9]

The pronunciation of the code words varies according to the language habits of the speaker. To eliminate wide variations in pronunciation, recordings and posters illustrating the pronunciation desired by the ICAO are available.[9][10] However, there are still differences in pronunciation between the ICAO and other agencies, and the ICAO has conflicting Roman-alphabet and IPA transcriptions. Also, although all codes for the letters of the alphabet are English words, they are not in general given English pronunciations. Assuming that the transcriptions are not intended to be precise, only 11 of the 26�Bravo, Echo, Hotel, Juliet(t), Kilo, Mike, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Whiskey, and Zulu�are given English pronunciations by all these agencies, though not always the same English pronunciations.

Letters[edit]
Letter Code word Conflicting accounts of the pronunciation
U.S. Army
standard[11] ICAO[10] and ITU
Roman standard[12] FAA
standards[13][14] ICAO
IPA standard[10] SIO[15]
(France) ICAO recording
(1955)[16] Consolidated transcription
A Alfa
ATIS: Alpha AL fah AL FAH ALFAH or
AL-FAH '�lf? al fah ['�lf?] /'�lf??/ AL-fah
B Bravo BRAH voh BRAH VOH
(1955: BRAH VOH) BRAHVOH or
BRAH-VO 'br??'vo bra vo [br?'vo?] /?br??'vo?/ BRAH-VOH
C Charlie CHAR lee CHAR LEE CHARLEE or
CHAR-LEE 't???li or
'???li tchah li,
char li ['t???li],
['???li] /'t???rli?/ CHAR-lee or
/'???rli?/ SHAR-lee
D Delta DEL tah DELL TAH DELLTAH or
DELL-TAH 'delt? del tah ['d?lt?] /'d?lt??/ DEL-tah
E Echo EKK oh ECK OH ECKOH or
ECK-OH 'eko �k o ['?ko?] /'?ko?/
F Foxtrot FOKS trot FOKS TROT FOKSTROT or
FOKS-TROT 'f?kstr?t fox trott ['f?kstr?t] /'f?kstr?t/ FOKS-trot
G Golf Golf GOLF GOLF g?lf [sic] golf ['g?l(f)] /'g?lf/ GOLF
H Hotel HO tell HOH TELL HOHTELL or
HOH-TELL ho?'tel ho t�ll [ho?'t?l] /ho?'t?l/ hoh-TEL
I India IN dee ah IN DEE AH INDEE AH or
IN-DEE-AH 'indi?? in di ah ['?ndi.?] /'?ndi???/ IN-dee-ah
J Juliett
ATIS: Juliet JEW lee ett JEW LEE ETT JEWLEE ETT or
JEW-LEE-ETT 'd?u?li?'et djou li �tt [?d?uli'?t] /'d?u?li??t/ JEW-lee-et or
/?d?u?li?'?t/ JEW-lee-ET
K Kilo KEY loh KEY LOH KEYLOH or
KEY-LOH 'ki?lo ki lo ['kilo?] /'ki?lo?/ KEE-loh
L Lima LEE mah LEE MAH LEEMAH or
LEE-MAH 'li?m? li mah ['lim?] /'li?m??/ LEE-mah
M Mike Mike MIKE MIKE m?ik ma�k ['m??k] /'ma?k/ MYK
N November NOH vem ber NO VEM BER NOVEMBER or
NO-VEM-BER no'vemb? no v�mm ber [no?'v?mb??] /no?'v?mb?r/ noh-VEM-b?r[17]
O Oscar OSS car OSS CAH OSS-SCAR or
OSS-CAR '?sk? oss kar ['?sk??] /'?sk??/ OS-kah
P Papa PAH pah PAH PAH PAHPAH or
PAH-PAH p?'p? pah pah [p?'p?] /p??'p??/ pah-PAH
Q Quebec keh BECK KEH BECK KEHBECK or
KWUH-BECK ke'bek k� b�k [k?'b?k] /k?'b?k/ ke-BEK
R Romeo ROW me oh ROW ME OH ROWME OH or
ROW-ME-OH 'ro?mi?o ro mi o ['?o?mi.o?] /'ro?mi?o?/ ROH-mee-oh
S Sierra see AIR ah SEE AIR RAH SEEAIRAH or
SEE-AIR-AH si'er? si �r rah [si'???] /si?'?r??/ see-ERR-ah
T Tango TANG go TANG GO TANGGO or
TANG-GO 't�ngo tang go ['t�?go?] /'t�?go?/ TANG-goh
U Uniform YOU nee form YOU NEE FORM or
OO NEE FORM YOUNEE FORM or
YOU-NEE-FORM or
OO-NEE-FORM 'ju?nif??m or
'u?nif?rm you ni form,
ou ni form ['jun?�f??m],
['un?�f??m] /'ju?ni?f??rm/ EW-nee-form or
/'u?ni?f??rm/ OO-nee-form
V Victor VIK ter VIK TAH VIKTAH or
VIK-TAR 'vikt? vik tar ['v?kt??] /'v?kt??/ VIK-tah
W Whiskey WISS key WISS KEY WISSKEY or
WISS-KEY 'wiski ouiss ki ['w?ski] /'w?ski?/ WIS-kee
X X-ray
or Xray EKS ray ECKS RAY ECKSRAY [sic] or
ECKS-RAY 'eks'rei �kss r� ['?ks?e?] /'?ksre?/ EKS-ray or
/??ks're?/ EKS-RAY
Y Yankee YANG kee YANG KEY YANGKEY [sic] or
YANG-KEY 'j�nki yang ki ['j�?ki] /'j�?ki?/ YANG-kee
Z Zulu ZOO luu ZOO LOO ZOOLOO or
ZOO-LOO 'zu?lu? zou lou ['zulu] /'zu?lu?/ ZOO-loo
- (hyphen) Dash /'d�?/ DASH
Digits[edit]
Digit Code word Pronunciation SIO[15] Wikipedia transcription
0 Zero (FAA, USMC)
Nadazero (ITU, IMO) ZE-RO (ICAO), ZE RO or ZEE-RO (FAA)
NAH-DAH-ZAY-ROH (ITU, IMO) zi ro /'zi?ro?/ ZEE-roh
/?n???d???ze?'ro?/ NAH-DAH-ZAY-ROH
1 One (FAA), Won (USMC)[18]
Unaone (ITU, IMO) WUN (ICAO, FAA)
OO-NAH-WUN (ITU, IMO) ouann /'w?n/ WUN
/?u??n??'w?n/ OO-NAH-WUN
2 Two (FAA), Too (USMC)
Bissotwo (ITU, IMO) TOO (ICAO, FAA)
BEES-SOH-TOO (ITU, IMO) tou /'tu?/ TOO
/?bi??so?'tu?/ BEE-SOH-TOO
3 Three (FAA), Tree (USMC)
Terrathree (ITU, IMO) TREE (ICAO, FAA)
TAY-RAH-TREE (ITU, IMO) tri /'tri?/ TREE
/?te??r??'tri?/ TAY-RAH-TREE
4 Four (FAA), Fo-wer (USMC)
Kartefour (ITU, IMO) FOW-ER (ICAO), FOW ER (FAA)
KAR-TAY-FOWER (ITU, IMO) fo eur /'fo?.?r/ FOH-?r
/?k??r?te?'fo?.?r/ KAR-TAY-FOH-?r
5 Five (FAA), Fife (USMC)
Pantafive (ITU, IMO) FIFE (ICAO, FAA)
PAN-TAH-FIVE (ITU, IMO) fa �f /'fa?f/ FYF[19]
/?p�n?t??'fa?v/ PAN-TAH-FYV
6 Six (FAA, USMC)
Soxisix (ITU, IMO) SIX (ICAO, FAA)
SOK-SEE-SIX (ITU, IMO) siks /'s?ks/ SIKS
/?s??k?si?'s?ks/ SOK-SEE-SIKS
7 Seven (FAA, USMC)
Setteseven (ITU, IMO) SEV-EN (ICAO), SEV EN (FAA)
SAY-TAY-SEVEN (ITU, IMO) s�v n /'s?v?n/ SEV-en
/?se??te?'s?v?n/ SAY-TAY-SEV-en
8 Eight (FAA), Ate (USMC)
Oktoeight (ITU, IMO) AIT (ICAO, FAA)
OK-TOH-AIT (ITU, IMO) e�t /'e?t/ AYT
/???k?to?'e?t/ OK-TOH-AYT
9 Niner (FAA, USMC)
Nine or niner (ICAO)
Novenine (ITU, IMO) NIN-ER (ICAO), NIN ER (FAA)
NO-VAY-NINER (ITU, IMO) na� neu /'na?n?r/ NY-n?r[20]
/?n??v?e?'na?n?r/ NOV-AY-NY-n?r
100 Hundred (ICAO) HUN-dred (ICAO) hun-dred /'h?ndr?d/ HUN-dred
1000 Thousand (ICAO) TOU-SAND (ICAO) taou zend /?ta?'s�nd/ TOW-ZEND[21]
. (decimal point) Point (FAA)
Decimal (ITU, ICAO) DAY-SEE-MAL (ITU) (ICAO) d� si mal /?de??si?'m�l/ DAY-SEE-MAL
. (full stop) Stop (ITU) STOP (ITU) /'st?p/ STOP
Pronunciation[edit]
Pronunciations are somewhat uncertain because the agencies, while ostensibly using the same pronunciations, give different transcriptions, which are often inconsistent from letter to letter. The ICAO gives a different pronunciation for IPA transcription and for respelling, and the FAA also gives different pronunciations depending on the publication consulted, the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (� 4-2-7), the FAA Flight Services manual (� 14.1.5), or the ATC manual (� 2-4-16). ATIS gives English spellings, but does not give pronunciations or numbers. The ICAO, NATO, and FAA use modifications of English numerals, with stress on one syllable, while the ITU and IMO compound pseudo-Latinate numerals with a slightly different set of modified English numerals, and with stress on each syllable. Numbers 10�99 are spelled out (that is, 17 is "1�7" and 60 is "6�0"), while for hundreds and thousands the English words hundred and thousand are used.[8][10][12][13][14][22]

The pronunciation of the digits 3, 4, 5, and 9 differs from standard English � being pronounced tree, fower, fife, and niner. The digit 3 is specified as tree so that it is not pronounced sri; the long pronunciation of 4 (still found in some English dialects) keeps it somewhat distinct from for; 5 is pronounced with a second "f" because the normal pronunciation with a "v" is easily confused with "fire" (a command to shoot); and 9 has an extra syllable to keep it distinct from German nein 'no'.

Only the ICAO prescribes pronunciation with the IPA, and then only for letters.[10] Several of the pronunciations indicated are slightly modified from their normal English pronunciations: /'�lf?, 'br??'vo, '???li, 'delt?, 'f?kstr?t, g?lf, 'li?m?, '?sk?, si'er?, 't�ngo, 'u?nif?rm, 'vikt?, 'j�nki/, partially due to the substitution of final schwas with the ah vowel; in addition, the intended distinction between the short vowels /o ? ?/ and the long vowels /o? ?? ??/ is obscure, and has been ignored in the consolidated transcription above. Both the IPA and respelled pronunciations were developed by the ICAO before 1956 with advice from the governments of both the United States and United Kingdom,[23] so the pronunciations of both General American English and British Received Pronunciation are evident, especially in the rhotic and non-rhotic accents. The respelled version is usually at least consistent with a rhotic accent ('r' pronounced), as in CHAR LEE, SHAR LEE, NO VEM BER, YOU NEE FORM, and OO NEE FORM, whereas the IPA version usually specifies a non-rhotic accent ('r' pronounced only before a vowel), as in 't???li, '???li, no'vemb?, and 'ju?nif??m. Exceptions are OSS CAH, VIK TAH and 'u?nif?rm. The IPA form of Golf implies it is pronounced gulf, which is not either General American English or British Received Pronunciation. Different agencies assign different stress patterns to Bravo, Hotel, Juliett, November, Papa, X-ray; the ICAO has different stresses for Bravo, Juliett, X-ray in its respelled and IPA transcriptions. The mid back [?] vowel transcribed in Oscar and Foxtrot is actually a low vowel in both Received British and General American, and has been interpreted as such above. Furthermore, the pronunciation prescribed for "whiskey" has no initial [h], although some speakers in both General American and RP pronounce an [h] (or [?]) here, and an initial [h] (or [?]) is categorical in Scotland and Ireland.

Prior alphabets[edit]
Military alphabets before 1956
United Kingdom United States
Royal Navy Western Front
slang RAF radio
alphabet Joint
Army(Air Corps)/Navy(Marines)
1914�18 (WWI) 1924�42 1943�56 1941�56
Apples Ack Ace Able or
Affirm Able
Butter Beer Baker
Charlie
Duff Don Dog
Edward Easy
Freddy Freddie Fox
George Gee George
Harry How
Ink Item or
Interrogatory Item
Johnnie Jig or
Johnny Jig
King
London Love
Monkey Emma Monkey Mike
Nuts Nab or
Negat Nan
Orange Oboe
Pudding Pip Peter
or Prep Peter
Queenie Queen
Robert Roger
Sugar Esses Sugar
Tommy Toc Tare
Uncle
Vinegar Vic Victor
Willie William
Xerxes X-ray
Yellow Yorker Yoke
Zebra
Royal Navy Western Front
slang RAF
1924�42 RAF
1943�56 Joint
Army/Navy
United Kingdom United States
The first internationally recognized spelling alphabet was adopted by the ITU during 1927. The experience gained with that alphabet resulted in several changes being made during 1932 by the ITU. The resulting alphabet was adopted by the International Commission for Air Navigation, the predecessor of the ICAO, and was used for civil aviation until World War II.[23] It continued to be used by the IMO until 1965:

Amsterdam, Baltimore, Casablanca, Denmark, Edison, Florida, Gallipoli, Havana, Italia, Jerusalem, Kilogramme, Liverpool, Madagascar, New York, Oslo, Paris, Quebec, Roma, Santiago, Tripoli, Upsala, Valencia, Washington, Xanthippe, Yokohama, Zurich

British and American armed forces had each developed their spelling alphabets before both forces adopted the ICAO alphabet during 1956. British forces adopted the RAF radio alphabet, which is similar to the phonetic alphabet used by the Royal Navy during World War I. At least two of the terms are sometimes still used by UK civilians to spell words over the phone, namely F for Freddie and S for Sugar.

The U.S. adopted the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet during 1941 to standardize systems among all branches of its armed forces. The U.S. alphabet became known as Able Baker after the words for A and B. The United Kingdom adapted its RAF alphabet during 1943 to be almost identical to the American Joint-Army-Navy (JAN) one.

After World War II, with many aircraft and ground personnel from the allied armed forces, "Able Baker" continued to be used for civil aviation. But many sounds were unique to English, so an alternative "Ana Brazil" alphabet was used in Latin America. But the International Air Transport Association (IATA), recognizing the need for a single universal alphabet, presented a draft alphabet to the ICAO during 1947 that had sounds common to English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. After further study and modification by each approving body, the revised alphabet was implemented on 1 November 1951 for civil aviation (but it may not have been adopted by any military):[23]

Alfa, Bravo, Coca, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Metro, Nectar, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Union, Victor, Whisky, Extra, Yankee, Zulu

Problems were soon found with this list. Some users believed that they were so severe that they reverted to the old "Able Baker" alphabet. To identify the deficiencies of the new alphabet, testing was conducted among speakers from 31 nations, principally by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States. Confusion among words like Delta, Nectar, Victor, and Extra, or the unintelligibility of other words during poor receiving conditions were the main problems. After much study, only the five words representing the letters C, M, N, U, and X were replaced. The ICAO sent a recording of the new Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet to all member states in November 1955.[16][9] The final version given in the table above was implemented by the ICAO on 1 March 1956,[23] and the ITU adopted it no later than 1959 when they mandated its usage via their official publication, Radio Regulations.[24] Because the ITU governs all international radio communications, it was also adopted by all radio operators, whether military, civilian, or amateur. It was finally adopted by the IMO in 1965. During 1947 the ITU adopted the compound number words (Nadazero, Unaone, etc.), later adopted by the IMO during 1965.

Usage[edit]
A spelling alphabet is used to spell parts of a message containing letters and numbers to avoid confusion, because many letters sound similar, for instance "n" and "m" or "f" and "s"; the potential for confusion increases if static or other interference is present. For instance the message "proceed to map grid DH98" could be transmitted as "proceed to map grid Delta-Hotel-Niner-Ait". Using "Delta" instead of "D" avoids confusion between "DH98" and "BH98" or "TH98". The unusual pronunciation of certain numbers was designed to reduce confusion.

In addition to the traditional military usage, civilian industry uses the alphabet to avoid similar problems in the transmission of messages by telephone systems. For example, it is often used in the retail industry where customer or site details are spoken by telephone (to authorize a credit agreement or confirm stock codes), although ad hoc coding is often used in that instance. It has been used often by information technology workers to communicate serial/reference codes (which are often very long) or other specialised information by voice. Most major airlines use the alphabet to communicate Passenger Name Records (PNRs) internally, and in some cases, with customers. It is often used in a medical context as well, to avoid confusion when transmitting information.

Several letter codes and abbreviations using the spelling alphabet have become well-known, such as Bravo Zulu (letter code BZ) for "well done",[25] Checkpoint Charlie (Checkpoint C) in Berlin, and Zulu Time for Greenwich Mean Time or Coordinated Universal Time. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. government referred to the Viet Cong guerrillas and the group itself as VC, or Victor Charlie; the name "Charlie" became synonymous with this force.

Variants[edit]
Aviation[edit]
"Delta" is replaced by "Data", "Dixie" or "David" at airports that have a majority of Delta Air Lines flights, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in order to avoid confusion because "Delta" is also Delta's callsign.[26]
Telegrams[edit]
As early as 1928, the U.S. public was taught[27] to use the following list when composing telegrams:
Adam, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Edward, Frank, George, Henry, Ida, John, King, Lincoln, Mary, New York, Ocean, Peter, Queen, Roger, Sugar, Thomas, Union, [Victor?], William, X-Ray, Young, Zero

Other[edit]
Many unofficial spelling alphabets are in use that are not based on a standard, but are based on words the transmitter can remember easily, including first names, states, or cities. The LAPD phonetic alphabet has many first names. The German spelling alphabet ("Deutsches Funkalphabet" (literally "German Radio Alphabet")) also uses first names. Also, during the Vietnam war, soldiers used 'Cain' instead of 'Charlie' because 'Charlie' meant Viet Cong (Charlie being short for Victor Charlie, the NATO alphabet spelling of the initials VC).

Additions in other languages[edit]
Certain languages' standard alphabets have letters, or letters with diacritics (e.g., umlauts, rings, tildes), that do not exist in the English alphabet. If these letters have two-letter ASCII substitutes, the ICAO/NATO code words for the two letters are used.

Spanish[edit]
In Spanish the word "�o�o" (dull) is used for �.

German and Swedish[edit]
In German, Alfa-Echo (ae) may be used for "�", Oscar-Echo (oe) for "�", Sierra-Sierra (ss) for "�", and Uniform-Echo (ue) for "�".[28] The same applies to "�" and "�" in Swedish, though �rlig and �sten, from the Swedish spelling alphabet, are also used; similarly, �ke may be used for "�".[29]

Danish and Norwegian[edit]
In Danish and Norwegian the letters "�", "�" and "�" have their own code words. In Danish �gir, �dis and �se represent the three letters,[30] while in Norwegian the three code words are �gir, �rnulf and �got for civilians and �rlig, �sten and �se for military personnel.[31]

Czech[edit]
Czech "u", historically uo, is Uniform-Oscar (uo).

Finnish[edit]
In Finnish there are special code words for the letters �, � and �. �ke is used to represent �, �iti is used for � and �ljy for �. These code words are used only in national operations, the last remnants of the Finnish radio alphabet.[32]

Estonian[edit]
Estonian has 4 special letters, �, �, � and �. �nne represents �, �rni for �, ��bik for � and �lle for �.

Malay[edit]
Malay replaces letter "L" with "London", since the word "Lima" in Malay means number 5 (five).

Pan-pan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Panpan" redirects here. For other uses, see Pan Pan.
Three calls of pan-pan are used in radiotelephone communications[1][2][3] to signify that there is an urgency on board a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle but that, for the time being at least, there is no immediate danger to anyone's life or to the vessel itself.[4] This is referred to as a state of urgency. This is distinct from a mayday call, which means that there is imminent danger to life or to the continued viability of the vessel itself.[5] Thus "pan-pan" informs potential rescuers (including emergency services and other craft in the area) that a safety problem exists whereas "mayday" will call upon them to drop all other activities and immediately initiate a rescue attempt.

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Usage
2.1 Nautical examples
2.2 Aeronautical examples
3 Medical advice
4 See also
5 References
Etymology[edit]
See also: French phrases in international emergencies.
As with mayday (from venez m'aider, "come help me"), the emergency call pan-pan derives from French. In French, a panne ([pan], "pahn") is a breakdown, such as a mechanical failure. In English, it is also sometimes[vague] pronounced as /p�n/ ("pan").

A three-letter backronym, "possible assistance needed" or "pay attention now" is derived from "pan". It is used in maritime and aeronautical radio communications courses as a mnemonic to radio and communications operators, specifically to reaffirm the important difference between mayday and pan-pan emergency communications.

Usage[edit]
The correct usage is "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan",[6][7] followed by the intended recipient of the message, either "All stations, all stations, all stations" or a specific station, "Victoria Coast Guard Radio, Victoria Coast Guard Radio, Victoria Coast Guard Radio", the identification of the craft, its position, the nature of the problem and the type of assistance or advice required, if any.[1] An equivalent Morse code signal used to be "X X X", with each letter sent distinctly. It is also correct to use "pan-pan" as a preface if relaying a "mayday" call from another station that is out of range of the station they are trying to contact. This is common in aviation VHF communications but not in nautical VHF communications.[8]

Nautical examples[edit]
Examples of the correct use of a "pan-pan" call from a boat or ship may include the following cases, provided the skipper or master remains confident that he or she can handle the situation and that there is no current danger to the life of any person or to the safety of the vessel itself.

Once the urgent situation which led to the Pan Pan broadcast has been resolved or contended with, conventional practice is for the station that initiated the Pan Pan call to make a follow-up broadcast to All Stations, informing them that the urgent situation no longer exists.

A call that originates as a "pan-pan" signal might be followed by a Mayday distress call if the situation deteriorates to the point of "grave and imminent danger", thus warranting immediate action (intervention, assistance, response) on the part of listeners in accordance with standard operating practices for distress signaling.

Fouled propeller, engine failure or out of fuel
Provided the vessel is now either anchored or under sail and safe from any immediate danger of collision or stranding. The crew may be planning to clear the propeller, refuel from an onboard supply, hoist sail or use some other alternative propulsion. Alternatively, as part of the "pan-pan" call the skipper may request a tow from a suitable vessel, if possible, but without immediate urgency.
Small fire on board�now extinguished
Fire can be very dangerous afloat but if it was small and contained and is now certainly put out without injury to any crew, then a "pan-pan" call is appropriate to warn others that investigations are underway to establish the extent of the damage, clear the smoke from below and hopefully re-establish passage as soon as possible.
Unsure of position
Provided there is no apparent danger of stranding or hitting rocks, a "pan-pan" call on marine VHF radio may allow nearby coast-stations and perhaps other vessels to triangulate the source of the transmissions and provide the captain with both a fix and perhaps some advice on the best course to steer to reach a safe haven.
Man-overboard recovery
If safely recovering a person overboard, a "pan-pan" call on VHF makes other nearby vessels aware of the situation and ensures that they keep a lookout, avoid coming too close, avoid excessive wake or otherwise interfering. It also alerts them to the fact that the recovery vessel is maneuvering for urgent life-saving and is therefore 'restricted in its ability to manoeuvre' in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). If the recovery vessel has lost sight of the person overboard, if the person overboard loses consciousness, if there is a danger of hypothermia or any other grave risk to life, then a mayday call is more appropriate so that other nearby vessels may offer help with the search and recovery, rather than keeping clear.
Overdue vessel
The Canadian and US Coast Guard (and likely similar maritime safety agencies in other countries[citation needed]) issue "urgent marine information broadcasts" concerning vessels that have been reported overdue, as part of the process of a 'communications search' or 'pre-com' phase of uncertain, possible distress, as determined under the authority of a maritime rescue co-ordination centre or joint maritime-aeronautical rescue co-ordination centre. The message content, a description of the vessel under the apprehension of being missing, its last known position and the date last heard from, and the supposed route or passage plan of the vessel, is preceded by the procedure words Pan Pan and will be addressed to "all stations". Any stations having information concerning the whereabouts of the named vessel are asked to communicate with and report same to the nearest coast guard station.
Imminent collision alert
It may be warranted to urgently attempt to make radio contact with an approaching vessel that is running into danger or approaching a dangerous close quarters situation and therefore at risk of colliding with one's own vessel, and warning the operator to keep clear. This would be a 'bridge-to-bridge' communication and could be done in combination with sounding the "your intentions are unclear or not understood" sound signal, which is 5 or more short horn or whistle blasts,[9] the 'danger signal'. A short blast is 1 second long, compared to a prolonged blast of 5 seconds duration under the COLREGS. An urgent warning could also be given over the radio, for example, if the called vessel appears to be unaware that it is potentially or at risk of endangering a person in a small boat or a person swimming, such as running the person down. A loud hailer could also be used along with a radio warning.
Medical assistance
A "pan-pan medico" call was recommended if someone becomes injured or in need of medical help at sea. If the vessel is heading to shore and wants to be met by an ambulance crew, the local Coast Guard station can arrange this. A doctor or other trained medical advisor may also be available on the radio, perhaps by patching through via telephone from ashore or from a nearby vessel. If there is immediate risk to life, then a "mayday" call is more appropriate. "Pan-pan medico" is no longer in official use.[10]
Marine rescue organisations, such as Coastal Patrol, Coast Guard, and Search and Rescue listen on marine radio frequencies for all distress calls including "pan-pan". These organisations can coordinate or assist and can relay such calls to other stations that may be better able to do so.

Aeronautical examples[edit]
The call was used during the urgent emergency landing requests sent as a result of the electrical fire which was to destroy Swissair Flight 111 in September 1998.[11] Also, in the wake of Avianca Flight 52, the call is frequently used to denote situations where fuel is getting low for given conditions, but not yet at a critical emergency state.[12] Qantas Flight QF-74 used the call "Pan Pan Pan" when it had an engine failure on its fourth engine soon after take off from San Francisco. Qantas Flight 72 (QF-72) issued a pan-pan when the aircraft experienced rapid, uncommanded movements in which the plane dropped several hundred feet without instruction from the flight crew. Several passengers and crew suffered major and minor injuries, and so the call was upgraded to "mayday".

Qantas Flight 32 issued a pan-pan when one of its four engines suffered an uncontained engine failure shortly after take-off in a flight from Singapore to Sydney.[13]

Air Berlin Flight 9721, on an Airbus A330 with registration D-ALPA, issued a pan-pan on 5 May 2012, 15 minutes before touchdown at Munich from Palma Mallorca, when the crew reported fatigue to the traffic controllers and requested autoland. They in turn had to organize airspace for automatic landing 15 minutes later.[14]

On 15 December 2010, an RAF CH-47 Chinook helicopter with serial number ZH891 was on a daytime tasking in flight within the Green Zone in Baghdad when it came under small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. A 7.62-mm round penetrated the cockpit and hit the instrument panel, severing 36 wires leading to it from various instruments. The wiring loom was sheared as a result, which caused an instruments failure without damaging vital components. As the Chinook was still able to fly level, pilot Flight Lieutenant Alex "Frenchie" Duncan decided to issue a pan-pan rather than a mayday to Bastion Tower. The Chinook made it back to Camp Bastion safely without further incident.[15]

On 12 October 2013, Cyprus Airways flight number CY303 from Vienna to Larnaca, Cyprus, operated by an Airbus 319-100, registration number 5B-DCN, issued a pan-pan over Thessaloniki, Greece, due to a crack on the pilots' windscreen. The pilots immediately descended to 23,000 feet to reduce pressure and the risk of the windscreen breaking. The pilots decided the best solution was to land at Eleftherios Venizelos airport in Athens, Greece, something which they managed after 30 minutes of flight.[16]

In February 2016, Virgin Atlantic flight VS025 from London to New York City issued a pan-pan when west of Ireland, after the co-pilot reported feeling unwell due to an incident with a laser soon after take-off. The plane returned to Heathrow Airport as a "precautionary measure".[17]

In March 2017, the crew of a Regional Express (Rex) flight ZL768, from Albury to Sydney, issued a pan-pan when one of the two propellers of the Saab 340 plane fell off over the Sydney suburb of Revesby. The aircraft was about 20 km from its destination, and it landed safely at Sydney Airport. The passengers were shaken but uninjured. The propeller was found in bushland at Revesby four days later.[18]

Medical advice[edit]
One special case of "pan-pan" is to ask for medical advice. This is a normal "pan-pan" call including a phrase such as "request medical advice" and the identification of the craft, its position and the nature of a medical problem suffered by one of the passengers or crew. This type of call is specifically used in order to get a doctor's advice for a medical problem that does not, in the current opinion of the skipper or master of the vessel, seem to be life-threatening.

The phrase "pan-pan medico" is used in some older reference books, but is no longer in official use.[10]

Once patched through to a medical expert either on land or in another vessel, the radio operator will most likely be asked to describe some detail of the symptoms and history of the condition and perhaps some medical history of the casualty too. The doctor will, most likely, be able to recommend first aid treatment and give other advice to make the patient more comfortable, using whatever resources are available on board. In some cases a decision may be made that the medical case is more urgent than the skipper assumed, and so the call will be escalated to a 'mayday' and receive immediate intervention by rescuers, if at all possible.

See also[edit]

Vessel emergency codes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In addition to distress signals like Mayday and pan-pan, most vessels, especially passenger ships, use some emergency signals to alert the crew on board, and in some cases, also the passengers. These can be in form of blasts on alarm bells, sounding the ship's whistle or code names paged over the PA system.

Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team is the code for a fire emergency aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships.
Alpha, Alpha, Alpha is the code for Medical Emergency aboard Royal Caribbean ships.
Assemble at Muster Stations, seven or more short blasts on the ship's whistle and general alarm, followed by one long blast.[1]
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo, used by many cruise lines to alert crew to a fire or other serious incident on board without alarming passengers.[2]
Charlie, Charlie, Charlie is the code for a security threat aboard Royal Caribbean ships and the code for upcoming helicopter winch operations aboard c-bed accommodation vessels.
Code Blue usually means a medical emergency.
Delta, Delta, Delta is the code for a possible bio-hazard among some cruise lines.
Echo, Echo, Echo is the code for a possible collision with another ship or the shore aboard Royal Caribbean ships. On board some cruise lines this means danger of high winds while at port. It alerts the crew responsible for the gangway, thrusters etc... to get into position and be ready for new maneuvers.
Fire and emergency, continuous ringing of the general alarm bell for ten seconds and a continuous sounding of the ship's whistle for ten seconds.[1]
Kilo, Kilo, Kilo on Royal Caribbean is a general signal for crew to report to emergency stations.
Mr Mob means man overboard.[3] Man overboard can also be signaled with three prolonged blasts on the ship's whistle and general alarm bell (Morse code "Oscar").[1]
Mr Skylight paged over the PA system is an alert for the crew on board and means there is a minor emergency somewhere.[4][5]
Oscar, Oscar, Oscar is the code for Man Overboard aboard Royal Caribbean ships.
Purell, Purell, Purell followed by a location is for cleanup (vomit) on Celebrity ships.
Red Parties, Red Parties, Red Parties, used by Disney Cruise Line over the PA system to alert the crew of a fire or possible fire on board the ship. The message is immediately followed by information about where the fire is.
Star Code, Star Code, Star Code is a code for Medical Emergency aboard Celebrity ships.
Zulu, Zulu, Zulu is the code for a fight aboard most cruise lines.

S�curit�
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
When a marine radio transmission begins with the phrase "S�curit�, s�curit�, s�curit�" (/se?'kj??r?te?/; French: s�curit�), it means that what follows is important safety information. The most common use of this is by coast radio stations before the broadcast of navigational warnings and meteorological information.

Navigational warnings are issued regularly and usually give information about people or vessels in distress and objects or events that can be an immediate danger to people at sea and how they are navigating. In the United States, MARAD (Marine Administration) sends out infrequent advisories about potential global political climate dangers. There are four types of navigational warnings, which are categorized by their location. These areas are NAVAREA IV, HYDROLANT, NAVAREA XII, and HYDROPAC.

Meteorological information is information that is about the marine atmosphere. These meteorological advisories include the development of weather systems such as and not limited to, rain squalls, big tidal drops, major current shifts, lightning storms, hurricane and tsunami warnings, high winds, and cyclones.

It is normal practice to broadcast the S�curit� call itself on a distress and listening frequency such as VHF Channel 16 or MF 2182 kHz, and then change frequency to a working channel for the body of the messages. An equivalent Morse code signal is TTT, with each letter sent distinctly.

Although mostly used by coast radio stations, there is nothing to stop individual craft broadcasting their own S�curit� messages where appropriate, for example, a yacht becalmed (rendered motionless for lack of wind), or any vessel adrift or unable to manoeuvre near other craft or shipping lanes.

Contents [hide]
1 Mayday, pan-pan, securite
2 Example usage
3 See also
4 References
Mayday, pan-pan, securite[edit]
Of the three distress and urgency calls, S�curit� is the least urgent.

Securite: A radio call that usually issues navigational warnings, meteorological warnings, and any other warning needing to be issued that may concern the safety of life at sea, yet may not be particularly life-threatening.

Pan-pan: This is the second most important call. This call is made when there is an emergency aboard a vessel, yet there is not immediate danger to life, or the safety of the vessel itself. This includes, but is not limited to injuries on deck, imminent collision that has not yet occurred, or being unsure of vessel's position.

Mayday: This is the most important call that can be made, due to the fact that it directly threatens life or the vessel. Some instances when this call would be made are, but not limited to death, collision, and fire at sea. When the Mayday call is made, the vessel is requiring immediate assistance.

Example usage[edit]
Third on the list of calls, a Safety or S�curit� call takes priority of all communications besides distress and urgency. The DSC safety alert should not be acknowledged by voice, but merely listened to and noted. The proper etiquette for sending a safety alert is as follows: first, the DSC safety alert must be sent on the appropriate channel or frequency. This should be conducted on Ch. 16 or 2182 instead of using a working channel or frequency. Second, the targeted group must be selected, if necessary. This can be all ships, ships of a specific geographic area, or an individual ship. Lastly, the call should be made. GMDSS protocol requires that the safety call must be spoken to attract attention of the selected vessels. Procedure for the call is:

S�CURIT� x 3

ALL STATIONS x 3

THIS IS (Ship/Station Identification) x 3

Without a break, continue on to the safety message:

S�CURIT�

NAME, CALLSIGN, MMSI

POSITION

NATURE OF SAFETY MESSAGE

ADVICE/OTHER INFORMATION

�OUT�

Mayday
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Mayday (distress signal))
This article is about a distress signal. For the holidays celebrated on 1 May, see May Day. For other uses, see Mayday (disambiguation).
Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications.

It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by aviators and mariners, but in some countries local organizations such as firefighters, police forces, and transportation organizations also use the term. The call is always given three times in a row ("Mayday Mayday Mayday") to prevent its being mistaken for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions, and to distinguish an actual Mayday call from a message about a Mayday call.[citation needed]

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Mayday calls
3 Other urgent calls
3.1 Pan-pan
3.2 Declaring emergency
3.3 Silence
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
History[edit]
The Mayday procedure word was originated in 1923, by a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London.[1] The officer, Frederick Stanley Mockford, was asked to think of a word that would indicate distress and would easily be understood by all pilots and ground staff in an emergency. Since much of the traffic at the time was between Croydon and Le Bourget Airport in Paris, he proposed the word "Mayday" from the French "m'aider", a shortened version of "venez m'aider" (meaning "come and help me").[2]

Before the voice call "Mayday", SOS was the Morse code equivalent of the Mayday call. In 1927, the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington adopted the voice call Mayday as the radiotelephone distress call in place of the SOS radiotelegraph (Morse code) call.[3]

Mayday calls[edit]
MENU0:00
A maritime example: The actual Mayday call made by MV Summit Venture when it collided with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in 1980, causing it to collapse.
MENU0:00
A noise reduced, condensed version of the above MV Summit Venture collision call.
If a Mayday call cannot be sent because a radio is not available, a variety of other distress signals and calls for help can be used. Additionally, a Mayday call can be sent on behalf of one vessel by another, using a convention called a Mayday relay.

Civilian aircraft making a Mayday call in United States airspace are encouraged to use the following format (omitting any portions as necessary for expediency or where they are irrelevant):

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday; (Name of station addressed); Aircraft call sign and type; Nature of emergency; Weather; Pilot's intentions and/or requests; Present position and heading, or if lost then last known position and heading and time when aircraft was at that position; Altitude or Flight level; Fuel remaining in minutes; Number of souls on board; Any other useful information.[4]

Making a false distress call in the United States is a federal crime carrying sanctions of up to six years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution to the Coast Guard.[5]

Other urgent calls[edit]
Pan-pan[edit]
Main article: Pan-pan
Pan-pan (from the French: panne�a breakdown) indicates an urgent situation of a lower order than a "grave and imminent threat requiring immediate assistance", such as a mechanical breakdown or a medical problem. The suffix medico used to be added by vessels in UK waters to indicate a medical problem (Pan-pan medico, repeated three times), or by aircraft declaring a non-life-threatening medical emergency of a passenger in flight, or those operating as protected medical transport in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.[6] "Pan-pan medico" is no longer in official use.

Declaring emergency[edit]
Sometimes the phrase "declaring emergency" is used in aviation. This is the same as calling "Mayday". For example, Swissair Flight 111 radioed "Swissair one eleven heavy is declaring emergency" on discovering their situation.[7][8]

However, ICAO recommends the use of the standard "Pan-pan" and "Mayday" calls instead of "declaring an emergency".[9] Cases of pilots using phrases other than "Pan-pan" and "Mayday" have caused confusion and errors in aircraft handling.[10]

Silence[edit]
See also: Radio silence
The following calls may be made only by the vessel in distress or the responding authority:

Seelonce Mayday or Seelonce Distress means that the channel may only be used by the vessel in distress and the Coast Guard (and any other vessels they ask to assist in handling the emergency). The channel may not be used for normal working traffic until "seelonce feenee" is broadcast.

"SEELONCE MAYDAY" (followed by the name of the disturbing station) may only be sent from the vessel in distress. "SEELONCE DESTRESSE" (followed by the name of the disturbing station) may only be sent from a station which is not participating on the emergency traffic.

The expressions Stop Transmitting�Distress and Stop Transmitting�Mayday are the aeronautical equivalents of Seelonce Mayday.

Seelonce Feenee (French: silence fini�silence finished) means that the emergency situation has been concluded and the channel may now be used normally. The word prudonce (prudence�"caution") can also be used to allow restricted working to resume on that channel.

Distress Traffic Ended is the aeronautical equivalent of seelonce feenee.

See also[edit]

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Global Maritime Distress Safety System)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.

GMDSS consists of several systems, some of which are new, but many of which have been in operation for many years. The system is intended to perform the following functions: alerting (including position determination of the unit in distress), search and rescue coordination, locating (homing), maritime safety information broadcasts, general communications, and bridge-to-bridge communications. Specific radio carriage requirements depend upon the ship's area of operation, rather than its tonnage. The system also provides redundant means of distress alerting, and emergency sources of power.

Recreational vessels do not need to comply with GMDSS radio carriage requirements, but will increasingly use the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radios. Offshore vessels may elect to equip themselves further. Vessels under 300 Gross tonnage (GT) are not subject to GMDSS requirements.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Components of GMDSS
2.1 Emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
2.2 NAVTEX
2.3 Inmarsat
2.4 High frequency
2.5 Search and rescue locating device
2.6 Digital selective calling
2.7 Power supply requirements
3 GMDSS sea areas
3.1 Sea Area A1
3.2 Sea Area A2
3.3 Sea Area A3
3.4 Sea Area A4
3.5 GMDSS radio equipment required for U.S. coastal voyages
4 Licensing of operators
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
History[edit]
Since the invention of radio at the end of the 19th century, ships at sea have relied on Morse code, invented by Samuel Morse and first used in 1844, for distress and safety telecommunications. The need for ship and coast radio stations to have and use radiotelegraph equipment, and to listen to a common radio frequency for Morse encoded distress calls, was recognized after the sinking of the liner RMS Titanic in the North Atlantic in 1912. The U.S. Congress enacted legislation soon after, requiring U.S. ships to use Morse code radiotelegraph equipment for distress calls. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), now a United Nations agency, followed suit for ships of all nations. Morse encoded distress calling has saved thousands of lives since its inception almost a century ago, but its use requires skilled radio operators spending many hours listening to the radio distress frequency. Its range on the medium frequency (MF) distress band (500 kHz) is limited, and the amount of traffic Morse signals can carry is also limited.

Not all ship-to-shore radio communications were short range. Some radio stations provided long-range radiotelephony services, such as radio telegrams and radio telex calls, on the HF bands (3�30 MHz) enabling worldwide communications with ships. For example, Portishead Radio, which was the world's busiest radiotelephony station, provided HF long-range services.[1] In 1974, it had 154 radio operators who handled over 20 million words per year.[2] Such large radiotelephony stations employed large numbers of people and were expensive to operate. By the end of the 1980s, satellite services had started to take an increasingly large share of the market for ship-to-shore communications.

For these reasons, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency specializing in safety of shipping and preventing ships from polluting the seas, began looking at ways of improving maritime distress and safety communications. In 1979, a group of experts drafted the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, which called for development of a global search and rescue plan. This group also passed a resolution calling for development by IMO of a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) to provide the communication support needed to implement the search and rescue plan. This new system, which the world's maritime nations are implementing, is based upon a combination of satellite and terrestrial radio services, and has changed international distress communications from being primarily ship-to-ship based to ship-to-shore (Rescue Coordination Center) based. It spelled the end of Morse code communications for all but a few users, such as amateur radio operators. The GMDSS provides for automatic distress alerting and locating in cases where a radio operator doesn't have time to send an SOS or MAYDAY call, and, for the first time, requires ships to receive broadcasts of maritime safety information which could prevent a distress from happening in the first place. In 1988, IMO amended the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, requiring ships subject to it fit GMDSS equipment. Such ships were required to carry NAVTEX and satellite EPIRBs by August 1, 1993, and had to fit all other GMDSS equipment by February 1, 1999. US ships were allowed to fit GMDSS in lieu of Morse telegraphy equipment by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Components of GMDSS[edit]
The main types of equipment used in GMDSS are:

Emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)[edit]
Main article: Emergency position-indicating radio beacon
Cospas-Sarsat is an international satellite-based search and rescue system, established by Canada, France, the United States, and Russia. These four countries jointly helped develop the 406 MHz Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), an element of the GMDSS designed to operate with Cospas-Sarsat system. These automatic-activating EPIRBs, now required on SOLAS ships, commercial fishing vessels, and all passenger ships, are designed to transmit to alert rescue coordination centers via the satellite system from anywhere in the world. The original COSPAS/SARSAT system used polar orbiting satellites but in recent years the system has been expanded to also include 4 geostationary satellites. Newest designs incorporate GPS receivers to transmit highly accurate positions (within about 20 metres) of the distress position. The original COSPAS/SARSAT satellites could calculate EPIRB position to within about 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) by using Doppler techniques. By the end of 2010 EPIRB manufacturers may be offering AIS (automatic identification system) enabled beacons. The serviceability of these items is checked monthly and annually and they have limited battery shelf life, between two and five years using mostly lithium-type batteries. 406 MHz EPIRB's transmit a registration number which is linked to a database of information about the vessel.

NAVTEX[edit]
Main article: Navtex
Navtex is an international, automated system for instantly distributing maritime safety information (MSI) which includes navigational warnings, weather forecasts and weather warnings, search and rescue notices and similar information to ships. A small, low-cost and self-contained "smart" printing radio receiver is installed on the bridge, or the place from where the ship is navigated, and checks each incoming message to see if it has been received during an earlier transmission, or if it is of a category of no interest to the ship's master. The frequency of transmission of these messages is 518 kHz in English, while 490 kHz is sometime used to broadcast in a local language. The messages are coded with a header code identified by the using single letters of the alphabet to represent broadcasting stations, type of messages, and followed by two figures indicating the serial number of the message. For example: FA56 where F is the ID of the transmitting station, A indicates the message category navigational warning, and 56 is the consecutive message number.

Inmarsat[edit]
Satellite systems operated by the Inmarsat company, overseen by the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) are also important elements of the GMDSS. The types of Inmarsat ship earth station terminals recognized by the GMDSS are: Inmarsat B, C and F77. Inmarsat B and F77, an updated version of the now redundant Inmarsat A, provide ship/shore, ship/ship and shore/ship telephone, telex and high-speed data services, including a distress priority telephone and telex service to and from rescue coordination centers. Fleet 77 fully supports the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and includes advanced features such as emergency call prioritisation. The Inmarsat C provides ship/shore, shore/ship and ship/ship store-and-forward data and email messaging, the capability for sending preformatted distress messages to a rescue coordination center, and the Inmarsat C SafetyNET service. The Inmarsat C SafetyNET service is a satellite-based worldwide maritime safety information broadcast service of high seas weather warnings, NAVAREA navigational warnings, radionavigation warnings, ice reports and warnings generated by the USCG-conducted International Ice Patrol, and other similar information not provided by NAVTEX. SafetyNET works similarly to NAVTEX in areas outside NAVTEX coverage.

Inmarsat C equipment is relatively small and lightweight, and costs much less than an Inmarsat B or F77 station. Inmarsat B and F77 ship earth stations require relatively large gyro-stabilized unidirectional antennas; the antenna size of the Inmarsat C is much smaller and is omnidirectional.

Under a cooperative agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), combined meteorological observations and AMVER reports can now be sent to both the USCG AMVER Center, and NOAA, using an Inmarsat C ship earth station, at no charge.

SOLAS now requires that Inmarsat C equipment have an integral satellite navigation receiver, or be externally connected to a satellite navigation receiver. That connection will ensure accurate location information to be sent to a rescue coordination center if a distress alert is ever transmitted.

Also the new LRIT long range tracking systems are upgraded via GMDSS Inmarsat C which are also compliant along with inbuilt SSAS, or ship security alert system. SSAS provides a means to covertly transmit a security alert distress message to local authorities in the event of a mutiny, pirate attack, or other hostile action towards the vessel or its crew.

High frequency[edit]
A GMDSS system may include high-frequency (HF) radiotelephone and radiotelex (narrow-band direct printing) equipment, with calls initiated by digital selective calling (DSC). Worldwide broadcasts of maritime safety information can also be made on HF narrow-band direct printing channels.

Search and rescue locating device[edit]
Main article: Search and rescue transponder
The GMDSS installation on ships include one (two on vessels over 500 GT) Search and Rescue Locating device(s) called Search and Rescue Radar Transponders (SART) which are used to locate survival craft or distressed vessels by creating a series of twelve dots on a rescuing ship's 3 cm radar display. The detection range between these devices and ships, dependent upon the height of the ship's radar mast and the height of the Search and Rescue Locating device, is normally about 15 km (8 nautical miles). Once detected by radar, the Search and Rescue Locating device will produce a visual and aural indication to the persons in distress.

Digital selective calling[edit]
Main article: Digital selective calling
The IMO also introduced digital selective calling (DSC) on MF, HF and VHF maritime radios as part of the GMDSS system. DSC is primarily intended to initiate ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship radiotelephone and MF/HF radiotelex calls. DSC calls can also be made to individual stations, groups of stations, or "all stations" in one's radio range. Each DSC-equipped ship, shore station and group is assigned a unique 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity.

DSC distress alerts, which consist of a preformatted distress message, are used to initiate emergency communications with ships and rescue coordination centers. DSC was intended to eliminate the need for persons on a ship's bridge or on shore to continuously guard radio receivers on voice radio channels, including VHF channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and 2182 kHz now used for distress, safety and calling. A listening watch aboard GMDSS-equipped ships on 2182 kHz ended on February 1, 1999. In May 2002, IMO decided to postpone cessation of a VHF listening watch aboard ships. That watchkeeping requirement had been scheduled to end on February 1, 2005.

IMO and ITU both require that the DSC-equipped MF/HF and VHF radios be externally connected to a satellite navigation receiver (GPS). That connection will ensure accurate location information is sent to a rescue coordination center if a distress alert is transmitted. The FCC requires that all new VHF and MF/HF maritime radiotelephones type accepted after June 1999 have at least a basic DSC capability.

VHF digital selective calling also has other capabilities beyond those required for the GMDSS. The US Coast Guard uses this system to track vessels in Prince William Sound, Alaska, Vessel Traffic Service. IMO and the USCG also plan to require ships carry a Universal Shipborne automatic identification system, which will be DSC-compatible. Countries having a GMDSS A1 Area should be able to identify and track AIS-equipped vessels in its waters without any additional radio equipment. A DSC-equipped radio cannot be interrogated and tracked unless that option was included by the manufacturer, and unless the user configures it to allow tracking.

GMDSS telecommunications equipment should not be reserved for emergency use only. The International Maritime Organization encourages mariners to use GMDSS equipment for routine as well as safety telecommunications.

Power supply requirements[edit]
GMDSS equipment is required to be powered from three sources of supply:

ship's normal alternators/generators;
ship's emergency alternator/generator (if fitted); and
a dedicated radio battery supply.
The batteries are required to have a capacity to power the equipment for 1 hour on ships with an emergency generator or built prior to February 1995, and 6 hours on ships not fitted with an emergency generator or built after February 1995 in order to comply with SOLAS. The batteries must be charged by an automatic charger, which is also required to be powered from the main and emergency generators. Changeover from AC to battery supply must be automatic, and effected in such a way that any data held by the equipment is not corrupted ("no break").

During Coast Guard inspections, the batteries must be able to go from 100% discharge to fully charged in no longer than 10 hours in order to pass certification. The charger too must be obtainable at all times during vessel operation and should be inspected to make sure it functions properly. When the reserve source of energy consists of batteries, the battery capacity must be checked at intervals not exceeding 12 months. If not completed within past 12 months, this must be done during inspection.

Storage batteries provided as a reserve source of energy must be installed in accordance with applicable electrical codes and good engineering practice. They must be protected from adverse weather and physical damage. They must be readily accessible for maintenance and replacement.

GMDSS sea areas[edit]
GMDSS sea areas serve two purposes: to describe areas where GMDSS services are available, and to define what radio equipment GMDSS ships must carry (carriage requirements). Prior to the GMDSS, the number and type of radio safety equipment ships had to carry depended upon its tonnage. With GMDSS, the number and type of radio safety equipment ships have to carry depends upon the GMDSS areas in which they travel.GMDSS sea areas are classified ito four areas :area1,area2,area3 and area 4.

In addition to equipment listed below, all GMDSS-regulated ships must carry a satellite EPIRB, a NAVTEX receiver (if they travel in any areas served by NAVTEX), an Inmarsat-C SafetyNET receiver (if they travel in any areas not served by NAVTEX), a DSC-equipped VHF radiotelephone, two (if between 300 and less than 500 GRT) or three VHF handhelds (if 500 GRT or more), and two 9 GHz search and rescue radar transponders (SART).

Sea Area A1[edit]
An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous digital selective calling (Ch.70/156.525 MHz) alerting and radiotelephony services are available. Such an area could extend typically 30 to 40 nautical miles (56 to 74 km) from the Coast Station.

Sea Area A2[edit]
An area, excluding Sea Area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in which continuous DSC (2187.5 kHz) alerting and radiotelephony services are available. For planning purposes, this area typically extends to up to 180 nautical miles (330 km) offshore during daylight hours, but would exclude any A1 designated areas. In practice, satisfactory coverage may often be achieved out to around 150 nautical miles (280 km) offshore during night time.

Sea Area A3[edit]
An area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an Inmarsat geostationary satellite. This area lies between about latitude 76 Degrees North and South, but excludes A1 and/or A2 designated areas. Inmarsat guarantees their system will work between 70 South and 70 North though it will often work to 76 degrees South or North.

Sea Area A4[edit]
An area outside Sea Areas A1, A2 and A3 is called Sea Area A4. This is essentially the polar regions, north and south of about 76 degrees of latitude, excluding any A1, A2 and A3 areas.[3]

GMDSS radio equipment required for U.S. coastal voyages[edit]
Presently, until an A1 or A2 Sea Area is established, GMDSS-mandated ships operating off the U.S. coast must fit to Sea Areas A3 (or A4) regardless of where they operate. U.S. ships whose voyage allows them to always remain within VHF channel 16 coverage of U.S. Coast Guard stations may apply to the Federal Communications Commission for an individual waiver to fit to Sea Area A1 requirements. Similarly, those who remain within 2182 kHz coverage of U.S. Coast Guard stations may apply for a waiver to fit to Sea Area A2 requirements.

As of August 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard provides a Sea Area A1 service through its Rescue 21 system.[4][5]

Licensing of operators[edit]
National maritime authorities may issue various classes of licenses. The General Operator�s Certificate is required on SOLAS vessels operating also outside GMDSS Sea Area A1, while a Restricted Operator�s Certificate is needed on SOLAS vessels operated solely within GMDSS Sea Area A1,

Long Range Certificate may be issued, and is required on non-SOLAS vessels operating outside GMDSS Sea Area A1, while a Short Range Certificate is issued for non-SOLAS vessels operating only inside GMDSS Sea Area A1.

Finally there is a restricted radiotelephone operator's certificate, which is similar to the Short Range Certificate but limited VHF DSC radio operation. Some countries do not consider this adequate for GMDSS qualification.

In the United States four different GMDSS certificates are issued:

A GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License allows a person to maintain, install, and repair GMDSS equipment at sea.
A GMDSS Radio Operator's License is necessary for a person to use required GMDSS equipment.
The holder of both certificates can be issued one GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License.
Finally, the GMDSS Restricted License is available for VHF operations only within 20 nautical miles (37 km) of the coast.
To obtain any of these licenses a person must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise eligible for work in the country, be able to communicate in English, and take written examinations approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Like the amateur radio examinations, these are given by private, FCC-approved groups. These are generally not the same agencies who administer the ham tests. Written test elements 1 and 7 are required for the Operator license, and elements 1 and 7R for the Restricted Operator. (Passing element 1 also automatically qualifies the applicant for the Marine Radiotelephone Operator Permit, the MROP.)

For the Maintainer license, written exam element 9 must be passed. However, to obtain this certificate an applicant must also hold a General radiotelephone operator license (GROL), which requires passing commercial written exam elements 1 and 3 (and thus supersedes the MROP). Upon the further passing of optional written exam element 8 the ship radar endorsement will be added to both the GROL and Maintainer licenses. This allows the holder to adjust, maintain, and repair shipboard radar equipment.[6]

Until March 25, 2008 GMDSS operator and maintainer licenses expired after five years but could be renewed upon payment of a fee. On that date all new certificates were issued valid for the lifetimes of their holders. For those still valid but previously issued with expiration dates, the FCC states:

Any GMDSS Radio Operator's License, Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License, or Marine Radio Operator Permit that was active, i.e., had not expired, as of March 25, 2008, does not have to be renewed.[7]

Since an older certificate does show an expiration date, for crewmembers sailing internationally it may be worth paying the fee (as of 2010 it was $60) to avoid any confusion with local authorities.

Finally, to actually serve as a GMDSS operator on most commercial vessels the United States Coast Guard requires additional classroom training and practical experience beyond just holding a license.[8]

See also[edit]
Automatic Identification System
Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT)
GMDSS Publications: The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office publishes a GMDSS Admiralty List of Radio Signals (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Volume NP285 - 2016/17 Edition is ISBN number - 978-0-070-774-4322. (DMT)

References[edit]
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Aircraft emergency frequency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The aircraft emergency frequency (also known as GUARD) is a frequency used on the aircraft band reserved for emergency communications for aircraft in distress. The frequencies are 121.5 MHz for civilian, also known as International Air Distress (IAD) or VHF Guard, and 243.0 MHz for military use, also known as Military Air Distress (MAD) or UHF Guard. Earlier emergency locator transmitters used the guard frequencies to transmit, but an additional frequency of 406 MHz is used by more modern ELTs.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Monitoring
3 Use
4 Locating beacons
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
History[edit]
The choice of 121.5 MHz was made by the ICAO in conjunction with ARINC and the ITU.

Monitoring[edit]

Cessna radio on 121.5 standby
The main civil voice frequency 121.5 MHz is monitored by most air traffic control towers, FSS services, national air traffic control centers, military air defense and other flight and emergency services, as well as by many commercial aircraft.

In the UK, 121.5 MHz is monitored by the Royal Air Force Distress and Diversion cells (known as "D&D") at the London Terminal Control Centre and the Shanwick Oceanic Control, from a nationwide network of antennas. Depending on the aircraft's altitude and location, the personnel in the centres may be able to use triangulation to determine its exact position which can be useful to the pilot if the aircraft is lost or "temporarily unsure of position".

Use[edit]

F/A-18 with fueltank STBY 121.50
Both guard frequencies can be used by any aircraft in distress or experiencing an emergency and in addition it can be used by air traffic control to warn aircraft if they are about to fly into restricted or prohibited airspace.

Aircraft will also be contacted on 121.5 MHz when intercepted by air defence aircraft, to ask for identification and intentions and to pass on instructions.

Locating beacons[edit]

Modulation of a radio beacon of distress
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Transmission of a distress beacon on 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz
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Older emergency locator transmitters transmit on 121.5 MHz in case of impact. Newer ELTs transmit on 406 MHz, with a low power beacon on 121.5 MHz for local homing. Satellites listen for the signals and alert local personnel to the emergency, and the beacon allows search and rescue to find the scene of the accident faster. Beacons operating at 406 MHz are encoded, allowing the vessel of origin to be determined and false alarms to be quickly verified. Satellite support for the 121.5 MHz�only versions was discontinued in early 2009.[1][2]

See also[edit]
Air-ground radiotelephone service
Airband
Distress signal
Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon station
Mayday
Transponder (aeronautics)
References[edit]
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SOS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see SOS (disambiguation).

SOS
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SOS in Morse code
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SOS is the International Morse code distress signal (__________________________). This distress signal was first adopted by the German government in radio regulations effective April 1, 1905, and became the worldwide standard under the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention, which was signed on November 3, 1906, and became effective on July 1, 1908. SOS remained the maritime radio distress signal until 1999, when it was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.[1] SOS is still recognized as a visual distress signal.[2]

The SOS distress signal is a continuous spaceless sequence of three dots, three dashes, and three dots. In International Morse Code, three dots form the letter S, and three dashes make the letter O, so "SOS" became an easy way to remember the order of the dots and dashes. In modern terminology, SOS is a Morse "procedural signal" or "prosign",[3] and the formal way to write it is with a bar above the letters: SOS.

In popular usage, SOS became associated with such phrases as "Save Our Ship" or "Send Out Succour" or "Save our Souls". SOS is only one of several ways that the combination could have been written; VTB, for example, would produce exactly the same sound, but SOS was chosen to describe this combination. SOS is the only nine-element signal in Morse code, making it more easily recognizable, as no other symbol uses more than eight elements.

Contents [hide]
1 Formalization
2 Later developments
3 Historical SOS calls
4 See also
5 References
6 Further reading
Formalization[edit]
The use of the SOS signal was first introduced in Germany as part of a set of national radio regulations, effective April 1, 1905. These regulations introduced three new Morse code sequences, including the SOS distress signal.

In 1906, at the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention in Berlin, an extensive collection of Service Regulations was developed to supplement the main agreement, which was signed on November 3, 1906, becoming effective on July 1, 1908. Article XVI of the regulations adopted Germany's Notzeichen (distress signal) as the international standard, reading: "Ships in distress shall use the following signal: __________________________ repeated at brief intervals". The first ship to transmit an SOS distress call appears to have been either the Cunard liner RMS Slavonia on June 10, 1909, according to "Notable Achievements of Wireless" in the September, 1910 Modern Electrics, or the steamer SS Arapahoe on August 11, 1909.[4] The signal of the Arapahoe was received by the United Wireless Telegraph Company station at Hatteras, North Carolina, and forwarded to the steamer company's offices.[5] However, there was some resistance among the Marconi operators to the adoption of the new signal, and, as late as the April 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic, the ship's Marconi operators intermixed CQD and SOS distress calls. However, in the interests of consistency and water safety, the use of CQD appears to have died out thereafter.

In both the April 1, 1905, German law, and the 1906 International regulations, the distress signal was specified as a continuous Morse code sequence of three-dots/three-dashes/three-dots, with no mention of any alphabetic equivalents. However, in International Morse, three dots comprise the letter S, and three dashes the letter O. It therefore soon became common to refer to the distress signal as "SOS". An early report on "The International Radio-Telegraphic Convention" in the January 12, 1907, Electrical World stated that "Vessels in distress use the special signal, SOS, repeated at short intervals." (In American Morse code, which was used by many coastal ships in the United States through the first part of the twentieth century, three dashes stood for the numeral "5", so in a few cases the distress signal was informally referred to as "S5S".)

In contrast to CQD, which was sent as three separate letters with spaces between each letter, the SOS distress call has always been transmitted as a continuous sequence of dits and dahs, and not as individual letters. There was no problem as long as operators were aware that "SOS" was technically just a convenient way for remembering the proper sequence of the distress signal's total of nine dits and dahs. In later years, the number of special Morse symbols increased. In order to designate the proper sequence of dits and dahs for a long special symbol, the standard practice is to list alphabetic characters that contain the same dits and dahs in the same order, with a bar atop the character sequence to indicate that there should not be any internal spaces in the transmission.[citation needed] Thus, under the modern notation, the distress signal becomes SOS. (In International Morse Code,[citation needed] VTB, IJS, VGI, and SMB, among others, would also correctly translate into the __________________________ distress call sequence, but traditionally only SOS is used.)

It has also sometimes been used as a visual distress signal, consisting of three short, three long, and three more short flashes of light, such as from a survival mirror, or with "SOS" spelled out in individual letters (for example, stamped in a snowbank or formed out of logs on a beach). The fact that SOS can be read right side up as well as upside down (as an ambigram) became important for visual recognition if viewed from above.

Later developments[edit]
Additional warning and distress signals followed the introduction of SOS. On January 20, 1914, the London International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea adopted the Morse code signal TTT (__________________), three letter Ts (______) spaced correctly as three letters so as not to be confused with the letter O (______________), as the "Safety Signal", used for messages to ships "involving safety of navigation and being of an urgent character".

With the development of audio radio transmitters, there was a need for a spoken distress phrase, and "Mayday" was adopted by the 1927 International Radio Convention as the equivalent of SOS. For TTT, the equivalent audio signal is "S�curit�" for navigational safety. It is interesting to note that "Mayday" actually originated as the French m'aidez ("help me") and that there is a third, lesser distress call (before securit� and after Mayday): "panne" (French for "breakdown"), spelled "pan" in English. French was the international language at the time that these were formalized.

During World War II, additional codes were employed to include immediate details about attacks by enemy vessels, especially in the Battle of the Atlantic. The signal SSS signaled attacked by submarines, while RRR warned of an attack by a surface raider, QQQ warned of an unknown raider (usually an auxiliary cruiser), and AAA indicated an attack by aircraft. They were usually sent in conjunction with the SOS distress code. All of these codes later switched from three repeats of the letter to four repeats, e.g., "RRRR".

None of these signals were used on their own. Sending SOS as well as other warning signals (TTT, XXX etc.) used similar procedures for effectiveness. These were always followed correctly. Here is an example of an SOS signal; the portions in parentheses are an explanation only.

SOS SOS SOS (urgent distress call follows) DE (from) GBTT GBTT GBTT (call sign of the Queen Elizabeth 2 radio room, repeated 3 times) QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (name of ship) PSN (position is) 49.06.30 N (north), 04.30.20 W (west). (Ship is) ON FIRE, (crew) ABANDONING SHIP AR (end of transmission) K (reply, anyone)

Ships and coastal stations would normally have required quiet times twice an hour to listen for priority signals. However, many merchant vessels carried only one or two radio operators, in which case the SOS may not be heard by operators off duty. Eventually, equipment was invented to summon off-duty operators by ringing an alarm in the operator's berth. This was triggered by the operator of the ship in distress transmitting twelve long dashes of four seconds duration each. These were sent prior to the SOS in the hope of ringing the automatic alarm in ships so equipped. If possible, a short delay was given before transmission of the SOS proper. This was to give those off-watch operators time to get to their radio room.

Historical SOS calls[edit]
Steamship Kentucky sank in 1910, early use of SOS which saved all 46 aboard.
RMS Titanic (which used CQD as well), sank in 1912
RMS Lusitania, torpedoed in 1915
HMHS Britannic, sank in 1916
SS Andrea Doria, sank in 1956

Distress signal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Call for help" redirects here. For the TV show, see Call for Help.
A distress signal or distress call is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help. Distress signals are communicated by transmitting radio signals, displaying a visually observable item or illumination, or making a sound audible from a distance.

A distress signal indicates that a person or group of people, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.[1]:PCG D-3 Use of distress signals in other circumstances may be against local or international law. An urgency signal is available to request assistance in less critical situations.

In order for distress signalling to be the most effective, two parameters must be communicated:

Alert or notification of a distress in progress
Position or location (or localization or pinpointing) of the party in distress.
For example, a single aerial flare alerts observers to the existence of a vessel in distress somewhere in the general direction of the flare sighting on the horizon but extinguishes within one minute or less. A hand-held flare burns for three minutes and can be used to localize or pinpoint more precisely the exact location or position of the party in trouble. An EPIRB both notifies or alerts authorities and at the same time provides position indication information.

Contents [hide]
1 Maritime distress signals
1.1 Automated radio signals
1.2 Use of Mayday
1.3 Unusual or extraordinary appearance
1.4 Inverted flags
1.5 Device loss and disposal
2 Aviation distress signals
3 Mountain distress signals
4 Ground distress beacons
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Maritime distress signals[edit]
Distress signals at sea are defined in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and in the International Code of Signals. Mayday signals must only be used where there is grave and imminent danger to life. Otherwise, urgent signals such as pan-pan can be sent. Most jurisdictions have large penalties for false, unwarranted or prank distress signals.

Distress can be indicated by any of the following officially sanctioned methods:

Smoke signal
Transmitting a spoken voice Mayday message by radio over very high frequency channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and/or high frequency on 2182 kHz
Transmitting a digital distress signal by activating (or pressing) the distress button (or key) on a marine radio equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) over the VHF (channel 70) and/or HF frequency bands.
Transmitting a digital distress signal by activating (or pressing) the distress button (or key) on an Inmarsat-C satellite internet device
Sending the Morse code group SOS (...---...) by light flashes or sounds
Burning a red flare (either hand-held or aerial parachute flare)
Launching distress rockets
Lighting a non-pyrotechnic visual distress signal device[2]
Emitting orange smoke from a canister
Showing flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.)
Raising and lowering slowly and repeatedly both arms outstretched to each side
Making a continuous sound with any fog-signalling apparatus
Firing a gun or other explosive signal at intervals of about a minute
Flying the international maritime signal flags NC ICS November.svg ICS Charlie.svg
Displaying a visual signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball (round or circular in appearance)
A floating man-overboard pole or dan buoy can be used to indicate that a person is in distress in the water and is ordinarily equipped with a yellow and red flag (international code of signals flag "O") and a flashing lamp or strobe light.

In North America, marine search and rescue agencies in Canada and the United States also recognize certain other distress signals:

Sea marker dye
White high intensity strobe light flashing at 60 times per minute
Automated radio signals[edit]
In addition, a distress can be signaled using automated radio signals such as a Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) which responds to 9 GHz radar signal, or an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) which operates in the 406 MHz radio frequency. EPIRB signals are received and processed by a constellation of satellites known as COSPAS-SARSAT. Older EPIRBs which use 121.5 MHz are obsolete. Many regulators require vessels which proceed offshore to carry an EPIRB.

Many EPIRBs have an in-built Global Positioning System receiver. When activated these EPIRBs rapidly report the latitude and longitude of the emergency accurate to within 120m. The position of non-GPS EPIRBs is determined by the orbiting satellites, this can take ninety minutes to five hours after activation and is accurate to within 5 km. Marine safety authorities recommend the use of GPS-equipped EPIRBs.[3]

A miniaturised EPIRB capable of being carried in crew members' clothing is called a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Regulators do not view them as a substitute for a vessel's EPIRB. In situations with a high risk of "man overboard", such as open ocean yacht racing, PLBs may be required by the event's organisers. PLBs are also often carried during risky outdoor activities upon land.

EPIRBs and PLBs have a unique identification number (UIN or "HexID"). A purchaser should register their EPIRB or PLB with the national search and rescue authority; this is free in most jurisdictions. EPIRB registration allows the authority to alert searchers of the vessel's name, label, type, size and paintwork; to promptly notify next-of-kin; and to quickly resolve inadvertent activations.

A DSC radio distress signal can include the position if the lat/long are manually keyed into the radio or if a GPS-derived position is passed electronically directly into the radio.

Use of Mayday[edit]
A Mayday message consists of the word "mayday" spoken three times in succession, which is the distress signal, followed by the distress message, which should include:

Name of the vessel or ship in distress
Her position (actual, last known or estimated expressed in lat./long. or in distance/bearing from a specific location)
Nature of the vessel distress condition or situation (e.g. on fire, sinking, aground, taking on water, adrift in hazardous waters)
Number of persons at risk or to be rescued; grave injuries
Type of assistance needed or being sought
Any other details to facilitate resolution of the emergency such as actions being taken (e.g. abandoning ship, pumping flood water), estimated available time remaining afloat
Unusual or extraordinary appearance[edit]

HMS Romney aground off the Texel in 1804. In Richard Corbould's print, Romney's blue ensign at the stern is shown inverted, as a sign of distress
When none of the above-described officially sanctioned signals are available, attention for assistance can be attracted by anything that appears unusual or out of the ordinary, such as a jib sail hoisted upside down.

During daylight hours when the sun is visible, a heliograph mirror can be used to flash bright, intense sunlight. Battery-powered laser lights the size of small flashlights (electric torches) are available for use in emergency signalling.

Inverted flags[edit]
For hundreds of years inverted national flags were commonly used as distress signals.[4] However, for some countries� flags it is difficult (e.g., Spain, South Korea, the UK) or impossible (e.g., Japan, Thailand, Israel and Denmark) to determine whether they are inverted. Other countries have flags that are inverses of each other; for example, the Polish flag is white on the top half and red on the bottom, while Indonesia's and Monaco's flags are the opposite�i.e., top half red, bottom half white. A ship flying no flags may also be understood to be in distress.[5]

If any flag is available, distress may be indicated by tying a knot in it and then flying it upside-down, making it into a wheft.[6]

Device loss and disposal[edit]
To avoid pointless searches some devices must be reported when lost. This particularly applies to EPIRBs, life buoys, rafts and devices marked with the vessel's name and port.

Expired flares should not be set off, as this indicates distress. Rather, most port authorities offer disposal facilities for expired distress pyrotechnics. In some areas special training events are organised, where the flares can be used safely.

EPIRBs must not be disposed of into general waste as discarded EPIRBs often trigger at the waste disposal facility. In 2013 the majority of EPIRB activations investigated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority were due to the incorrect disposal of obsolete 121.5 MHz EPIRB beacons.[7]

Aviation distress signals[edit]

Radio beacon of distress
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Modulation of a radio beacon of distress on 121,5 MHz and 243 MHz. (Radio triangulation)
Problems playing this file? See media help.
The civilian aircraft emergency frequency for voice distress alerting is 121.5 MHz. Military aircraft use 243 MHz (which is a harmonic of 121.5 MHz, and therefore civilian beacons transmit on this frequency as well). Aircraft can also signal an emergency by setting one of several special transponder codes, such as 7700.

The COSPAS/SARSAT signal can be transmitted by an Electronic Locator Transmitter or ELT, which is similar to a marine EPIRB on the 406 MHz radio frequency. (Marine EPIRBs are constructed so as to float, while an aviation ELT is constructed so as to be activated by a sharp deceleration and is sometimes referred to as a Crash Position Indicator or CPI).

A "triangular distress pattern" is a rarely used flight pattern flown by aircraft in distress but without radio communications. The standard pattern is a series of 120� turns.

Mountain distress signals[edit]
The recognised mountain distress signals are based on groups of three, or six in the UK and the European Alps. A distress signal can be three fires or piles of rocks in a triangle, three blasts on a whistle, three shots from a firearm, or three flashes of a light, in succession followed by a one-minute pause and repeated until a response is received. Three blasts or flashes is the appropriate response.

In the Alps, the recommended way to signal distress is the Alpine distress signal: give six signals within a minute, then pause for a minute, repeating this until rescue arrives. A signal may be anything visual (waving clothes or lights, use of a signal mirror) or audible (shouts, whistles, etc.). The rescuers acknowledge with three signals per minute.

In practice either signal pattern is likely to be recognised in most popular mountainous areas as nearby climbing teams are likely to include Europeans or North Americans.

To communicate with a helicopter in sight, raise both arms (forming the letter Y) to indicate "Yes" or "I need help," or stretch one arm up and one down (imitating the letter N) for "No" or "I do not need help". If semaphore flags are available, they can possibly be used to communicate with rescuers.

Ground distress beacons[edit]
The COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz radio frequency distress signal can be transmitted by hikers, backpackers, trekkers, mountaineers and other ground-based remote adventure seekers and personnel working in isolated backcountry areas using a small, portable Personal Locator Beacon or PLB.

See also[edit]
2182 kHz
500 kHz
COSPAS-SARSAT Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking
Digital Selective Calling DSC
Emergency Alert System
Emergency telephone number
Global Maritime Distress Safety System GMDSS
International distress frequency
Maritime mobile amateur radio
Mayday
Mountain rescue
Search and Rescue Transponder
SOLAS Convention
SOS
Vessel emergency codes
References[edit]
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Pseudonym
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Aliases" redirects here. For other uses, see Alias (disambiguation).
A pseudonym (UK: /'sju?d?n?m/ SYOO-d?-nim and US: /'su?d?n?m/ SOO-d?-nim) or alias is a name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which can differ from their original or true name (orthonym).[1] Pseudonyms include stage names and user names (both called screen names), ring names, pen names, nicknames, aliases, superhero or villain identities and code names, gamer identifications, and regnal names of emperors, popes, and other monarchs. Historically, they have often taken the form of anagrams, Graecisms, and Latinisations, although there are many other methods of choosing a pseudonym.[2]

Pseudonyms should not be confused with new names that replace old ones and become the individual's full-time name. Pseudonyms are "part-time" names, used only in certain contexts - usually adopted to hide an individual's real identity, as with writers' pen names, graffiti artists' tags, resistance fighters' or terrorists' noms de guerre, and computer hackers' handles. Actors, musicians, and other performers sometimes use stage names, for example, to mask their ethnic backgrounds.

In some cases, pseudonyms are adopted because they are part of a cultural or organisational tradition: for example devotional names used by members of some religious institutes, and "cadre names" used by Communist party leaders such as Trotsky and Lenin.

A pseudonym may also be used for personal reasons: for example, an individual may prefer to be called or known by a name that differs from their given or legal name, but is not ready to take the numerous steps to get their name legally changed; or an individual may simply feel that the context and content of an exchange offer no reason, legal or otherwise, to provide their given or legal name.

A collective name or collective pseudonym is one shared by two or more persons, for example the co-authors of a work, such as Ellery Queen, or Nicolas Bourbaki.

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Usage
2.1 Legal name change
2.2 Concealing identity
2.2.1 Business
2.2.2 Criminal activity
2.2.3 Literature
2.2.4 Medicine
2.2.5 Military and paramilitary organizations
2.2.6 Online activity
2.2.7 Privacy
2.3 Stage names
2.3.1 Film, theatre, and related activities
2.3.2 Music
3 See also
4 Notes
5 Sources
6 External links
Etymology[edit]
The term is derived from the Greek ?e?d???�?? (pseud?nymon), literally "false name", from ?e?d?? (pse�dos), "lie, falsehood"[3] and ???�a (�noma), "name".[4] A pseudonym is distinct from an allonym, which is the (real) name of another person, assumed by the author of a work of art. This may occur when someone is ghostwriting a book or play, or in parody, or when using a "front" name, such as by screenwriters blacklisted in Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s. See also pseudepigraph, for falsely attributed authorship.

Usage[edit]
Legal name change[edit]
Sometimes people change their name in such a manner that the new name becomes permanent and is used by all who know the person. This is not an alias or pseudonym, but in fact a new name. In many countries, including common law countries, a name change can be ratified by a court and become a person's new legal name.

For example, in the 1960s, black civil rights campaigner Malcolm Little changed his surname to "X", to represent his unknown African ancestral name that had been lost when his ancestors were brought to North America as slaves. He then changed his name again to Malik El-Shabazz when he converted to Islam.[citation needed] Likewise some Jews adopted Hebrew family names upon immigrating to Israel, dropping surnames that had been in their families for generations. The politician David Ben-Gurion, for example, was born David Gr�n in Poland. He adopted his Hebrew name in 1910, when he published his first article in a Zionist journal in Jerusalem.[5]

Concealing identity[edit]
Business[edit]
Businesspersons of ethnic minorities in some parts of the world are sometimes advised by an employer to use a pseudonym that is common or acceptable in that area when conducting business, to overcome racial or religious bias.[6]

Criminal activity[edit]
Criminals may use aliases, fictitious business names, and dummy corporations (corporate shells) to hide their identity, or to impersonate other persons or entities in order to commit fraud. Aliases and fictitious business names used for dummy corporations may become so complex that, in the words of the Washington Post, "getting to the truth requires a walk down a bizarre labyrinth" and multiple government agencies may become involved to uncover the truth.[7]

Literature[edit]

A young George Sand (real name "Amantine Lucile Dupin")
A pen name, or "nom de plume" (French for "pen name"), is a pseudonym (sometimes a particular form of the real name) adopted by an author (or on the author's behalf by their publishers).

Some female authors used male pen names, in particular in the 19th century, when writing was a male-dominated profession. The Bront� family used pen names for their early work, so as not to reveal their gender (see below) and so that local residents would not know that the books related to people of the neighbourhood. The Bront�s used their neighbours as inspiration for characters in many of their books. Anne Bront� published The Tenant of Wildfell Hall under the name Acton Bell. Charlotte Bront� published Shirley and Jane Eyre under the name Currer Bell. Emily Bront� published Wuthering Heights as Ellis Bell. A well-known example of the former is Mary Ann Evans, who wrote as George Eliot. Another example is Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin, a 19th-century French writer who used the pen name George Sand.

In contrast, some twentieth and twenty first century male romance novelists have used female pen names.[8] A few examples of male authors using female pseudonyms include Brindle Chase, Peter O'Donnell (wrote as Madeline Brent) and Christopher Wood (wrote as Penny Sutton and Rosie Dixon).[8]

A pen name may be used if a writer's real name is likely to be confused with the name of another writer or notable individual, or if their real name is deemed to be unsuitable. Authors who write both fiction and non-fiction, or in different genres, may use different pen names to avoid confusing their readers.

In some cases, an author may become better known by his pen name than his real name. One famous example of this is Samuel Clemens' writing under the pen name Mark Twain. British mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote fantasy novels under the pen name Lewis Carroll and mathematical treatises under his own name, refused to open letters addressed to him as "Lewis Carroll".

Some authors, such as Harold Robbins, use several literary pseudonyms.[9]

Some pen names are not strictly pseudonyms, as they are simply variants of the authors' actual names. The authors C. L. Moore and S. E. Hinton were female authors who used the initialised forms of their full names. C. L. Moore was Catherine Lucille Moore, who wrote in the 1930s male-dominated science fiction genre, and S. E. Hinton, (author of The Outsiders) is Susan Eloise Hinton. Star Trek writer D. C. Fontana (Dorothy Catherine) wrote using her abbreviated own name and also under the pen names Michael Richards and J. Michael Bingham. Author V.C. Andrews intended to publish under her given name of Virginia Andrews, but was told that, due to a production error, her first novel was being released under the name of "V.C. Andrews"; later she learned that her publisher had in fact done this deliberately. Joanne Kathleen Rowling[10] published the Harry Potter series under the shortened name J. K. Rowling. Rowling also published the Cormoran Strike series, a series of detective novels including, The Cuckoo's Calling under the pseudonym "Robert Galbraith".

Winston Churchill wrote under the pen name Winston S. Churchill (from his full surname "Spencer-Churchill" which he did not otherwise use) in an attempt to avoid confusion with the American novelist of the same name. In this case, the attempt was not entirely successful � and the two are still sometimes confused by booksellers.[11][12]

A pen name may be used specifically to hide the identity of the author, as in the case of expos� books about espionage or crime, or explicit erotic fiction. Some prolific authors adopt a pseudonym to disguise the extent of their published output, e.g. Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman. Co-authors may choose to publish under a collective pseudonym, e.g., P. J. Tracy and Perri O'Shaughnessy. Frederic Dannay and Manfred Lee used the name Ellery Queen as both a pen name for their collaborative works and as the name of their main character.

A famous case in French literature was Romain Gary. Already a well-known and highly acclaimed writer, he started publishing books under the pen name �mile Ajar. He wanted to test whether his new books would be well received on their own merits and without the aid of his established reputation, and they were: �mile Ajar, like Romain Gary before him, was awarded the prestigious Prix Goncourt by a jury unaware that both were the same person. Similarly, Ronnie Barker submitted comedy material under the name of Gerald Wiley.

A collective pseudonym may represent an entire publishing house, or any contributor to a long-running series, especially with juvenile literature. Examples include Watty Piper, Victor Appleton, Erin Hunter, and Kamiru M. Xhan.

Another use of a pseudonym in literature is to present a story as being written by the fictional characters in the story. The series of novels known as A Series Of Unfortunate Events are written by Daniel Handler under the pen name of Lemony Snicket, a character in the series.

An anonymity pseudonym or multiple-use name is a name used by many different people to protect anonymity.[13] It is a strategy that has been adopted by many unconnected radical groups and by cultural groups, where the construct of personal identity has been criticised. This has led to the idea of the "open pop star".

Medicine[edit]
Pseudonyms and acronyms are often employed in medical research to protect subjects' identities through a process known as de-identification.

Military and paramilitary organizations[edit]

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In Ancien R�gime France, a nom de guerre ("war name") would be adopted by each new recruit (or assigned to them by the captain of their company) as they enlisted in the French army. These pseudonyms had an official character and were the predecessor of identification numbers: soldiers were identified by their first names, their family names, and their noms de guerre (e.g. Jean Amarault dit Lafid�lit�). These pseudonyms were usually related to the soldier's place of origin (e.g. Jean Deslandes dit Champigny, for a soldier coming from a town named Champigny), or to a particular physical or personal trait (e.g. Antoine Bonnet dit Prettaboire, for a soldier pr�t � boire, ready to drink). In 1716, a nom de guerre was mandatory for every soldier; officers did not adopt noms de guerre as they considered them derogatory. In daily life, these aliases could replace the real family name.[14]

Noms de guerre were adopted for security reasons by members of the World War II French resistance and Polish resistance. Such pseudonyms are often adopted by military special forces soldiers, such as members of the SAS and other similar units, resistance fighters, terrorists, and guerrillas. This practice hides their identities and may protect their families from reprisals; it may also be a form of dissociation from domestic life. Some well-known men who adopted noms de guerre include Carlos, for Ilich Ram�rez S�nchez; Willy Brandt, Chancellor of West Germany; and Subcomandante Marcos, the spokesman of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN).[citation needed] During Lehi's underground fight against the British in Mandatory Palestine, the organization's commander Yitzchak Shamir (later Prime Minister of Israel) adopted the nom de guerre "Michael", in honour of Ireland's Michael Collins.

Revolutionaries and resistance leaders, such as Lenin, Trotsky, Golda Meir, Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, and Josip Broz Tito, often adopted their noms de guerre as their proper names after the struggle. George Grivas, the Greek-Cypriot EOKA militant, adopted the nom de guerre Digenis (???e???). In the French Foreign Legion, recruits can adopt a pseudonym to break with their past lives. Mercenaries have long used "noms de guerre", even sometimes multiple identities depending on country, conflict and circumstance.[citation needed] Some of the most familiar noms de guerre today are the kunya used by Islamic mujahideen. These take the form of a teknonym, either literal or figurative.

Online activity[edit]
Individuals using a computer online may adopt or be required to use a form of pseudonym known as a "handle" (a term deriving from CB slang), "user name", "login name", "avatar", or, sometimes, "screen name", "gamertag" "IGN (In Game (Nick)Name)" or "nickname". On the Internet, pseudonymous remailers utilise cryptography that achieves persistent pseudonymity, so that two-way communication can be achieved, and reputations can be established, without linking physical identities to their respective pseudonyms. Aliasing is the use of multiple names for the same data location.

More sophisticated cryptographic systems, such as anonymous digital credentials, enable users to communicate pseudonymously (i.e., by identifying themselves by means of pseudonyms). In well-defined abuse cases, a designated authority may be able to revoke the pseudonyms and reveal the individuals' real identity.[citation needed]

Use of pseudonyms is common among professional eSports players, despite the fact that many professional games are played on LAN.[15]

Privacy[edit]
People seeking privacy often use pseudonyms to make appointments and reservations.[16] Those writing to advice columns in newspapers and magazines may use pseudonyms.[17] Steve Wozniak used a pseudonym when attending the University of California, Berkeley after cofounding Apple Computer because, he said, "I knew I wouldn't have time enough to be an A+ student."[18]

Stage names[edit]
Main article: Stage name
When used by an actor, musician, radio disc jockey, model, or other performer or "show business" personality a pseudonym is called a stage name, or, occasionally, a professional name, or screen name.

Film, theatre, and related activities[edit]
Members of a marginalized ethnic or religious group have often adopted stage names, typically changing their surname or entire name to mask their original background.

Stage names are also used to create a more marketable name, as in the case of Creighton Tull Chaney, who adopted the pseudonym Lon Chaney, Jr., a reference to his famous father Lon Chaney, Sr.

Chris Curtis of Deep Purple fame was christened as Christopher Crummey. In this and similar cases a stage name is adopted simply to avoid an unfortunate pun.

Pseudonyms are also used to comply with the rules of performing arts guilds (Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Writers Guild of America, East (WGA), AFTRA, etc.), which do not allow performers to use an existing name, in order to avoid confusion. For example, these rules required film and television actor Michael Fox to add a middle initial and become Michael J. Fox, to avoid being confused with another actor named Michael Fox. This was also true of author and actress Fannie Flagg, who chose this pseudonym; her real name, Patricia Neal, being the name of another well-known actress; and British actor Stewart Granger, whose real name was James Stewart. The film-making team of Joel and Ethan Coen, for instance, share credit for editing under the alias Roderick Jaynes.[19]

Some stage names are used to conceal a person's identity, such as the pseudonym Alan Smithee, which was used by directors in the Directors Guild of America (DGA) to remove their name from a film they feel was edited or modified beyond their artistic satisfaction. In theatre, the pseudonyms George or Georgina Spelvin, and Walter Plinge are used to hide the identity of a performer, usually when he or she is "doubling" (playing more than one role in the same play).

David Agnew was a name used by the BBC to conceal the identity of a scriptwriter, such as for the Doctor Who serial City of Death, which had 3 writers, including Douglas Adams, who was at the time of writing the show's Script Editor.[20] In another Doctor Who serial, The Brain of Morbius, writer Terrance Dicks demanded the removal of his name from the credits saying it could go out under a "bland pseudonym".[21][22] This ended up being the name Robin Bland.[22][23]

Music[edit]
Musicians and singers can use pseudonyms to allow artists to collaborate with artists on other labels while avoiding the need to gain permission from their own labels, such as the artist Jerry Samuels, who made songs under Napoleon XIV. Rock singer-guitarist George Harrison, for example, played guitar on Cream's song "Badge" using a pseudonym.[24] In classical music, some record companies issued recordings under a nom de disque in the 1950s and 1960s to avoid paying royalties. A number of popular budget LPs of piano music were released under the pseudonym Paul Procopolis.[citation needed]

Pseudonyms are also used as stage names in heavy metal bands, such as Tracii Guns in LA Guns, Axl Rose and Slash in Guns N' Roses, Mick Mars in M�tley Cr�e, or C.C. Deville in Poison. Some of these names have additional meanings, like that of Brian Hugh Warner, more commonly known as Marilyn Manson: Marilyn coming from Marilyn Monroe and Manson from convicted serial killer Charles Manson. Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach went under the name "Coby Dick" during the Infest era. He changed back to his birth name when lovehatetragedy was released.

Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks, wrote original songs, arranged, and produced the records under his real name, but performed on them as David Seville. He also wrote songs using the name Skipper Adams. Danish pop pianist Bent Fabric, whose full name is Bent Fabricius-Bjerre, wrote his biggest instrumental hit "Alley Cat" under the name Frank Bjorn.

For a time, the musician Prince used an unpronounceable "Love Symbol" as a pseudonym ("Prince" is his actual first name rather than a stage name). He wrote the song "Sugar Walls" for Sheena Easton under the alias "Alexander Nevermind" and "Manic Monday" for The Bangles as "Christopher Tracy" (he also produced albums early in his career as "Jamie Starr").

Many Italian-American singers have used stage names as their birth names were difficult to pronounce, or considered too ethnic for American tastes. Singers changing their names included Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti), Connie Francis (born Concetta Franconero), Frankie Valli (born Francesco Castelluccio), Tony Bennett (born Anthony Benedetto), and Lady Gaga (born Stefani Germanotta)

In 2009, British rock band Feeder briefly changed their name to Renegades so they could play a whole show featuring a setlist in which 95 percent of the songs played were from their forthcoming new album of the same name, with none of their singles included. Frontman Grant Nicholas felt that if they played as Feeder, there would be an uproar that they did not play any of the singles, so used the pseudonym as a hint. A series of small shows were played in 2010, at 250- to 1,000-capacity venues with the plan not to say who the band really are and just announce the shows as if they were a new band.

In many cases, hip-hop and rap artist prefer to use pseudonyms that represents some variation of their name, personality, or interests. Prime examples include Iggy Azalea (her name comes from her dog name, Iggy, and her home street in Mullumbimby, Azalea street) Ol' Dirty Bastard (who was known under at least six aliases), Diddy (previously known at various times as Puffy, P. Diddy, and Puff Daddy), Ludacris, Flo Rida (his name is a tribute to his home state, Florida), LL Cool J, and Chingy. Black metal artists also adopt pseudonyms, usually symbolizing dark values, such as Nocturno Culto, Gaahl, Abbath, and Silenoz. In punk and hardcore punk, singers and band members often replace their real names with "tougher"-sounding stage names, such as Sid Vicious (real name John Simon Ritchie) of the late 1970s band Sex Pistols and "Rat" of the early 1980s band The Varukers and the 2000s re-formation of Discharge. Punk rock band The Ramones also had every member take the last name of Ramone. Rob Crow of the rock band Goblin Cock chose to go by the name "Lord Phallus" during the release of the band's albums. A similar practice occurred in hardcore with musicians taking the names of their bands, like Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds and Ray Cappo of Youth of Today who, for a while, billed himself as Ray of Today. The Norwegian electronic duo R�yksopp's pseudonym for their Back to Mine album was Emmanuel Splice.

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., an American singer-songwriter used the stage name John Denver. The Australian country musician born Robert Lane changed his name to Tex Morton. Reginald Kenneth Dwight legally changed his name to Elton John in 1972.

See also[edit]
Alter ego
Heteronym
Hypocorism
List of Latinised names
List of pseudonyms
List of pseudonyms used in the American constitutional debates
List of stage names
Mononymous persons
Secret identity

List of pseudonyms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of pseudonyms, in various categories.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
A pseudonym is a name adopted by a person for a particular purpose, which differs from his or her true name. A pseudonym may be used by social activists or politicians for political purposes or by others for religious purposes. It may be a soldier's noms de guerre, an author's pen name, a performer's stage name, or an alias used by visual artists, athletes, fashion designers, or criminals. Pseudonyms are occasionally used in fiction such as by superheroes or other fictional characters.

Contents [hide]
1 Social activists
2 Visual arts
3 Noms de guerre
4 Pornography names
5 Pen names
6 Politicians
7 Religion
8 Stage names
9 Matrinames
10 Sportspeople
11 Criminals
12 Fashion and beauty
13 Other real life pseudonyms
14 Pseudonyms used in fiction
14.1 Superhero genre
14.2 Other fictional characters
15 See also
16 References
17 External links
Social activists[edit]
Aristides (William Lloyd Garrison)
Frank Talk (Stephen Bantu Biko)
H. Rap Brown (Hubert Gerold Brown)
Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael)
Malcolm X (Malcolm Little)
Mother Jones (Mary Harris Jones)
VaGla (Piotr Waglowski)
WhoIsParadise (Marcus Dawes)
Visual arts[edit]
ABOVE (Tavar Zawaki)
W. Andresen (Christian Wilhelm Allers)
Balthus (Balthazar Klossowski de Rola)
Banksy (Robin Gunningham)
Bramantino (Bartolomeo Suardi)
Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canale)
Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)
Cigoli (Lodovico Cardi)
Coldmirror (Kathrin Fricke)
Le Corbusier (Charles Edouard Jeanneret)
DAIM (Mirko Reisser)
Donatello (Donato di Niccol� di Betto Bardi)
Dosso Dossi (Giovanni di Niccol� de Luteri)
El Greco (Dominikos Theotok�pulos)
Ert� (Romain de Tirtoff)
Il Garofalo (Benvenuto Tisi)
Giorgione (Giorgio Barbarelli da Castelfranco)
Giottino (Maso di Stefano)
Henriett Seth F. (on Hungarian pseudonym Seth F. Henriett; on birth name Fajcs�k Henrietta)[1]
IceFrog (Unknown)
Il Sodoma (Giovanni Antonio Bazzi)
Lee Krasner (Lena Krassner)
Lo Spagna (Giovanni di Pietro)
A.M. Cassandre (Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron)
Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky)
Marc Chagall (Moishe Shagal)
Masaccio (Tommaso Cassai or, in some accounts Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Mone)
Notch (Markus Persson)
??t?? or ????S (Istv�n Orosz)
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
Picasso (Pablo Diego Jos� Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Mar�a de los Remedios Cipriano de la Sant�sima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso)
Pisanello (Antonio di Puccio Pisano or Antonio di Puccio da Cereto)
Il Pordenone (Giovanni Antonio de' Sacchis or Giovanni Antonio Licinio according to Vasari)
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Ricco (Erich Wassmer)
ROJO (David Quiles Guill�)
Mark Rothko (Marcus Rothkowitz)
SAMO (Jean-Michel Basquiat)
Spy (Leslie Ward)
Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti)
Titian (Tiziano Vecelli)
Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen)
Utisz (Istv�n Orosz)
Vecchietta (Francesco di Giorgio e di Lorenzo)
Noms de guerre[edit]
Abu Ammar (Yasir Arafat)
Borelowski (Michal Grazynski)
B�r ("Forest" - Tadeusz Komorowski)
Carcassonne (name of a city) - Marc Bloch
Dassault ("For assault" - Darius Paul Bloch)
Grabica (name of mountain - Stefan Rowecki)
Grot ("Spearhead" - Stefan Rowecki)
Grzegorz ("Gregory", a name - Tadeusz Pelczynski)
Hubal (Henryk Dobrzanski)
Jean J�rome - (Michel Feintuch)
Kalina ("Cranberry" - Stefan Rowecki)
Korczak (surname or coat of arms name - Tadeusz Komorowski)
J. Krzemien (Florian Marciniak)
Lawina ("Avalanche" - Tadeusz Komorowski)
Leclerc - Philippe Fran�ois Marie, comte de Hauteclocque, later his legal name.
Legija ("Legion" � Milorad Ulemek)
Monter ("Assembler" - Antoni Chrusciel)
Niedzwiadek ("Bear cub" - Leopold Okulicki)
Nil ("Nile River " - August Emil Fieldorf)
Orsza (Stanislaw Broniewski)
Ponury ("Gloomy" - Jan Piwnik)
Radoslaw (a name - Jan Mazurkiewicz)
Rakon (name of mountain - Stefan Rowecki)
Strongbow - (Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke)
The Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen)
The Red Knight (Pseudonym created by British journalists for Manfred von Richthofen)
Taras Chuprynka (Roman Shukhevych)
Tito (Josip Broz)
Francisco "Pancho" Villa (Jos� Doroteo Arango Ar�mbula)
Wilk ("Wolf" - Aleksander Krzyzanowski)
Znicz ("Candle" - Tadeusz Komorowski)
Zoska (Tadeusz Zawadzki)
Pornography names[edit]
Main article: List of members of the AVN Hall of Fame
Pen names[edit]
Main article: List of pen names
Main articles: List of pseudonyms of angling authors and List of Urdu language poets
Politicians[edit]
Abel Djassi (Am�lcar Cabral)
Amor De Cosmos (William (Bill) Alexander Smith )
Anacharsis Cloots (Jean-Baptiste du Val-de-Gr�ce, baron de Cloots)
Anthony Garotinho (Anthony William Matheus de Oliveira)
Bob Denard (Gilbert Bourgeaud)
Caligula (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus)
Che Guevara (Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna)
Chemical Ali (Ali Hassan Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti)
Comandante Gonzalo (Abimael Guzm�n)
Germain (Ernest Mandel)
Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej (Gheorghe Gheorghiu)
Golda Meir (Golda Meyerson)
Gracchus Babeuf (Fran�ois-No�l Babeuf)
Grigory Zinoviev (Ovsel Gershon Aronov Radomyslsky)
Gus Hall (Arvo Kustaa Halberg)
Ho Chi Minh (Nguy?n Sinh Cung)
Houari Boumedienne (Mohamed Ben Brahim Boukharouba)
J�nos K�d�r (J�nos Csermanek)
John Barron (Donald Trump)
John Miller (Donald Trump)
Joseph Estrada (Joseph Marcelo Ej�rcito)
Joseph Stalin (Ioseb Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili)
Josip Tito (Josip Broz)
J. Posadas (Homero Cristali)
Kay Rala Xanana Gusm�o (Jos� Alexandre Gusm�o)
Kim Il Sung (Kim Song Ju)
La Pasionaria (Dolores Ib�rruri)
Leon Trotsky (Lev Davidovich Bronstein)
Lev Kamenev (Lev Borisovich Rosenfeld)
Loretta Lynch (Elizabeth Carlisle)
Lula (Luiz In�cio Lula da Silva)
Martin Thembisile Hani (Chris Hani)
Michel Pablo (Michel Raptis)
Mobutu Sese Seko (Joseph-D�sir� Mobutu)
Nahuel Moreno (Hugo Bressano)
Pol Pot (Saloth Sar)
Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal)
Publius[disambiguation needed] (Alexander Hamilton)[2]
Ronwaldo Reyes (Fernando Poe, Jr.)
Sa�d Moustapha Mahdjoub (Gilbert Bourgeaud)
Tariq Aziz (Michael Yuhanna)
Ted Grant (Isaac Blank)
Tony Cliff (Ygael Gluckstein)
Trist�n Marof (Gustavo Navarro)
Vyacheslav Molotov (Vyacheslav Mikhaylovich Skryabin)
Vladimir Lenin (Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov)
William Rabbit (Katay Don Sasorith)
Willy Brandt (Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm)
Religion[edit]
Acharya S (D. M. Murdock)
Allan Kardec (Hippolyte L�on Denizard Rivail )
Brother Andre (Alfred Bessette)
Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone)
Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)
Joseph of Cupertino (Giuseppe Maria Desa)
Lord Mahavira (Vardhamana)
Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi)
Mata Amritanandamayi (Sudhamani)
Mother Angelica (Rita Antoinette Rizzo)
Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu)
Moses David (David Berg)
His Divine Grace Abhay Charana-Aravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Abhay Charan De)
Osho (Rajneesh Chandra Mohan)
Padre Pio (Francesco Forgione)
Ram Dass (Richard Alpert)
Sathya Sai Baba (Sathya Narayana Raju)
Sister Dora (Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison)
Swami Vivekananda (Narendranath Dutta)
Th�r�se of Lisieux (Marie-Fran�oise-Th�r�se Martin)
Yusuf Islam (Stephen Demetre Georgiou, formerly known as Cat Stevens)
Stage names[edit]
Main article: List of stage names
Matrinames[edit]
Main article: List of people who adopted matrilineal surnames
Sportspeople[edit]
Ab�di Pel� (Ab�di Ayew)
Akebono Taro (Chad Haaheo Rowan)
Al "Bummy" Davis (Abraham Davidoff)
Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth, Jr.)
Barney Oldfield (Berna Eli Oldfield)
Bebeto (Jos� Roberto Gama de Oliveira)
Bubba Watson (Gerry Lester Watson, Jr.)
Buddy Baker (Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr.)
Cafu (Marcos Evangelista de Moraes)
Cale Yarborough (William Caleb Yarborough)
Careca (Antonio de Oliveira Filho)
Casey Stengel (Charles Dillon Stengel; originally named after the initials of his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, or "K.C.")
Chad Ochocinco (Chad Javon Johnson)
Chi Chi Rodriguez (Juan Antonio Rodriguez)
Chipper Jones (Larry Wayne Jones, Jr.)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro)
Dabo Swinney (William Christopher Swinney)
Deco (Anderson Luiz de Sousa)
Dick Tiger (Richard Ihetu)
Dida (N�lson de Jesus Silva)
Duda (S�rgio Paulo Barbosa Valente)
Fuzzy Zoeller (Frank Urban Zoeller, Jr.)
Garrincha (Manuel Francisco dos Santos)
Geki (Giacomo Russo)
Gimax (Carlo Franchi)
Goose Gossage (Richard Michael Gossage)
Garry Kasparov (Garik Kimovich Weinstein)
Raymond Kopa (Raymond Kopaszewski)
He hate me (Rod Smart)
Hell� Nice (Mariette H�l�ne Delangle)
Henri Cornet (Henri Jaudry)
Henry Arundel (Henry Fitzalan-Howard)
Ickey Woods (Elbert L. Woods)
Jim McKay (James Kenneth McManus)
JJ Lehto (Jyrki J�rvilehto)
Joe Louis (Joseph Louis Barrow)
John Winter (Louis Krages)
Johnny Dumfries (John Crichton-Stuart)
Kak� (Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr.; legally changed name after conversion to Islam)
Karim Abdul-Jabbar (Sharmon Shah)
Khaosai Galaxy (Sura Saenkham)
Kid McCoy (Norman Selby)
Konishiki Yasokichi (Salevaa Atisanoe)
Kuba (Jakub Blaszczykowski)
Leon Duray (George Stewart)
Lolo Jones (Lori Jones)
Lucien Petit-Breton (Lucien Mazan)
M�chel (Jos� Miguel Gonz�lez Mart�n)
Metta World Peace (Ronald William Artest, Jr.)
Mercury Morris (Eugene Edward Morris)
Mo Martin (Melissa Linda Martin)
Muggsy Bogues (Tyrone Curtis Bogues)
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)
Musashimaru Koyo (Fiamalu Penitani)
Nen� (Maybyner Rodney Hil�rio; this is now his legal name)
Pel� (Edson Arantes do Nascimento)
Pierre Levegh (Pierre Bouillin)
Razor Ruddock (Donovan Ruddock)
Rivaldo (Vitor Borba Ferreira)
Rocket Ismail (Raghib Ramadian Ismail)
Rocky Marciano (Rocco Francis Marchegiano)
Rollie Fingers (Roland Glen Fingers)
Ronaldo (Ronaldo Lu�s Naz�rio de Lima)
Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira))
Satchel Paige (Leroy Robert Paige)
Spud Webb (Anthony Jerome Webb)
Stanley Ketchel (Stanislaus Kiecal)
Sugar Ray Leonard (Ray Charles Leonard)
Sugar Ray Robinson (Walker Smith Jr.)
Suso (Jes�s Fernandez S�ez)
Takanohana Koji (Koji Hanada)
Tony Zale (Anthony Florian Zaleski)
W Williams (William Grover-Williams)
Wakanohana Masaru (Masaru Hanada)
Whitey Ford (Edward Charles Ford)
Yogi Berra (Lawrence Peter Berra)
Zico (Arthur Antunes Coimbra)
Criminals[edit]
Al Capone (Alphonse Gabriel Capone)
Arkan (�eljko Ra�natovic)
Baby Face Nelson (Lester Joseph Gillis; also used the alias George Nelson)
The Barefoot Bandit (Colton Harris-Moore)
Billy the Kid (William H. Bonney; born William Henry McCarty, Jr.)
Black Bart (Charles Earl Bowles)
BTK (Dennis Rader)
Bugsy Siegel (Benjamin Siegelbaum)
Bumpy Johnson (Ellsworth Raymond Johnson)
Buster Edwards (Ronald Christopher Edwards)
Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker)
Carlos the Jackal (Ilich Ram�rez S�nchez)
Dutch Schultz (Arthur Flegenheimer)
Frank Costello (Francesco Castiglia)
Green River Killer (Gary Leon Ridgway)
The Happy Face Killer (Keith Hunter Jesperson)
Hillside Strangler (collective pseudonym for two serial killers, Angelo Buono and Kenneth Bianchi)
The Iceman (Richard Kuklinski)
The I-5 Killer (Randall Woodfield)
Jack the Ripper (Unknown)
Legs Diamond (Jack Diamond)
Kim Philby (Harold Adrian Russell Philby)
Lucky Luciano (Salvatore Lucania)
Machine Gun Kelly (George Celino Barnes)
Meyer Lansky (Meyer Suchowljansky)
Mickey Cohen (Meyer Harris Cohen)
Murf the Surf (Jack Roland Murphy)
Murray The Hump (Murray Humphreys)
Ned Kelly (Edward Kelly)
The Night Stalker (Richard Ramirez)
Pretty Boy Floyd (Charles Arthur Floyd)
Sara Jane Olson (Kathleen Soliah)
Son of Sam (David Berkowitz)
The Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh)
The Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski; pseudonym was an FBI acronym for UNiversities and Airline Bomber)
Waxey Gordon (Irving Wexler)
The Yorkshire Ripper (Peter Sutcliffe)
The Zodiac Killer (Unknown)
Fashion and beauty[edit]
Coco Chanel (Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel)
Elizabeth Arden (Florence Nightingale Graham)
Est�e Lauder (Josephine Esther Mentzer)
Halston (Roy Halston Frowick)
Jil Sander (Heidemarie Jiline Sander)
Jimmy Choo (Choo Yeang Keat)
Karl Lagerfeld (Karl Otto Lagerfeldt)
Manolo Blahnik (Manuel Blahnik Rodriguez)
Marc Ecko (Marc Louis Milecofsky)
Max Factor (Maksymilian Faktorowicz)
Miu Miu (Miuccia Prada)
Paco Rabanne (Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo)
Other real life pseudonyms[edit]
Alexander Supertramp (Christopher McCandless)
Bernard Shakey (Neil Young)
Colonel Tom Parker (Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk)
Divine Brown (Estella Marie Thompson)
Emmanuel Goldstein (Eric Corley)
John of God (Jo�o Teixeira de Faria)
Mata Hari (Margaretha Geertruida "Grietje" Zelle MacLeod)
Miss Cleo (Youree Dell Harris)
Armin S. (unknown)
Viktor Suvorov (Vladimir Rezun)
Pseudonyms used in fiction[edit]
Superhero genre[edit]
The Hulk (Dr. Robert Bruce Banner) - Marvel Comics
Spider-Man (Peter Benjamin Parker) - Marvel Comics
Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) - Marvel Comics
Wolverine (Logan, James Howlett) - Marvel Comics
Captain America (Steven Grant "Steve" Rogers) - Marvel Comics
Superman (Kal-El / Clark Kent) - DC Comics
Wonder Woman (Princess Diana of Themyscira / Diana Prince) - DC comics
Batman (Bruce Wayne) - DC Comics
Catwoman (Selina Kyle) - DC Comics
Catwoman (Patience Phillips) - 2004 film
Rorschach (Walter Joseph Kovacs) - Watchmen (Alan Moore graphic novel)
Doctor Octopus (Dr. Otto Gunther Octavius) - Marvel Comics
Huntress (Helena Wayne) - DC Comics
Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) - DC Comics
Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) - DC Comics
Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) - DC Comics
The Flash (Jay Garrick) - DC Comics
The Flash (Barry Allen) - DC Comics
The Flash (Wally West) - DC Comics
The Flash (Bart Allen) - DC Comics
The Penguin (Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot) - DC Comics
The Riddler (Dr. Edward Nigma) - DC Comics
Other fictional characters[edit]
Lord Voldemort (Tom Marvolo Riddle) - Harry Potter Series
Aramis (Henri d'Aramitz, le Chevalier d'Herblay) - The Three Musketeers
Scarlet Pimpernel (Sir Percy Blakeney)
Athos (Armand de Sill�gue d'Athos d'Autevielle, Le Comte de La F�re) - The Three Musketeers
Demosthenes (Valentine Wiggin) - Ender's Game series - OSC
Chuck Finley (Sam Axe)
d'Artagnan (Charles de Batz-Castelmore) - The Three Musketeers
Dylan Sharp (Deryn Sharp - Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld)
Jeff (Othello Jeffries from the comic strip Mutt and Jeff)
Locke (Peter Wiggin) - Ender's Game series - OSC
M (Sir Miles Messervy) - James Bond novels
Q (Major Boothroyd) - James Bond Novels
Regina Phalange (Phoebe Buffay) - Friends
Porthos (Isaac de Porthau, Baron du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds) - The Three Musketeers
Rusty Shackleford (Dale Gribble)
Duke Silver (Ron Swanson)
Speaker for the Dead (Ender Wiggin) - Ender's Game series - OSC
Ken Adams (Joey Tribbiani) - Friends
Art Vandelay (George Costanza) - Seinfeld
La Volpe - Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Zorro (Don Diego de la Vega)
Alucard (Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes)
Mr. Underhill (Frodo Baggins) - Lord Of The Rings series
The Shadow (Lamont Cranston)
Clint Eastwood (Marty McFly) - Back To The Future Part III
Heisenberg (Walter White) - Breaking Bad
Saul Goodman (James "Jimmy" McGill) - Breaking Bad
L (L Lawliet) - Death Note
John Smith - Kyon
The Doctor (Unknown) - Doctor Who
See also[edit]
Literary initials
List of people who adopted matrilineal surnames
List of pseudonyms used in the American constitutional debates
List of works published under a pseudonym
Mononymous persons
Nicknames of jazz musicians

List of nicknames of jazz musicians
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Nicknames of jazz musicians)

This list needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Nicknames are common among jazz musicians. Nicknames and sobriquets can also sometimes become stage names, and there are several cases of performers being known almost exclusively by their nicknames as opposed to their given names. Some of the most notable nicknames and stage names are listed here.

Although the term Jazz royalty exists for "Kings" and similar royal or aristocratic nicknames, there is a wide range of other terms, many of them obscure. Where the origin of the nickname is known, this is explained at each artist's corresponding article.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
List of jazz nicknames[edit]
A[edit]
Abbey: Abbey Lincoln
Abbie: Albert Brunies
Angry Man of Jazz (The): Charles Mingus
B[edit]
Babs: Babs Gonzales
Baby: Warren Dodds[1]
Baby Sweets: Walter Perkins
Bags: Milt Jackson
Barney: Barney Bigard
Barney: Barney Wilen
Baron: Charles Mingus
Bean: Coleman Hawkins a.k.a. "Hawk"
Bear (The): Eddie Costa
Bear (The): Bob Hunt
Beaver: Beaver Harris
Betty Bebop: Betty Carter
Benny: Benny Bailey
Big Babe: Andrew Webb[2]
Big Bill: Big Bill Bissonnette
Big Chief: Big Chief Russell Moore
Big-Eye: Louis Nelson Delisle
Big Jim: Jim Robinson
Big Joe: Big Joe Turner
Big Mama: Big Mama Thornton
Big Nick: "Big Nick" Nicholas
Big Sid: Sid Catlett
Billie: Billie Holiday a.k.a. "Lady Day"
Bing: Bing Crosby
Bird: Charlie Parker a.k.a. "Yardbird"
Bix: Leon Bismarck Beiderbecke, though it appears his given names were Leon Bix.
Blood: James "Blood" Ulmer
Blue: Blue Mitchell
Blue Lou: Lou Marini
Bobo: Bobo Stenson
Bogey: Wilton Gaynair
Bones: Tom Malone
Boogaloo Joe: Ivan "Boogaloo Joe" Jones
Boogaloo: James "Boogaloo" Bolden
Boots: Clifford Douglas[3]
Boots: Boots Mussulli
Bootsie: Bootsie Barnes
Booty: Booty Wood
Bops Junior: Oliver Jackson
Bounce: George Mraz for being a Bad Czech
Brother: Brother Jack McDuff
Brother Ray: Ray Charles
Brownie: Clifford Brown
Brute (The), Frog: Ben Webster
Bruz: Bruz Freeman
Bu: Art Blakey took the name "Abdullah Ibn Buhaina" after a reported trip to Africa. Friends shortened it to "Bu"
Bubba: Bubba Brooks
Bubber: James "Bubber" Miley
Buck: Leroy Berry[4]
Buck: Wilbur Clayton
Bucky: Bucky Pizzarelli
Bud: Bud Brisbois
Bud: Bud Freeman
Bud: Bud Powell
Bud: Bud Shank
Budd: Budd Johnson (not to be confused with Buddy Johnson)
Buddie: Buddie Petit
Buddy: Bernard Anderson[5] a.k.a. "Step-Buddy"
Buddy: Buddy Banks
Buddy: Buddy Bolden a.k.a. "King"
Buddy: Buddy Catlett
Buddy: Buddy Childers
Buddy: Buddy Clark
Buddy: Buddy Collette
Buddy: Buddy DeFranco
Buddy: Buddy Featherstonhaugh
Buddy: Buddy Johnson (not to be confused with Budd Johnson)
Buddy: Buddy Montgomery
Buddy: Buddy Morrow
Buddy: Buddy Rich
Buddy: Buddy Tate
Buddy: Buddy Williams
Bumps: Robert Blackwell
Bunk: Bunk Johnson
Bunky: Bunky Green
Bunny: Rowland Berigan
Buster: Buster Bailey
Buster: Buster Bennett a.k.a. "Leap Frog" Bennett
Buster: Buster Cooper
Buster: Buster Smith a.k.a. "Professor"
Buster: Buster Williams
Buster: Buster Wilson
Butter: Quentin Jackson
Butch: Butch Ballard
Butch: Butch Morris
Buzzy: Buzzy Drootin
C[edit]
Cab: Cab Kaye
Cag: Cag Cagnolatti
Cake: Al "Cake" Wichard
Candy: Floyd "Candy" Johnson
Cannonball: Julian Adderley
Captain: Captain John Handy
Cat: William Alonzo Anderson
Cat (The): Jimmy Smith
Chairman of the Board: Frank Sinatra a.k.a. "Ol' Blue Eyes", "The Voice"
Chick: Chick Corea
Chick: Chick Webb
Chico: Alfred "Chico" Alvarez
Chico: Chico Freeman
Chico: Chico O'Farrill
Chink: Chink Martin
Chu: Leon "Chu" Berry Charlie Parker named his first son "Leon" after Chu
Chubby: Chubby Jackson
Chummy: Chummy MacGregor
Cie: Cie Frazier
Cleanhead: Eddie Vinson
Conte: Conte Candoli
Coop: Bob Cooper
Cootie: Charles Williams
Corky: Corky Cornelius
Cornbread: Hal Singer
Count: Count Basie
Count (The): Conte Candoli
Count (The): Steve Marcus
Cow Cow: Charles Edward Davenport
Cozy: Cozy Cole
Crane: Dave Burns
Cutty: Cutty Cutshall
D[edit]
Dee: Dee Barton
Dee Dee: Dee Dee Bridgewater
Deedles: Diane Schuur
Dewey: Dewey Redman
Dicky: Dicky Wells
Dink: Dink Johnson
Dink: Harold Taylor[6]
Dippermouth: Louis Armstrong a.k.a. "Satchmo", "Pops", "Satchel Mouth", "Dipper Mouth"
Divine One (The): Sarah Vaughan a.k.a. "Sassy"
Diz: Diz Disley
Dizzy, or Diz: John Birks Gillespie
Dizzy: Dizzy Reece
Django: Jean Baptiste Reinhardt
Doc: Doc Cheatham
Doc: Doc Cook
Doc: Doc Goldberg
Doc: Doc Souchon
Doc: Doc West
Doctor Miller: Glenn Miller
Dodo: Michael Marmarosa
Dolo: Dolo Coker
Duck: Donald Bailey
Dud: Dud Bascomb
Duke: Duke Ellington
Duke: Duke Groner
Duke: Duke Jordan
Duke (The): Bennie Green
E[edit]
Eddie Lang: Salvatore Massaro
Eubie: Eubie Blake
Ella: Ella Fitzgerald
F[edit]
Fat Boy : Fats Navarro
Fat Girl: Fats Navarro
Fathead: David Newman
Fats: Jimmy Ponder
Fats: Fats Sadi
Fats Waller: Thomas Waller
Fatha: Earl Hines
Fess: Fess Williams
Fiddler: Claude "Fiddler" Williams
First Lady (The): Ella Fitzgerald a.k.a. "the First Lady of Song"
Flip: Flip Phillips, born Joseph Edward Filipelli
Foots: Walter "Foots" Thomas
Fox (The): Maynard Ferguson
Frog: Ben Webster
G[edit]
Gatemouth: Clarence Brown
Geechy: James Robinson (musician)[6]
Gigi: Gigi Gryce
Ginger: Ginger Smock
God: Art Tatum
Great Dane (The): Niels-Henning �rsted Pedersen
Great Dane with the Never-Ending Name (The): Niels-Henning �rsted Pedersen
Groaner (The): Bing Crosby
Groove: Richard Holmes
Guvnor (The): Ken Colyer
H[edit]
Half-Pint: Frankie Jaxon
Ham: Leonard Davis[2]
Hammond: Johnny "Hammond" Smith
Hamp or Mad Lionel: Lionel Hampton
Hank: Hank Crawford
Hannibal: Hannibal Lokumbe
Happy: Happy Caldwell
Happy: David "Happy" Williams
Hawk: Coleman Hawkins a.k.a. "Bean"
Hi De Ho: Cab Calloway
High Priest of Bop Thelonious Monk
High Priestess of Soul Nina Simone
Hipster (The): Harry Gibson
Hod: Hod O'Brien
Hog: Leroy Cooper
Honeybear: Gene Sedric
Hootie: Jay McShann[7]
Hoss: Walter Page
Hot Lips: Henry Busse
Hot Lips or Lips: Oran Page
Howdy: Howard "Howdy" Quicksell[8]
I[edit]
Ivory: Herman Chittison
Ivory: Harold Ivory Williams
J[edit]
Jabbo: Jabbo Smith
Jaco: Jaco Pastorius
Jack: Jack Jenney
Jack: Jack Teagarden
Jackie: Jackie McLean
Jaki: Jaki Byard
Jaws: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Jay: Jay Clayton
Jay: Jay McShann a.k.a. "Hootie"
Jeep: Johnny Hodges a.k.a. "Rab" (short for "Rabbit")
Jelly Roll: Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe
Jeru: Gerry Mulligan
Jiggs: Jiggs Whigham
Jiunie: Jiunie Booth
Jiver: Jiver Hutchinson
Joe Blade: Nick LaRocca
Johnny Mac: John McLaughlin
Judge: Milt Hinton
Jug or Jughead: Gene Ammons
Junior: Junior Cook
Junior: Junior Mance
Junior: Junior Raglin
J. R.: J. R. Monterose
K[edit]
Kaiser: Kaiser Marshall
Kansas: Carl Fields
Kat: Herbert Cowans
Keg: Keg Johnson
Keter: Keter Betts
Kid: Kid Howard
Kid: Kid Ory
Kid: Kid Rena
Kid Sheik: Kid Sheik
Kidd: Kidd Jordan
King: Buddy Bolden
King: Nat King Cole a.k.a. "Shorty Nadine"
King: King Curtis
King: King Fleming
King: Freddie Keppard
King: Joe Oliver a.k.a. "Papa Joe"
King: King Pleasure
King: King Watzke
King Kolax: King Kolax
King of the Clarinet: Artie Shaw
King of Cool: Dean Martin
King of Jazz: Paul Whiteman
King of the Jazz Guitar: Django Reinhardt
King of the Jukebox: Louis Jordan
King of Swing: Benny Goodman a.k.a. "the Patriarch of the Clarinet", "the Professor", "Swing's Senior Statesman"
Klook-Mop or Klook: Kenny Clarke
Knife (The): Pepper Adams
L[edit]
Lady Day: Billie Holiday
Leap Frog: Buster Bennett[9]
Lion (The): Willie Smith
Lips or Hot Lips: Oran Page
Little: Benny Harris[10]
Little Bird: Albert Ayler
Little Bird: Jimmy Heath
Little Brother: Little Brother Montgomery
Little Giant: Johnny Griffin
Little Jazz: Roy Eldridge
Little Johnny C: Johnny Coles
Little Man: Walter Buchanan
Little Mitch: George Mitchell
Lockjaw: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Long Tall Dexter: Dexter Gordon
Lord: Chauncey "Lord" Westbrook
Lovie: Lovie Austin
Luckey: Luckey Roberts
Lucky: Lucky Millinder
Lucky: Eli Thompson
M[edit]
Ma: Ma Rainey
Mad Lionel: Lionel Hampton a.k.a. "Hamp"
Maffy: Muvaffak "Maffy" Falay
Maggie: Howard McGhee
Maharaja: Oscar Peterson
Major: Glenn Miller
Man (The): Sam Taylor
Mash: Art Blakey
Mex: Paul Gonsalves
Mezz: Mezz Mezzrow
Mick: Mick Mulligan
Mickey: Mickey McMahan
Midge: Midge Williams
Miff: Miff Mole
Mighty Flea (The): Gene Conners
Miles: Miles Davis
Min: Min Leibrook
Minor: Minor Hall
Mohawk: Ted Sturgis
Monk: Monk Hazel
Monk: Monk McFay
Monk: William Montgomery
Montudie: Ed Garland
Moonface, Wurmpth: Claude Thornhill
Mouse: Irving Randolph
Mousie or Mousey: Elmer Alexander
Mr. Bongo: Jack Costanzo
Mr. Five by Five: Jimmy Rushing
Mr. T: Stanley Turrentine
Mr. Clock: Freddie Green
Muffin, The Lamb: Donald Lambert
Muggsy: Muggsy Spanier
Mule: Major Holley
Mutt: Tom Carey a.k.a. "Papa Mutt"
N[edit]
Nappy: Hilton Lamare
Newk: Sonny Rollins
NH�P: Niels-Henning �rsted Pedersen
Nick: Nick LaRocca
O[edit]
O Bruxo (The Sorcerer): Hermeto Pascoal
Ol' Blue Eyes: Frank Sinatra a.k.a. "The Voice"
Osie: Osie Johnson
P[edit]
Panama: Panama Francis
Pancho: Kenny Hagood
Papa: Papa Celestin
Papa: Louis "Papa" Tio
Papa Jack: Papa Jack Laine
Papa Jo: Jonathan David Samuel Jones
Papa Joe: Joe "King" Oliver
Papa Mutt: Thomas Carey a.k.a. Mutt Carey
Pat: Laurdine "Pat" Patrick
Patriarch of the Clarinet (the): Benny Goodman a.k.a. "the Professor", "Swing's Senior Statesman", "the King of Swing"
Peanuts: Peanuts Holland
Peanuts: Peanuts Hucko
Peck: Peck Kelley
Pee Wee: H. B. Barnum
Pee Wee: Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis
Pee Wee: Pee Wee Erwin
Pee Wee: Pee Wee Hunt
Pee Wee: Pee Wee Russell
Pee Wee: Leon "Pee Wee" Whittaker
Pepper: Pepper Adams a.k.a. "the Knife"
Pete: Pete Candoli
Pha: Pha Terrell
Pharoah: Farrell Sanders
Phantom: Joe Henderson
Philly Joe: Joseph Jones
Pinetop: Pinetop Perkins (Joseph William Perkins)
Pinetop: Clarence Smith a.k.a. "Pine Top"
Polo: Polo Barnes
Pony: Norwood Poindexter
Pops: Sidney Bechet
Pops: Louis Armstrong a.k.a. "Satchel Mouth", "Satchmo", "Dipper Mouth"
Pops: George Murphy "Pops" Foster
Pops: Robert Popwell
Pops: Paul Whiteman[citation needed]
Porky: Al Porcino
Pretty: Bernard Purdie
Pres (preferred spelling) or Prez (short for "President"): Lester Young
Prince of Darkness: Miles Davis
Professor, the: Cab Calloway
Professor (the): Benny Goodman a.k.a. "the Patriarch of the Clarinet", "Swing's Senior Statesman", "the King of Swing"
Punch: Punch Miller
Q[edit]
Queen: Peggy Lee
Queen of the Jukeboxes: Dinah Washington
R[edit]
Rabbit: Johnny Hodges a.k.a. "Rab", "Jeep"
Ragbaby: Ragbaby Stephens
Rap: Leon Roppolo
Ray: Ray Bryant
Reb: Reb Spikes
Red: Red Allen
Red: Red Balaban
Red: Tom Brown
Red: Red Callender
Red: William Garland
Red: Red Holloway
Red: Red Ingle
Red: Red McKenzie
Red: Keith Mitchell
Red: Robert Muse[2]
Red: Red Nichols
Red: Red Norvo
Red: Red Prysock
Red: Red Richards
Red: Alvin Tyler
Red Rodney: Red Rodney
Rosy: Rosy McHargue
Rusty: Rusty Bryant
Rusty: Lyle Dedrick
Rusty: Rusty Jones
S[edit]
Sabby: Sabby Lewis
Santy: Santy Runyon
Sassy: Sarah Vaughan a.k.a. "The Divine One"
Satchmo: Louis Armstrong a.k.a. "Dipper Mouth", "Pops", "Satchel Mouth"
Sax: Sax Mallard[11]
Scoops: Scoops Carey
Scotty: Howard "Scotty" Scott[12]
Scotty: Kermit Scott
Scrappy: Scrappy Lambert
Senator (the): Eugene Wright
Shadow: Rossiere Wilson
Shake: Shake Keane
Sharkey: Joseph Bonano
Shifty: Shifty Henry
Shorty: Harold Baker
Shorty: Shorty Rogers
Shorty: Shorty Sherock
Shorty Nadine: Nat King Cole
Sippie: Sippie Wallace
Sir: Sir Charles Thompson
Skeeter: Clifton Best
Skeets: Skeets Herfurt
Skeets: Skeets Tolbert
Skip: Skip Martin
Skippy: Skippy Williams
Skitch: Skitch Henderson
Slam: Slam Stewart
Sleepy Hall: Chick Bullock
Slide: Slide Hampton
Slim: Bulee Gaillard
Slow Drag: Alcide Pavageau
Smack: Fletcher Henderson
Smith: Smith Ballew
Smitty: Marvin Smith
Snakehips: Ken Snakehips Johnson
Snub: Snub Mosley
Sonny: Sonny Berman
Sonny: Sonny Blount
Sonny: Sonny Clark
Sonny: Sonny Clay
Sonny: Sonny Cohn
Sonny: Sonny Criss
Sonny: Sonny Dallas
Sonny: Sonny Dunham
Sonny: Sonny Greer
Sonny: Sonny Henry[13]
Sonny: Clarence "Sonny" Henry
Sonny: Sonny Lester
Sonny: Sonny Payne
Sonny: Sonny Rollins a.k.a. "Newk"
Sonny: Sonny Russo
Sonny: Sonny Sharrock
Sonny: Sonny Simmons
Sonny: Edward Stitt
Sonny: Sonny White
Sound (the): Stan Getz
Spanky: Spanky Davis
Spanky: Spanky DeBrest
Specs: Gordon Powell
Specs: Specs Wright
Spike: Spike Heatley
Spike: Spike Hughes
Spike: Spike Robinson
Spike: Spike Wells
Spoon: Jimmy Witherspoon
Spud: Spud Murphy
Stan: Stan Hasselg�rd
Stix: Stix Hooper
Stork (the): Paul Desmond
Stuff: Stuff Smith
Stump: Stump Evans
Sunny: Sunny Murray
Swee' Pea: Billy Strayhorn
Sweets: Harry Edison
Swing's Senior Statesman: Benny Goodman a.k.a. "the Patriarch of the Clarinet", "the Professor", "the King of Swing"
Sy: Sy Oliver
T[edit]
Tab: Tab Smith
Tain: Jeff "Tain" Watts
Teo: Teo Macero
Tex: Tex Beneke
Tex: Herschel Evans
Tiger: Tiger Haynes
Tina: Tina Brooks
Tiny: Tiny Grimes
Tiny: Tiny Hill
Tiny: Tiny Kahn
Tiny: Tiny Taylor[4]
Tito: Tito Burns
Toby: Scoville Browne
Toby: Otto Hardwick
Tootie: Albert "Tootie" Heath
Toots: Toots Mondello
Toots: Toots Thielemans
Tram: Frank Trumbauer
Trane: John Coltrane
Tricky Sam: Joe Nanton
Truck: Truck Parham
Trummy: Trummy Young
Tubby: Tubby Hall
Tubby: Tubby Hayes a.k.a. "Tubbs"
Tuff: Tuff Green
Turk: Turk Murphy
Turk: Turk Van Lake
Tuts: Tuts Washington
Tutti: Tutti Camarata
V[edit]
Velvet Fog (The): Mel Torm�
Vice Prez: Paul Quinichette
Voice (The): Frank Sinatra a.k.a. "Ol' Blue Eyes"
Vonski: Von Freeman
W[edit]
Wes: Wes Montgomery
Whitey: Gordon Mitchell
Wig (The): Gerald Wiggins
Wild: Wild Bill Davis
Wild: Bill Davison
Wingy: Joseph Manone
Wooden: Wooden Joe Nicholas
Y[edit]
Yank: Yank Lawson
Yardbird: Charlie Parker a.k.a. "Bird"
Z[edit]
Ziggy: Ziggy Elman
Zoot: Jack Sims
Zutty: Zutty Singleton

List of nicknames of blues musicians
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following list of nicknames of blues musicians complements the existing list of blues musicians by referring to their nicknames, stage names and pseudonyms, thereby helping to clarify possible confusion arising over artists with similar or the same nicknames. The list is arranged in alphabetical order by nickname rather than surname. For the possible origins of the nickname, see the corresponding article.

Baby Tate
Backwards Sam Firk
Barbecue Bob
Barkin' Bill Smith
Barrelhouse Chuck
B.B. King
Big Bill Broonzy
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith
Big Joe Duskin
Big Joe Turner
Big Maceo Merriweather
Big Mama Thornton
Johnny "Big Moose" Walker
Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers
Big Walter Horton
Golden "Big" Wheeler
Black Ace
Blind Blake
Blind Boy Fuller
Blind Boy Grunt
Blind Gary Davis
Blind Joe Reynolds
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Mississippi Morris
Blind Willie Johnson
Blind Willie McTell
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Bo Carter
Bo Diddley
Bob Log III
Boogie Bill Webb
Boogie Woogie Red
Brownie McGhee
Buddy Guy
Bukka White
Bull City Red
Bumble Bee Slim
Buster Benton
Buster Pickens
Catfish Keith
Champion Jack Dupree
Detroit Gary Wiggins
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Cow Cow Davenport
Cripple Clarence Lofton
Curley Weaver
Drive 'Em Down
Fiddlin' Joe Martin
Furry Lewis
Gary B.B. Coleman
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Georgia Tom
Eddie "Guitar" Burns
Guitar Slim
Harmonica Shah
H-Bomb Ferguson
Hip Linkchain
Hollywood Fats
David Honeyboy Edwards
Hound Dog Taylor
Howlin' Wolf
Ironing Board Sam
Ivory Joe Hunter
Jaybird Coleman
Jazz Gillum
Jelly Roll Morton
Johnny Drummer
Junior Wells
Kansas Joe McCoy
Keb' Mo'
Koko Taylor
Laughing Charley
Lazy Lester
Lead Belly
Lightnin' Hopkins
Lil' Ed Williams
Little Brother Montgomery
Little Freddie King
Little Hatch
Little Mack Simmons
Little Milton
Little Smokey Smothers
Little Sonny
Tony "Little Sun" Glover
Little Walter
Little Willie Littlefield
Lonesome Sundown
Louisiana Red
Lovie Austin
Ma Rainey
Magic Sam
Magic Slim
Mamie Smith
Mance Lipscomb
Maxwell Street Jimmy Davis
Memphis Minnie
Memphis Slim
Mighty Joe Young
Mississippi John Hurt
Mississippi Fred McDowell
George "Mojo" Buford
Mr. Blues
Muddy Waters
Papa Charlie Jackson
Papa Charlie McCoy
Peetie Wheatstraw
Pee Wee Crayton
Leon "Pee Wee" Whittaker
Peg Leg Howell
Peg Leg Sam
Piano Red
Huey "Piano" Smith
Pinetop Perkins
Pinetop Smith
Pink Anderson
Pops Staples
Popa Chubby
Rabbit Brown
Ramblin' Thomas
Robert Nighthawk
Rockin' Sidney
Scrapper Blackwell
Seasick Steve
Shakey Jake Harris
Sippie Wallace
Skip James
Sleepy John Estes
Slim Harpo
Slowhand
Smokey Hogg
Smokey Wilson
Smokin' Joe Bonamassa
Smoky Babe
Dave "Snaker" Ray
Soko Richardson
Son House
Sonny Terry
Sonny Boy Williamson I
Sonny Boy Williamson II
"Spider" John Koerner
St. Louis Jimmy Oden
Sugar Ray Norcia
Sunnyland Slim
Tab Smith
Tabby Thomas
Taj Mahal
Tampa Red
T-Bone Walker
T-Model Ford
Alger "Texas" Alexander
Tommy Tucker
U.P. Wilson
Washboard Sam
Washboard Willie
Watermelon Slim
Whistlin' Alex Moore
Moses "Whispering" Smith
Paul "Wine" Jones

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lists_of_blues_musicians

List of pseudonyms used in the American Constitutional debates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from List of pseudonyms used in the American constitutional debates)
During the debates over the design and ratification of the United States Constitution, in 1787 and 1788, a large number of writers in the popular press used pseudonyms. This list shows some of the more important commentaries and the (known or presumed) authors responsible for them. Note: the identity of the person behind several of these pseudonyms is not known for certain.

Pseudonym Author Notes
A.B. Francis Hopkinson Federalist.[1]
Agrippa James Winthrop[2] Eighteen essays appeared under this name in the Massachusetts Gazette between November 23, 1787 and February 5, 1788.[3]
Alfredus Samuel Tenney Federalist.[4]
Americanus John Stevens, Jr.[5]
Aristedes Alexander Contee Hanson Federalist.[6]
Aristocrotis William Petrikin Anti-Federalist.[7]
An Assemblyman William Findley
Brutus Robert Yates[2] Anti-Federalist. After Marcus Junius Brutus, a Roman republican involved in the assassination of Caesar. Published sixteen essays in the New York Journal between October 1787 and April 1788.
Caesar Alexander Hamilton?
Candidus Benjamin Austin[2]
Cato George Clinton[2] Anti-Federalist.
Centinel Samuel Bryan Alternately, the author possibly was George Bryan.[2]
Cincinnatus Arthur Lee After Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus. Six essays addressed to James Wilson appeared under this name in the New York Journal beginning November 1, 1787.[8]
A Citizen of America Noah Webster
A Citizen of New Haven Roger Sherman
A Columbian Patriot Mercy Warren[2]
A Countryman Roger Sherman
A Country Federalist James Kent
Crito Stephen Hopkins
Examiner Charles McKnight
Federal Farmer Anti-Federalist. The Federal Farmer letters are frequently attributed to Richard Henry Lee, but modern scholarship has challenged Lee's authorship.[9][10]
Foreign Spectator Nicholas Collin[11]
Genuine Information Luther Martin
Harrington Benjamin Rush
Helvidius Priscus James Warren[2]
An Independent Freeholder Alexander White
John DeWitt After Johan de Witt, Grand Pensionary of Holland.
A Landholder Oliver Ellsworth Thirteen essays, some of the most widely circulated commentary on the proposed Constitution, appeared under this name, with the first publication coming in the Hartford papers. The essays were certainly written by one of the Connecticut delegates to the Convention, and Ellsworth is the only likely possibility.[12]
Marcus James Iredell
Margery George Bryan
An Officer of the Late Continental Army William Findley[2]
A Pennsylvania Farmer John Dickinson
Philadelphiensis Benjamin Workman
Philo-Publius William Duer
Phocion Alexander Hamilton
A Plain Dealer Spencer Roane[2]
A Plebeian Melancton Smith
Publius Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay After Publius Valerius Publicola. Under this name the three men wrote the 85 Federalist Papers. Hamilton had already used the name in 1778.
A Republican Federalist James Warren[2]
Rough Hewer Abraham Yates
Senex Patrick Henry? Published an article in the Virginia Independent Chronicle, August 15, 1787, which was reprinted in four states. James McClurg wrote that the author was "supposed by some to be Mr. H---y."[13]
The State Soldier St. George Tucker
Sydney Robert Yates[2]
Timoleon After Timoleon of Corinth.
Tullius George Turner?

List of stage names
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This list of stage names lists names used by those in the entertainment industry, alphabetically by their stage name's surname, followed by their birth name. Individuals who dropped their last name and substituted their middle name as their last name are listed. In many cases, performers have legally changed their name to their stage name.

People are not listed here if they fall into one or more of the following categories:

Those who changed their surname due primarily to marriage:
Living: Maud Adams, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angelica Agurbash, Karen Akers, Jane Alexander, Alicia Alonso, Boots Anson-Roa, Eleanor Antin, P. P. Arnold, Jules Asner, Pernilla August, Jaya Bachchan, Shirley Ballas, Tisha Terrasini Banker, Glynis Barber, Daniel Barnz,[1] Alison Bartlett-O'Reilly, Barbara Becker, Victoria Beckham, Joy Behar, Pat Benatar, Jodi Benson, G�lse Birsel, Carla Bley, Scotty Bloch, Asha Bhosle, Angela Bowie, Katie Boyle, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aline Brosh McKenna, Pat Crawford Brown, Maryedith Burrell, Ellen Burstyn, L. Scott Caldwell, Kate Capshaw, Nancy Carell, Lynn Carlin, Kathleen Chalfant, Marge Champion, Stockard Channing, Pamela Chopra, Cheryl Cole, Liza Col�n-Zayas, Didi Conn, Nukaaka (Nuk�ka) Coster-Waldau, Kathryn Crosby, Patrika Darbo, Joan Darling, Betty Davis, Kassie DePaiva, �lisabeth Depardieu, Bo Derek, Pamela Des Barres, Natalie Desselle-Reid, Tabitha D'umo, Noureen DeWulf, Joyce DiDonato, Caren Marsh Doll, Helen Donath, Carol Douglas, Anne Dudley, Emily Dunn, Marj Dusay, Sheena Easton, Jenna Elfman, Linda Ellerbee, Anita Ellis, Violetta Elvin, Lotta Engberg, Shannon Farnon, Barbara Feldon, Bette Ford, Carolyn Garcia, Marcia Mitzman Gaven, Lynda Day George, Marla Gibbs, Kathie Lee Gifford, Astrud Gilberto, Sally Gilpin, Joanna Gleason, Donna Hanover, Estelle Harris, Susan Harris, Lindsay Hartley, Rohini Hattangadi, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Lotta Hedlund, Dana Hee, Martha Henry, Bec Hewitt, Anna Kathryn Holbrook, Cissy Houston, Jan Howard, Mary Beth Hurt, Jessica Hynes, Alexandra Isles, Bianca Jagger, Karen Jarrett, Tamara Johnson-George, Sue Johnston, Rebecca Judd, Mitzi Kapture, Jean Kasem, Nan Kelley, Jayne Kennedy, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Joanna Kerns, Sandra Kerns, Anita Kerr, Barbara Knox, Cheryl Ladd, Amel Larrieux, Lucy Lawless, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Lar Park Lincoln, Rosaleen Linehan, Ernie Lively, Loretta Lynn, Ruth Madoc, Rita Marley, Bridget Marquardt, Elaine May, Gwen McCrae, Aline Brosh McKenna, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kay Mellor, Sheila Mercier, Monique Mercure, Carol Merrill, Vera Miles, Marisa Miller, Demi Moore, Diana Moran, Maria Muldaur, Mrs. John Murphy, Leigh Nash, Nancy O'Dell, Genevieve Padalecki, Kimberly Page, Galina Panov (Panova), Lara Parker, Alexa PenaVega, Carlos PenaVega, Melanie Paxson, Michelle Phillips, Erin Hershey Presley, Priscilla Presley, Phylicia Rashad, Johanna Ray, Perri "Pebbles" Reid, Judith Roberts, Tanya Roberts, Mimi Rogers, Brenda Russell, Susan Ruttan, Jeri Ryan, Carole Bayer Sager, Susan Sarandon, Dana Scallon, Rebecca Schull, Melody Thomas Scott, Peggy Scott-Adams, Julie Seitter, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Talia Shire, Joan Micklin Silver, Mary Jo Slater, Grace Slick, Connie Smith, Hillary B. Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, P. J. Soles, Tatiana Sorokko, Dana Sparks, Ronnie Spector, Joan Staley, Brinke Stevens, Stella Stevens, Angie Stone, Anna Strasberg, Mira Stupica, Sulekha Talwalkar, Jennifer Taylor, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Betty Thomas, Linda Thompson, Linda Thorson, Julie Driscoll Tippetts, Jim True-Frost, Anita Tsoy, Tina Turner, Kim Johnston Ulrich, Nina van Pallandt, Maureen Van Zandt, Colleen Villard, Paula Wagner, Rita Walter, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Jack White, Lynn Whitfield, Niecy Williams, Spice Williams-Crosby, Linda Womack, and Kim Woodburn.
Dead: Carol Ann Abrams, Jane Ace, Alberta Adams, Jill Adams, Esin Afsar, Rosa Albach-Retty, Theoni V. Aldredge, Esther Allan, Sheila Matthews Allen, Adrienne Ames, Irena Anders, Liz Anderson, Signe Toly Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Alice Arlen, Florence Arliss, Silvana Armenulic, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Beatrice Arthur, Dorothy Ashby, Sylvia Ashley, Aniela Aszpergerowa, Mildred Bailey, Elaine Barrie, Inezita Barroso, B. Constance Barry, Patricia Barry, Cheryl Barrymore, Katherine Harris Barrymore, Belle Barth, Frances Bay, Lucy Beaumont, Gertrude Berg, Frances Bergen, Shirl Bernheim, Ilene Berns, Barbara Billingsley, Faye Blackstone, Madge Blake, Beverly Schmidt Blossom, Virginia True Boardman, Helen Boatwright, Karolina Bock, Lucienne Bogaert, Lucille Bogan, Pat Bond, Lynn Borden, Anne Borg, Clara T. Bracy, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Ruth Brown, Cora Urquhart Brown-Potter, Argentina Brunetti, Claudia Bryar, Marie Burke, Adelaide Calvert, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Marie Carandini, Olive Carey, Mrs. Leslie Carter, Maybelle Carter, Claiborne Cary, Maria Caserini, June Carter Cash, Irene Castle, Darlene Cates, Christine Cavanaugh, Olivia Cenizal, Henrietta Baker Chanfrau (aka Mrs F. S. Chanfrau), Cyd Charisse, Chris Chase, Yelena Chernykh, Patsy Cline, V�ra Clouzot, Maria Cole, Roberta Collins, Alice Coltrane, Jane Connell, Lady Diana Cooper, Ellen Corby, Muriel Costa-Greenspon, Mae Costello, Ida Cox, Fanny Cradock, Elizabeth Crotty, Candy Csencsits, Adelaide Hawley Cumming, Phyllis Curtin, Myrtle Damerel, Ruby Dandridge, Alice Davenport, Fanny Vining Davenport, Ramona Davies, Josie DeCarlo, Ruby Dee, Marie de Forest, Julie Alix de la Fay, Desha Delteil, Dolores del R�o, Nora Denney, Phyllis Diller, Jeane Dixon, Mary Dodson, Liv Dommersnes, Eileen Donaghy, Edna Dor�, Bianca Doria, Kay Dotrice, Diana Douglas, Phyllis Douglas, Louisa Lane Drew, Alice Drummond, Ruth Duccini, Geeta Dutt, Dame Pat Evison, Mimi Fari�a, Kathe Feist, Edwige Feuill�re, Margaret Field, Minnie Maddern Fiske (or simply "Mrs. Fiske"), Lisa Fonssagrives, Lilian Fontaine, Dolores Fuller, Amelita Galli-Curci, Hope Garber, Maria Garbowska-Kierczynska, Anna Gordy Gaye, Leyla Gencer, Estelle Getty, Ann Gilbert, Lucile Gleason, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Maude Turner Gordon, Violet Gordon-Woodhouse?, Beatrice Gray, Joyce Grenfell, Laurence Grivot, Alice Guy-Blach�, Alaina Reed Hall, Grayson Hall, Juanita Hall, Kim Hamilton, Anne Haney, Dona Hardy, Cassandra Harris, Signe Hasso, Wanda Hawley, Dixie Haygood, Edith Head, Alice Herz-Sommer, Gertrude Hoffman, Fay Holderness, Astrid Holm, Dolores Hope, Hedda Hopper, Jean Speegle Howard, Faith Hubley, Josephine Hull, Julia Crawford Ivers, Joyce Jacobs, Carrie Jacobs-Bond, Florence Foster Jenkins, Beverley Peck Johnson, Kathryn Joosten, Jenny Jugo, Helen Kane, Fay Kanin, Sylvia Kauders, Gina Kaus, Myra Keaton, Jenny Twitchell Kempton, Dame Madge Kendal, Marketa Kimbrell, Mabel King, Millie Kirkham, May Kitson, Evelyn Knight, Marie Knight, Natalya Krachkovskaya, Sossen Krohg, Yvonne Levy Kushner, Claire Labine, Jessie Royce Landis, Gracie Lantz, Elodie Lauten, Zarah Leander, Evelyn Lear, Vivien Leigh, Rosetta LeNoire, Gloria Leonard, Mimi Lerner, Stella LeSaint, Aleen Leslie, Anna Letensk�, Rosina Lh�vinne, Lois Lilienstein, Jane Little, Peggy Lloyd, Kathleen Lockhart, Judith Lowry, Alice Ludes, Nola Luxford, Sheila MacRae, Maria Malibran, Toni Mannix, Tina Marquand, Pamela Mason, Marilyn Lovell Matz, Linda McCartney, Nobu McCarthy, Ruth McDevitt, Marian McPartland, Margaret McWade, Adah Isaacs Menken, Patricia Merbreier, Zinka Milanov, Betty Miles, Mrs. Elva Miller, Helena Modjeska, Lydia Mordkovitch, Anna Karen Morrow, Yvonne Mounsey, Kathryn Murray, Bedia Muvahhit, Harriet Nelson, Shirley Collie Nelson, Frances Nero, Nadine Nicolaeva-Legat, Agnes Nixon, Lupe Ontiveros, Joan Orenstein, Rita Orlandi-Malaspina, Mecha Ortiz, Ethel Owen, Bonnie Owens, Helenka Pantaleoni, Tayva Patch, Dina Pathak, Dorothy Patrick, Katina Paxinou, Barbara Payton, Margaret Pellegrini, Fern Persons, Orna Porat, Dory Previn, Ma Rainey, Esther Ralston, Dottie Rambo, Anne Ramsey, Lois Ramsey, Bijoya Ray, Dana Reeve, Estelle Reiner, Elsa Respighi, Malvina Reynolds, Marjorie Reynolds, Irene Rich, Billie Mae Richards, Cleo Ridgely, Sylvia Robinson, Blossom Rock, Shirley Russell, Irene Ryan, Joel Ryce-Menuhin, Harley Saito, Tura Satana, Neila Sathyalingam, Therese Schnabel, Teddy Scholten, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Dawn Sears, Zelda Sears, Toshi Seeger, Zohra Sehgal, Joan Shawlee, Madeleine Sherwood, Teri Shields, Nell Shipman, Elaine Shore, Sarah Siddons, Rose Siggins, Hilda Simms, Susan Raab Simonson, Alison Skipworth, Anna Nicole Smith, Mamie Smith, Rosalie Sorrels, Zypora Spaisman, Elizabeth Spriggs, Kathy Staff, Florence St. John, Paula Strasberg, Donna Summer, Smita Talwalkar, Laurette Taylor, Beryl Te Wiata, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Olive Thomas, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Mrs Beerbohm Tree (aka Lady Tree), Barbara Trentham, Sophie Tucker, Helen Twelvetrees, Annette Vadim, Alice Van-Springsteen, Lucia Elizabeth Vestris, Pauline Viardot, Florence Vidor, Salka Viertel, Nedra Volz, Ethel Wales, Sippie Wallace, Pat Welsh, Helen Westley, Jean Willes, Cookie Williams, Dell Williams, Mary Lou Williams, Peggy Willis-Aarnio, Jane Wyman, Yafa Yarkoni, Clara Kimball Young, Senay Y�zbasioglu, Izabella Zielinska, and Norma Zimmer.
People from Spanish and/or Portuguese-speaking countries and the Philippines if their professional name contains either of their two family names. For more information, see Spanish and Hispanic American naming customs, Filipino names, and Portuguese names.
Note, however, that other cultures have their own naming customs and systems (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hungarian, and others), some rather intricate, and minor changes or alterations, including reversing Eastern-style formats, do not in and of themselves qualify as stage names, and should not normally be included. For example, Bj�rk, whose stage name appears to be an original creation, is part of her full Icelandic name, Bj�rk Gu�mundsd�ttir. Her second name is a patronymic instead of a family name, following Icelandic naming conventions. "Bj�rk" is not a stage name but how any Icelander would refer to her, casually or formally.
People known by generational nicknames: for example, Trey Anastasio, whose full name is Ernest Joseph Anastasio III.
People who may be popularly, though not professionally, known by a nickname, such as Robert John "Mutt" Lange.
Those who changed their surname due to adoption or legal name change prior to entering the entertainment industry:
Living: Dame Julie Andrews,[2] Jimmy Barnes,[3] Christie Brinkley,[4] Neneh Cherry,[5] George Englund,[6] Robb Flynn,[7] Missy and Tracey Gold,[8] Julie Goodyear,[9] Dave Gahan,[10] Barra Grant,[11] Jane Lapotaire,[12] Blake and Eric Lively,[13] Elle Macpherson,[14] Jesse L. Martin,[15] Steve March-Torm�,[16] Martine McCutcheon,[17] Rita Moreno,[18] Piers Morgan,[19] Simon Pegg,[20][21][22][23] Nicole Richie,[24] Juliet Rylance,[25] Ken Shamrock,[26] Kristoffer Tabori,[27] Leigh Taylor-Young,[28] Dame Kiri Te Kanawa,[29] Louis Tomlinson,[30] Steven Van Zandt,[31] Suzanne Vega,[32] and Vanna White.[33]
Dead: Bibi Besch,[34] William Collier Jr.,[35][36] Nancy Davis,[37] Katherine DeMille,[38] Joan Fontaine,[39] Sterling Hayden,[40] Eileen Heckart,[41] Charlton Heston,[42] Madeline Kahn,[43] Dorothy Lamour,[44] Arthur Taylor Lee,[45] Art Linkletter,[46] Lori March,[47] Terry Melcher,[48] Florence and Mary Nash,[49] Baby Marie Osborne,[50] Tracy Reed,[51] Doris Roberts,[52] Ginger Rogers,[53] Joe Santos,[54] Sylvia Sidney,[55] Willie "the Lion" Smith,[56][57] Alan Thicke,[58] and Grace Lee Whitney.[59]
People who adopted a matriname: See List of people who adopted matrilineal surnames
Those whose stage forename is a middle name, e.g. Paul McCartney and Marie Osmond: these are their real middle names, not stage names.
People referred or known publicly and/or professionally by an amended forename (substantial changes, indirect nicknames, etc.) � e.g. Dimi Mint Abba, Julie Adams, Jeff Alexander, Red Allen, Christopher Allport, Ramsay Ames, Tori Amos, Judith Anderson, Keith Andes, Fatty Arbuckle, Gem Archer, Graham Armitage, Kokomo Arnold, Antonin Artaud, Barry Atwater, Coco Austin, Patricia Avery, Tex Avery, Faith Bacon, Buff Bagwell, Benny Bailey, Ginger Baker, Ox Baker, Johnny Ball, Ryan Bang, Tim Barlow, Binnie Barnes, Lynda Baron, Syd Barrett, Count Basie, James Bate, Terry Becker, Wilson Benge, Chico Benymon, Barney Bigard, Bam Bam Bigelow, Acker Bilk, Kelly Bishop, Sharkey Bonano, Sean Bonniwell, Lucienne Boyer, Leah Bracknell, Alice Brady, Beau Bridges, John Bromfield, Bruno Brookes, Bubba Brooks, Stephen Brooks, Tina Brooks, K Brosas, Chelsea Brown, Timothy Brown, Joshua Bryant, Slim Bryant, Buddy Buie, Sonny Burke, T-Bone Burnett, Jethro Burns, Geezer Butler, Pat Buttram, Don Byas, Max Bygraves, Zoe Caldwell, Haystacks Calhoun, Earl Cameron, Candy Candido, Tantoo Cardinal, David Carradine, John Carradine, Exene Cervenka, Chick Chandler, Lon Chaney Sr., Lon Chaney Jr., Doc Cheatham, Joan Chen, Warren Clarke, Buck Clayton, Cheyne Coates, Steve Cochran, Cozy Cole, Jaybird Coleman, Buddy Collette, Patricia Collinge, G. Pat Collins, Betty Compson, Betty Compton, Heinie Conklin, Chuck Connors, Gary Conway, Tim Conway, Carole Cook, Gary Cooper, Matthew Corbett, Jacqueline Courtney, Lol Creme, Donald Crisp, John Cromwell, Bing Crosby, Scatman Crothers, James D'Arcy, Linda Darnell, Bodjie Dasig, Cow Cow Davenport, Deddie Davies, Jim Davis, Lisa Davis, Angelika de la Cruz, Raf De La Torre, Crahan Denton, Ajay Devgan, Manna Dey, Paw Diaz, B. B. Dickerson, Mark Dinning, Kenny Dino, Claire Dodd, Peter Donat, Roni Duani, Patty Duke, Sly Dunbar, Junior Durkin, Sunil Dutt, Coke Escovedo, Lu Edmonds, Honeyboy Edwards, Skye Edwards, Anthony Eisley, Joff Ellen, Duke Ellington, Peg Entwistle, Dixie Evans, Madge Evans, Jason Evers, Dez Fafara, Mimsy Farmer, Aniko Farrell, Tovah Feldshuh, Beanie Feldstein, Pops Fernandez, Gabriele Ferzetti, Virginia Field, Fyvush Finkel, Herbie Flowers, Dick Foran, Faith Ford, Carl Forgione, Anthony Forwood, Douglas Fowley, Panama Francis, Alan Freed, Mickey Freeman, Paul Frees, Ace Frehley, France Gall, Red Garland, Snuff Garrett, Anthony George, Dana Ghia, Hoot Gibson, Terry Gilkyson, Dana Gillespie, Dizzy Gillespie, Mark Goddard, Harold Goldblatt, Beauty Gonzalez, Tweety Gonz�lez, Michael Gordon, Lloyd Gough, Charles Gray, Timothy Gray, Jos� Greci, Buddy Greco, Lorne Greene, Dabbs Greer, Carlotta Grisi, Gigi Gryce, Yvette Guilbert, Clu Gulager, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Mick Guzauski, Sara Haden, Chief Halftown, Pooch Hall, Ram Hall, Tubby Hall, Chico Hamilton, Kipp Hamilton, G Hannelius, Oliver Hardy, Damon Harris, Jet Harris, Sib Hashian, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, Allison Hayes, Topper Headon, Niykee Heaton, Tippi Hedren, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Levon Helm, Skitch Henderson, Benny Hill, Bill Hinnant, Junie Hoang, Boscoe Holder, Peanuts Holland, John Hollis, Tim Holt, Skip Homeier, Nellee Hooper, Bob Hope, Robert Horton, Jennifer Howard, Season Hubley, Peanuts Hucko, Gareth Hughes, Sean Hughes, Gareth Hunt, Carlo Imperato, Agot Isidro, Chubby Jackson, Inigo Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Hattie Jacques, Skip James, Jack Jenney, Lyfe Jennings, Leee John, Money Johnson, Susan Johnson, Deacon Jones, Griffith Jones, Rhubarb Jones, Rusty Jones, Spike Jones, Lonnie Jordan, Richard Jordan, Tiny Kahn, Nick Kamen, Frankie Kao, Casey Kasem, Buster Keaton, Maynard James Keenan, Garrison Keillor, Brian Keith, Judy Kelly, R. Kelly, Sam Kelly, Wael Kfoury, Rajesh Khanna, Twinkle Khanna, B.B. King, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Johnny Kitagawa, Evel Knievel, Fuzzy Knight, Andre Kostelanetz, Kane Kosugi, Harley Jane Kozak, Papa Jack Laine, James Last, Yank Lawson, Kuh Ledesma, Bunny "Striker" Lee, China Lee, Jacknife Lee, Spike Lee, Lucky Lehrer, Tutte Lemkow, Kasi Lemmons, Bobo Lewis, Philip Locke, Preston Lockwood, Robert Loggia, Pixie Lott, Katherine "Scottie" MacGregor, China Machado, Brandon Maggart, Raine Maida, Arthur Malet, Boots Mallory, Jose Manalo, Miles Mander, Camryn Manheim, Pigmeat Markham, Ziggy Marley, the Marx Brothers, Kedar Massenburg, Dakin Matthews, Christopher Mayer, Richard McCabe, Smilin' Ed McConnell, Dylan McDermott, Country Joe McDonald, Pake McEntire, Allan McKeown, Leo McKern, Stephen McNally, Matthew McNulty, Butterfly McQueen, Carlos Mencia, Mich�le Mercier, Bubber Miley, Jason Miller, Jody Miller, Moi-Yo Miller, Gyp Mills, Vincente Minnelli, Julie Mitchum, Gunner Moir, Robert Montgomery, Clayton Moore, Pee Wee Moore, Tim Moore, Buddy Moreno, Chino Moreno, John Moreno, Jaye P. Morgan, Barry Morse, Bubbi Morthens, Zero Mostel, Aga Muhlach, Jimmy Murakami, Grim Natwick, Taylor Negron, Mickey Newbury, Alec Newman, Juice Newton, Nichelle Nichols, Jack Nitzsche, Lobo Nocho, No�l-No�l, Keena Nomkeena, Kim Novak, Chubby Oates, Margaret O'Brien, Spec O'Donnell, Dead Ohlin, Michael O'Keefe, Chauncey Olcott, Sy Oliver, Ole Olsen, Moira Orfei, Kid Ory, Ozzy Osbourne, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Hot Lips Page (aka Lips Page), Alexander Pantages, Sunshine Parker, Michael Parks, Michael Pate, Banjo Paterson, Hank Patterson, Jesse Pearson, Tyler Perry, Si�n Phillips, Robert Pine, Steve Plytas, Fernando Poe Jr., Lily Pons, Olaf Pooley, Henny Porten, George Pravda, Toni Price, Curly Putman, Buck Ram, Dack Rambo, Sue Randall, Elliott Reid, Django Reinhardt, Debbie Reynolds, Jody Reynolds, Peter Mark Richman, Ron Rifkin, Snaffu Rigor, Tex Ritter, Emmanuelle Riva, Renee Roberts, Robbie Robertson, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Kasey Rogers, Fay Roope, Hayden Rorke, Draco Rosa, Pee Wee Russell, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Gian Sammarco, Isabel Sanford, Samantha Sang, Aggro Santos, Tom Santschi, Leo Sayer, Boz Scaggs, Lalo Schifrin, Rolfe Sedan, Noot Seear, Peter Sellers, Rimi Sen, Doc Severinsen, Sarah Shahi, Ann Sheridan, Dinah Shore, Jackie Shroff, M. Night Shyamalan, Richard Simmons, Zoot Sims, Campbell Singer, Zutty Singleton, Elliott Smith, Piano Smith, Stuff Smith, Cobie Smulders, Henriette Sontag, Oyo Boy Sotto, Muggsy Spanier, Dorothy Squires, Robert Stack, Johnny Stark, Mark Stevens, B. W. Stevenson, Redd Stewart, Sigismund Stojowski, Sydney Sturgess, Jazz Summers, Slim Summerville, Mack Swain, Birdy Sweeney, Olga Syahputra, Junpei Takiguchi, Baby Tate, Shaw Taylor, Jack Teagarden, Larri Thomas, Lydia Thompson, Big Mama Thornton, Richard Thorpe, Tedi Thurman, John Tillinger, Rip Torn, Rawy Torres, Norman Treigle, Pastor Troy, Butch Trucks, Barbara Turner, Lana Turner, Midge Ure, Iko Uwais, Mad Dog Vachon, Victor Varconi, Yoyoy Villame, Laurent Voulzy, Luigi Waites, Christopher Walken, Clint Walker, T-Bone Walker, Ray Walston, Dylan Walsh, Lalla Ward, Butch Warren, Gedde Watanabe, Fee Waybill, Doodles Weaver, Pat Weaver, Sigourney Weaver, Chick Webb, Tuesday Weld, Paul Weller, Alice White, Eg White, Slappy White, Billy Wilder, Dooley Wilson, Richard Wilson, Trey Wingo, Chubby Wise, Mac Wiseman, Finn Wittrock, Woolly Wolstenholme, Bomb Woodard, Woody Woodbury, Hank Worden, Vivian Wu, Joe Yamanaka, Bimby Aquino Yap, Bud Yorkin, Ace Young, Alan Young, Jeremy Young, Loretta Young, Peggy Zina and Voula Zouboulaki.
People with more than one family name, provided at least one is represented in the professional name: for example, Felix Aylmer, Angela Baddeley, Hermione Baddeley, Jeremy Beadle, India de Beaufort, Michael Beck, Jacqueline Bisset, Hugh Bonneville, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Joseph Calleia, Jeanne de Casalis, Jonathan Cecil, Colin Clive, Fay Compton, Viola Compton, Jimmy Crawford (British singer), Alexx Ekubo, Peter Finch, Bruce Forsyth, Christopher Guest, Alec Guinness, Binnie Hale, Sonnie Hale, Paul Henreid, Trevor Howard, Jimmy Jewel, Stratford Johns, Cavan Kendall, Kay Kendall, Deborah Kerr, Boris Kodjoe, David Langton, Emily Lloyd, Margaret Lockwood, Michael Sharvell-Martin, Henry McGee, Bob Merrill, Jewel Mische, Anna Mj�ll, Priscilla Morgan, Alan Napier, Sue Nicholls, Eugene Ormandy, Frankie Poullain, Dennis Price, Anna Russell, Mark Rylance, Roland Shaw, Tony Sheridan, Richard Todd, Andr� de Toth, Edward Tudor-Pole, Bill Travers, Linden Travers, Bailey Tzuke, Betsy von Furstenberg, Martin Wallstr�m, H. B. Warner, Boris Williams, Katherine Woodville, and Robert Wyatt.
People who change their names for religious reasons (see List of converts to Islam)
People who change their name(s) due to change in sexual gender, identity, or due to dysphoria or other recognized gender-related issue, or for drag performers, such as Courtney Act, Alexis Arquette, April Ashley, Evita Bezuidenhout, Chaz Bono, Pandora Boxx, Lady Bunny, Peaches Christ, Roberta Close, Caroline Cossey, Jayne County, Jackie Curtis, Candy Darling, Sahara Davenport, Tomata du Plenty, Lili Elbe, Dame Edna Everage, Tannie Evita, Gila Goldstein, Laura Jane Grace, Lauren Harries, Alina Mar�a Hern�ndez, Mimi Imfurst, Dana International, Jazzmun, Caitlyn Jenner, Holly Johnson, Danny LaRue, La Veneno, Miss Shangay Lily, Manila Luzon, Brini Maxwell, Morgan McMichaels, Jinkx Monsoon, Silvetty Montilla, Our Lady J, Rosa von Praunheim, Raven, Lily Savage, Verka Serduchka, Shangela, The Lady Chablis, Billy Tipton, Nong Toom, Florencia Trinidad (also known as Florencia de la V or Flor de la V), Del Lagrace Volcano, Larry Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, Jessica Wild, and Holly Woodlawn.
People who adopt a pseudo-nobiliary particle, prefix, suffix, hyphenation or other diacritic/symbol, including Willie Cauley-Stein, Robert James-Collier, John D'Aquino, Paquito D'Rivera, Anton du Beke, John Du Cann, Tom Goodman-Hill, Wilfrid Hyde-White, John Martin-Harvey, Crash McLarson, Sean O'Haire, Dawn O'Porter, Terry O'Quinn, Annette O'Toole, Denise van Outen, Ruth St. Denis, Rik Van Nutter, Mario Van Peebles, Melvin Van Peebles, Josef von Sternberg, Erich von Stroheim, and Lars von Trier, as well as, according to some sources, Max von Sydow.
In some cases this is reversed; i.e. a surname is simplified by the removal of a genuine particle (or particles), hyphenation or other diacritic/symbol, such as in the cases of Dirk Bogarde, Tabby Callaghan, Lyn Christie, Scott Forbes, Gregory Gaye, Martyn Green, Jean Hagen, Jock Mahoney, Frank Tashlin, and Peter Ustinov.
People who changed the spelling of a surname to either ensure proper pronunciation, resulting in a name which is basically the same phonetically as the original surname, or, in some cases, possibly required due to name conflicts in re Actors Equity or other acting unions: Hardie Albright, Lauren Ambrose, Don Ameche, Eddi Arent, Jay J. Armes, James Arness, Ren�e Asherson, Claudine Auger, Bessie Barriscale, Alain Bashung, Lina Basquette, Pierre Batcheff, Dave Batista, Warren Beatty, Lou Bega, Michael Bentine, Polly Bergen, Barbara Berjer, Sarah Bernhardt, Mel Blanc, Claire Bloom, James Blunt, Larry Blyden, Beulah Bondi, Jon Bon Jovi, John Brandon, Eileen Brennan, Teresa Brewer, Pierre Brice, Coral Browne, Aristide Bruant, Yul Brynner, Dorsey Burnette, Mike Burstyn, Pat Buttram, Kuda Bux, John Byner, Sammy Cahn, Emma Calv�, Bill Chase, Tsilla Chelton, Tom Clay, Lee J. Cobb, Betty Cody, Cozy Cole, Toni Collette, Russ Columbo, Sam Cooke, Cass Daley, Henry Daniell, Smoky Dawson, Desmond Dekker, Tulio Demicheli, Jason Derulo, Tamara De Treaux, Pete Duel, Mary Duncan, Irene Dunne, Robbie Dupree, Jeanne Eagels, Richard Eastham, Bob Eberly, Billy Eckstine, George Edwardes, Britt Ekland, Richard Erdman, Kim E-Z, Nanette Fabray, Edwige Fenech, Sherilyn Fenn, Aaron Fink, David Flair, Reid Flair, Ric Flair, Nina Foch, June Foray, Victor Francen, Jane Frazee, Stan Freberg, Serge Gainsbourg, Mo Gallini, Marvin Gaye, Janet Gaynor, Nicolai Gedda, Jason Gedrick, Will Geer, Robert Gerringer, Rodleen Getsic, Don Grady, Al Green, Margaret Gwenver, Daryl Hall, Phil Hartman, Wings Hauser, Charles Hawtrey, Richard Haydn, Helen Haye, Jerome Hines, Frankie Howerd, Walter Huston, Jack Hylton, Rhys Ifans, Emil Jannings, Tor Johnson, Al Jolson, Milla Jovovich, Vic Juris, Bertha Kalich, Sharon Kane, Larry Kert, Richard Kline, Patric Knowles, Alexis Korner, Nancy Kovack, Kidd Kraddick, Jane Krakowski, Belinda Lang, Laura La Plante, Violet La Plante, Eva La Rue, Jon Laurimore, Dee C. Lee, Fredric Lehne, Jon Lormer, Eddy Louiss, Celia Lovsky, William Lucas, Laurette Luez, Paul Lukas, Harriet MacGibbon, Dolores Mantez, Johnny Marr, Derek Martinus, L�onide Massine, Tim Matheson, Walter Matthau, Sharon Maughan, Holt McCallany, Geraldine McEwan, Siobh�n McKenna, Ross McManus, Louis B. Mayer, Sue Mengers, Tim Mensy, Mezz Mezzrow, Pras Michel, Marjie Millar, Borrah Minevitch, Cameron Mitchell, Tony Monopoly, Greg Mullavey, Shoista Mullojonova, Patrice Munsel, A�ch� Nana, Oscar Natzka, Peter Nero, Julie Newmar, Keena Nomkeena, Ric Ocasek, Lani O'Grady, Warner Oland, April Olrich, Ed O'Ross, Seena Owen, Patricia Paay, Ron Palillo, Joy Page, Albert Paulsen, Doris Pawn, Joe Penner, Iv�n Petrovich, Suzie Plakson, Gene Pollar, Nyree Dawn Porter, Olga Preobrajenska, Jonathan Pryce, John Qualen, Mae Questel, Lynne Randell, Aldo Ray, Ray Rayner, Ginette Reno, Rita Reys, Harry Richman, May Robson, Richard Romanus, Don Rondo, Alma Rubens, Frances Ruffelle, Sig Ruman, John Russell, Sahlene, Aaron Schroeder, Johnny Sea, Victor Seastrom, �lie Semoun, Mack Sennett, Marion Shilling, Horace Silver, George Skibine, Andrew Stevens, Kaye Stevens, Amy Stock, Lee Strasberg, Gloria Stuart, Wes Studi, Patrick Stump, Frank Tashlin, Leonard Teale, Milka Ternina, Maggie Teyte, Bernie Torm�, Lenore Ulric, Rudy Vallee, Pierre Vaneck, Edward Van Sloan, Victor Varconi, Jimmy Wakely, Alec Wallis (originally Alexander Crichton Wallace), Eddy Wally, Koko B. Ware, John Witherspoon, Butch Warren, Ted Weems, Snowy White, Slim Whitman, Mykelti Williamson, Anneke Wills, Walter Winchell, Herbert Wise, Donald Wolfit, V�ctor Yturbe, Joe Yule, and Blanche Yurka.
People who changed only a middle or second name, or who switched their first and middle names, such as Garry Gary Beers, Norman Bel Geddes, Halle Berry, Johnny Yong Bosch, John David Carson, David Clayton-Thomas, Michael J. Fox, Simon Gipps-Kent, Anthony Michael Hall, Barry Shabaka Henley, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Sean Leonard, Meade Lux Lewis, Anna Maxwell Martin, Wayne Pocket Rocket McCullough, Julia Pace Mitchell, Junior Murvin, Paul Ryan Rudd, Michael Sharvell-Martin and Phil Spector.
Other: Vondie Curtis-Hall,[60] Betty Huntley-Wright,[61] Vernee Watson-Johnson.
The following are listed here for the following reasons:

Tupac Shakur is listed here, but under the stage name 2Pac. He was born either Lesane Parish Crooks or Parish Lesane Crooks, depending on the source, but his name was changed in early childhood to Tupac Amaru Shakur.
Elton John is listed here because he used the name professionally before he legally adopted it in 1972.
Contents :
0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
0�9 and other stage names which do not begin with or include alphabetical letters[edit]
2Pac � Tupac Amaru Shakur (born as either Parish Lesane Crooks or Lesane Parish Crooks)
50 Cent � Curtis James Jackson III
6025 � Carlos Cadona
75 Cents � Ladislav Demeterffy
E-40 � Earl Stevens
John 5 � John William Lowrey
Jussi 69 � Heikki Tapio Vuori (or Jussi Heikki Tapio Vuori)
Pavel 183 � Pavel Pukhov
Royce da 5'9" � Ryan Daniel Montgomery
Tech N9ne � Aaron Dontez Yates
2 Chainz � Tauheed Epps
�-Ziq � Michael Paradinas
A[edit]
Aa�Ar

A*M*E � Aminata Kabba
A-Mei (akas: A-mei; a-MEI; a MEI; Chang Hui-mei) � Amit Kulilay
Angela Aames � Lois Marie Tlustos
Willie Aames � Albert William Upton
Caroline Aaron � Caroline Sidney Abady
Lee Aaron � Karen Lynn Greening
Russ Abbot � Russell Roberts
Abdullah the Butcher (a.k.a. "The Madman from The Sudan") � Lawrence Robert Shreve
Victoria Abril � Victoria M�rida Rojas
Abyss � Christopher Joseph Parks
Abz Love (akas: Abs Breen; Abz) � Richard Abidin Breen
Goodman Ace � Goodman Aiskowitz
Johnny Ace (singer) � John Marshall Alexander, Jr.
Johnny Ace (wrestler) � John Hodger Laurinaitis
Mellow Man Ace � Ulpiano Sergio Reyes
Derek Acorah � Derek Johnson
Hazel Adair � Hazel Joyce Willett
Jean Adair � Violet McNaughton
Casey Adams � Max Showalter
Catlin Adams � Nira Barab
Derroll Adams � Derroll Lewis Thompson
Don Adams � Donald James Yarmy
Kathryn Adams � Kathryn Elizabeth Hohn
Nick Adams � Nicholas Aloysius Adamshock
Jane "Poni" Adams � Betty Jane Bierce
Adamski � Adam Tinley
Nancy Addison � Nancy Addison Altman
Gaye Adegbalola � Gaye Todd
Adele � Adele Laurie Blue Adkins
Adeva � Patricia Daniels
Ren�e Ador�e � Jeanne de la Fonte
Iris Adrian � Iris Adrian Hostetter
Max Adrian � Guy Thornton Bor
Jerry Adriani � Jair Alves de Sousa
Ad-Rock (a.k.a. King Ad-Rock) � Adam Keefe Horovitz
Afra � Akira Fujioka
Afrob � Robert Zemichiel
Afroman � Joseph Foreman
Agallah (also known as 8-Off & 8-Off Agallah) � Angel Aguilar
Tetchie Agbayani � Visitacion Parado
Agent M � Emily Whitehurst
eden ahbez � George Alexander Aberle
Anja Aguilar - Angelie G. Urquico
Akshay Kumar � Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia
AiM � Ai Maeda
Anouk Aim�e � Fran�oise Sorya Dreyfus
Jak Airport � Jack Stafford
Alexandre Aja � Alexandre Jouan-Arcady
Ajdar � Ajdar Anik
Akala (rapper) � Kingslee James Daley
Skandor Akbar � Jimmy Saied Wehba
Akufen � Marc Leclair
Gina Alajar � Regina Alatiit
Frank Alamo � Jean-Fran�ois Grandin
Alan Alan � Alan Rabinowitz
Nadine Alari � Bernadette Nicole Fr�d�rique Bovarie
Dame Emma Albani � Marie-Louise-Emma-C�cile Lajeunesse
Eddie Albert � Edward Albert Heimberger
Edward Albert � Edward Laurence Heimberger
Morris Albert � Maur�cio Alberto Kaisermann
Charly Alberti � Carlos Alberto Ficicchia Gigliotti
Willeke Alberti � Willy Albertina Verbrugge
Bernard Albrecht � Bernard Sumner (Albrecht has used several aliases over the years, including Bernard Dicken)
Chris Alcaide � John Berger
Alan Alda � Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo
Frances Alda � Fanny Jane Davis
Robert Alda � Alphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo
Rutanya Alda � Rutanya Skrastina (or Rutanya Skrastins, varying sources)
Norman Alden � Norman Adelberg
Alesso � Alessandro Lindblad
Flex Alexander � Mark Alexander Knox
Sir George Alexander � George Alexander Gibb Samson
Jason Alexander � Jay Scott Greenspan
Jean Alexander � Jean Mavis Hodgkinson
Max Alexander � Michael Drelich
Peter Alexander � Peter Alexander Ferdinand Maximilian Neumayer
Ross Alexander � Alexander Ross Smith
Sarah Alexander � Sarah Smith
Alexia (Italian singer) � Alessia Aquilani
Alexis & Fido � Ra�l Alexis Ort�z & Joel Mart�nez
Johnny Alf � Alfredo Jos da Silva
Alfalfa � Carl Dean Switzer
Cas Alfonso (a.k.a. Cassanova Alfonso) � Alfoncius Dapot Parulian Nainggolan
Rashied Ali � Robert Patterson
Alice (a.k.a. Alice Visconti) � Carla Bissi
Mary Alice � Mary Alice Smith
Warda Al-Jazairia � Warda Fatouki
Jed Allan � Jed Allan Brown
Byron Allen � Byron Allen Folks
Chad Allen � Chad Allen Lazzari
Corey Allen � Alan Cohen
Dave Allen � David Tynan O'Mahoney
Dayton Allen � Dayton Allen Bolke
Elizabeth Allen � Elizabeth Ellen Gillease
Fred Allen � John Florence Sullivan
Hoodie Allen � Steven Adam Markowitz
Judith Allen (a.k.a. Mari Colman) � Marie Elliott
Marty Allen � Morton David Alpern
Rae Allen � Raffaella Julia Theresa Abruzzo
Robert Allen (a.k.a. Bob Allen) � Irvine E. Theodore Baehr
Sian Barbara Allen � Barbara Susan Pokrass
Tim Allen � Timothy Alan Dick
Woody Allen � Allan Stewart Konigsberg
Peggy Allenby � Eleanor Byrne Fox
June Allyson � Eleanor Geisman
Bobby Alto � Robert Altomare
Dora Altmann � Dora Alrich
Don Alvarado � Jos� Paige
Max Alvarado � Gavino Maximo Teodosio
Kirk Alyn � John Feggo, Jr.
Rambo Amadeus � Antonije Pu�ic
Lucine Amara � Lucine Armaganian
The Amazing Jonathon � John Edward Szeles
Dean Ambrose � Jonathan Good
Ed Ames � Edmund Dantes Urick
Leon Ames � Leon Wycoff
Nancy Ames � Nancy Hamilton Alfaro
Rachel Ames (a.k.a. Judith Ames) � Rachel Foulger
Trudi Ames � Trudi Ziskind
Amidou � Hamidou Benmessaoud
Kamal Amrohi (a.k.a. Kamal Amrohvi) � Syed Amir Haider Kamal Naqvi
Alice Amter � Alice Edwards
Ana-Alicia � Ana Alicia Ortiz
Ana Bel�n � Mar�a del Pilar Cuesta Acosta
Anasol � Ana Sol Escobar
Luana Anders � Luana Margo Anderson
Merry Anders � Mary Helen Anderson
Thomas Anders � Bernd Weidung
Lale Andersen (akas: Liselotte Wilke, Nicola Wilke) � Elisabeth Carlotta Helena Berta Bunnenberg
Arn Anderson � Martin Anthony Lunde
Broncho Billy Anderson � Max Aronson
Daphne Anderson � Daphne Scrutton
Gerry Anderson � Gerald Alexander Abrahams
Juliet Anderson � Judith Carr
Ole Anderson � Alan Robert Rogowski
Fern Andra � Vernal Edna Andrews
Annette Andre � Annette Christine Andreallo
Gwili Andre � Gurli Andresen
Lona Andre � Launa Anderson
Andr� 3000 � Andr� Benjamin
Andr� the Giant � Andr� Ren� Roussimoff
Stanley Andrews � Stanley Andrzejewski
Tony Andruzzi (akas: Tony Andruzzi, Masklyn ye Mage, Daemon Ecks) � Antonio C. Andruzzi (name legally changed to Thomas S. Palmer)
Bob Andy � Keith Anderson
Horace Andy � Horace Hinds
An�mone � Anne Bourguignon
Angel & Khriz � Angel Rivera Guzm�n and Christian Col�n
Criss Angel � Criss Sarantakos
Pier Angeli � Anna Maria Pierangeli
Steve Angello � Steven Angello Josefsson Fragogiannis
John Aniston � Giannis Anastasakis
Anjulie � Anjulie Persaud
Morris Ankrum � Morris Nussbaum
Julia Ann � Julia Ann Tavella
Anouk (singer) � Anouk Teeuwe
Adam Ant � Stuart Leslie Goddard
Chris Anthony (voice actress) � Christine D'Antonio
Gerald Anthony � Gerald Anthony Bucchiarelli
Joseph Anthony � Joseph Deuster
Little Anthony � Jerome Anthony Gourdine
Lysette Anthony � Lysette Chodzko
Marc Anthony � Marco Antonio Mu�iz
Michael Anthony � Michael Anthony Sobolewski
Ray Anthony � Raymond Antonioni
Steve Anthony � Steve Gomes
Laura Antonelli � Laura Antonaz
Anya Marina � Anya Marina Kroth
Apache (rapper) � Anthony Peaks
Apache Indian � Steven Kapur
Rafaela Aparicio � Rafaela D�az Valiente
Aphex Twin � Richard David James
apl.de.ap (The Black Eyed Peas) � Allan Pineda Lindo
Apollonia � Patricia Kotero
Navodaya Appachan � Maliampurackal Chacko Punnoose
Apparat (musician) � Sascha Ring
Fiona Apple � Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart
Stella Arbenina � Stella Zoe Whishaw
Ar�Az

John Archer � Ralph Bowman
Don Arden � Harry Levy
Eve Arden � Eunice Mary Quedens
Jann Arden � Jann Arden Anne Richards
Michael Arden � Michael Jerrod Moore
Neal Arden � Arthur Neal Aiston
Toni Arden � Antoinette Ardizzone
Imperio Argentina � Magdalena Nile del R�o
Victor Argo � Victor Jimenez
Zohar Argov � Zohar Orkabi
Pearl Argyle � Pearl Wellman
Nina Arianda � Nina Arianda Matijcio
Harold Arlen � Chaim Arlook or Hyman Arluck (varying sources)
Richard Arlen � Sylvanus Richard Mattimore
George Arliss � George Augustus Andrews
Armand (singer) � Herman George van Loenhout
Kay Armen � Armenuhi Manoogian
Sig Arno � Siegfried Aron
Danny Arnold � Arnold Rothmann
Edward Arnold � Gunther Edward Arnold Schneider
Jean Arthur � Gladys Georgianna Greene
Julia Arthur � Ida Lewis
Robert Arthur (actor) � Robert Arthaud
Linda Arvidson (a.k.a. Linda Griffith) � Linda Arvidson Johnson
Annaleigh Ashford � Annaleigh Amanda Swanson
Edward Ashley � Edward Montague Hussey Cooper
Elizabeth Ashley � Elizabeth Ann Cole
David Ashton � David Scott
Lys Assia � Rosa Mina Sch�rer
Adele Astaire � Adele Marie Austerlitz
Fred Astaire � Frederick Austerlitz
Betty Astell � Betty Julia Hymans
Skylar Astin � Skylar Astin Lipstein
Mary Astor � Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke
Astro � Terence Wilson
Rich Asuncion � Richell Pacaldo Angalot
Cholly Atkins � Charles Sylvan Atkinson
Christopher Atkins � Christopher Atkins Bomann
Jeanne Aubert � Marguerite Perrinot (also known as Jane Aubert, briefly)
Isabelle Aubret � Th�r�se Coquerelle
James Aubrey � James Aubrey Tregidgo
C�cile Aubry � Anne-Jos� Madeleine Henriette B�nard
Eleanor Audley � Eleanor Zellman
Pascale Audret � Pascale Aiguionne Louise Jacqueline Marie Auffray
Mischa Auer � Mikhail Semyonovich Unskovsky (or Ounskowsky)
Jean-Pierre Aumont � Jean-Pierre Philippe Salomons
Nora Aunor � Nora Cabaltera Villamayor
Aunt Jemima � Therese Gardella
Gene Austin � Lemeul Eugene Lucas
Jake T. Austin � Jake Austin Szymanski
Lovie Austin � Cora Calhoun
Pamela Austin � Pamela Joan Akert
Stone Cold Steve Austin � Steven James Anderson, later Steven James Williams (legally changed to Steve Austin)
Amy Austria � Esmeralda Dizon Tuazon
Frankie Avalon � Francis Thomas Avallone
Average Homeboy � Denny Hazen
Avery (singer) � Anna Marie Iannitelli
Val Avery � Sebouh Der Abrahamian
Avicii � Tim Bergling
Jane Avril � Jeanne Beaudon
Axwell � Axel Christofer Hedfors
Mike Awesome � Michael Lee Alfonso
John Ayldon � John Arnold
Ay? � Joy Olasunmibo Ogunmakin
Agnes Ayres � Agnes Eyre Henkel
AZ � Anthony Cruz
Trey Azagthoth � George Emmanuel, III
Iggy Azalea � Amethyst Amelia Kelly
Anthony Azizi � Kamal Rowshan
Charles Aznavour � Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian
Contents :
0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
B[edit]
Ba�Bi

Derek B � Derek Bolland
Eric B � Eric Barrier
Jazzie B � Beresford Romeo
Jon B. � Jonathan David Buck
Max B � Charly Wingate
Mel B � Melanie Janine Brown
B-Real � Louis Freese
L�da Baarov� � Ludmila Babkov�
Baauer � Harrison Bauer Rodrigues
Baaziz (more detailed article in French) � Abdelazziz Bakhti, Algerian-born Berber singer
Bob Babbitt � Robert Kreinar
Alice Babs � Hildur Alice Nilson
Babyface � Kenneth Brian Edmonds
Baby LeRoy � Ronald Le Roy Overacker
Baby Peggy � Peggy-Jean Montgomery (later known as Diana Serra Cary)
Michael Bacall � Michael Stephen Buccellato
Barbara Bach � Barbara Goldbach
Catherine Bach � Catherine Bachman
Sebastian Bach � Sebastian Philip Bierk
Bad News Allen (a.k.a. Bad News Brown) � Allen James Coage
Badly Drawn Boy � Damon Gough
Erykah Badu � Erica Wright
Barbara Bain � Millicent Fogel
Cheryl Baker � Rita Maria Crudgington
Fay Baker � Fay Schwager
George Baker � Johannes Bouwens
Josephine Baker � Freda Josephine McDonald
Kitana Baker � Christi Michell Josenhans
LaVern Baker � Delores Williams
George Balanchine � Georgy Melitonovich Balanchivadze
Josiane Balasko � Josiane Bala�kovic
Ina Balin � Ina Rosenberg
Marty Balin � Martyn Buchwald
Bobby Ball � Robert Harper
Kaye Ballard � Catherine Gloria Balotta
Carl Ballantine � Meyer Kessler
Finn B�lor � Fergal Devitt
Charli Baltimore � Tiffany Lane
Afrika Bambaataa � Kevin Donovan
Jamie Bamber � Jamie Griffith
Eric Bana � Eric Banadinovich
Anne Bancroft � Anna Maria Louisa Italiano
Honey Bane � Donna Tracy Boylan
Billy Bang � William Vincent Walker
Briana Banks � Briana Bany
Darrell Banks � Darrell Eubanks
Elizabeth Banks � Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell
Lloyd Banks � Christopher Charles Lloyd
Peter Banks � Peter William Brockbanks
Vilma B�nky � Vilma Koncsics
David Banner � Levell Crump
Jill Banner � Mary Molumby
Buju Banton � Mark Anthony Myrie
Theda Bara � Theodosia Burr Goodman
Barbara � Monique Andr�e Serf
Joan Barclay � Mary Elizabeth Greear
Mary Barclay � Mary Biddulph
Roy Barcroft � Howard Harold Ravenscroft
John Bardon � John Michael Jones
Lynn Bari � Margaret Schuyler Fisher
Griff Barnett � Manley Griffith
Candy Barr � Juanita Slusher
Julia Barr � Julia Rose Buchheit
Kathy Barr � Marilyn Sultana Aboulafia
Leonard Barr � Leonard Barra
John Barrard � Jacob Koppel Isaacson
Barrelhouse Chuck � Charles Goering
Lawrence Barrett � Lawrence Brannigan
Majel Barrett � Majel Leigh Hudec
Rona Barrett � Rona Burstein
Wade Barrett � Stuart Alexander Bennett
Amanda Barrie � Shirley Anne Broadbent
Barbara Barrie � Barbara Ann Berman
Chris Barrie � Christopher Jonathan Brown
Mona Barrie � Mona Barlee Smith
Wendy Barrie � Marguerite Wendy Jenkins
Alain Barri�re � Alain Bellec
Blue Barron � Harry Freidman
Chris Barron � Christopher Gross
Red Barry � Donald Barry de Acosta
Gene Barry � Eugene Klass
Jeff Barry � Joel Adelberg
Joan Barry (American actress) � Mary Louise Gribble
Joan Barry (British actress) � Ina Florence Marshman Bell
Joe Barry � Joe Barrios
John Barry � John Barry Prendergast
Len Barry � Leonard Borisoff
Merna and Claire Barry � Minnie and Clara Bagelman
Ethel Barrymore � Ethel Mae Blythe
John Barrymore � John Sidney Blythe
Lionel Barrymore � Lionel Herbert Blythe
Maurice Barrymore � Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blythe
Michael Barrymore � Michael Ciaran Parker
Lionel Bart � Lionel Begleiter
Eddie Barth � Edward Bartholetti
Freddie Bartholomew � Frederick Llewellyn March
Dewey Barto � Stewart Steven Swoyer
Eva Bartok � �va M�rta Szoke Ivanovics
Gregg Barton � Harold Wilson Barker
Billy Barty � William John Bertanzetti
S�phan Barzani � Franco Battiato
Baby Bash � Ronald Raymond Bryant
Sheik Abdul Bashir (akas: Daivari, Shawn Daivari) � Dara Daivari
Basia � Barbara Trzetrzelewska
Toni Basil � Antonia Basilotta
Basshunter � Jonas Erik Altberg
Florence Bates � Florence Rabe
Jane Bathori � Jeanne-Marie Berthier
Stiv Bators � Steven John Bator
Beryl Baxter � Beryl Ivory
Nora Bayes � Leonora Goldberg
Aisling Bea � Aisling O'Sullivan
John Beal � James Alexander Bliedung
Orson Bean � Dallas Frederick Burrows
Paul Bearer � William Alvin Moody
Guy B�art � Guy B�har
Allyce Beasley � Alice Tannenberg
Beau Jocque � Andrus Espre
Bebi Dol � Dragana �aric
Becky G � Rebbeca Marie Gomez
Bedders � Mark William Bedford
Bonnie Bedelia � Bonnie Bedelia Culkin
Barbara Bedford (actress) � Violet May Rose
Kenny Bee � Chung Chun-to
Molly Bee � Mollie Gene Beachboard
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake � Edward Harrison Leslie
Beenie Man � Anthony Moses Davis
Pati Behrs � Pati Behrs Eristoff
Jacqueline Beer (a.k.a. Jacqueline Baer) � Jacqueline Vangramberg
Harry Belafonte � Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr.
Belchior (singer) � Ant�nio Carlos Gomes Belchior
Belita � Maria Belita Gladys Olive Lyne Jepson-Turner
Benny Bell � Benjamin Samberg
Carey Bell � Carey Bell Harrington
Freddie Bell � Ferdinando Dominick Bello
Rex Bell � George Francis Beldam
Roz Bell � Kevin Rosaire Bellemare
William Bell � William Yarborough
Camilla Belle � Camilla Belle Routh
Madge Bellamy � Margaret Derden Philpott
Louie Bellson (a.k.a. Louis Bellson) � Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni
Tony Bellus � Anthony Bellusci
Pamela Bellwood � Pamela Anne King
Ricky Belmonte � Jesse Cruz
Amelia Bence � Mar�a Amelia Botwinik
Dirk Benedict � Dirk Niewoehner
Beni (singer) (a.k.a. Beni Arashiro) � Beni Daniels
Owen Benjamin � Owen Smith
Chloe Bennet � Chloe Wang
Bruce Bennett � Harold Herman Brix
Frank Bennett � David Wray
Tony Bennett � Anthony Dominick Benedetto
Bob Benny � Emilius Wagemans
Jack Benny � Benjamin Kubelsky
Jo Jo Benson � Joseph Hewell
Barbi Benton � Barbara Lynn Klein
Dave Benton � Efr�n Eugene Benita
Paul Ben-Victor � Paul Friedman
Benzino � Raymond Scott
Tom Berenger � Thomas Michael Moore
Jack Kid Berg (a.k.a. Jackie Kid Berg) � Judah Bergman
Edgar Bergen � Edgar John Berggren
Ouida Berg�re � Eunie Branch
Elisabeth Bergner � Elisabeth Ettel
Ballard Berkeley � Ballard Blascheck
Busby Berkeley � William Berkeley Enos
Arthur Berkut � Arthur Mikheev
Milton Berle � Milton Berlinger
Irving Berlin � Israel Isidore Baline
Mina Bern � Mina Bernholtz
Paul Bern � Paul Levy
Carlos Bernard � Carlos Bernard Papierski
Judd Bernard � Sherman Bernard Goldberg
Ben Bernie � Bernard Anzelevitz
Dru Berrymore � Nicole Hilbig
Eddie Bert � Edward Joseph Bertolatus
Edna Best � Edna Hove
James Best � Jewel Franklin Guy
Beth (singer) � Elisabeth Rodergas Cols
Laura Betti � Laura Trombetti
Billy Bevan � William Bevan Harris
Babs Beverley � Babette Chinery
Joy Beverley � Joycelyn Chinery
Teddie Beverley � Hazel Chinery
Turhan Bey � Turhan Gilbert Selahattin Sahultavy
Bez � Mark Berry
Jello Biafra � Eric Boucher
Viva Bianca � Viva Skubiszewski
Regina Bianchi � Regina D'Antigny
Bibie � B�atrice Adjorkor Anyankor
Big Bank Hank � Henry Lee Jackson
Big Black � Christopher Boykin
Big Boi � Antwan Andr� Patton
The Big Bopper � Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr.
Big Boss Man � Raymond Walter Traylor Jr.
Big Daddy � Shirley Crabtree Jr.
Big E (wrestler) � Ettore Ewen
Big Joe (reggae) � Joseph Spalding
Big John Studd � John William Minton
Big Daddy Kane � Antonio Mortimer Hardy
Big Kenny � William Kenneth Alphin
Big L � Lamont Coleman
Big Mello � Curtis Donnell Davis
Big Moe � Kenneth Moore
Big Pun � Christopher Lee Rios
Big Show � Paul Donald Wight II
Big Van Vader � Leon Allen White
Big Youth � Manley Augustus Buchanan
Bigg Jus (a.k.a. Bigg Justoleum, Lune TNS) � Justin Ingleton
Mr. Biggs � Ellis William (not to be confused with the Ronald Isley alter ego)
Billy & Lillie � Billy Ford & Lillie Bryant
Paul Birch � Paul Lowery Smith
Peter Birrel � Peter A. Berrill
Beeb Birtles � Gerard Bertelkamp
Chuck Biscuits � Charles Montgomery
Bi�Br

Joey Bishop � Joseph Abraham Gottlieb
Julie Bishop (a.k.a. Diane Duval) � Jacqueline Wells
Josie Bissett � Jolyn Christine Heutmaker
Bizarre � Rufus Johnson
Biz Markie � Marcel Theo Hall
Bizzy Bone � Bryon McCane
Aloe Blacc � Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III
Black (singer) � Colin Vearncombe
Black Buddafly � Aminata and Safietou Schmahl (sisters)
Black Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black) � Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson, IV
Black Herman � Benjamin Rucker
Black Rob � Robert Ross
Black Thought � Tariq Luqmaan Trotter
Cilla Black � Priscilla Maria Veronica White
Jet Black � Brian Duffy
Karen Black � Karen Blanche Ziegler
Michael Ian Black � Michael Schwartz
Tony Blackplait � T�nu Trubetsky
Harry Blackstone Sr. � Henry Bouton
Richard Blackwell (a.k.a. Mr. Blackwell) � Richard Sylvan Selzer
Richard Blade � Richard Sheppard (formerly known as Dick Sheppard)
Helena Blagne � Jelena Blagojevic
David Blaine � David Blaine White
Vivian Blaine � Vivian Stapleton
Betsy Blair � Elizabeth Winifred Boger
Janet Blair � Martha Jane Lafferty
Joyce Blair � Joyce Ogus
Lionel Blair � Henry Lionel Ogus
Patricia Blair (akas: Patricia Blake, Pat Blake) � Patsy Lou Blake
Amanda Blake � Beverly Louise Neill
Pamela Blake � Adele Pearce
Robert Blake � Michael James Vijencio Gubitosi
Whitney Blake � Nancy Ann Whitney
Nida Blanca � Dorothy Acueza Jones
Clara Blandick � Clara Dickey
Marcie Blane � Marcia Blank
Sally Blane � Elizabeth Jane Young
Blasphemer � Rune Eriksen
Brenda Blethyn � Brenda Anne Bottle
Luka Bloom � Kevin Barry Moore
Kurtis Blow � Curtis Walker
Blowfly � Clarence Henry Reid
Blue Barron � Harry Freidman
Blue Demon � Alejandro Mu�oz Moreno
Ashley Blue � Oriana Rene Small
Barry Blue � Barry Ian Green
Ben Blue � Benjamin Bernstein
Monte Blue � Gerard Montgomery Bluefeather
Vanessa Blue � Tanya Faulkner
Betty Blythe � Elizabeth Blythe Slaughter
Eddie Bo � Edwin Joseph Bocage
Bobbito � Robert Garc�a
Bobby (actress) � Eamin Haque
Bobby G (a.k.a. Bobby Gee) � Robert Alan Gubby
Bobina � Dmitry Almazov
DJ Bobo � Peter Ren� Baumann (or Peter Ren� Cipiriano Baumann)
Willie Bobo � William Correa
Joe Bocan � Johanne Beauchamp
Van Bod � Vladimir Bodegrajac
Marc Bolan � Mark Feld
Ray Bolger � Raymond Wallace Bulcao[62][63]
Florinda Bolkan � Florinda Soares Bulc�o
Tiffany Bolling � Tiffany Royce Kral
Sheila Bond � Sheila Phyllis Berman
Bones (rapper) � Elmo Kennedy O'Connor
Shirley Bonne � Shirley Mae Tanner
Frank Bonner � Frank Woodrow Boers Jr.
Marjorie Bonner (Ziegfeld Follies) � Marjorie Daw Collins
Bonnie Lou � Mary Joan Kath
Bernard Bonnin � Herman Bonnin
Bono � Paul David Hewson
Ethel Booba � Ethyl Gabison
Booker T (wrestler) � Robert Booker Tio Huffman
Taka Boom � Yvonne Stevens
Mark Boone Junior � Mark Heidrich
Edwina Booth � Josephine Constance Woodruff
Shirley Booth � Marjory Ford (later known as Thelma Ford and Thelma Booth Ford before adopting the name Shirley Booth)
Ekrem Bora � Ekrem Serif U�ak
Victor Borge � Borge Rosenbaum
Ernest Borgnine � Ermes Effron Borgnino
Lyrics Born � Tom Shimura
Sean Boru � Desmond Patrick Bruen
Eve Boswell � Eva Keleti
Barbara Bouchet � Barbara Gutscher
Bounty Killer � Rodney Price
Bow Wow � Shad Gregory Moss
Jim Bowen � Peter Williams
Julie Bowen � Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer
John Bowers � John Bowersox
David Bowie � David Robert Jones
Bowzer � Jon Bauman
Boxcar Willie � Lecil Travis Martin
Betty Boyd � Elizabeth Boyd Smith
Margot Boyd � Beryl Billings
Erica Boyer � Amanda Jensen
Jesse Bradford � Jesse Bradford Watrouse
Scott Brady � Gerard Kenneth Tierney
Eric Braeden � Hans J�rg Gudegast
Brainpower � Gertjan Mulder
Henry Brandon � Heinrich von Kleinbach
Michael Brandon � Michael Feldman
Marianne Brandt � Marie Bischof
Keefe Brasselle � John J. Brasselli
Da Brat � Shawntae Harris
Creed Bratton � William Charles Schneider, later William Charles Ertmoed [clarification needed]
Linda Brava � Linda Magdalena Lampenius
Danny Bravo � Daniel Zaldivar
Nino Bravo � Luis Manuel Ferri Llopis
Alan Braxe � Alain Qu�me
Brazo de Oro (wrestler) � Jes�s Alvarado Nieves
Breakbot � Thibaut Jean-Marrie Michel Berland
Marie Brema � Mary Agnes Fehrmann
Lepa Brena � Fahreta Jahic
Nicholas Brendon � Nicholas Brendon Schultz
Tom Breneman � Thomas Breneman Smith
Evelyn Brent � Mary Elizabeth Riggs
George Brent � George Brendan Nolan
Edmond Breon � Edmund MacLaverty (or Edmond MacLaverty)
Jeremy Brett � Peter Jeremy William Huggins
Lucienne Br�val � Bertha Agn�s Lisette Schilling
Brian Damage � Brian Keats
Fanny Brice � Fania Borach
Lew Brice � Louis Borach
Bricktop � Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith
Alison Brie � Alison Brie Schermerhorn
Bette Bright � Anne Martin
Pete Briquette � Patrick Cusack
BriTANicK � Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher
Elton Britt � James Elton Baker
May Britt � Maybritt Wilkens
Barbara Britton � Barbara Brantingham
Pamela Britton (a.k.a. Gloria Owen) � Armilda Jane Owen
Gladys Brockwell � Gladys Lindeman
Steve Brodie � John Stevenson (some sources indicate John Stevens)
James Brolin � Craig Kenneth Bruderlin
J. Edward Bromberg � Joseph Bromberger
June Bronhill � June Mary Gough
Charles Bronson � Charles Dennis Buchinsky (some sources cite Buchinskas)
Kelly Brook � Kelly Ann Parsons
Hillary Brooke � Beatrice Sofia Mathilda Peterson
Albert Brooks � Albert Lawrence Einstein
Donnie Brooks (akas: Johnny Jordan, John Faircloth, Dick Bush, Johnny Faire) � John Dee Abohosh
Elkie Brooks � Elaine Bookbinder
Geraldine Brooks � Geraldine Stroock
Hadda Brooks � Hattie L. Hapgood
Leslie Brooks (briefly known as Lorraine Gettman) � Virginia Gettman
Lonnie Brooks � Lee Baker Jr.
Martin E. Brooks � Martin Baum
Br�Bz

Mel Brooks � Melvin Kaminsky
Robbie Brookside � Robert Edward Brooks
Brother Theodore � Theodore Gottlieb
D'Lo Brown (a.k.a. D-Lo Brown) � Accie Julius Connor
Faith Brown � Eunice Irene Carroll
Foxy Brown � Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand
Georgia Brown (Brazilian singer) � Rossana Monti
Georgia Brown (English singer) � Lillian Claire Laizer Getel Klot
Michael Brown (rock musician) � Michael David Lookofsky
Peter Brown (actor) � Pierre Lind de Lappe
Roy "Chubby" Brown � Royston Vasey
Vanessa Brown � Smylla Brynd
Carol Bruce � Shirley Levy
Lenny Bruce � Leonard Alfred Schneider
Virginia Bruce � Helen Virginia Briggs
Patrick Bruel � Patrick Benguigui
Nicette Bruno � Nicette Xavier
Daniel Bryan � Bryan Danielson
Dora Bryan � Dora Mary Broadbent
Sabrina Bryan � Reba Sabrina Hinojos
Barbara Bryne � Barbara Isabel Birkinshaw
Buckethead � Brian Carroll
Buckwheat � William Thomas, Jr.
Buckwheat Zydeco � Stanley Dural, Jr.
Budgie (musician) � Peter Edward Clarke
Papa Bue � Arne Jensen
Bun B � Bernard Freeman
Clem Burke � Clement Anthony Bozewski
Burning Spear � Winston Rodney
George Burns � Nathan Birnbaum
Corey Burton � Corey Gregg Weinberg
Iris Burton � Iris Burstein
Richard Burton � Richard Walter Jenkins, Jr.
Dolly Buster � Katerina Nora Bochn�ckov�
Buster Bloodvessel � Douglas Trendle
Busty Heart � Susan Sykes
Brett Butler � Brett Anderson
Butterbeans and Susie � Jodie and Susie (n�e Hawthorne) Edwards
Red Buttons � Aaron Chwatt
Seymore Butts � Adam Glasser
Jean Byron � Imogene Burkhart
Jeffrey Byron � Timothy Paul Stafford
Kathleen Byron � Kathleen Elizabeth Fell
Marion Byron � Miriam Bilenkin
Contents :
0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
C[edit]
Ca�Ch

C-Murder � Corey Miller
Louis C.K. � Louis Szekely
Mel C � Melanie Jayne Chisholm
Pimp C � Chad Butler
Bruce Cabot � �tienne Pelissier Jacques de Bujac
Susan Cabot � Harriet Shapiro
Cabu � Jean Cabut
Michael Cacoyannis � Michalis (or Mihalis) Kakogiannis
Cactus Jack � Michael Francis Foley
Rita Cadillac � Nicole Yasterbelsky
Nicolas Cage � Nicholas Kim Coppola
Alan Caillou � Alan Samuel Lyle-Smythe
Howard Caine � Howard Cohen
Sir Michael Caine � Maurice Joseph Micklewhite
Louis Calhern � Carl Henry Vogt
Rory Calhoun � Francis Timothy McCown (later adopted his stepfather's surname, Durgin)
Randy California � Randy Craig Wolfe
Marian Call � Emily Pew
K Callan � Katherine Borman
Michael Callan � Martin Harris Calinieff
Charlie Callas � Charles Callias
Maria Callas � Sophia Cecelia Kalos (per birth certificate); Maria Anna Sofia Cecilia Kalogeropoulou (christened)
Catherine Calvert � Catherine Cassidy
Phyllis Calvert � Phyllis Hannah Bickle
Calypso Rose � McArtha Linda Sandy-Lewis
Cam'ron (formerly Killa Cam) � Cameron Ezike Giles
Basil Cameron � Basil George Cameron Hindenberg
Dove Cameron � Chloe Celeste Hosterman
Ray Cameron � Thomas Cameron McIntyre
Rod Cameron � Nathan Roderick Cox
Camilla (singer) (a.k.a. Camilla Marie) � Camilla Marie Beeput
Camoflauge � Jason Johnson
Chan Canasta � Chananel Mifelew
Dinah Cancer � Mary Ann Sims
Canibus � Germaine Williams
Dyan Cannon � Samile Diane Friesen
Freddy Cannon � Frederick Anthony Picariello, Jr.
Cantinflas � Fortino Mario Alfonso Moreno Reyes
Eddie Cantor � Edward Israel Iskowitz
Blu Cantrell � Tiffany Cobb
Jil Caplan � Valentine Guilen
Cappadonna � Darryl Hill
Ahna Capri � Anna Marie Nanasi
June Caprice � Helen Elizabeth Lawson
Captain Sensible � Ray Burns
Captain Beefheart � Don Glen Vliet (later known as Don Van Vliet)
Capucine � Germaine H�l�ne Ir�ne Lefebvre
Irene Cara � Irene Escalera
Ora Carew � Ora Whytock
Joyce Carey � Joyce Lawrence
Mary Carey � Mary Ellen Cook
Caribou � Daniel Victor Snaith (previously used the stage name Manitoba)
Frankie Carle � Francis Nunzio Carlone
Kitty Carlisle � Catherine Conn
Mary Carlisle � Gwendolyn Witter
Carlos (a.k.a. Jean-Christophe Doltovitch) � Yvan-Chrysostome Dolto
Bun E. Carlos � Brad Carlson
Don Carlos � Euvin Spencer
Timothy Carlton � Timothy Carlton Congdon Cumberbatch
Jewel Carmen � Florence Lavina Quick
Robert Carmine � Robert Coppola Schwartzman
Judy Carne � Joyce Audrey Botterill
Alan Carney � David Boughal
Cindy Carol � Annette Carol Sydes
Martine Carol � Marie-Louise Jeanne Nicolle Mourer
Sue Carol � Evelyn Lederer
Carola � Carola Christina Standertskj�ld
Bob Carolgees � Robert Johnson
Melinda Caroll � Linda Carol Smith
�douard Carpentier � �douard Ignacz Weiczorkiewicz
Allan Carr � Allan Solomon
Cathy Carr � Angelina Helen Catherine Cordovano
Charmian Carr � Charmian Anne Farnon
Darlene Carr � Darleen Farnon
Eric Carr � Paul Charles Caravello
Vikki Carr � Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona
Raffaella Carr� � Raffaella Roberta Pelloni
Asia Carrera � Jessica Andrea Steinhauser
Tia Carrere � Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo
Eva Carrington � Evelyn Victoria Anne Chandler
Regina Carrol � Regina Carol Gelfan
Diahann Carroll � Carol Diahann Johnson
Janet Carroll � Janet Carol Thiese
Jean Carroll � Celine Zeigman
Joan Carroll � Joan Felt
Nancy Carroll � Ann Veronica Lahiff
Elisabeth Carron � Elisabetta Caradonna
Carrot Top � Scott Thompson
Jasper Carrott � Robert Norman Davis
Jeannie Carson � Jean Shufflebottom
Jenny Lou Carson � Virginia Lucille Overstake
Alex Carter (Canadian actor) � Alex Apostolopoulos
Betty Carter (akas: Lorraine Carter, Betty Bebop) � Lillie Mae Jones
Nell Carter � Nell Ruth Hardy
Nina Carter � Penny Mallett
Cartola � Angenor de Oliveira
Heron Carvic � Geoffrey Rupert William Harris
Ivan Caryll � F�lix Marie Henri Tilkin
Gerald Casale (a.k.a. Jerry Casale) � Gerald Vincent Pizzute
Jean-Pierre Cassel � Jean-Pierre Crochon
Vincent Cassel � Vincent Crochon
Wally Cassell � Oswaldo Castellano
Hopalong Cassidy � William Lawrence Boyd
Cassie � Casandra Ventura
Patricia Castell � Ovidia Amanda Paramidani Pad�n
Peggie Castle � Peggy Blair
Vernon Castle � William Vernon Blyth
William Castle � William Schloss
C. C. Catch � Caroline Catherine M�ller
Georgina Cates � Clare Woodgate
Cat Power � Chan Marshall
Andy Cato � Andrew Derek Cocup
Caroline Catz � Caroline Caplan
Emma Caulfield � Emma Chukker
Maxwell Caulfield � Maxwell Newby
Elise Cavanna (akas: Elise Seeds, Elise Armitage, and Elise Welton) � Alyse Seeds
Andr� Cayatte � Marcel Truc
Cazuza � Agenor Miranda Ara�jo Neto
Ceca � Svetlana Velickovic
Cedric the Entertainer � Cedric Antonio Kyles
Huw Ceredig � Huw Ceredig Jones
Cerrone � Jean-Marc Cerrone
Antonio Cesaro � Claudio Castagnoli
C�u � Maria do C�u Whitaker Po�as
Marilyn Chambers � Marilyn Ann Briggs
Chamillionaire � Hakeem Seriki
Alain Chamfort � Alain Le Govic
Jackie Chan � Chan Kong-sang (Cheng Long was a Chinese screen name)
Rose Chan � Chan Wai Chang
Chance the Rapper � Chancelor Bennett
Gene Chandler � Eugene Dixon
Jeff Chandler � Ira Grossel
Lane Chandler � Robert Chandler Oakes
Keshia Chant� � Keshia Chant� Harper
Saul Chaplin � Saul Kaplan
Judith Chapman � Judith Shepard
Charle � Velmurugan Thangasamy Manohar Charle
Charlene (singer) � Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo
Annette Charles � Annette Cardona
Bobby Charles � Robert Charles Guidry
Ray Charles � Ray Charles Robinson
Ray Charles (musician, born 1918) � Charles Raymond Offenberg
Charli XCX � Charlotte Emma Aitchison
Nikki Charm � Shannon Louise Eaves
Charmion � Laverie Cooper
Charo � Mar�a del Rosario Pilar Mart�nez Molina Baeza
Bailey Chase � Bailey Chase Luetgert
Charley Chase � Charles Joseph Parrott
Cheryl Chase � Cheryl Hudock
Daniel St. George Chatto � Daniel Chatto St George Sproule
Tom Chatto � Thomas Chatto St John Sproule
Chayanne � Elmer Figueroa Arce
Cheb Hasni � Hasni Chekroun
Cheb Khaled � Khaled Hadj Brahim
Cheb Mami � Mohamed Khelifati
Chubby Checker � Ernest Evans
Richard Cheese � Mark Jonathan Davis
Olga Chekhova � Olga Knipper
Che'Nelle � Cheryline Ernestine Lim
Sammi Cheng � Cheng Sau-man
Chenoa � Maria Laura Corradini Falomir
Cherrelle � Cheryl Anne Norton
Cheryl (entertainer) � Cheryl Ann Tweedy
Arthur Chesney � Arthur Kellaway
Chespirito � Roberto G�mez Bola�os
Chetes � Luis Gerardo Garza Cisneros
Leslie Cheung � Cheung Fat-chung (later changed to Cheung Kwok-Wing)
Philip Chevron � Philip Ryan
Chich�y � Amparo Robles Custodio
Chico Science � Francisco de Assis Fran�a
Chief Keef � Keith Cozart
Chief John Big Tree � Isaac Johnny John
The Child of Lov (also known as Cole Williams) � Martijn William (also known as Cole Williams)
Childish Gambino � Donald McKinley Glover, Jr.
Chinx (formerly Chinx Drugz) � Lionel Pickens
Stephen Chow � Chiau Sing-chi
Desmond Child � John Charles Barrett
Ch�Co

Chilli � Rozonda Ocelean Thomas
Chingy � Howard Bailey Jr.
Chingo Bling � Pedro Herrera III
Choclair � Kareem Blake
Annabel Chong � Grace Quek
Riki Choshu � Mitsuo Yoshida
Marilyn Chris � Marilyn Miller
mc chris � Christopher Brendan Ward, IV
Chrisette Michele � Chrisette Michele Payne
Johnny Christ � Jonathan Lewis Seward
Christian (a.k.a. Christian Cage) � William Jason Reso
Linda Christian � Blanca Rosa Welter
Lou Christie � Lugee Sacco
Virginia Christine � Virginia Christine Kraft
Dennis Christopher � Dennis Carrelli
Ann Christy � Gladys Cronin
June Christy (a.k.a. Sharon Leslie) � Shirley Luster
Chrisye � Christian Rahadi (later known as Chrismansyah Rahadi)
Paul and Barry Chuckle � Paul Harman Elliott and Barry David Elliott
Babz Chula � Barbara Ellen Zuckerman
Gillian Chung � Chung Dik-saan (later changed to Chung Ka-lai)
Thomas Haden Church � Thomas Richard McMillen
Chyna � Joan Marie Laurer
Cicciolina � Ilona Staller
Jany Clair � Jany Guillaume
Ren� Clair � Ren�-Lucien Chomette
Clairette (French-Canadian entertainer) � Claire Fran�oise Oddera (sometimes mistakenly spelled as "Oderra")
Bernice Claire � Bernice Jahnigen (surname later mistranscribed as Janighen)
Ina Claire � Ina Fagan
Diane Clare � Diane Dirsztay
Mary Clare � Mary Clare Absalom
Buddy Clark � Samuel Goldberg
Dane Clark � Bernard Zanville
Susan Clark � Nora Golding
Bobbie Clarke � Robert William Woodman
Vince Clarke � Vincent John Martin
Robert Clary � Robert Max Widerman
Classified (rapper) � Luke Boyd
Andrew Dice Clay � Andrew Clay Silverstein
Judy Clay � Judith Grace Guions
Philippe Clay � Philippe Mathevet
David Clayton-Thomas � David Henry Thomsett
Julien Clerc � Paul-Alain Leclerc
Jimmy Cliff � James Chambers
Art Clokey � Arthur Farrington
June Clyde � Ina Parton
CNU (singer) � Shin Dong-woo
Phyllis Coates � Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell
Coco Marie (a.k.a. Coco-T) � Nicole Natalie Austin
CocoRosie � Bianca "Coco" Casady and Sierra "Rosie" Casady
Cocoa Tea � Calvin George Scott
Lew Cody � Louis Joseph C�t�
Alma Cogan � Alma Angela Cohen
Ian Cognito � Paul Barbieri
Claudette Colbert � �milie Chauchoin
Anita Colby � Anita Counihan
Chanel Cole � Chanel Cole Whalley
Clay Cole � Albert Rucker, Jr.
Nat King Cole � Nathaniel Adams Coles
Cy Coleman � Seymour Kaufman
Collette � Collette Roberts
Constance Collier � Laura Constance Hardie
John Collin � John Colin Smith
Careena Collins � Sandee Johnson
Jo Collins � Janet Canoy
John D. Collins � John Christopher Dixon
June Collyer � Dorothea Heermance
Johnny Colt � Charles Brandt
Jessi Colter � Mirriam Johnson
Ellar Coltrane � Ellar Coltrane Kinney Salmon
Robbie Coltrane � Anthony Robert McMillan
Franch� Coma � Frank Licata
Aaron Cometbus � Aaron Elliot
Common (formerly Common Sense) � Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.
Henry Compton � Charles Mackenzie
Scout Taylor-Compton � Desariee Starr Compton
Lige Conley � Elijah Crommie
Nadine Conner � Evelyn Nadine Henderson
Chris Connor � Mary Jean Loutsenhizer
Robert Conrad � Conrad Robert Falk
William Conrad � John William Cann, Jr.
Eddie Constantine � Edward Constantinowsky
Michael Constantine � Constantine Ioannides
Richard Conte � Nicholas Peter Conte
Albert Conti � Albert De Conti Cadassamare
Karla Conway � Karla Jo Musacchia
Russ Conway (actor) � Russell Clarence Zink
Tom Conway � Thomas Charles Sanders
Keith Coogan � Keith Eric Mitchell
Mason Cook � Mason Cook Elston
Coolio � Artis Leon Ivey, Jr.
Tr� Cool � Frank Edwin Wright, III
Cool Sticky � Uziah Thompson
Alice Cooper � Vincent Damon Furnier (legally changed his name to Alice Cooper after quitting the original band 'Alice Cooper' so he could use the name)
Pat Cooper � Pasquale Caputo
Joan Copeland � Joan Maxine Miller
David Copperfield � David Seth Kotkin
Copywrite � Peter James Nelson
Glenn Corbett � Glenn Edwin Rothenburg
Baron Corbin � Thomas Pestock
Alex Cord � Alexander Viespi
Mara Corday � Marilyn Joan Watts
Jeff Corey � Arthur Zwerling
Jill Corey � Norma Jean Speranza
Corneille � Corneille Nyungura
Don Cornell � Louis Valaro
Lydia Cornell � Lydia Korniloff
Isabela Corona � Refugio P�rez Fr�as
Brent Corrigan (a.k.a. Fox Ryder) � Sean Paul Lockhart
Tony Corsari � Andr� Mathilde �douard Parengh
Co�Cz

Corsica Joe � Fran�ois Miquet
Larry Coryell � Lorenz Albert Van DeLinder III
Frankie Cosmos � Greta Simone Kline
Bud Cort � Walter Edward Cox
Baby Cortez � David Cortez Clowney
Ricardo Cortez � Jacob Krantz
Howard Cosell � Howard William Cohen
Diosa Costello � Juana de Dios Castrello
Elvis Costello � Declan Patrick MacManus
Lou Costello � Louis Francis Cristillo
Antony Cotton � Antony Dunn
Josie Cotton � Kathleen Josey
John Cougar � John Mellencamp[64]
Desire� Cousteau � Deborah Clearbranch
Cowboy Troy � Troy Coleman
Jane Cowl � Grace Bailey
Peter Coyote � Rachmil Pinchus Ben Mosha Cohon
Carl Crack � Carl Bohm
James Craig � James Henry Meador
Michael Craig � Michael Francis Gregson
Thomas Craig (actor) � Craig Thompson
Norma Crane � Norma Anna Bella Zuckerman
Darby Crash � Jan Paul Beahm
Joan Crawford (a.k.a. Billie Cassin) � Lucille Fay LeSueur
Michael Crawford � Michael Patrick Smith (some sources incorrectly cite Michael Patrick Dumbbell Smith or Michael Patrick Dumbbell-Smith)
Crazy Toones � Lamar Dupr� Calhoun
Justin Credible � Peter Joseph Polaco
Consequences Creed � Austin Watson
Quentin Crisp � Denis Charles Pratt
Criss Angel � Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos
Peter Criss � George Peter John Criscoula
Linda Cristal � Marta Victoria Moya Burges
Cristina (singer) � Cristina Monet-Palaci
Richard Cromwell � LeRoy Melvin Radabaugh
B.J. Crosby � Joanne Crayton
Christopher Cross � Christopher Geppert
Big Boy Crudup (akas: Elmer Jones, Percy Lee Crudup) � Arthur William Crudup
Beckii Cruel � Rebecca Anne Flint
Tom Cruise � Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
Taio Cruz (a.k.a. Jacob Taio Cruz) � Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere
James Cruze � Jens Vera Cruz Bosen
Smiley Culture � David Victor Emmanuel
Irving Cummings � Irving Camisky
Susan Cummings � Suzanne Gerda Tafel
Grace Cunard � Harriet Mildred Jeffries
Michael Currie � Herman Christian Schwenk, Jr.
Betty Curse � Megan Burns
Alan Curtis (U.S. actor) � Harry Ueberroth
Clem Curtis � Curtis Clements
King Curtis � Curtis Ousley
Tony Curtis � Bernard Schwartz
Michael Curtiz � Kert�sz Kaminer Man� (later known as Mih�ly Kert�sz)
Cut Killer � Anouar Hajoui
Contents :
0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
D[edit]
Da�De

D. Train � James Williams
Chuck D � Carlton Ridenhour
Master D � Deeder Saidullah Zaman
Mike D � Michael Diamond
Da L.E.S � Leslie Jonathan Mampe, Jr.
D-Flame � Daniel Kretschmar
D.H. Peligro � Darren Henley
Willie D � Willie James Dennis
Daboy (a.k.a. Rudy Fernandez) � Rodolfo Valentino Padilla Fernandez
Morton DaCosta � Morton Tecosky
Daddy Yankee � Ram�n Luis Ayala Rodr�guez
Daffney � Shannon Claire Spruill
Dagmar (American television personality) � Virginia Ruth Egnor
Lil Dagover � Marie Antonia Siegelinde Martha Seubert
Jehanne d'Alcy � Charlotte Lucie Marie Ad�le Stephanie Adrienne Fa�s
Alan Dale (singer) � Aldo Sigismondi
Grover Dale � Grover Robert Aitken
Jim Dale � James Smith
Marcel Dalio � Israel Moshe Blauschild
Bobby Dall � Robert Harry Kuykendall
John Dall � John Dall Thompson
B�atrice Dalle � B�atrice Cabarrou
Brody Dalle � Bree Leslie Pucilowski
Toti Dal Monte � Antonietta Meneghel
Abby Dalton � Marlene Wasden
Mr. Dalvin � Dalvin DeGrate
Jacques D'Amboise (aka Jacques d'Amboise) � Joseph Jacques Ahearn
Adrienne D'Ambricourt � Adrienne DuNontier
Damia � Marie-Louise Damien
Damian (musician) (aka Damian Davey) � Damian Baker
Michael Damian � Michael Damian Weir
Luca Damiano � Franco Lo Cascio
Lili Damita � Liliane Marie Madeleine Carr�
Jerry Dammers � Gerald Dankin
Vic Damone � Vito Farinola
Dana (South Korean singer) � Hong Sung-mi
Bill Dana � William Szathmary
Viola Dana � Virginia Flugrath
Karl Dane � Rasmus Karl Therkelsen Gottlieb
Patricia Dane � Thelma Pearl Pippins
Dan-e-o � Daniel Faraldo
Dani (singer) � Dani�le Graule
Daniel (Montenegrin singer) (a.k.a. Danijel Popovic) � Milan Popovic
Dottie Danger � Belinda Jo Carlisle
D'Angelo � Michael Eugene Archer
Sharlee D'Angelo � Charles Petter Andreason
Rodney Dangerfield � Jacob Cohen
Danger Mouse � Brian Burton
Paul E. Dangerously � Paul Heyman
Elsa Daniel � Elsa Nilda G�mez Scapatti
Suzanne Danielle � Suzanne Morris
Lisa Daniely � Mary Elizabeth Bodington
Sybil Danning � Sybille Johanna Danninger
Linda Dano � Linda Rae Wildermuth
Cesare Danova � Cesare Deitinger
Nicholas Dante � Conrado Morales
Helmut Dantine � Helmut Guttman
Henry Danton � Henry David Boileau Down
Ray Danton (a.k.a. Raymond Danton) � Raymond Kaplan
Tony Danza � Antonio Salvatore Iadanza
Glenn Danzig � Glenn Allen Anzalone
Olu Dara � Charles Jones III
Terence Trent D'Arby � Terence Trent Howard
Kim Darby � Deborah Zerby
Mireille Darc � Mireille Aigroz
Denise Darcel � Denise Billecard
Alexander D'Arcy (akas: Alexandre D'Arcy, Alex D'Arcy, Alexandre Darcy and Alex d'Arcy) � Alexander Sarruf
Roy D'Arcy � Roy Giusti
Sheila Darcy � Rebecca Benedict Heffener
Phyllis Dare � Phyllis Constance Haddie Dones
Zena Dare � Florence Hariette Zena Dones
Anita Darian � Anita Margaret Esgandarian
Frank Darien � Frank Guderian
Bobby Darin � Walden Robert Cassotto
Darina � Darina Marquez Uribe
Angel Dark � Viktoria Knezova
Christopher Dark � Alfred Francis DeLeo
Danny Dark � Daniel Melville Croskery
Mona Darkfeather � Josephine Marie Workman
Jean Darling � Dorothy Jean LeVake
Grace Darmond � Grace Glionna
Mike Darow (a.k.a. Mike Darrow) � Darow Myhowich
Lisa Darr � Lisa Darr Grabemann
Dimebag Darrell � Darrell Lance Abbott
James Darren � James William Ercolani
Racquel Darrian (akas: Raquel Darian, Raquel Corben) � Kelly Jackson
Sonia Darrin � Sonia Paskowitz
Frankie Darro � Frank Johnson Jr.
Henry Darrow � Enrique Tomas Delgado Jr.
Paul Darrow � Paul Valentine Birkby
Tony Darrow � Anthony Borgese
Diana Darvey � Diana Magdalene Roloff
Bella Darvi � Bayla Wegier
Jane Darwell � Patti Woodard
Daryl (magician) (a.k.a. Daryl Easton) � Daryl Martinez
Krishna Das (singer) � Jeffrey Kagel
Howard Da Silva � Howard Silverblatt
Deva Dassy � Marie-Anne Lambert
Keith David � Keith David Williams
Randy David � Randy David Goldstein
Thayer David � David Thayer Hersey
Jaye Davidson � Alfred Amey
Jeremy Davidson (actor) � Jeremy Michael Greenberg
Marion Davies � Marion Cecelia Douras
Reine Davies � Irene Douras
Rosemary Davies � Rose Douras
Billie Davis � Carol Hedges
Gail Davis � Betty Jeanne Grayson
Skeeter Davis � Mary Frances Penick
Peter Davison � Peter Moffett
Bobby Davro � Robert Nankeville
Marjorie Daw (a.k.a. Margery Daw) � Margaret House
Marpessa Dawn � Gypsy Marpessa Dawn Menor
Richard Dawson � Colin Emm
Shane Dawson � Shane Yaw
Micheline Dax � Micheline Josette Ren�e Etevenon
Alice Day � Jacquiline Alice Newlin
Bobby Day � Robert James Byrd
Darren Day � Darren Graham
Dennis Day � Owen Patrick Eugene McNulty
Doris Day � Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff
Inaya Day � Inaya Davis
Laraine Day � LaRaine Johnson
Marceline Day � Marceline Newlin
Zella Day � Zella Day Kerr
Taylor Dayne � Leslie Wunderman
Sandro de Am�rica � Roberto Julio S�nchez
Isabel Dean � Isabel Hodgkinson
Loren Dean � Loren Dean Jovicic
Man Mountain Dean � Frank Simmons Leavitt
Quentin Dean � Quintin Corinne Margolin (some sources indicate Corinne Ida Margolin)
Shirley Deane � Shirley Deane Blattenberger
Mickey Deans � Michael DeVinko
Nigel De Brulier (a.k.a. Nigel de Brulier) � Francis George Packer
Arturo de C�rdova � Arturo Garc�a Rodr�guez
Deadmau5 � Joel Zimmerman
Inspectah Deck � Jason Hunter
Gerry Dee � Gerard Francis Donoghue
Kiki Dee � Pauline Matthews
Kool Moe Dee � Mohandas Dewese
Lenny Dee � Leonard DeStoppelaire
Sandra Dee � Alexandra Zuck
Simon Dee � Cyril Nicholas Henty-Dodd
Olive Deering � Olive Corn
Deesha � Baldesh Kaur Sarai
Carter DeHaven � Francis O'Callaghan
John Dehner � John Forkum
Del tha Funkee Homosapien � Teron Delvon Jones
Jan Delay � Jan Phillip Ei�feldt
Gerry de Leon � Gerardo Ilagan
Bernard Delfont � Boris (or Boruch) Winogradsky
Delicate Steve � Steve Marion
Claudia Dell � Claudia Dell Smith
Dorothy Dell � Dorothy Dell Goff
Gabriel Dell � Gabriel Marcel Dell Vecchio
Dani�le Delorme � Gabrielle Dani�le Marguerite Andr�e Girard
Samy Deluxe � Samuel Sorge
Lea De Mae � Andrea Absolonov�
Dr. Demento � Barry Hansen
Carla Del Poggio � Maria Luisa Attanasio
Lana Del Rey � Elizabeth Woolridge Grant
Alberto Del Rio (a.k.a. Dos Caras, Jr.) � Jos� Alberto Rodr�guez
Vanessa del Rio � Ana Maria Sanchez
Eadie Del Rubio � Edith Bolling Boyd
Elena Del Rubio � Elena Rolfe Boyd
Milly Del Rubio � Mildred Stuart Boyd
Mila del Sol � Clarita Villarba Rivera
Juli�n de Meriche � Vladimir Lipkies Chazan
Michael De Mesa � Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann
Ellen Demming � Betty Ellen Weber
Ilma de Murska (a.k.a. Ilma De Murska) � Ema Puk�ec
Chaka Demus � John Taylor
Susan Denberg � Dietlinde Zechner
Nikita Denise � Denisa Bal�ov�
Richard Denning � Louis Albert Heindrich Denninger, Jr.
Les Dennis � Leslie Dennis Heseltine
Willie Dennis � William DeBerardinis
Reginald Denny � Reginald Leigh Dugmore
John Denver � Henry John Deutschendorf Jr.
Rossy de Palma � Rosa Elena Garc�a Echave
Lynsey de Paul � Lynsey Monckton Rubin
Amir Derakh � Amir Davidson
John Derek � Derek Delevan Harris
Maya Deren � Eleanora Derenkowskaia
Rick Derringer � Richard Zehringer
Alessandra De Rossi � Alessandra Tiotangco Schiavone
Assunta De Rossi � Maria Assunta Tiotangco Schiavone
Portia de Rossi � Amanda Lee Rogers
Jackie DeShannon � Sharon Lee Myers
Kay Deslys � Kathleen Herbert
Johnny Desmond � Giovanni Alfredo DeSimone
William Desmond � William Mannion
Emmy Destinn � Em�lie Pavl�na Venceslava Kittlov�
De�Du

Detroit Gary Wiggins � Gary Allen Wiggins
Dev (singer) � Devin Star Tailes
Sarah Jezebel Deva � Sarah Jane Ferridge
Dame Ninette de Valois � Edris Stannus
Valentin de Vargas � Albert Charles Schubert
Anjali Devi � Anjani Kumar (birthname; later known as Anjani Kumari)
Willy DeVille (a.k.a. Willie DeVille) � William Paul Borsey Jr.
C.C. DeVille � Bruce Anthony Johannesson
Lizzy DeVine � Jimmy Johnson
Mat Devine � Nathaniel Hawkwinde III
Dorothy Devore � Alma Inez Williams
Howard Devoto � Howard Andrew Trafford
Jo de Winter � Juanita Daussat
Billy De Wolfe � William Andrew Jones
Anthony Dexter (a.k.a. Walter Craig) � Walter Reinhold Alfred Fleischmann
Brad Dexter � Boris Michel Soso
Jerry Dexter � Jerry Morris Chrisma
Agyness Deyn � Laura Michelle Hollins
Dhanush � Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja
Buck Dharma � Donald Roeser
Dharmendra � Dharam Singh Deol
Khigh Dheigh � Kenneth Dickerson
Amy Diamond � Amy Linn�a Deasismont
Paul Diamond � Thomas Boric
Coby Dick � Jacoby Shaddix
Bernard Dicken � Bernard Sumner (has used other names, including Bernard Albrecht)
Angie Dickinson � Angeline Brown
Gloria Dickson � Thais Alalia Dickerson
Roy Ward Dickson � Richard Louis del Valle
Bo Diddley � Otha Ellas Bates (later adopted and renamed Ellas B. McDaniel)
P. Diddy � Sean John Combs
Dido � Florian Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong
Vin Diesel � Mark Vincent
Anton Diffring � Alfred Pollack
Bobby Digital � Robert Dixon
Daz Dillinger � Delmar Arnaud
James J. Dillon � James Morrison
Dimitri (clown) (aka Jakob Dimitri) � Dimitri Jakob M�ller
Julio Dinero � Brian Wohl
Ronnie James Dio � Ronald James Padavona
Mike Dirnt � Michael Ryan Pritchard
Divine � Harris Glenn Milstead
Richard Dix � Ernst Carlton Brimmer
Floyd Dixon � Jay Riggins Jr.
Jean Dixon (actress) � Jean Jacques
DJ Drama � Tyree Cinque Simmons
DJ Kayslay (akas: The Drama King, Dezzy Dez, Slap Your Favorite DJ) � Keith Grayson
DJ Lance Rock � Lance Robertson
DJ Marky � Marco Antonio Silva
DJ Muggs � Lawrence Muggerud
DJ Mustard � Dijon Isaiah McFarlane
DJ Rashad � Rashad Harden
DJ Snake � William Sami Etienne Grigahcine
DMC � Darryl McDaniels
DMX � Earl Simmons
The D.O.C. � Tracy Curry
Doc Gyn�co � Bruno Beausir
Doctor Dr� (MTV/radio personality) � Andr� Brown
Dr. Dre (N.W.A rapper) � Andr� Romel Young
Dr. John � Malcolm John Rebennack
Dr. Tangalanga � Julio Victorio De Rissio
Drs. P (akas: Geo Staad, Coos Neetebeem, drandus P.) � Heinz Hermann Polzer
Lew Dockstader � George Alfred Clapp
Doda (singer) � Dorota Rabczewska
John Doe � (from the band X) � John Nommensen Duchac
Tymon Dogg � Stephen John Murray
Thomas Dolby � Thomas Morgan Robertson
Sir Anton Dolin � Sydney Francis Patrick Healey-Kay
Dora Doll � Dorothea Hermina Feinberg
Dollar Brand (now known as Abdullah Ibrahim) � Adolph Johannes Brand
Dolly Sisters � Roszika Deutsch and Janszieka Deutsch
Dolphy � Rodolfo Vera Quizon
Dompan � Sven Arne Domn�rus
Don Cholito � Giuseppe Michael Agrelot
Don Francisco � Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld
Don Omar � William Omar Landr�n
Troy Donahue � Merle Johnson Jr.
Richard Donner � Richard Donald Schwartzberg
Martin Donovan � Martin Paul Smith
Stacey Donovan (akas: Ashley Britton, Ashly Britton, Camilla, Staci Donovan, Stacy Donovan, Tracey Donovan, Traci Donovan, Tracy Donovan, Kelly Howe) � Kellie Howell
Trevor Donovan � Trevor Donovan Neubauer
Edsel Dope � Brian Charles Ebejer
Karin Dor � K�therose Derr
Daisy D'ora � Daisy Freiin von Freyberg zu Eisenberg
Lucy Doraine � Ilona Kov�cs
Irma Dorantes � Irma Aguirre Mart�nez
Johnny Dorelli � Giorgio Guidi
Jorge D�ria � Jorge Pires Ferreira
Philip Dorn (sometimes billed as Frits van Dongen) � Hein van der Niet
Marie Doro � Marie Katherine Steward
Diana Dors (akas: Diana D'ors, Diana D'Ors) � Diana Mary Fluck
Fifi D'Orsay � Marie-Rose Angelina Yvonne Lussier
David Dortort � David Katz
Dos Caras � Jos� Luis Rodr�guez Arellano
Anita Doth � Anita Dani�lle Dels
Doug E. Doug � Douglas Bourne
Jon Dough � Chester Anuszak
Don Douglas � Douglas Kinleyside
Donna Douglas � Doris Ione Smith
Gordon Douglas � Gordon Douglas Brickner
Hal Douglas � Harold Cohen
Illeana Douglas � Illeana Hesselberg
Kirk Douglas � Issur Danielovitch Demsky
Mike Douglas � Michael Delaney Dowd Jr.
Paul Douglas � Paul Douglas Fleischer
Robert Douglas � Robert Douglas Finlayson
Sharon Douglas � Rhoda-Nelle (or Rhodanelle) Rader
Steve Douglas (saxophonist) � Steven Douglas Kreisman
Billie Dove � Bertha Bohny
Doveman � Thomas Bartlett
Nancy Dover � Judith Barrett
Peggy Dow � Peggy Josephine Varnadow
Taime Downe � Gus Molvik
Billy Drago � William Eugene Burrows
Alfred Drake � Alfred Capurro
Charles Drake � Charles Ruppert
Dona Drake � Eunice Westmoreland
Frances Drake � Frances Dean
Tom Drake � Alfred Sinclair Alderdice
Mac Dre � Andre Louis Hicks
Tommy Dreamer � Thomas James Laughlin
Louise Dresser � Louise Josephine Kerlin
Marie Dressler � Leila Marie Koerber
Ellen Drew � Esther Loretta Ray
Robert Drivas � Robert Choromokos
Frank D'Rone � Frank Caldarone
Joanne Dru � Joan Letitia LaCock
Lima Duarte � Ariclenes Ven�ncio Martins
Marie Dubois � Claudine Lucie Pauline Huz�
Paulette Dubost � Paulette Marie Emma Deplanque
Buh Buh/Bubba Ray Dudley � Mark LoMonaco
Dave Dudley � David Darwin Pedruska
D-Von Dudley � Devon E. Hughes
Spike Dudley � Matthew Jonathan Hyson
Mickey Duff � Monek Prager
Julia Duffy � Julia Margaret Hinds
Du�Dz

Doris Duke (soul singer) (a.k.a. Doris Willingham) � Doris Curry
Vernon Duke � Vladimir Dukelsky
Chuck Dukowski � Gary McDaniel
Margaret Dumont � Daisy Juliette Baker
Steffi Duna � Stephanie Berindey
Kenne Duncan � Kenneth Duncan MacLachlan
Elaine Dundy � Elaine Rita Brimberg
Stephen Dunham � Stephen Dunham Bowers
Jermaine Dupri � Jermaine Dupri Mauldin
Don Durant � Donald Allison Durae
Roc�o D�rcal � Mar�a de los �ngeles de las Heras Ortiz
Guru Dutt � Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone
Sonjay Dutt � Retesh Bhalla (not to be confused with the Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who uses his real name)
Dorothy Dwan (a.k.a. Molly Mills) � Dorothy Ilgenfritz
Dwarakish � Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath
Bob Dylan � Robert Allen Zimmerman (legally changed to Robert Dylan)
Dynamite Kid � Thomas Billington
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
E[edit]
E � Mark Oliver Everett
Andrew E. � Andrew Espiritu
Sheila E. � Sheila Escovedo
Ronnie Earl � Ronald Horvath
Jack Earle � Jacob Rheuben Ehrlich
Earthquake (comedian) � Nathaniel Stroman
Earthquake (wrestler) � John Anthony Tenta
East Bay Ray � Raymond John Pepperell
Robert Easton (actor) � Robert Easton Burke
Eazy-E � Eric Lynn Wright
Ebi � Ebrahim Hamedi
Johnny Eck � John Eckhart, Jr.
Jenny Eclair � Jenny Clare Hargreaves
Barbara Eden � Barbara Jean Morehead (later known as Barbara Huffman)
Bobbi Eden � Priscilla Hendrikse
Edge � Adam Joseph Copeland
The Edge � David Howell Evans
John Edward � John Edward McGee Jr.
Blake Edwards � William Blake Crump
Bobby Edwards � Robert Moncrief
Jimmy Edwards � James Keith O'Neill
Snitz Edwards � Edward Neumann
Vince Edwards � Vincent Edward Zoino
Eek-A-Mouse � Ripton Joseph Hilton
Erica Ehm � Erica Miechowsky
Tripp Eisen (akas: Tripp Rex Eisen, Rex Eisen) � Tod Rex Salvador
Eita � Eita Nagayama
El-P (a.k.a. El-Producto) � Jaime Meline
El�n (musician) � El�n DeFan
Ann Elder � Anna Velders
Florence Eldridge � Florence McKechnie
Carmen Electra � Tara Leigh Patrick
Elektra � Donna Adamo
Eleni (a.k.a. Eleni Tzoka) � Eleni Milopoulou
El Flaco � Jaime Agudelo Vidal
Mart�n El�as � Mart�n El�as D�az Acosta
Gillian Elisa � Gillian Elizabeth Thomas
Christine Elise � Christine Elise McCarthy
Kimberly Elise � Kimberly Elise Trammel
Sarah Elizabeth � Sarah Elizabeth Bowers
Shannon Elizabeth � Shannon Elizabeth Fadal
Biff Elliot (also known briefly as boxer Biff Harris) � Leon Shalek
Cass Elliot � Ellen Naomi Cohen
Graham Elliot � Graham Elliot Bowles
Isac Elliot � Isac Elliot Lund�n
Ramblin' Jack Elliott � Elliot Charles Adnopoz
Ross Elliott � Elliott Blum
Wild Bill Elliott � Gordon Nance
David Ellis � Derrick Francis Kerkham
Mary Ellis � May Belle Elsas
Patricia Ellis � Patricia Leftwich
Shirley Ellis � Shirley Marie Elliston
James Ellison (actor) � James Ellison Smith
Ziggy Elman � Harry Aaron Finkelman
El Santo � Rodolfo Guzm�n Huerta
Isobel Elsom � Isobel Jeannette Reed
Julian Eltinge � William Julian Dalton
Maurice Elvey � William Seward Folkard
El Vez � Robert Lopez
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark � Cassandra Peterson
Eminem � Marshall Bruce Mathers III
Emma's Imagination � Emma Gillespie
Emmy (Albanian singer) � Elsina Hidersha
Emir (Turkish singer) � Emir Sevin�
Jack Emrek � Robert J. Hanusek
Enrika Dolls � Alina Plugaru
Enya � Eithne n� Bhraon�in
Eric the Midget � Eric Shaun Lynch
Leif Erickson � William Wycliffe Anderson
John Ericson (a.k.a. John Erickson) � John Meibes (other sources cite Josef Meibes or Joseph Meibes)
Leon Errol � Leonce Errol Sims
Eru (singer) � Jo Sung-hyun
Esham � Rashaam Smith
Jill Esmond � Jill Esmond Moore
David Essex � David Albert Cook
Howard Estabrook � Howard Bolles
Esteban � Stephen Paul
Estelle (musician) � Estelle Fanta Swaray
Charles Esten (a.k.a. Chip Esten) � Charles Esten Puskar III
Pauline Ester � Sabrina Ocon
Will Estes � William Estes Nipper
Esthero � Jenny-Bea Englishman
Armando Alejandro Estrada (akas: "Osama" and "Osama Rodriguez Alejandro") � Hazem Ali
Linda Estrella � Consuello Rigotti
Eugene (a.k.a. Eugene Kim) � Kim Yoo Jin
Euronymous � �ystein Aarseth
Little Eva � Eva Narcissus Boyd
Heart Evangelista � Love Marie Payawal Ongpauco
Dale Evans � Lucille Wood Smith (changed to Frances Octavia Smith shortly thereafter)
Joan Evans � Joan Eunson
Linda Evans � Linda Evanstad
Muriel Evans � Muriel Adele Evanson
Robert Evans (producer) � Robert Shapera
Sophie Evans � Zs�fia Szab�
Judith Evelyn � Evelyn Morris
Chad Everett � Raymon Lee Cramton
Kenny Everett � Maurice James Christopher Cole
Mark Everett � Manuel Benitez
Everlast � Erik Schrody
Steve Evets � Steven Murphy
Tom Ewell � Samuel Yewell Tompkins
Eyedea � Micheal David Larsen
Ezkimo � Mikko Mutenia
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
F[edit]
Fa�Fr

Fabian � Fabiano Anthony Forte
Lara Fabian � Lara Crokaert
Inez Fabbri � Agnes Schmidt
Fabolous � John David Jackson
Bent Fabric � Bent Fabricius-Bjerre
Douglas Fairbanks � Douglas Elton Thomas Ullman
Morgan Fairchild � Patsy Ann McClenny
Virginia Brown Faire � Virginia Labuna
Marion Fairfax � Marion Neiswanger
Fairuz (akas: Fairouz, Feyrouz or Fayrouz) � Nouhad Wadie' Haddad
Adam Faith � Terence Nelhams-Wright
Paloma Faith � Paloma Faith Blomfield
Falco � Johann H�lzel
Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk � Ian Fowles
Lee Falk � Leon Harrison Gross
Rossella Falk � Rosa Antonia Falzacappa
Georgie Fame � Clive Powell
Fancy � Manfred Alois Segieth
Cosey Fanni Tutti � Christine Newby
Semyon Farada � Semyon L'vovich Ferdman
Don Fardon � Donald Maughn
Kerissa Fare � Keri Furman Mendoza
James Farentino � James Ferrantino
Annie Farg� (a.k.a. Annie Fargue) � Henriette Goldfarb
Donna Fargo � Yvonne Vaughan
Jackie Fargo � Henry Faggart
Farina � Allen Clayton Hoskins
Jamie Farr � Jameel Joseph Farah
Gia Farrell � Jeannie Marie Bocchicchio
Henry Farrell � Charles Farrell Myers
Nicholas Farrell � Nicholas Frost
Perry Farrell � Perry Bernstein
Sharon Farrell � Sharon Forsmoe
Suzanne Farrell � Roberta Sue Ficker
Terry Farrell � Theresa Lee Farrell Grussendorf
Timothy Farrell � Timothy Sperl
Fat Joe � Joseph Cartagena
Hussein Fatal � Bruce Washington Jr.
Fatboy Slim � Quentin Cook, later Norman Cook
Fatman Scoop � Isaac Freeman III
William Faversham � William Jones
Dorothy Fay � Dorothy Fay Southworth
Frank Fay (American actor) � Francis Anthony Donner
Alice Faye � Alice Jeane Leppert
Frances Faye � Frances Cohen
Joey Faye � Joseph Antony Palladino
Frank Faylen � Frank Ruf
Fearless Nadia � Mary Ann Evans
Freddie Fender � Baldemar Garza Huerta
Fania F�nelon � Fanja Goldstein
Shane Fenton � Bernard William Jewry
Tony Fenton � Anthony James Fagan
Fergie � Stacy Ann Ferguson
Fernandel � Fernand Joseph D�sir� Contandin
Lolo Ferrari � Eve Valois
Jean Ferrat � Jean Tenenbaum
Audrey Ferris � Audrey Kellar
Stepin Fetchit � Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry
Fetty Wap � Willie Maxwell
Jacques Feyder � Jacques Fr�d�rix
Feyrouz (actress) � Perouz Artin Kalfayan
Lupe Fiasco � Wasalu Muhammad Jaco
Lew Fields � Moses Schoenfeld
Fenella Fielding � Fenella Feldman
Janet Fielding � Janet Claire Mahoney
Romaine Fielding � William Grant Blandin
Dame Gracie Fields � Grace Stansfield
Irving Fields � Yitzhak Schwartz
Totie Fields � Sophie Feldman
W. C. Fields � William Claude Dukenfield
Sasha Fierce � Beyonc� Knowles
Dani Filth � Daniel Lloyd Davey
A Fine Frenzy � Alison Loren Sudol
Larry Fine � Louis Feinberg
Johnny Fingers � Johnny Moylett
George Finn � Giorgi Agiashvili
Larry Finnegan � John Lawrence Finneran
Fiona (singer) � Fiona Eileen Flanagan
Melanie Fiona � Melanie Hall
Fish � Derek William Dick
Ricky Fitness � Richard Falomir
Barry Fitzgerald � William Joseph Shields
Scott Fitzgerald (singer) � William McPhail
Walter Fitzgerald � Walter Fitzgerald Bond
Five for Fighting � John Ondrasik
FKA twigs � Tahliah Debrett Barnett
Fannie Flagg � Patricia Neal
Golde Flami � Golda Flon
Joe Flanigan � Joseph Harold Dunnigan III
Grandmaster Flash � Joseph Saddler
Flavor Flav � William Drayton
Flea � Michael Peter Balzary
Art Fleming � Arthur Fleming Fazzin
Rhonda Fleming � Marilyn Louis
Fler � Patrick Losensky
Flesh-n-Bone � Stanley Howse
Flo & Eddie � Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan
Flo Rida � Tramar Dillard
Klaus Flouride � Geoffrey Lyall
Gilly Flower � Gertrude Adele Jacobs
Flume (musician) � Harley Edward Streten
Barbara Flynn � Barbara Jay MacMurray
Dukey Flyswatter � Michael David Sonye
Olga Fonda � Olga Tchakova
Wayne Fontana � Glyn Geoffrey Lewis
Bryan Forbes � John Theobald Clarke
Gail Force � Heidi Lynn Beeson
Colt Ford � Jason Farris Brown
Francis Ford (actor) � Francis Feeney
Frankie Ford � Francis Guzzo
John Ford � John Martin Feeney (later known for a time as Sean Aloysius O'Fearna)
Mary Ford � Colleen Summers
Paul Ford � Paul Ford Weaver
Wallace Ford � Samuel Jones Grundy
Willa Ford � Amanda Lee Williford
Frank Forest � Frank Hayek
George Formby � George Hoy Booth
George Formby Sr. � James Lawler Booth
Allan Forrest � Allan Forrest Fisher
Helen Forrest � Helen Fogel
Sally Forrest � Katherine Feeney
Steve Forrest � William Forrest Andrews
John Forsythe � Jacob Lincoln Freund
May Fortescue � Emily May Finney
John Fortune � John Wood
Dianne Foster � Olga Helen Laruska
Norman Foster � John Hoeffer
Phil Foster � Fivel Feldman
Pops Foster � George Murphy Foster
Pete Fountain � Pierre Dewey LaFontaine Jr.
James Fox � William Fox
Oz Fox � Richard Alfonso Mart�nez
Samantha Fox � Stasia Therese Angela Micula
Sidney Fox � Sidney Leiffer
Foxes (singer) � Louisa Rose Allen
Jamie Foxx � Eric Bishop
Redd Foxx � John Elroy Sanford
Shyla Foxxx � Anutza Herling
Sergio Franchi � Sergio Franci Galli
Arlene Francis � Arline Francis Kazanjian
Black Francis � Charles Michael Kitridge Thompson IV
Fr�Fz

Connie Francis � Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero
Kay Francis � Katharine Edwina Gibbs
Joe Franklin � Joseph Fortgang
Dennis Franz � Dennis Franz Schlachta
Eduard Franz � Eduard Franz Schmidt
Elizabeth Franz � Betty Jean Frankovich
Elisabeth Fraser � Elisabeth Fraser Jonker
Liz Fraser � Elizabeth Joan Winch
Phyllis Fraser (a.k.a. Phyllis Cerf Wagner) � Helen Brown Nichols
Jon Fratelli � John Paul Lawler
Pauline Frederick � Pauline Beatrice Libbey (later spelled "Libby")
Scott Fredericks � Frederick Wehrly
Fab Five Freddy � Fred Braithwaite
Arthur Freed � Arthur Grossman
Fr�hel � Marguerite Boulc'h
French Montana � Karim Kharbouch
Doug E. Fresh � Douglas E. Davis
Pierre Fresnay � Pierre Jules Louis Laudenbach
Bobby Friction � Paramdeep Singh Sehdev
Trixie Friganza � Delia O'Callaghan
Willy Fritsch � Wilhelm Anton Frohs
Sadie Frost � Sadie Liza Vaughan
Keiko Fuji � Junko Abe (later known as Junko Utada, her married name)
Makoto Fujita � Makoto Harada
Blind Boy Fuller � Fulton Allen
Robert Fuller (also known as Buddy Lee and, later, as Robert Simpson, Jr. before he adopted his acting name) � Leonard Leroy Lee
Fu Manchu � David Tobias Bamberg
Yvonne Furneaux (a.k.a. Tessa Scatcherd) � Elisabeth Yvonne Scatcherd
George Furth � George Schweinfurth
Contents :
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G[edit]
Andrew G � Andrew Jonas G�nsberg
Bobby G (also known as Bobby Gee) � Robert Alan Gubby
Daddy G � Grant Marshall
Dog G � Tseng Kuan-jung
Gina G � Gina Gardiner
Kenny G � Kenneth Bruce Gorelick
Shock G � Gregory Jacobs
Warren G � Warren Griffin
Gaahl � Kristian Eivind Espedal
Gab � Gene Gabriel Drilon
Jean Gabin � Jean-Alexis Moncorg�
Gunter Gabriel � G�nter Caspelherr
John Gabriel (actor) � Jack Monkarsh
Juan Gabriel (akas: Ad�n Luna, Juanga, El Divo de Ju�rez) � Alberto Aguilera Valadez
Gackt � Gackt Camui (aka Kamui Gakuto)
Josseline Ga�l � Jeannine Augustine Jeanne Blanleuil
Lady Gaga � Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
John Gale � Jun Gallardo
The Game � Jayceon Taylor
Vice Ganda � Jose Marie Borja Viceral
BB (BeBe) Gandanghari � Rustom Cari�o-Padilla
Robert Gant � Robert Gonzalez
Greta Garbo � Greta Lovisa Gustafsson
Jean Garcia � Rosario Maitim
John Garfield � Jacob Julius Garfinkle
Beverly Garland � Beverly Lucy Fessenden
Judy Garland � Frances Ethel Gumm
James Garner � James Scott Bumgarner
Brad Garrett � Bradley Gerstenfeld
Leif Garrett � Leif Per Narvik
Spencer Garrett � Spencer Garrett Heckenkamp
David Garrick (singer) � Philip Darryl Core (some sources list his birth name as Darrell Philip Corr�)
Martin Garrix � Martijn Garritsen
Willie Garson � William Garson Paszamant
John Gary � John Gary Strader
Linda Gary � Linda Dewoskin (or Linda Gary Dewoskin, varying sources)
Lorraine Gary � Lorraine Gottfried
Synyster Gates � Brian Elwin Haner, Jr.
Mark Gaumont � Mark Ryan
Gene Gauntier � Genevieve Liggett
Cassandra Gava � Cassandra Gaviola
John Gavin � John Anthony Golenor
William Gaxton � Arturo Antonio Gaxiola
Git Gay (a.k.a. Birgit Carp) � Birgit Agda Holmberg
Maria Gay � Mar�a de Lourdes Lucia Antonia Pichot Giron�s
Lisa Gaye � Leslie Gaye Griffin
Crystal Gayle � Brenda Gail Webb
Jackie Gayle � Jack Potovsky
Ronnie Gaylord � Ronald Fredianelli
George Gaynes � George Jongejans
Gloria Gaynor � Gloria Fowles
Mitzi Gaynor � Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber
Gidget Gein � Bradley Stewart
Gene Gene the Dancing Machine � Eugene Patton
Dame Adeline Gen�e � Anina Kirstina Margarete Petra Jensen
Genevieve (actress) � Ginette Marguerite Auger
Genevieve (musician) � Genevieve Schatz
The Big Geno � Randall Poffo
Sir Horace Gentleman � Horace Panter
Bobbie Gentry � Roberta Lee Streeter
Geordie � Kevin Walker
Boy George � George Alan O'Dowd
Cassietta George � Cassietta Baker
Gladys George � Gladys Clare Evans
Gorgeous George � George Raymond Wagner
John George (actor) � Tufei Filthela
Wally George � George Walter Pearch
Georgious � Georges Guibourg
Carl Gerard (a.k.a. Carl Gerrard) � Carl Gerhard Petersen
Danyel G�rard � G�rard Daniel Kherlakian
Gerardo (rapper) � Gerardo Mej�a
Zinovy Gerdt � Zalman Efraimovich Khrapinovich
Ashlyn Gere � Kimberly Ashlyn McKamy
Gene Gerrard � Eugene O'Sullivan
Lisa Gerritsen � Lisa Orszag
George Gershwin � Jacob Gershowitz
Ira Gershwin � Israel Gershowitz
Valeska Gert � Gertrud Valesca Samosch
Gert and Daisy � Elsie Waters and Doris Waters
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly � Samuel Lloyd Duckworth
Stan Getz � Stanley Gayetzky (or Gayetsky, varying sources)
Tamara Geva � Tamara Zheverzheieva (or Gevergeyeva)
Ghostface Killah � Dennis Coles
Georgia Gibbs � Frieda Lipschitz
Terry Gibbs � Julius Gubenko
Henry Gibson � James Bateman
Julie Gibson � Gladys Camille Soray
Virginia Gibson � Virginia Gorski
Billy Gilbert � William Gilbert Barron
Irene Gilbert � Irene Liebert[65]
John Gilbert � John Cecil Pringle
Sara Gilbert � Sara Rebecca Abeles
Rex Gildo (a.k.a. Alexander Gildo) � Ludwig Franz Hirtreiter
Jack Gilford � Jacob Aaron Gellman
Aidan Gillen � Aidan Murphy
Anita Gillette � Anita Luebben
Jean Gillie � Jean Mabel Coomber
Ann Gillis � Alma Mabel Conner
Jamie Gillis � Jamey Ira Gurman
Gail Gilmore (akas: Gale Gerber, Gail Gibson) � Gail Gerber
Virginia Gilmore � Sherman Virginia Poole
Ginuwine � Elgin Baylor Lumpkin
Amos Gitai � Amos Weinraub
Christine Glanville � Nancy Christine Fletcher
Peter Glenville � Peter Patrick Brabazon Browne
Gary Glitter � Paul Francis Gadd
Gloc-9 � Aristotle Pollisco
Marie Glory (a.k.a. Arlette Genny) � Raymonde Louise Marcelle Toully
Alma Gluck � Reba Feinsohn
J�n Gnarr � J�n Gunnar Kristinsson
Eyal Golan � Eyal Biton
Ernest Gold � Ernst Sigmund Goldner
Whoopi Goldberg � Caryn Elaine Johnson
Goldie � Clifford Joseph Price
Samuel Goldwyn � Schmuel (or Szmuel) Gelbfisz (later known briefly as Samuel Goldfish)
C. Henry Gordon � Henry Racke
Don Gordon � Donald Walter Guadagno
Ruth Gordon � Ruth Gordon Jones
Charles Gordone � Charles Edward Fleming
Lesley Gore � Lesley Sue Goldstein
Nick Gore (a.k.a. Kalma) � Niko Hurme
Mel Gorham � Marilyn Schnaer
Gorilla Monsoon � Robert James Marella
Eydie Gorm� � Edith Garmezano (per census records) or Edith Gormezano (most biographies)
Rita Gorr � Marguerite Geirnaert
Irv Gotti � Irving Lorenzo
Gotye � Wouter De Backer
Jetta Goudal � Juliette Henriette Goudeket
Paulo Goulart � Paulo Afonso Miessa
Elliott Gould � Elliot Goldstein
Harold Gould � Harold Goldstein
Chantal Goya � Chantal de Guerre
Armando Goyena � Jose Revilla
Maggie Grace � Margaret Grace Denig
Bill Graham � Wolodia Grajonca
Superstar Billy Graham� Eldridge Wayne Coleman
Eve Graham � Evelyn May Beatson
T. Max Graham � Neil Graham Moran
Gloria Grahame � Gloria Grahame Hallward
Margot Grahame � Margaret Clark
Lou Gramm � Louis Grammatico
Grand Puba � Maxwell Dixon
Stewart Granger � James Lablache Stewart
Cary Grant � Archibald Alexander Leach
Faye Grant � Faye Elizabeth Yoe
Gogi Grant � Myrtle Audrey Arinsberg
Kathryn Grant � Olive Kathryn Grandstaff
Kirby Grant � Kirby Grant Hoon Jr.
Lee Grant � Lyova Haskell Rosenthal
Rachel Grant � Rachel Louise Grant DeLongueuil
Richard E. Grant � Richard Grant Esterhuysen
Shauna Grant � Colleen Marie Applegate
Shelby Grant � Brenda Thompson
Steve Gravers � Solomon Gottlieb
Michale Graves � Michael Emanuel
Peter Graves � Peter Aurness
Ralph Graves � Ralph Horsburgh
Beatrice Gray � Bertrice Alice Kimbrough
Coleen Gray � Doris Bernice Jensen
Dobie Gray (akas: Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis, Larry Dennis) � Lawrence Darrow Brown
Dolores Gray � Dolores Stein
Dorian Gray (Italian actress) � Maria Luisa Mangini
Dulcie Gray � Dulcie Winifred Catherine Bailey
Gilda Gray � Marianna Michalska
Glen Gray � Glen Gray Knoblauch
Jason Gray (musician) � Jason Jeffrey Gay
Jerry Gray (arranger) � Generoso Graziano
Macy Gray � Natalie Renee McIntyre
Sally Gray � Constance Vera Stevens
Ugly Dave Gray � Graham David Taylor
Vivean Gray � Jean Vivra Gray
Great Khali � Dalip Singh Rana
Great Muta � Keiji Mutoh
Green Gartside � Paul Julian Strohmeyer
Perlita Greco � Alfonsina Grecco Constantini
Cee Lo Green (a.k.a. Cee-Lo) � Thomas DeCarlo Callaway
Dan Green (voice actor) � James Hadley Snyder
Mitzi Green � Elizabeth Keno
Shecky Greene � Fred Sheldon Greenfield
Judy Greer � Judith Therese Evans
Greg K. � Gregory David Kriesel
Julie Gregg � Beverly Scalzo
Anne Grey � Aileen Stephen Ewing
Gloria Grey � Marie Draga
Joel Grey � Joel David Katz
Lita Grey � Lillita Louise MacMurray
Olga Grey � Anna Zacsek
Gribouille � Marie-France Ga�t�
Professor Griff � Richard Griffin
Ethel Griffies � Ethel Woods
Bessie Griffin � Arlette Broil
Corinne Griffith � Corinne Mae Griffin
Kenneth Griffith � Kenneth Reginald Griffiths
Toula Grivas � Panayiota Grivastopoulos
Grock � Karl (or Charles) Adrien Wettach
Johnny Grunge � Michael Durham
Robert Guillaume � Robert Peter Williams
Bonnie Guitar � Bonnie Buckingham
Bart Gunn (akas: Mike Barton, Bodacious Bart) � Michael Polchlopek
Guitar Guy � Brian Haner
Aliza Gur � Alizia Gross
Guru (rapper) � Keith Edward Elam
Billy Guy � Frank Phillips, Jr.
Edmund Gwenn � Edmund Kellaway
Anne Gwynne � Marguerite Gwynne Trice
Greta Gynt � Margrethe Woxholt
GZA � Gary Grice
Contents :
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H[edit]
H � Ian Watkins, formerly of Steps
H.R. � Paul Hudson
Buddy Hackett � Leonard Hacker
Reed Hadley � Reed Herring
Haiducii � Paula Mitrache
Sid Haig � Sidney Eddy Mosesian
Connie Haines � Yvonne Marie Antoinette JaMais
Haji (actress) � Barbarella Catton
Hakimakli � Cedric Aiello
Alan Hale Jr. � Alan Hale Mackahan
Alan Hale Sr. � Rufus Edward Mackahan
Creighton Hale � Patrick Fitzgerald
Elvi Hale � Patricia Elvi Hake
Jonathan Hale � Jonathan Hatley
Monte Hale � Buren Ely
Jon Hall � Charles Felix Locher (or Charles Hall Locher, varying sources)
Monty Hall � Monte Halparin
Ruth Hall � Ruth Gloria Blasco Ib��ez
Neil Hallett � John W. Hallett Neil
Johnny Hallyday � Jean-Philippe Smet
Brett Halsey � Charles Oliver Hand
Julie Halston � Julie Abatelli
Gerald Hamer � Geoffrey Earl Watton
Bobby Hamilton � Robert Caristo
Russ Hamilton � Ronald Hulme
MC Hammer � Stanley Kirk Burrell
Will Hammer � William Hinds
Kay Hammond � Dorothy Katherine Standing
Bruce Hampton � Gustav Valentine Berglund III
Han Ye-seul (a.k.a. Leslie Kim) � Kim Ye-Seul-Yi
Cochin Haneefa (akas: Kochin Haneefa, Cochin Hanif, V.M.C. Hanifa, Cochin Haniffa, and Hanifa Kochin) � Salim Ahmed Ghoush
Hani (singer) � Ahn Hee-yeon
Roger Hanin � Roger L�vy
Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf � Henry Joseph Nasiff Jr.
Colin Hanks � Colin Lewes Dillingham (surname was later changed legally)
Laurence Hanray � Lawrence Henry Jacobs
Setsuko Hara � Masae Aida
Max Hardcore � Paul Little
Theodore Hardeen � Weisz Ferenc Dezso (sometimes written as Ferencz Dezso Weisz)
Ty Hardin � Orison Whipple Hungerford Jr.
Ann Harding � Dorothy Walton Gatley
Sarah Harding � Sarah Nicole Hardman
Hardwell � Robbert van de Corput
Sir John Hare � John Fairs
Harisu � Lee Kyung-eun
Steve Harley � Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice
Renny Harlin � Lauri Mauritz Harjola
Larry Harmon � Lawrence Weiss
Tess Harper � Tessie Jean Washam
Harpo (singer) � Jan Svensson
Slim Harpo � James Isaac Moore
Calvin Harris � Adam Richard Wiles
Jonathan Harris � Jonathan Daniel Charasuchin
Marcia Harris � Lena Hill
Robert H. Harris � Robert H. Hurwitz
Samantha Harris � Samantha Harris Shapiro
Ralf Harolde � Ralph Harold Wigger
Bobby Hart � Robert Luke Harshman
Mary Hart � Mary Johanna Harum
Mickey Hart � Michael Steven Hartman
Susan Hart � Susan Neidhart
Dee Hartford � Donna Higgins
Eden Hartford � Edna Marie Higgins
Nina Hartley � Marie Louise Hartman
Sumi Haru (a.k.a. Sumi Sevilla Haru) � Mildred Sevilla
John Harvey � John Harvey Johnson Jr.
Laurence Harvey � Laruschka Mischa Skikne
Harvey (MC) (akas: MC Harvey, Harvey) � Michael Harvey Jr.
Muhammad Hassan (a.k.a. Mark Magnus) � Mark Copani
James Haven � James Haven Voight
June Haver � Beverly Jane Stovenour
Hammy Havoc � Louis Stuart Routledge
June Havoc � Ellen Hovick
Davey Havok � David Passaro; later known as David Marchand
Jeremy Hawk � Cedric Lange
Nick Hawk � Nicholas Haas
John Hawkes � John Marvin Perkins
Michael Hawkins (sometimes known as Michael Gainsborough) � Thomas Knight Slater
Tony Hawks � Antony Gordon Hawksworth
Peggy Hayama � Shigeko Mori
Melissa Hayden � Mildred Herman
Julie Haydon � Donella Donaldson
Hayedeh (also transcribed as Haideh or Haydeh) � Ma'soumeh Dadehbala
Helen Hayes � Helen Hayes Brown
Margaret Hayes (akas: Dana Dale, Dana Edwards) � Florette Regina Ottenheimer
Peter Lind Hayes � Joseph Conrad Lind
Giant Haystacks � Martin Ruane
Susan Hayward � Edythe Marrenner
Thomas Hayward (tenor) � Thomas Albert Tibbett
Hy Hazell � Hyacinth Hazel Higgins
Johnny Hazzard � Frank Valenti
Ted Healy � Earnest Lea Nash (some sources cite Ernest Lee Nash)
Rick Hearst � Richard Charles Herbst
The Reverend Horton Heat � Jim Heath
Erin Heatherton � Erin Heather Bubley
Heffron Drive � Kendall Schmidt and Dustin Belt
Heino � Heinz Georg Kramm
Heinz (a.k.a. Heinz Burt) � Heinz Henry George Schwarz
Helen (actress) � Helen Jairag Richardson
Brian Helicopter � Gareth Holder
Richard Hell � Richard Lester Meyers
Brigitte Helm � Brigitte Eva Gisela Schittenhelm
Buck Henry � Henry Zuckerman
Gloria Henry � Gloria McEniry
Pat Henry (comedian) � Patrick Henry Scarnato
Thomas Henty � Thomas John Cooper
Audrey Hepburn � Audrey Kathleen Ruston
Holmes Herbert � Horace Edward Jenner
John Herbert � John Herbert Buckup
Corinne Herm�s � Corinne Miller
Leonard Hermes � Cirio Santiago
Hero (singer) � Han Jaejoon (name later changed legally to Kim Jaejoong)
Chris Hero � Christopher Spradlin
Roy Herrick � Roy Herring
Herrmann the Great (a.k.a. The Great Herrmann) � Alexander Herrmann
Barbara Hershey � Barbara Lynn Herzstein
Hanna Hertelendy � Ilona Zimka
Irene Hervey � Beulah Irene Herwick
Sherrie Hewson � Sherrie Lynn Hutchinson
Anne Heywood � Violet Joan Pretty
hide � Hideto Matsumoto
Hijo del Santo � Jorge Guzm�n Rodr�guez
Hildegarde � Hildegarde Loretta Sell
Craig Hill � Craig Hill Fowler
Harry Hill � Matthew Keith Hall
Jonah Hill � Jonah Hill Feldstein
Steven Hill � Solomon Krakovsky
Thelma Hill � Thelma Floy Hillerman
Ronnie Hilton � Adrian Hill
Fred Ho � Fred Wei-han Houn
Rose Hobart � Rose Kefer
Dennis Hoey � Samuel David Hyams
Brooke Hogan � Brooke Ellen Bollea
Hulk Hogan � Terry Gene Bollea
Nick Hogan � Nicholas Allen Bollea
Hoku (a.k.a. Hoku Ho Clements) � Hoku Christian Ho
Fay Holden (a.k.a. Gaby Fay) � Dorothy Fay Hammerton
Joyce Holden � Jo Ann Heckert
William Holden � William Franklin Beedle, Jr.
Billie Holiday � Eleanora Fagan
Hope Holiday � Hope Jane Zee
Tony Holiday � Rolf Peter Knigge
Deidre Holland � Martine Helene Smit
Diane Holland � June Diane Neeltje
Xaviera Hollander � Vera de Vries
Judy Holliday � Judith Tuvim
Frigyes Holl�si � Frigyes Weininger
Hanya Holm � Johanna Eckert
Sir Ian Holm � Ian Holm Cuthbert
Libby Holman � Elizabeth Lloyd Holzman
John Holmes � John Curtis Estes
Rupert Holmes � David Goldstein
Stuart Holmes (a.k.a. Stewart Holmes) � Joseph Liebchen
Georgia Holt � Jackie Jean Crouch
Jennifer Holt � Elizabeth Marshall Holt
Homer and Jethro � Henry D. Haynes and Kenneth C. Burns
Nancy Honeytree � Nancy Henigbaum
The Honky Tonk Man � Roy Wayne Farris
Peter Hook � Peter Woodhead
Linda Hopkins � Melinda Helen Mathews
Hach� Horchatta � Patrick Aaron Hodgkins
Hornswoggle � Dylan Postl
Robert Hossein � Robert Hosseinoff
Harry Houdini � Erik Ivan Weisz
Rufus Hound � Robert James Blair Simpson
Tim Howar � Timothy Michael Hawryluk
Curly Howard � Jerome Lester Horwitz
Jean Howard � Ernestine Mahoney
John Howard � John Richard Cox, Jr.
Leslie Howard � Leslie Howard Stainer
Moe Howard � Moses Horwitz
Rance Howard � Harold Rance Beckenholdt
Shemp Howard � Samuel Horwitz
Susan Howard � Jeri Lynn Mooney
James Wong Howe � Wong Tung Jim
Howlin' Wolf � Chester Arthur Burnett
John Hoyt � John McArthur Hoysradt
Harold Huber � Harold Joseph Huberman
Rock Hudson � Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. (later known as Roy Fitzgerald, his stepfather's surname)
Alaina Huffman � Alaina Kalanj
Kathleen Hughes � Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan
H�meyra � H�meyra Akbay
Engelbert Humperdinck � Arnold George Dorsey
Oliver Humperdink � John Sutton
Humph � Humphrey Richard Adeane Lyttelton
Sammo Hung � Hung Kam-po
Jeffrey Hunter � Henry Herman McKinnies, Jr.
Kim Hunter � Janet Cole
Will Hutchins � Marshall Lowell Hutchason
Betty Hutton � Elizabeth June Thornburg
Ina Ray Hutton � Odessa Cowan
Marion Hutton � Marion Thornburg
Diana Hyland � Diana (or Diane) Gentner
Hyolyn � Kim Hyo-jung
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
I[edit]
IU (entertainer) � Lee Ji-eun
I Blame Coco � Eliot Paulina Sumner
David Ian � David Ian Lane
Janis Ian � Janis Eddy Fink
Ice Cube � O'Shea Jackson
Ice Dale � Arve Isdal
Ice-T � Tracy Marrow
ICS Vortex � Simen Hestn�s
Ida Maria � Ida Maria B�rli Sivertsen
Billy Idol � William Michael Albert Broad
Ihsahn � Vegard Sverre Tveitan
Iiris � Iiris Vesik
iJustine � Justine Ezarik
Pola Ill�ry � Paula Iliescu
Margaret Illington � Maude Light
iLLmacuLate � Greg Poe
Illy (rapper) � Alisdair David George Murray
Chanel Iman � Chanel Iman Robinson
Marty Ingels � Martin Ingerman
J�rgen Ingmann � J�rgen Ingmann Pedersen
Rex Ingram � Reginald Ingram Montgomery Hitchcock
Inna � Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu
Innocent (actor) � Innocent Vareed Thekkethala
Jena Irene � Jena Irene Asciutto
Tippa Irie � Anthony Henry
Iron Eyes Cody (akas: Tony de Corti, Tony Cody, the Crying Indian) � Espera Oscar de Corti
The Iron Sheik � Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri
George S. Irving � Irving Shelasky
Jules Irving � Julius Israel
Sir Henry Irving � John Henry Brodribb
May Irwin � Georgina May Campbell
Oscar Isaac � �scar Isaac Hern�ndez Estrada
Margarita Isabel � Margarita Isabel Morales y Gonz�lez
Isadar � Fabian Isadore Thibodeaux
Dick Israel � Ricardo Vizcarra Michaca
Maria Ivog�n � Ilse Kempner
Ivy Queen � Martha Ivelisse Pesante
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
J[edit]
LL Cool J � James Todd Smith
David J � David Haskins
Jessie J � Jessica Ellen Cornish
J. Cole � Jermaine Lamarr Cole
Tony Jaa � Panom Yeerum
The Jacka � Dominic Newton
Ezekiel Jackson (a.k.a. Big Ryck) � Rycklon Stephens
Felix Jackson � Felix Joachimson
Lou Jacobi � Louis Harold Jacobovitch
Billy Jacoby (a.k.a. Billy Jayne) � William Jayne
Luke Jacobz � Luke Jacob Ashwood
Jadakiss � Jason Phillips
Claude Jade � Claude Marcelle Jorr�
Ja�l � Rahel Krebs
Bobby Jaggers (a.k.a. Bobby Mayne) � Robert F. Jeaudoin
Jah Wobble � John Joseph Wardle
Noor Jahan (akas: Baby Noor Jahan; NoorJahan; Noor Jehan) � Allah Wasai
Jaimeson � Jamie Williams
Jamala � Susana Jamaladinova
Art James � Arthur Simeonovich Efimchick
Boney James � James Oppenheim
Brian James � Brian Robertson
Dennis James � Demie James Sposa
Duncan James � Duncan Matthew James Inglis
Elmore James (akas: Cleanhead; Joe Willie James) � Elmore Brooks
Etta James � Jamesetta Hawkins
Gordon James � Sydney Lynn
Joni James � Joan Carmella Babbo
Josh James (singer) � Josh James Dubovie (or James Dubovie)
Kevin James � Kevin George Knipfing
Lily James � Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson
Markus James � Markus James Klepaski
Rick James � James Ambrose Johnson
Robert James � Robert James McAllister
Sid James � Solomon Joel Cohen
Sonny James � James Loden
Theo James � Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis
Jenna Jameson � Jennifer Marie Massoli
Thomas Jane � Thomas Elliott III
Conrad Janis � Conrad Janowitz
Dorothy Janis � Dorothy Penelope Jones
Elsie Janis � Elsie Bierbower (some sources indicate Elsie Beerbower)
Marie Jansen � Harriet Mary Johnson
Steve Jansen � Stephen Batt
David Janssen � David Harold Meyer
Anna Jantar � Anna Maria Szmeterling
Japanese Tommy � Thomas Dilward
Paul Jarrico � Israel Shapiro
Frank Jarvis � John Francis Train
Sir David Jason � David John White
Rick Jason � Richard Jacobson
Sybil Jason (a.k.a. Sybil Stewart) � Sybil Jacobson
Jam Master Jay � Jason Mizell
Jay Sean � Kamaljit Singh Jhooti
Shuba Jay (a.k.a. Shuba Jaya) � Shubashini Jeyaratnam
Jayasurya � Jayasurya Jayan
Courtney Jaye � Courtney Jaye Goldberg
Jennifer Jayne � Jennifer Jones
Nikki Jayne � Samantha Haywood
Michael Jayston � Michael James
Jay-Z � Shawn Corey Carter
Jazze Pha � Phalon Anton Alexander
JB Smoove � Jerry Brooks
Gloria Jean � Gloria Jean Schoonover
Jazzy Jeff � Jeffrey Townes
Jim Jefferies (a.k.a. Jim Jeffries) � Geoffrey James Nugent
Anne Jeffreys � Anne Carmichael
Fran Jeffries � Frances Ann Makris
Richard Jeni � Richard John Colangelo
Allen Jenkins � Alfred McGonegal
Ron Jeremy � Ronald Jeremy Hyatt
Chris Jericho � Christopher Keith Irvine
Michael Jerome � Michael Jerome Moore
Paul Jerricho � Paul Graham Coulthard
Jessicka � Jessica Fodera
Jethro � Jeff Rowe
Joan Jett � Joan Marie Larkin
Jibbs � Jovan Campbell
Ann Jillian � Ann Jura Nauseda
Joyce Jillson � Joyce Twichell
Jim Bob � James Robert Morrison
Jimmy The Robot � James Briggs
Jlin (musician) � Jerilynn Patton
Phil Joel � Philip Joel Urry
Alain Johannes � Alain Johannes Moschulski
John 5 � John Lowery
Sir Elton John � Reginald Kenneth Dwight (name legally changed to Elton Hercules John on September 2, 1972[66])
Rosamund John � Nora Rosamund Jones
Milton Johns � John Robert Milton
Besedka Johnson � Beatrice Vivian Divic
Wilko Johnson � John Peter Wilkinson
Freedy Johnston � Fred Fatzer
JoJo � Joanna No�lle Levesque
Jolens � Maria Jolina Perez Magdangal
Angelina Jolie � Angelina Jolie Voight (name legally changed)
Pete Jolly � Peter Ceragioli, Jr.
Jon B. � Jonathan David Buck
Lil Jon � Jonathan Smith
Buck Jones � Charles Frederick Gebhart
Chloe Jones � Melinda Dee Taylor
Delme Bryn-Jones � Delme Jones
Grace Jones � Grace Mendoza
Jennifer Jones � Phylis Lee Isley
John Paul Jones (musician) � John Baldwin
Jenny Jones � Janina Stranski
John Paul Jones (musician) � John Baldwin
Kacey Jones � Gail Zeiler
L. Q. Jones � Justice Ellis McQueen Jr.
Paul Jones (singer) � Paul Pond
Samantha Jones � Jean Owen
Sir Tom Jones � Thomas John Woodward
Spike Jonze � Adam Spiegel
Jordan � Katrina Amy Alexandria Alexis Infield
Angelina Jordan � Angelina Jordan Astar
Clifford Jordan � George William Jorgensen Jr.
Ronny Jordan � Ronald Laurence Albert Simpson
Jos� Jos� � Jos� R�mulo Sosa Ortiz
Paulo Jos� � Paulo Jos� G�mez de Sousa
Angela Josephine � Angela Louis
Darwin Joston (sometimes credited as Darwin Jostin) � Francis Darwin Solomon
Jacqueline Joubert � Jacqueline Annette �dith Pierre
Journalist � Rafiek George
Jowell & Randy � Joel A. Mu�oz Mart�nez & Randy Acevedo Ortiz
Leatrice Joy � Leatrice Johanna Zeidler
Vance Joy � James Gabriel Keogh
Brenda Joyce � Betty Graftina Leabo
Elaine Joyce � Elaine Joyce Pinchot
Ella Joyce � Cherron Hoye
Yootha Joyce � Yootha Joyce Needham
Naomi Judd � Diana Ellen Judd
Janet Julian � Janet Louise Johnson
Julio Angel � Julio Manuel Acevedo Lanuza
Julissa � Julissa de Llano Macedo
Miranda July � Miranda Jennifer Grossinger
Shia Jung � Toshia Ichioka
J�nior (Filipino singer) � Antonio Barretto Morales
Junkyard Dog � Sylvester Ritter
Just-Ice � Joseph Williams, Jr.
Samantha Juste � Sandra Slater
John Justin � John Justinian de Ledesma
Juvenile � Terius Gray
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
K[edit]
Tracey K � Tracey Kelliher
K.C. � Harry Wayne Casey
K-Ci � Cedric Hailey
Ernie K-Doe � Ernest Kador, Jr.
K'Maro � Cyril Kamar (Lebanese-Canadian rapper)
Yaki Kadafi � Yafeu Akiyele Fula
Takeshi Kaga � Katsuta Shigekatsu
Carole Kai � Carole Shimizu
Kaitlyn � Celeste Beryl Bonin
Kajol (a.k.a. Kajol Devgan) � Kajol Mukherjee
Musa Kaleem � Orlando Wright
Kalel � Michael Richard Wittig
Mindy Kaling � Vera Mindy Chokalingam
Kitty Kallen � Katherine Kalinsky
Hemmo Kallio � Herman Puttonen
Kamala (wrestler) � James Harris
Kami (musician) � Ukyo Kamimura
Ini Kamoze � Cecil Campbell
Sean Kanan � Sean Perelman
Kane � Glenn Thomas Jacobs
Big Daddy Kane � Antonio Harding
James Karen � James Karnufsky
Tzeni Karezi (a.k.a. Jenny Karezi) � Evgenia Karpouzi
Rita Karin � Rita Karpinowicz
Karina (Spanish singer) � Mar�a Isabel B�rbara Llaud�s Santiago
Anna Karina � Hanne Karin Blarke Bayer
Olga Karlatos � Olga Vlassopulos
John Karlen � John Adam Karlewicz
Miriam Karlin � Miriam Samuels
Boris Karloff � William Henry Pratt
Mick Karn � Andonis Michaelides
Richard Karn � Richard Karn Wilson
Fred Karno � Frederick John Westcott
Mariana Karr � Mar�a Elena Coppola Gonz�lez
Vasilis Karras � Vasilis Kesoglidis
Vybz Kartel � Adidja Azim Palmer
Shizuko Kasagi � Shizuko Kamei
Anna Kashfi � Johanna O'Callaghan
Kaskade � Ryan Raddon
Philippe Katerine � Philippe Blanchard
Katherine Kath � Lily Faess
Karina (Spanish singer) � Mar�a Isabel B�rbara Llaud�s Santiago
Shintaro Katsu � Toshio Okumura
Beatrice Kay (akas: Honey Kuper, Honey Day) � Hannah Beatrice Kuper
Charles Kay � Charles Piff
Connie Kay � Conrad Henry Kirnon
Crystal Kay (a.k.a. Kuri(-chan), CK) � Crystal Kay Williams
John Kay � Joachim Fritz Krauledat
Lesli Kay (akas: Lesli Kay Coulouris; Lesli Kay Sterling) � Lesli Kay Pushkin
Kayahan � Kayahan A�ar
Kayamar � Viktor Magyar�v�ri
Celia Kaye � Celia Kay Burkholder
Danny Kaye (a.k.a. Danny Kolbin) � David Daniel Kaminsky
Sammy Kaye � Samuel Zarnocay
Stubby Kaye � Bernard Kotzin
Thorsten Kaye � Thorsten Ernst Kieselbach
Elia Kazan � Elias Kazanjoglou
Lainie Kazan � Lainie Levine
Ke$ha � Kesha Rose Sebert
Staci Keanan � Anastasia Sagorsky
Michael Keaton � Michael John Douglas
Keb' Mo' � Kevin Roosevelt Moore
Howard Keel � Harold Clifford Leek
Kefee � Kefee Obareki
Andrew Keir � Andrew Buggy
Donald Keith � Francis Feeney
Ian Keith � Keith Ross
Dame Penelope Keith � Penelope Anne Constance Hatfield
Robert Keith � Rolland Keith Richey
Toby Keith � Toby Keith Covel
Keri Kelli � Kenneth Fear Jr.
Roy Kellino � Philip Roy Gislingham
W. P. Kellino � William Philip Gislingham
Angel Kelly � Pamela Moore
Jonathan Kelly � Jonathan Ledingham
Kelly Kelly � Barbara Jean Blank
Minka Kelly � Minka Dumont Dufay
Jackie Kelso � John Joseph Kelson Jr.
Ed Kemmer � Edward William Kemmerer
William Hunter Kendal (or W. H. Kendal) � William Hunter Grimston
Marie Kendall � Mary Ann Florence Holyome
Tony Kendall � Luciano Stella
Kendrick Lamar - Kendrick Duckworth
Emma Kennedy � Elizabeth Emma Williams
Kevin Kennedy � Kevin Patrick Williams
Merna Kennedy � Maude Kahler
Mr. Kennedy (a.k.a. "Mr. Anderson") � Kenneth Anderson
Tom Kennedy � James Edward Narz
Allegra Kent � Iris Margo Cohen
Jean Kent (a.k.a. Jean Carr) � Joan Mildred Summerfield
Paul Kent (actor) � Paul Inglese
Paula Kent � Paula Jane Baer
Kerli � Kerli K�iv
Annette Kerr � Catherine Annette Kerr Peacock
Margaret Kerry � Peggy Lynch
Norman Kerry � Arnold Kaiser
Kesha (a.k.a. Ke$ha) � Kesha Rose Sebert
cEvin Key � Kevin William Crompton
T'Keyah Crystal Keym�h � Crystal Walker
Alicia Keys � Alicia Augello Cook
Wiz Khalifa � Cameron Jibril Thomaz
Chaka Khan � Carole Yvette Marie Stevens
Cynthia Khan � Yang Li-Tsing
Junaid Khan � Junaid Khan Niazi
Khujo a.k.a. Khujo Goodie � Willie Edward Knighton Jr.
Kid Chocolate � Eligio Sardi�as Montalvo
Kid Creole � August Darnell
Kid Ink � Brian Todd Collins
Kid Rock � Robert Ritchie
Johnny Kidd (singer) � Frederick Albert Heath
Michael Kidd � Milton Greenwald
Udo Kier � Udo Kierspe
Killa Kela � Lee Potter
Natalia Kills (now known as Teddy Sinclair; akas: Natalia Cappuccini, Natalia Noemi Cappuccini-Sinclair, Verbal, Verbalicious, Verse) � Natalia Noemi Keery-Fisher
Andy Kim � Andrew Youakim
Lil' Kim � Kimberly Denise Jones
Sandra Kim � Sandra Caldarone
King Kester Emeneya � Jean Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu
Alan King � Irwin Alan Kniberg
Albert King � Albert Nelson
Andrea King � Georgette Andr� Barry
Anita King � Anna Keppen
Ash King � Ashutosh Ganguly
Ben E. King � Benjamin Earl Nelson
Carole King � Carol Joan Klein
Earl King � Earl Silas Johnson IV
Freddie King � Frederick Christian
Kip King � Jerome Kattan
Larry King � Lawrence Harvey Zeiger
Morgana King � Maria Grazia Morgana Messina
Pee Wee King � Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski
Sonny King (singer) � Luigi Antonio Schiavone
Zalman King � Zalman King Lefkowitz
King Africa � Alan Duffy
King Diamond � Kim Bendix Petersen
King Kolax � William Little
King Kong Bundy � Christopher Alan Pallies
King Pleasure � Clarence Beeks
Sir Ben Kingsley � Krishna Pandit Banji
Kofi Kingston � Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah
Natalie Kingston � Natalia Ringstrom
Sean Kingston � Kisean Jamal Anderson
Kathleen Kinmont � Katheen Kinmont Smith
Klaus Kinski � Nikolaus Karl G�nther Nakszynski
Nastassja Kinski � Nastassja Aglaia Nakszynski
Bruce Kirby � Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu
Bruno Kirby � Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu, Jr.
Phyllis Kirk � Phyllis Kirkegaard
Kish � Andrew Kishino
Katie Kissoon � Kathleen Farthing
Kitaro � Masanori Takahashi
Eartha Kitt � Eartha Mae Keith
Alisha Klass � Alicia Lynn Pieri
Beverley Knight � Beverley Anne Smith
June Knight � Margaret Rose Valliquietto
Patricia Knight � Marjorie Heintzen
Ted Knight � Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka
Dr. Know � Gary Wayne Miller
Barbara Knox � Barbara Brothwood
Elyse Knox � Elsie Lillian Kornbrath
Johnny Knoxville � Phillip John Clapp
Frankie Knuckles � Francis Nicholls
Ruth Kobart � Ruth Maxine Kahn
Oja Kodar � Olga Palinka�
Caroline Kole � Caroline Kudelko
Kon Artis � Denaun Porter
Kool � Robert Bell
Kool Keith � Keith Matthew Thornton
Kool Moe Dee � Mohandas Dewese
Liliana Komorowska � Liliana Glabczynska
Andrei Konchalovsky � Andron Sergeyevich Mikhalkov
Al Kooper � Alan Peter Kuperschmidt
Sir Alexander Korda � S�ndor L�szl� Kellner
V�ra Kor�ne � R�becca V�ra Korestzky
Baltasar Korm�kur � Baltasar Korm�kur Samper
Fritz Kortner � Fritz Nathan Kohn
Sylva Koscina � Sylva Koskinon
Billy J. Kramer � William Ashton
Krayzie Bone � Anthony Henderson
Marta Kristen � Birgit Annalisa Rusanen
Liv Kristine � Liv Kristine Espen�s
Chad Kroeger � Chad Robert Turton
KRS-One � Lawrence Krisna Parker
Diane Kruger � Diane Heidkr�ger
Kujira � Wakako Matsum
Ashok Kumar � Kumudlal Kanjilal Ganguly
Dilip Kumar � Yusuf Khan
Kishore Kumar � Abhas Ganguly
Kuniva (akas: Hanz G; Rondell Beene) � Von Carlisle
Kurious (a.k.a. Kurious Jorge) � Jorge Alvarez
Susumu Kurobe (a.k.a. Susume Kurobe) � Takashi Yoshimoto
Kurupt � Ricardo Brown
Stanley Kwan � Jinpang Guan
Kyla � Melanie Hernandez Calumpad
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
L[edit]
La�Lit

L (South Korean singer) � Kim Myung-soo
La Desideria � Ana Gonz�lez Olea
La Esterella � Esther Lambrechts
La Goulue � Louise Weber
La Sylphe � Edythe Lambelle
Patti LaBelle � Patricia Louise Holte
Art Laboe � Arthur Egnoian
LaChanze � Rhonda LaChanze Sapp
Simon Lack � Alexander MacAlpine
Steve Lacy � Steven Norman Lackritz
Diane Ladd � Rose Diane Ladner
Lady Gaga � Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta
Lady Saw � Marion Hall
Lady Sovereign � Louise Amanda Harman
Lagbaja � Bisade Ologunde
Bert Lahr � Irving Lahrheim
Leon Lai (a.k.a. Leon Lai-ming) � Lai Chit
Chasey Lain � Tiffany Anne Jones
Dame Cleo Laine � Clementine Dinah Bullock (later Clementina Dinah Campbell)
Frankie Laine � Francesco Paolo LoVecchio
Jenny Laird � Phyllis Edith Mary Blythe
Arthur Lake � Arthur Silverlake
Florence Lake � Florence Silverlake
Veronica Lake � Constance Frances Marie Ockleman (later known as Connie Keane, her stepfather's surname)
K. P. A. C. Lalitha � Maheshwari Amma
Kendrick Lamar � Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
Barbara La Marr � Reatha Dale Watson
Hedy Lamarr � Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler
Mark Lambert (American actor) � Mark Robert Luebke
Peter Land � Peter Oliver White
David Lander � David Landau
Audrey Landers � Audrey Hamburg
Judy Landers � Judith Hamburg
Carole Landis � Frances Lillian Mary Ridste
Michael Landon � Eugene Michael Orowitz (or Eugene Maurice Orowitz, varying sources)
Abbe Lane � Abigail Francine Lassman
Allan Lane (a.k.a. Rocky Lane) � Harry Leonard Albershardt
Charles Lane � Charles Gerstle Levison
Jani Lane � John Kennedy Oswald (later changed to John Patrick Oswald)
Jocelyn Lane � Jocelyn Bolton
Leota Lane � Leotabel Mullican
Lola Lane � Dorothy Mullican
Lupino Lane � Henry William George Lupino
Nathan Lane � Joseph Lane
Priscilla Lane � Priscilla Mullican
Rosemary Lane � Rosemary Mullican
Sunny Lane � Holly Hodges
Eddie Lang � Salvatore Massaro
Howard Lang � Donald Yarranton
Jonny Lang � Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr.
June Lang � Winifred June Vlasek
Sue Ane Langdon � Sue Lookhoff
Susan Lanier (a.k.a. Susan Lanier-Bramlett) � Susan Jean Engledow
Joi Lansing � Joyce Rae Brown
Robert Lansing � Robert Howell Brown
Sherry Lansing � Sherry Lee Heimann
Snooky Lanson � Roy Landman
Alexandra Lara � Alexandra Maria Platareanu
Catherine Lara � Catherine Bodet
Odete Lara � Odete Righi Bertoluzzi
Laraaji � Edward Larry Gordon
Alexis Laree � Michaela Laree James
Eddie Large � Edward Hugh McGinnis
Chris Larkin � Christopher Stephens
Keith Larsen � Keith Eric Burt
Wolf Larson � Wolfgang von Wyszecki
Larry the Cable Guy � Daniel Lawrence Whitney
Jack La Rue � Gaspere Biondolillo
Denise LaSalle � Ora Denise Allen
Zoe Laskari � Zoi Kouroukli
Barbara Lass � Barbara Kwiatkowska
Yusef Abdul Lateef � William Emanuel Huddleston
Queen Latifah � Dana Elaine Owens
Stan Laurel � Arthur Stanley Jefferson
Dyanna Lauren � Diane Hurley
Paul Laurence � Paul Lawrence Jones III
Piper Laurie � Rosetta Jacobs
�ve Lavalli�re � Eug�nie Marie Pascaline Fenoglio
Lea Laven (a.k.a. Lea Forssell) � Lea Luukinen
Daliah Lavi � Daliah Lewinbuk
John-Paul Lavoisier � John Paul Seponski
Peter Lawford � Peter Sydney Ernest Aylen
Blackie Lawless � Steven Edward Duren
Lawrence � Lawrence Hayward
Carol Lawrence � Carol Maria Laraia
Eddie Lawrence � Lawrence Eisler
Gertrude Lawrence � Gertrude Alice Dagmar Klasen
Jay Lawrence (actor) � Jay Storch
Joey Lawrence � Joseph Lawrence Mignona, Jr.
Steve Lawrence � Sidney Liebowitz
Vicki Lawrence � Vicki Ann Axelrad
Priscilla Lawson � Priscilla Shortridge
Dorothy Layton � Dorothy Ann Wannenwetsch
George Layton � George Lowy
Layzie Bone � Steven Howse
LE (rapper) � Ahn Hyo-jin
Barbara Lea � Barbara LeCoq
Lead Belly (or "Leadbelly") � Huddie William Ledbetter
Rachelle Leah � Rachelle Leah San Filippo
Leo Leandros (aka Mario Panas) � Leandros Papathanasiou
Vicky Leandros � Vassiliki Papathanasiou
Ginette Leclerc � Genevi�ve Lucie Menut
Inda Ledesma � Margarita Rodr�guez
AJ Lee � April Jeanette Mendez
Amos Lee � Ryan Anthony Massaro
Anna Lee � Joan Boniface Winnifrith
Brenda Lee � Brenda Mae Tarpley
Bruce Lee � Lee Jun-fan
Dixie Lee � Wilma Winifred Wyatt
Dorothy Lee (actress) � Marjorie Elizabeth Millsap
Frances Lee � Merna (or Myrna) Tibbetts
Geddy Lee � Gary Lee Weinrib
Georgia Lee � Dulcie Rama Pitt
Gwen Lee � Gwendolyn Lepinski
Gypsy Rose Lee � Rose Louise Hovick
Hyapatia Lee � Victoria Lynch (or Vicki Lynch)
Lila Lee � Augusta Wilhelmena Fredericka Appel
Madeline Lee (akas: Madeline Lee Gilford, Madeline Gilford) � Madeline Lederman
Mary Lee � Mary Lee Wooters
Michele Lee � Michele Lee Dusick
Peggy Lee � Norma Delores Egstrom
Pinky Lee � Pincus Leff
Rita Lee � Rita Lee Jones (also known as Rita Lee Jones Carvalho)
Ruta Lee � Ruta Mary Kilmonis
St. Clair Lee � Bernard Henderson
Stan Lee � Stanley Martin Lieber
Tommy Lee � Thomas Lee Bass
Andrea Leeds � Antoinette Lees
Lila Leeds � Lila Lee Wilkinson
Left Eye � Lisa Nicole Lopes
John Legend � John Stephens
Mirtha Legrand � Rosa Mar�a Juana Mart�nez Su�rez
Silvia Legrand � Mar�a Aurelia Paula Mart�nez Su�rez
Val Lehman � Valerie Kathleen Willis
Lehri � Safirullah Siddiqui
Chyler Leigh � Chyler Leigh Potts
Dorian Leigh � Dorian Leigh Parker
Janet Leigh � Jeanette Helen Morrison
Jennifer Jason Leigh � Jennifer Leigh Morrow
Megan Leigh � Michelle Maira Schei
Mitch Leigh � Irwin Michnick
Suzanna Leigh � Sandra Eileen Anne Smith
Jan Leighton � Milton Lichtman
Lillian Leitzel � Leopoldina Alitza Pelikan
Lemmy � Ian Fraser Kilmister
Marcelle Lender � Anne-Marie Marcelle Bastien
Dan Leno � George Wild Galvin
Rula Lenska � R�za Maria Leopoldyna Lubienska
Lotte Lenya � Karoline Wilhelmine Charlotte Blamauer
Jack E. Leonard � Leonard Lebitsky
Queenie Leonard � Pearl Walker
Sheldon Leonard � Leonard Sheldon Bershad
T�a Leoni � Elizabeth T�a Pantaleoni
Amy Leslie � Lillian West
Joan Leslie � Joan Agnes Theresa Sadie Brodel
John Leslie (director) (akas: John Leslie Dupre, Frederick Watson, and Lenny Lovely) � John Leslie Nuzzo
Ketty Lester � Revoyda Frierson
Mark Lester � Mark Letzer
Jay Lethal � Jamar Shipman
Gigi Leung � Leung Bik-zi (later changed to Leung Wing-kei)
John Levene � John Anthony Woods
Johnny Lever � John Prakash Rao Janumala
Samantha Lewes � Susan Jane Dillingham
Al Lewis � Albert Meister
Ed "Strangler" Lewis � Robert Herman Julius Friedrich
Gary Lewis (actor) � Gary Stevenson
Gary Lewis (musician) � Gary Harold Lee Levitch
Huey Lewis � Hugh Anthony Cregg, III
Jerry Lewis � Jerome Levitch (not "Joseph Levitch" as some sources have indicated)
Robert Q. Lewis � Robert Goldberg
Shari Lewis � Sonia Phyllis Hurwitz
Smiley Lewis � Overton Amos Lemons
Ted Lewis � Theodore Leopold Friedman
Val Lewton � Vladimir Ivan Leventon (also known briefly as Carlos Keith)
Jet Li � Li Lian Jie/Li Lianjie
Lykke Li � Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson
Mr. Lif � Jeffrey Haynes
Alex Lifeson � Aleksandar �ivojinovic
Judith Light � Judith Ellen Licht
Winnie Lightner � Winifred Reeves
Lil' Chris � Christopher James Hardman
Lil' Kim � Kimberly Jones
Lil Mama � Niatia Jessica Kirkland
Lil' Romeo (a.k.a. Romeo) � Percy Romeo Miller, Jr.
Lil' Wayne � Dwanye Carter
Lil Wyte � Patrick Lanshaw
Lil Yachty � Miles Parks McCollum
Lill-Babs � Barbro Margareta Svensson
Bjarne Liller � Bjarne Bent R�nne Pedersen
Rickey Lime (a.k.a. Rickey Goodling) � Anna Goodling
Abbey Lincoln � Anna Marie Wooldridge
Andrew Lincoln � Andrew James Clutterbuck
Elmo Lincoln � Otto Elmo Linkenhelt
Pamela Lincoln � Pamela Gill
Anita Linda � Alice Lake
Hal Linden � Harold Lipschitz
Max Linder � Gabriel-Maximilien Leuvielle
Howard Lindsay � Herman Nelke
Margaret Lindsay � Margaret Kies
Robert Lindsay � Robert Lindsay Stevenson
Lio � Wanda Maria Ribeiro Furtado Tavares de Vasconcelos
Lisa Lisa � Lisa Velez
Lisa M. � Marlisa Marrero V�zquez
Virna Lisi � Virna Lisa Pieralisi
Lita � Amy Dumas
Ann Little � Mary Brooks
Jack Little (a.k.a. Little Jack Little) � John Leonard
Lord Littlebrook � Eric Tovey
Little Tony (singer) � Antonio Ciacci
Liv�Lz

Little Walter � Marion Walter Jacobs
Larry Livermore � Lawrence Hayes
Bunny Livingston (a.k.a. Bunny Wailer) � Neville O'Riley Livingston
Jay Livingston � Jacob Harold Levinson
Mary Livingstone � Sadie Marcowitz
Emma Livry � Jeanne Emma Emarot or Emma Marie Emarot (disputed)
LL Cool J � James Todd Smith
Kathleen Lloyd � Kathleen Gackle
Marie Lloyd (a.k.a. Bella Delmere) � Matilda Alice Victoria Wood
Norman Lloyd � Norman Perlmutter
Lobo � Roland Kent Lavoie
Josef Locke � Joseph McLaughlin
Gary Lockwood � John Gary Yurosek
John Loder � William John Muir Lowe
Ella Logan � Georgina Allan
Jimmy Logan � James Allan Short
Johnny Logan � Se�n Patrick Michael Sherrard
Lolly (singer) � Anna Shantha Kumble
Herbert Lom � Herbert Charles Angelo Kuchacevich ze Schluderpacheru
Enzo de Muro Lomanto � Vincenzo De Muro
Carole Lombard � Jane Alice Peters
Louise Lombard � Louise Maria Perkins
Shawty Lo � Carlos Walker
Alice Lon � Alice Lon Wyche
Julie London � Gayle Peck
John Lone � Ng Kwok-leung
Baron Longfellow (formerly known as Andy Kim) � Andrew Youakim
Jack Lord � John Joseph Patrick Ryan
Justine Lord � Justine Schooling
Marjorie Lord � Marjorie Wollenberg
Lorde � Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor
Mr. Lordi � Tomi Petteri Putaansuu
Traci Lords � Nora Louise Kuzma
Loreen (singer) � Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui
Sophia Loren � Sofia Villani Scicolone
Trinity Loren � Joyce Evelyn McPherson
Eugene Loring � LeRoy Kerpestein
Gloria Loring � Gloria Goff
Teala Loring (a.k.a. Judith Gibson) � Marcia Eloise Griffin
Marion Lorne � Marion Lorne MacDougall
Guido Lorraine (akas: Gwidon Borucki, Guy Borucki) � Gwidon Alfred Gottlieb
Louise Lorraine � Louise Escovar
Chuck Lorre � Charles Michael Levine
Peter Lorre � L�szl� L�wenstein
Joan Lorring � Mary Madeline Ellis
Lucille Lortel � Lucille Wadler
Loscil � Scott Morgan
Helmut Lotti � Helmut Barthold Johannes Alma Lotigier
Bonnie Lou � Mary Joan Kath
Jean Louis � Jean Louis Berthault
Justin Louis (akas: Louis Ferreira, Justin Lewis) � Lu�s Ferreira
Anita Louise � Anita Louise Fremault
Merle Louise � Merle Louise Letowt
Tina Louise � Tina Blacker
Louisiana Red � Iverson Minter
Michel Louvain � Michel Poulin
Charlie Louvin � Charles Elzer Loudermilk
Ira Louvin � Ira Lonnie Loudermilk
Love and Sas � Lovena Fox and Saskia Garel
Angelina Love (a.k.a. Angel Williams) � Lauren Williams
Bessie Love � Juanita Horton
Courtney Love � Courtney Michelle Harrison (name later legally changed to Courtney Michelle Love)
Darlene Love � Darlene Wright
Faizon Love � Langston Faizon Santisima
Mary Love � Mary Ann Allen
Monie Love � Simone Gooden
Lovefoxxx � Lu�sa Hanae Matsushita
Linda Lovelace � Linda Susan Boreman
Patty Loveless � Patricia Lee Ramey
Ed Lover � James Roberts
Lene Lovich � Lili-Marlene Premilovich
Myrna Loy � Myrna Adele Williams
Antonella Lualdi � Antonietta de Pascale
Emmanuel Lubezki � Emmanuel Lubezki Morgenstern
Arthur Lucan � Arthur Towle
Nick Lucas � Dominic Nicholas Anthony Lucanese
Lucecita � Luz Esther Ben�tez
Lucero (entertainer) � Lucero Hogaza Le�n
Sid Lucero � Timothy Mark Pimentel Eigenmann
Lucha Villa � Luz Elena Ruiz Bejarano
Luciana (entertainer) � Luciana Caporaso
Luciano � Jepther McClymont
Ludacris � Christopher Bridges
Allen Ludden � Allen Packard Ellsworth
Lex Luger � Lawrence Wendell Pfohl
Lex Luger (record producer) � Lexus Arnel Lewis
Bela Lugosi (a.k.a. Arisztid Olt) � B�la Ferenc Dezs� Blask�
Aca Lukas � Aleksandar Vuksanovic
Keye Luke � Luk Sek Lam
Lulu � Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie
Lulu Belle and Scotty � Myrtle Eleanor Cooper and Scott Greene Wiseman
Lydia Lunch � Lydia Koch
Alberto Lupo � Alberto Zoboli
Virginia Luque � Violeta Mabel Dom�nguez
Ingrid Luterkort � Carola Ingrid Margareta Eklundh
Lux Interior � Erick Lee Purkhiser
Lillian Lux � Lillian Sylvia Lukashefsky
Annabella Lwin � Myant Myant Aye
Abe Lyman � Abraham Simon
Dawn Lyn � Dawn Lyn Narvik
Jacquie Lyn � Jaquelyn Dufton
Carol Lynley � Carole Ann Jones
Amber Lynn � Laura Allen
Cassandra Lynn � Cassandra Lynn Jensen
Cynthia Lynn � Zinta Valda Zimilis
Diana Lynn � Dolores Marie Loehr
Ginger Lynn � Ginger Lynn Allen
Jeffrey Lynn � Ragnar Lind
Judy Lynn � Judy Lynn Voiten
Porsche Lynn � Lauren Pokorny
Sharon Lynn � D'Auvergne Sharon Lindsay
Dame Vera Lynn � Vera Margaret Welch
Carole Lynne � Helen Violet Carolyn Heyman
Dame Gillian Lynne � Gillian Barbara Pyrke
Gloria Lynne � Gloria Wilson
Natasha Lyonne � Natasha Braunstein
Lya Lys � Natalia Lyecht
Natasha Lytess (a.k.a. Tala Forman) � Natalia Postmann
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
M[edit]
Ma�Me

M-Flo � Ryu Yong Gi and Taku Takahashi
Edo Maajka � Edin Osmic
Moms Mabley � Loretta Mary Aiken
Bernie Mac � Bernard Jeffrey McCollough
Ewan MacColl � James Henry Miller
Harry Macdonough � John Scantlebury Macdonald
Moyna Macgill � Charlotte Lillian McIldowie
Byron MacGregor � Gary Mack
Machito � Francisco Ra�l Guti�rrez Grillo
Cecil Mack � Richard Cecil McPherson
Helen Mack � Helen McDougall
Lee Mack � Lee Gordon McKillop
Lonnie Mack � Lonnie McIntosh
Ted Mack � William Edward Maguiness
Willard Mack � Charles McLaughlin
Gis�le MacKenzie � Gis�le Marie-Louise Marguerite LaFl�che
Mary MacLaren � Mary MacDonald
Gavin MacLeod � Allan George See
Miche�l Mac Liammh�ir � Alfred Willmore
Bill Macy � Wolf Marvin Garber
Madchild (aka Mad Child) � Shane Bunting
Mad Cobra � Ewart Everton Brown
Madame Sul-Te-Wan � Nellie Crawford
Cleo Madison � Lulu Bailey
Guy Madison � Robert Ozell Moseley
Holly Madison � Holly Sue Cullen
Noel Madison � Noel Nathaniel Moscovitch
Sarah Danielle Madison � Sarah Goldberg
Madonna Wayne Gacy � Stephen Gregory Bier Jr.
Madusa � Debra Lewandowski
Philip Madoc � Philip Arvon Jones
Maestro � Wesley Williams
Johnny Maestro � John Mastrangelo
Stella Maeve � Stella Maeve Johnston
Maggot � Andrew Major
Magic Sam � Samuel Gene Maghett
Magic Slim � Morris Holt
Magnifico (musician) � Robert Pe�ut
Brutus Magnus (akas: Magnus, Oblivion) � Nicholas Harry Aldis
Mark Magnus � Mark Copani
Magoo � Melvin Barcliff
Mahasti � Eftekhar Dadehbala
Franca Ma� � Fran�oise Baud
Marjorie Main � Mary Tomlinson
Lee Majors � Harvey Lee Yeary, Jr.
Mako � Makoto Iwamatsu
Dionysis Makris � Dionysis Syntrivanis
Karl Malden � Mladen Sekulovich
Boris Malenko � Lawrence Boris Simon
Dean Malenko � Dean Simon
Joe Malenko � Joseph Simon
Eva Maler � Eva Maria Litzenberg
Hema Malini � Hema Malini R. Chakravarty (a.k.a. Aisha Bi R. Chakravarty)
Max Malini � Max Katz Breit
Julia Mallam � Julia Oglesby
Anna Malle � Anna Hotop
Mathilde Mallinger � Mathilde Lichtenegger
Victoria Mallory (a.k.a. Vicki Morales) � Victoria Morales
Roy Maloy � Roy Timothy McPherson
Yngwie Malmsteen � Lars Johan Yngve Lannerb�ck
Dorothy Malone � Dorothy Eloise Maloney
Nancy Malone � Anne Josefa Maloney
Mal� � Mar�a Luc�a S�nchez Ben�tez
Eily Malyon � Eily Sophie Lees-Craston
Mancow � Matthew Erich Muller
Mando � Adamantia Stamatopoulou
Mani (musician) � Gary Manny Mounfield
Aasif Mandvi � Aasif Hakim Mandviwala
Manitas de Plata � Ricardo Baliardo
Handsome Dick Manitoba � Richard Blum
Manitoba � Daniel Victor Snaith (now uses the stage name Caribou)
Mankind � Michael Francis Foley
Anthony Mann � Emil Anton Bundmann
Barry Mann � Barry Iberman
Herbie Mann � Herbert Jay Solomon
Manfred Mann � Manfred Sepse Lubowitz
Mary Mannering � Florence Friend
Dick Manning � Samuel Medoff
Irene Manning (briefly known as Hope Manning) � Inez Harvuot
Mano Solo � Emmanuel Cabut
Jayne Mansfield � Vera Jane Palmer
Sally Mansfield � Marie Mahder
Marilyn Manson � Brian Hugh Warner
Paul Mantee � Paul Marianetti
Kurtis Mantronik � Kurtis el-Khaleel
V�ctor Manuelle � V�ctor Manuel Ruiz
Roots Manuva � Rodney Hylton Smith
Adele Mara � Adelaide Delgado
Andr� Maranne � Andr� Gaston Maillol
Patricia Marand � Patricia Marandino
Sophie Marceau � Sophie Dani�le Sylvie Maupu
Marcelo � Marko �elic
Kee Marcello � Kjell Hilding L�vbom
Elspeth March � Jean Elspeth Mackenzie
Fredric March � Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel
Hal March � Harold Mendelson
Jane March � Jane March Horwood
Peggy March � Margaret Annemarie Battavio
Bobby Marchan � Oscar James Gibson
Rocky Marciano � Rocco Francis Marchegiano
James Marcus � Brian T. James
Jerry Maren � Gerard Marenghi
Margo (film actress) � Mar�a Marguerita Guadalupe Teresa Estela Bolado Castilla y O'Donnell
Margo (singer) � Margeret Catherine O'Donnell
Mar�a Isabel � Mar�a Isabel L�pez Rodr�guez
Maria Rita � Maria Rita Camargo Mariano
Angelica Maria � Angelica Hartman
Julienne Marie � Julianne Marie Hendricks
Lisa Marie (actress) � Lisa Marie Smith
Marie-Mai � Marie-Mai Bouchard
Marie N (a.k.a. Marie N.) � Marija Naumova
Marilyn � Peter Robinson
Marinella � Kyriaki Papadopoulou
Gloria Mar�n � Gloria M�ndez Ramos
Giovanna Marini � Giovanna Salviucci
Mario (opera tenor) � Giovanni Matteo de Candia
Mona Maris � Mona Maria Emita Capdeville (or Maria Rose Amita Capdevielle)
Marisela � Marisela Esqueda
L�o Marjane � Th�r�se Maria L�onie Gendebien
Markiplier � Mark Edward Fischbach
Dame Alicia Markova � Lilian Alice Marks
Alfred Marks � Ruchel Kutchinsky
Marley Marl � Marlon Williams
Hugh Marlowe � Hugh Herbert Hipple
Julia Marlowe � Sarah Frances Frost
June Marlowe � Gisela Valaria Goetten
Kathryn Marlowe � Kathryn Isabelle Rea
Marion Marlowe � Marion Townsend
Anna Marly � Anna Yurievna Betulinskaya
Hanna Maron � Hanna Meierzak
Albert Marre � Albert Eliot Moshinsky
Bruno Mars � Peter Gene Hernandez
Mick Mars � Robert Alan Deal
Carol Marsh � Norma Lilian Simpson
Garry Marsh � Leslie Marsh Geraghty
Joan Marsh (briefly known as Dorothy D. Rosher) � Nancy Ann Rosher
Marian Marsh (a.k.a. Marilyn Morgan) � Violet Ethelred Krauth
Brenda Marshall � Ardis Ankerson
Marion Marshall (actress) � Marian Lepriel Tanner
Peter Marshall � Ralph Pierre LaCock
Tully Marshall � William Phillips
Lena Martell � Helen Thomson
Martika � Martha Marrero
Dean Martin � Dino Paul Crocetti
Derek Martin � Derek William Rapp
Judy Martin � Eva Alaine Overstake
Kiel Martin � Kiel Urban Mueller
Lori Martin � Dawn Catherine Menzer
Marion Martin � Marion Suplee
Quinn Martin � Irwin Martin Cohn
Ross Martin � Martin Rosenblatt
Tony Martin � Alvin Morris
Tony Martin (Black Sabbath vocalist) � Anthony Philip Harford
Elsa Martinelli � Elisa Tia
Mia Martini � Domenica Bert�
Al Martino � Alfred Cini
John Martyn � Iain David McGeachy
Laurel Martyn � Laurel Gill
Hank Marvin (akas: Hank Brian Marvin, Hank B. Marvin) � Brian Robson Rankin
Mary Mary � Erica Atkin Campbell and Trecina Atkin Campbell
Marzieh (singer) � Ashraf o-Sadat Mortezaie
Mase (a.k.a. Ma$e) � Mason Durell Betha
Pepper Mashay � Jean McClain
Masked Musician � Leonard Montano
Clarence Mason � Herman Stevens, Jr.
Jackie Mason � Yacov Moshe Maza
Massari � Sar Abboud
Osa Massen � Aase Madsen Iversen
Edith Massey � Edith Dornfield
Ilona Massey � Ilona Hajm�ssy
Masta Killa � Elgin Turner
Mastana � Murtaza Hassan
Chris Masters � Christopher Mordetsky
Jessy Matador � Jessy Kimbangi
Maysa Matarazzo � Maysa Figueira Monjardim
Carole Mathews � Jean Deifel
June Mathis � June Beulah Hughes
Matisyahu � Matthew Paul Miller
Ian Matthews � Iain Matthew McDonald
Lisa Matthews � Lisa Reich
Monica Maughan � Monica Cresswell Wood
Sharon Maughan � Sharon Patricia Mughan
Max Maven � Philip Goldstein
Joey Maxim � Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli
Maxim Reality � Keith Palmer
Joe May � Joseph Otto Mandel
Marilyn Maye � Marilyn McLaughlin
Mitzi Mayfair � Juanita Emylyn Pique
Gypie Mayo � John Phillip Cawthra
Virginia Mayo � Virginia Clara Jones
Mike Mazurki � Mikhail (or Mikhail) Mazurkiewicz
Paul Mazursky � Irwin Mazursky
Lapiro de Mbanga � Lambo Sandjo Pierre Roger
MC Bat Commander � Christian Jacobs
MC Honky � Mark Oliver Everett
MC Lyte � Lana Michelle Moorer
MC Ren � Lorenzo Jerald Patterson
MC Tee � Tour� Embden
MCA � Adam Nathaniel Yauch
George McAnthony � Georg Spitaler
Billy McColl (actor) � William Collins
Kent McCord � Kent Franklin McWhirter
Sylvester McCoy � Percy James Patrick Kent-Smith
Drew McDonald � Charles Shaw
Marie McDonald ("The Body Beautiful"; "The Body") � Cora Marie Frye
Jack McDuff (a.k.a. "Brother" Jack McDuff) � Eugene McDuffy
Darren McGavin � William Lyle Richardson
Mike McGear � Peter Michael McCartney
Kitty McGeever � Catherine Jane Mitchell
Beulah McGillicutty � Trisa Hayes
Michael McGillicutty � Joseph Curtis Hennig
Charles McGraw � Charles Butters
Nigel McGuinness (a.k.a. Desmond Wolfe) � Steven Haworth
Goldy McJohn � John Raymond Goadsby
Fay McKay � Fayetta Gelinas
Scott McKenzie � Philip Wallach Blondheim
Kate McKinnon � Kathryn McKinnon Berthold
David McLean � Eugene Joseph Huth
John McLiam � John Williams
Mick McManus � William George Matthews
Christine McVie � Christine Perfect
Audrey Meadows � Audrey Cotter
Jayne Meadows (a.k.a. Jayne Meadows-Allen) � Jane Meadows Cotter
Meat Loaf � Marvin Lee Aday
M�dine (rapper) � Medine Zaouiche
Raya Meddine � Rana Alamuddin
Me�Mo

Kay Medford � Margaret Kathleen Regan
Meek Mill � Robert Williams
Ralph Meeker � Ralph Rathgeber
Meja � Anna Pernilla Torndahl
Larry Bud Melman � Calvert Grant DeForest
Eddie Mekka � Rudolph Edward Mekjian
Dame Nellie Melba � Helen Porter Mitchell
Melky Sedeck � Blandinna Melky Jean & Farel Sedeck Guerschom Jean
Melle Mel � Melvin Glover
George Melachrino � George Miltiades
Jack Melford � John Kenneth George Melford Smith
Marisa Mell � Marlies Theres Moitzi
Raquel Meller � Francisca Romana Marqu�s L�pez
Mellow Man Ace � Ulpiano Sergio Reyes
Luiz Melodia � Luiz Carlos dos Santos
Sid Melton � Sidney Meltzer
Memphis Bleek � Malik Cox
Memphis Slim � John Len Chatman
Marie Menken � Marie Menkevicius
Doro Merande � Dora Matthews
Vivien Merchant � Ada Thompson
Melina Mercouri � Maria Amalia Mercouris
Freddie Mercury � Farrokh Bulsara
Lee Meredith � Judith Lee Sauls
Bess Meredyth � Helen Elizabeth MacGlashen
Tita Merello � Laura Ana Merelli
Yolanda M�rida � Yolanda Noem� Alpuche Morales
Ethel Merman � Ethel Agnes Zimmermann
Lynn Merrick � Marilyn Llewelling
Dina Merrill � Nedenia Marjorie Hutton
Helen Merrill � Jelena Ana Milcetic
Robert Merrill � Moishe Miller
William Mervyn � William Mervyn Pickwoad
Eddie Mesa � Eduardo Eigenmann
Method Man � Clifford Smith
Harry Meyen � Harald Haubenstock
�ngela Meyer � Angela Maurano
Vsevolod Meyerhold � Karl Kasimir Theodor Meiergold
Hack Meyers � Donald Haviland
George Michael � Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
Ralph Michael � Ralph Champion Shotter
Bret Michaels � Bret Michael Sychak
Frankie Michaels � Francis Michael Chernesky
Marilyn Michaels � Marilyn Sternberg
Shawn Michaels � Michael Shawn Hickenbottom
Tammy Lynn Michaels � Tammy Lynn Doring
Lea Michele � Lea Michele Sarfati
Michael Michele � Michael Michele Williams
Candice Michelle � Candice Michelle Beckman
Donna Michelle � Donna Michelle Ronne
Janee Michelle (a.k.a. Gee Tucker) � Geneva Leona Mercadel
M.I.A. (rapper) � Mathangi Arulpragasam
MickDeth � Mick Richard Morris
Guy Middleton � Guy Middleton Powell
Johnny Midnight � John William Xeres-Burgos Joseph Jr.
Luis Miguel � Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri
Mika � Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr.
Ted V. Mikels � Theodore Vincent Mikacevich
Mikey Dread � Michael George Campbell
miKKa � Mihajlo Obrenov
Mil M�scaras � Aaron Rodr�guez Arellano
Garry Miles � James Cason
Robert Miles (a.k.a. Roberto Milani) � Roberto Concina
Lewis Milestone � Lev Milstein
Tomas Milian � Tom�s Quint�n Rodr�guez
Victor Millan � Joseph Brown
Ray Milland � Reginald Alfred John Truscott-Jones
Mary Millar � Irene Mary Wetton
Ann Miller � Johnnie Lucille Collier
Eve Miller � Eve Turner
Kristine Miller � Jacqueline Olivia Eskesen
Mac Miller � Malcolm McCormick
Marilyn Miller � Mary Ellen Reynolds
Martin Miller � Rudolph Muller
Mick Miller (comedian) � Michael Lawton
Millie � Millicent Dolly May Small
Bird Millman � Jennadean Engleman
Donna Mills � Donna Jean Miller
Florence Mills � Florence Winfrey
Milos Milos � Milo� Milo�evic
Mina � Anna Maria Mazzini
Ara Mina � Hazel Klenk Reyes
Nicki Minaj � Onika Tanya Maraj
Ming Dow � Lin Chao-chang
Ming Na (akas: Ming Na Wen, Ming Wen) � Ming-Na Wen
Minimaks � Milovan Ilic
Minnesota Fats � Rudolf Walter Wanderon, Jr. (later "Wanderone")
Mike Minor (actor) � Michael Fedderson
Mary Miles Minter � Juliet Reilly
Alexis Minotis � Alexis Minotakis
Miou-Miou � Sylvette Herry
Isa Miranda � Ines Isabella Sampietro
Soledad Miranda (akas: Susann Korda, Susan Korday) � Soledad Rend�n Bueno
Miss Cleo � Youree Dell Harris
Miss Elizabeth � Elizabeth Ann Hulette
Miss Kittin � Caroline Herv�
Mississippi Slim � Carvel Lee Ausborn
Rey Misterio (or Rey Mysterio, Jr.) � �scar Guti�rrez Rubio
Mister You � Younes Latifi
Mistinguett � Jeanne Bourgeois
Duke Mitchell � Dominic Salvatore Miceli
Frank Mitchell (presenter) � Francis McClory
Gordon Mitchell � Charles Allen Pendleton
Guy Mitchell � Albert George Cernik
Joni Mitchell � Roberta Joan Anderson
Warren Mitchell � Warren Misell
Yvonne Mitchell � Yvonne Frances Joseph
Mitsou � Mitsou-Miel Rioux-G�linas
Akihiro Miwa � Shingo Maruyama (later known as Akihiro Maruyama)
Art Mix � George Washington Kesterson
Sir Mix-A-Lot � Anthony Ray
Mimi Miyagi � Melody Damayo
The Miz � Michael Mizanin
Mizchif � Hechichamunorwa Mount Zion Kwenda
Agnez Mo � Agnes Monica Muljoto
Mo B. Dick (akas: The Shaman Mahatmah, Ruhi Anubis Yazid, Ruh) � Raymond E. Poole
Mo-Do � Fabio Frittelli
Moby � Richard Melville Hall
Mac Mohan � Mohan Makhijani
Mona Lisa � Gloria Lerma Yatco
Janelle Mon�e � Janelle Mon�e Robinson
Mike Mondo � Michael Steven Brendli
Money Mark � Mark Ramos-Nishita
Pierre Mondy � Pierre Cuq
Eddie Money � Edward Joseph Mahoney
Owen Money (a.k.a. Gerry Braden) � Lynn Mittell
Monice � Monika Ivkic
Mo'Nique � Monique Imes
Matt Monro � Terence Edward Parsons
Jordan Monroe � Emily Ranheim
Princess Bambi Monroe � Taylor Ashley Horn
Tami Monroe � Jessica Wells
Country Dick Montana � Daniel Monte McLain
Lenny Montana � Leonardo Passofaro
Montie Montana � Owen Harlen Mickel
Patsy Montana � Ruby Rose Blevins
Yves Montand � Ivo Livi
Toni Montano � Velibor Miljkovic
Chris Montez � Ezekiel Christopher Montanez
Maria Montez � Mar�a Antonia Garc�a Vidal de Santo Silas (some sources cite Mar�a �frica Gracia Vidal or Mar�a �frica Antonia Gracia Vidal de Santo Silas)
Ricardo Montez � Levy Isaac Attias
Montgomery Gentry � Gerald Edward Montgomery and Troy Gentry
George Montgomery � George Montgomery Letz
Carlotta Monti � Carlotta Montijo
Sara Montiel (akas: Sarita Montiel; Sarit�sima) � Mar�a Antonia Abad Fern�ndez
Mike Monty (akas: Mike Monti, Michael Monty, Mike Monte) � Michael O'Donahue
Ivan L. Moody (a.k.a. Ghost) � Ivan Lewis Greening
Ron Moody � Ronald Moodnick
Debra Mooney � Debra Vick
Lova Moor � Marie-Claude Jourdain
Colleen Moore � Kathleen Morrison
Garry Moore � Thomas Garrison Morfit
Julianne Moore � Julie Anne Smith
Melba Moore � Beatrice Melba Hill
Michael D. Moore (child actor and film director) (a.k.a. Mickey Moore) � Michael Sheffield
Terry Moore (akas: Judy Ford, Jan Ford, and January Ford) � Helen Luella Koford
Mo�Mz

Natalie Moorhead � Nathalia Messner
Vina Morales � Sharon Garcia Magdayao
Eric Morecambe � John Eric Bartholomew
Andr� Morell � Cecil Andr� Mesritz
Monica Morell � Monica Wirz-R�mer
Rosa Morena � Manuela Otilia Pulgar�n Gonz�lez
Rosita Moreno � Gabriela Victoria Vi�olas
Camila Morgado � Camila Ribeiro da Silva
Chesty Morgan � Ilana Wilczkowsky
Dennis Morgan (aka Richard Stanley) � Earl Stanley Morner
Frank Morgan � Francis Phillip Wuppermann
Gary Morgan � Gary Panansky
Harry Morgan � Harry Bratsberg (often spelled Bratsburg)
Helen Morgan � Helen Riggins
Henry Morgan (humorist) � Henry Lerner Van Ost, Jr.
Jane Morgan � Florence Catherine Currier
Lina Morgan � Mar�a de los �ngeles L�pez Segovia
Mich�le Morgan � Simone Ren�e Roussel
Ralph Morgan � Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann
Shaun Morgan � Shaun Morgan Welgemoed
Morganna the Kissing Bandit � Morganna Roberts
Claudia Mori � Claudia Moroni
Toshia Mori (akas: Shia Jung, Toshiye Ichioka, Toshi Mori, and Tashia Mori) � Toshia Ichioka
Pat Morita � Morita Noriyuki
Gaby Morlay � Blanche Pauline Fumoleau
Karen Morley � Mildred Linton
Oliver Morosco � Oliver Mitchell
Aubrey Morris � Aubrey Jack Steinberg
Lewis Morrison � Morris W. Morris
Patricia Morrison � Patricia Anne Rainone
Shelley Morrison � Rachel Mitrani
Buddy Morrow � Muni Zudekoff
Doretta Morrow � Doretta Marano
Susan Morrow � Jacqueline Ann Teresa Bernadette Immoor
Gary Morton � Morton Goldapper
Hugh Morton � Hugh Morton Eden
James C. Morton (akas: James C. Lankton, James Carmody Lankton) � Thomas Richard Potts
Jelly Roll Morton � Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (also possibly spelled Lemott, LaMotte or LaMenthe)
Mos Def � Dante Terrell Smith
Hans Moser � Johann Julier
Mickie Most � Michael Peter Hayes
Iwa Moto � Aileen Quimado Iwamoto
Movita � Maria Luisa Castaneda
Alan Mowbray � Alfred Ernest Allen
Mr. II � Joseph Mbilinyi
Mr. Flash � Gilles Bousquet
Mr. Fuji � Harry Fujiwara
Ms. Melodie � Ramona Scott
Muddy Waters � McKinley Morganfield
Jean Muir � Jean Muir Fullarton
Blackjack Mulligan (akas: Big Bob Windham, Big Machine) � Robert Deroy Windham
muMs da Schemer � Craig Grant
Paul Muni � Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund
Alex Munro � Alexander Neilson Horsburgh
Janet Munro � Janet Neilson Horsburgh
Ona Munson � Ona Wolcott
Alma Muriel � Alma Muriel del Sordo
F. W. Murnau (aka Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau) � Friedrich Wilhelm Plumpe
Arthur Murray � Arthur Teichman
Brian Murray � Brian Bell
Jan Murray � Murray Janofsky
Ken Murray � Kenneth Doncourt
Lyn Murray � Lionel Breeze
Mae Murray � Marie Adrienne Koenig
Murray the K � Murray Kaufman
Junior Murvin � Murvin Junior Smith
Musidora � Jeanne Roques
Musiq Soulchild (or Musiq) � Taalib Johnson
Ivar Must � Igor Ts�ganov
Ornella Muti � Francesca Romana Rivelli
Alannah Myles � Alannah Byles
Meg Myles � Billie Jean Jones
Marie Myriam � Myriam Lopes
Odette Myrtil � Odette Laure Clotilde Quignarde
Mystikal � Michael L. Tyler
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
N[edit]
Paul Nabor � Alfonso Palacio
Kendo Nagasaki � Peter William Thornley
Anne Nagel � Anne Dolan
Nagma � Nandita Arvind Morarji
Jimmy Nail � James Michael Aloysius Bradford
Laurence Naismith � Lawrence Johnson
Bif Naked � Beth Torbert
Nita Naldi � Mary Dooley
Marguerite Namara � Marguerite Evelyn Cecilia Banks
Diana Napier � Alice Mary Ellis
Nargis (a.k.a. Nargis Dutt) � Fatima Rashid
Nas � Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Paul Naschy � Jacinto Molina �lvarez
Nash the Slash � Jeff Plewman
Niecy Nash � Carol Denise Ensley
Adile Nasit � Adile Nasit �zcan
Marie-Jos� Nat � Marie-Jos� Benhalassa
Natalya � Natalie Katherine Neidhart
Nate Dogg � Nathaniel Dwayne Hale
Nattefrost � Roger Rasmussen
Vhong Navarro � Ferdinand Hipolito Navarro
Alla Nazimova � Mariam Edez Adelaida Leventon
Amedeo Nazzari � Salvatore Amedeo Buffa
N'dambi (a.k.a. N'Dambi) � Chonita Nicole Gillespie, also Chonita Gilbert
Me'shell Ndegeocello � Michelle Johnson, later Meshell Suihailia Bashir Shakur
Dame Anna Neagle � Florence Marjorie Robertson
Necro (rapper) � Ron Raphael Braunstein
Nelson Ned � Nelson Ned d'�vila Pinto
Connie Needham (aka Connie Newton) � Connie Marie Bowen
Pola Negri � Apolonia Chalupec (variations of surname exist)
Vince Neil � Vincent Neil Wharton
Roy William Neill � Roland de Gostrie
Adelaide Neilson � Elizabeth Ann Brown
Perlita Neilson � Margaret Phillipa Sowden
Nelly � Cornell Haynes, Jr.
Nelly (Egyptian entertainer) � Nelly Artin Kalfayan
Barry Nelson � Robert Haakon Nielsen
Gene Nelson � Leander Eugene Berg
Nena � Gabriele Susanne Kerner
Nadia Nerina � Nadine Judd
Carlo Nero � Carlo Gabriel Sparanero
Franco Nero � Francesco Clemente Giuseppe Sparanero
Never Shout Never! � Christofer Drew Ingle
Nervous Norvus � James Drake
Newton (British singer) � William Myers
Nerdkween � Monica Arrington
Mary Newland � Lilian Mary Oldland
Ne-Yo � Shaffer Chimere Smith
David Ngoombujarra � David Bernard Starr
Fred Niblo � Frederick Liedtke
M�ire Nic Shiubhlaigh � Mary Elizabeth Walker
Hell� Nice � Mariette H�l�ne Delangle
Nichkhun � Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul
Paul Nicholas (a.k.a. Paul Dean) � Paul Oscar Beuselinck
Barbara Nichols � Barbara Marie Nickerauer
Dandy Nichols � Daisy Sander
Mike Nichols � Michael Igor Peschkowsky
Maggie Nicols (a.k.a. Maggie Nichols) � Margaret Nicholson
Nicki Minaj � Onika Tanya Maraj
Nicky Jam � Nick Rivera Caminero
Nico � Christa P�ffgen
Nico (Romanian singer) � Nicoleta Matei
Nicole (German singer) � Nicole Hohloch
Crista Nicole � Crista Nicole Wagner
Susi Nicoletti � Susanne Emilie Luise Adele Habersack
Lisa Niemi � Lisa Anne Haapaniemi
Steve Nieve � Steven Nason
Willie Nile � Robert Noonan
Nina Sky � Nicole and Natalie Albino
Nino (Greek singer) � Stefanos Sakellarios Xypolitas
Marika Ninou � Evangelia Atamian
Dale Nixon � Greg Ginn
Marian Nixon � Marian Nissinen
Marni Nixon � Margaret Nixon McEathron
Mojo Nixon � Neill Kirby McMillan, Jr.
Noa (singer) � Achinoam Nini
Danbert Nobacon � Nigel Hunter
Chelsea Noble � Nancy Mueller
Nick Noble (singer) � Nicholas Valkan
Young Noble � Rufus Cooper III
Magali No�l � Magali No�lle Guiffray (some sources cite Guiffrai)
Noemi � Veronica Scopelliti
Paulette Noizeux � Marie-Paule Coeur�
Noko � Norman Fisher-Jones
Eda Nolan � Eda Kristy Cabilan
Kathleen Nolan � Jocelyn Schrum
Mary Nolan � Mary Imogene Robertson
Klaus Nomi � Klaus Sperber
Nonchalant � Tanya Pointer
Noodles � Kevin Wasserman
Tommy Noonan � Thomas Patrick Noone
Christine Norden � Mary Lydia Thornton
Lillian Nordica � Lillian Allen Norton
Norma Jean � Norma Jean Beasler
Jimmy Norman � James Norman Scott
Peter North (Canadian porn actor, director and producer) � Alden Brown
Sheree North � Dawn Shirley Crang (later known as Dawn Bethel, her stepfather's surname)
Barry Norton � Alfredo Carlos Birab�n
Graham Norton � Graham Walker
Red Norvo � Kenneth Norville
Eille Norwood � Anthony Edward Brett
The Notorious B.I.G. � Christopher Wallace
Aldo Nova � Aldo Caporuscio
Heather Nova � Heather Allison Frith
Ram�n Novarro � Jos� Ram�n Gil Samaniego
Jay Novello � Michael Romano
Nujabes � Seba Jun (or Jun Seba, varying sources)
Gary Numan � Gary Anthony James Webb
Numskull � Garrick Husbands
France Nuyen � France Nguyen Van-Nga
Carrie Nye � Caroline Nye McGeoy
Louis Nye � Louis Neistat
Laura Nyro � Laura Nigro
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
O[edit]
Barry O (akas: The Zodiac, Barrymore Barlow, Barry "O" Bazza, The Highroller) � Randal Barry Orton
Jimmy O � Jean Jimmy Alexandre
Karen O � Karen Lee Orzolek
Jack Oakie � Lewis Delaney Offield
Dagmar Oakland � Edna Andersen
Vivien Oakland � Vivian Andersen
Annie Oakley � Phoebe Ann Moses
O-Bee � Omer Michael Jamal Bhatti
Merle Oberon � Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson
Hugh O'Brian � Hugh Charles Krampe
Jim O'Brien (radio) � James Oldham
Richard O'Brien � Richard Timothy Smith
Sylvia O'Brien (actress) � Sylvia Freda Carroll
Richard O'Callaghan � Richard Rooke
Diether Ocampo � Diether Pascual
Billy Ocean � Leslie Sebastian Charles
Frank Ocean � Christopher Breaux, later legally changed to Christopher Francis Ocean
Una O'Connor � Agnes Teresa McGlade
Anita O'Day � Anita Belle Colton
Dawn O'Day � Dawn Evelyeen Paris (O'Day, a child actor, would be known as an adult actor under the name Anne Shirley)
Molly O'Day (actress) � Suzanne Dobson Noonan
Molly O'Day (singer) � Lois LaVerne Williamson
ODB (wrestler) � Jessica Nora Kresa
Tony O'Dell � Anthony Dell'Aquila
Oderus Urungus � David Murray Brockie
Odetta � Odetta Holmes (also known as Odetta Felious (her stepfather's surname) and Odetta Gordon)
Cathy O'Donnell � Ann Steely
Nivek Ogre � Kevin Graham Ogilvie
George O'Hara (actor) � George Bolger
Maureen O'Hara � Maureen Fitzsimons
Quinn O'Hara � Alice Jones
Dennis O'Keefe � Edward Vance Flanagan
Tim O'Kelly � Timothy Patrick Wright
Okito � Tobias Leendert Bamberg
Ol' Dirty Bastard � Russell Tyrone Jones
Edna May Oliver � Edna May Nutter
Vic Oliver � Victor Oliver von Samek
Nelly Omar � Nilda Elvira Vattuone
Colette O'Neil � Colette McCrossan
Kate O'Mara � Frances Meredith Carroll
Nance O'Neil (a.k.a. Nancy O'Neil) � Gertrude Lamson
Paddie O'Neil � Adalena Lillian Nail
Sally O'Neil � Virginia Louise Concepta Noonan
Maire O'Neill � Mary Allgood
Tara Lynne O'Neill � Lynne James
Anny Ondra � Anna Sophie Ondr�kov�
Ookay � Abe Laguna
Max Oph�ls � Maximillian Oppenheimer
Opie � Gregg Hughes best known for The Opie and Anthony Show
Benjamin Orr - Benjamin Orzechowski
Osang (a.k.a. Rosanna Roces) � Jennifer Adriano-Molina
Super Dave Osborne � Robert Kel Einstein
Vivienne Osborne � Vera Vivienne Spragg
Henry Oscar � Henry Wale
Lee Oskar � Oskar Levetin Hansen
Yoshiko Otaka � Yoshiko Yamaguchi, Shirley Yamaguchi, Li Xianglan (Li Hsiang-lan, rendered in Japanese as Ri Koran)
Johnny Otis � John Alexander Veliotes
Shuggie Otis � Johnny Alexander Veliotes
Natalino Otto � Natale Codognotto
Outback Jack (wrestler) � Peter Stilsbury
Outsider � Shin Ok-cheol
Beverley Owen � Beverley Ogg
Bill Owen � William John Owen Rowbotham
Buck Owens � Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr.
Buddy Alan � Alvis Alan Owens
Elizabeth Owens (a.k.a. Kathe Feist) � Irma Schneider
Gary Owens � Gary Altman
Frank Oz � Richard Frank Oznowicz
Kobi Oz � Yaakov Uzan
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
P[edit]
P-Star � Priscilla Star Diaz
Master P � Percy Miller Sr.
Augustus Pablo � Horace Swaby
Petey Pablo � Moses Barrett
Bela Padilla � Krista Valle Sullivan
Anita Page � Anita Evelyn Pomares
Diamond Dallas Page � Page Joseph Falkinburg Jr.
Gale Page � Sally Perkins Rutter
Genevi�ve Page � Genevi�ve Bronjean
Patti Page � Clara Ann Fowler
Samuel Page � Samuel L. Elliott
Teddy Page (akas: Ted Johnson, Irvin Johnson) � Teddy Chiu
Debra Paget � Debralee Griffin
Elaine Paige � Elaine Jill Bickerstaff
Janis Paige � Donna Mae Tjaden
Robert Paige � John Arthur Page
George Pal � Gy�rgy P�l Marczincs�k
Jack Palance � Volodymyr Palahniuk (also known as Jack Brazzo when he was a boxer)
Palito � Reynaldo Alfredo Hipolito
Jackie Pallo � Jack Ernest Gutteridge
Andrea Palma � Guadalupe Bracho P�rez-Gavil�n
Joe Palma � Joseph Provenzano
Betsy Palmer � Patricia Betsy Hrunek
Jeff Palmer � David Zuloaga
Lilli Palmer � Lillie Marie Peiser
Maria Palmer � Maria Pichler
Patsy Palmer � Julie Anne Harris
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu � Kiriko Takemura
Pandora Boxx � Michael Steck
Mikill Pane � Justin Smith Uzomba
Irene Papas � Irene Lelekou
Paperboy � Mitchell Johnson
Paris � Oscar Jackson, Jr.
Henry Paris � Radley Metzger
Jerry Paris � William Gerald Grossman (later known as William Gerald Paris)
Mica Paris � Michelle Wallen
Victoria Paris � Sheila Young
Annie Parisse � Anne Marie Cancelmi
Cecil Parker � Cecil Schwabe
Errol Parker � Rapha�l Schecroun
Jean Parker � Luise Stephanie Zelinska
Kay Parker � Kay Rebecca Taylor
Mary Parker � Mary Frances Roberson
Royal Parker � Royal Pollokoff
"Colonel" Tom Parker � Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk
Dian Parkinson � Dianna Lynn Batts
Allison Parks � Gloria Waldron
Bert Parks � Bertram Jacobson
Parkyakarkus (a.k.a. Harry Parke) � Harold Einstein
Dita Parlo � Grethe Gerda Kornst�dt (or Gerda Olga Justine Kornst�dt)
Gigi Parrish � Katherine Gertrude McElroy
Julie Parrish � Ruby Joyce Wilbar
Leslie Parrish � Marjorie Maria Hellen
Buck Parvin (a.k.a. Art Acord) � Arthemus Ward Acord
Elli Parvo � Elvira Gobbo
Sylvia Pasquel � Sylvia Banquells Pinal
George Pastell � either Nino or George Pastellides
Patachou � Henriette Ragon
Butch Patrick � Patrick Alan Caples
Dennis Patrick � Dennis Patrick Harrison
Tera Patrick � Linda Ann Hopkins
Pat Patterson (wrestler) � Pierre Clemont
Jimmy and Brian Patton � James N. Patton Elliott and Brian Patton Elliott
Aaron Paul � Aaron Paul Sturtevant
Adrian Paul � Adrian Paul Hewett
Andrew Paul � Paul Andrew Herman
Billy Paul � Paul Williams
Frankie Paul � Paul Blake
Les Paul � Lester William Polfuss
Sean Paul � Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques
Vinnie Paul � Vincent Paul Abbott
Pauline (singer) � Pauline Vasseur
Paulo Jr. � Paulo Xisto Pinto, Jr.
Marisa Pavan � Maria Luisa Pierangeli
Johnny Paycheck � Donald Eugene Lytle
Maxx Payne � Darryl Peterson
Charlie Peacock � Charles William Ashworth
Tawny Peaks � Michele Ann Laird
Jack Pearl � Jack Perlman
Minnie Pearl � Sarah Ophelia Colley
Harold Peary � Jos� Pereira de Faria
John Peel � John Robert Parker Ravenscroft
Marti Pellow � Mark McLachlan
Queen Pen � Lynise Walters
Mike Pender � Michael John Prendergast
Dan Penn � Wallace Daniel Pennington
Dawn Penn � Dawn Pickering
Kal Penn � Kalpen Suresh Modi
Cynthia Pepper � Cynthia Anne Culpepper
Jack Pepper � Edward Jackson Culpepper
Melanie Peres � Melanie Mariam Thanee Frasch
Peret � Pedro Pubill Calaf
Mr. Perfect � Curtis Michael Hennig
Pinetop Perkins � Joseph William Perkins
Lynne Perrie � Jean Dudley
Joan Perry � Elizabeth Rosiland Miller
Joe Perry � Anthony Joseph Pereira
Lee "Scratch" Perry � Rainford Hugh Perry
Arnold Peters � Peter Reginald Gadd
Bernadette Peters � Bernadette Lazzara
Luan Peters (a.k.a. Karol Keyes) � Carol Hirsch
Roberta Peters � Roberta Peterman
Susan Peters � Suzanne Carnahan
Gilles Peterson � Gilles Jerome Moehrle
Lenka Peterson � Betty Ann Isacson
Le P�tomane � Joseph Pujol
Olga Petrova � Muriel Harding
Joanna Pettet � Joanna Jane Salmon
Raymond Pettibon � Raymond Ginn
Slim Jim Phantom � James McDonnell
Phife Dog � Malik Taylor
Gina Philips � Gina Consolo
Barney Phillips � Bernard Philip Ofner
Conrad Phillips � Conrad Philip Havord
Esther Phillips � Esther Mae Jones
Lou Diamond Phillips � Louis Upchurch
Sally Phipps � Nellie Bernice Bogdon
Beth Phoenix � Elizabeth Kocanski
Pat Phoenix � Patricia Frederica Mansfield (later known as Patricia Pilkington)
Phranc � Susan Gottlieb
�dith Piaf � �dith Gassion
Piano Red � William Perryman
Slim Pickens � Louis Bert Lindley, Jr.
Jack Pickford � John Charles Smith
Lottie Pickford � Charlotte Smith
Mary Pickford � Gladys Louise Smith
Molly Picon � Malka Opiekun
Pile (singer) � Eriko Hori
Janet Pilgrim (model) � Charlaine Edith Karalus
Jacques Pills � Ren� Jacques Ducos
Pimp C � Chad Butler
Bonnie Pink � Kaori Asada
Pink � Alecia Beth Moore
Roddy Piper � Roderick George Toombs
Camila Pitanga � Camila Manh�es Sampaio
Pitbull � Armando Christian P�rez
Ingrid Pitt � Ingoushka Petrov
Plan B (musician) � Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew
Eddie Platt � Edward Platakis
Marc Platt (dancer) � Marcel Emile Gaston LePlat
Alice Playten � Alice Plotkin
Julian Plenti � Paul Banks
Yannis (or Giannis) Ploutarchos � Yannis Kakossaios
Pogo (electronic musician) � Christopher Nicholas Bertke
Buster Poindexter � David Roger Johansen
Poldowski (a.k.a. Ir�ne Wieniawska) � R�gine Wieniawski
Polaire � �milie Marie Bouchaud
Daphne Pollard � Daphne Trott
Michael J. Pollard � Michael John Pollack, Jr.
Snub Pollard � Harold Fraser
Poly Styrene � Marianne Joan Elliott-Said
Doc Pomus � Jerome Solon Felder
Poncie Ponce � Ponciano Hernandez
Norma Pons � Norma Delia Orizi
Rosa Ponselle � Rosa Ponzillo
Roger Pontare (a.k.a. Fred Roger Pontare) � Roger Johansson
Cassandra Ponti � Lejanie Palma Anigan
Pooh (comedian) � Reynold Garcia
Jim Ed Poole � Tom Keith
Iggy Pop � James Newell Osterberg Jr.
Lucia Popp � Lucia Poppov�
Nils Poppe � Nils Einar J�nsson
Porky (Our Gang) � Eugene Gordon Lee
Positive K � Darryl Gibson
Mike Post � Leland Michael Postil
Nell Potts � Elinor Teresa Newman
Jane Powell � Suzanne Lorraine Burce
Duffy Power � Raymond Leslie Howard
Bridget Powers � Cheryl Marie Murphy
Joey Powers � Joseph S. Ruggiero
Kid Congo Powers � Brian Tristan
Stefanie Powers (a.k.a. Taffy Paul) � Stefanie Zofya Paul
Pran � Pran Krishan Sikand
Pras � Prakazrel Samuel Michel
Patty Pravo (a.k.a. Guy Magenta) � Nicoletta Strambelli
Evelyn Preer � Evelyn Jarvis
Ann Prentiss � Ann Elizabeth Ragusa
Paula Prentiss � Paula Ragusa
Norm Prescott � Norman Zachary Pransky
Micheline Presle � Micheline Nicole Julia �milienne Chassagne
Hovis Presley � Richard Henry McFarlane
Reg Presley � Reginald Maurice Ball
Johnny Preston � John Preston Courville
Robert Preston � Robert Preston Meservey
Marie Prevost � Marie Bickford Dunn
Chilton Price � Chilton Searcy
Maxi Priest � Max Elliot
Prince Adam � Adam Deibert
Roshan Prince � Rajiv Kaplish
Prince Be (a.k.a. Prince Be the Nocturnal) � Attrell Cordes
Prince Buster � Cecil Bustamente Campbell
Prince Jazzbo � Linval Roy Carter
Prince Paul � Paul Houston
Princess Erika � Erika Dobong'na
Princess Superstar � Concetta Kirschner
Aileen Pringle � Aileen Bisbee
Percy Pringle � William Alvin Moody
Yvonne Printemps � Yvonne Wignolle
Freddie Prinze � Frederick Karl Pruetzel
P. J. Proby � James Marcus Smith
Prodigy (rapper) � Hayden Johnson
Promoe � Nils M�rten Ed
Proof � DeShaun Holt
Robert Prosky � Robert Joseph Porzuczek
Jeanne Pruett � Norma Jean Bowman
Nicholas Pryor � Nicholas David Probst
PSY � Park Jae-sang
Puma Swede � Johanna Jussinniemi
CM Punk � Phillip Jack Brooks
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Q[edit]
Maggie Q � Margaret Denise Quigley
Q-Tip � Jonathan Davis (now Kamaal Fareed)
Jakie Quartz � Jacqueline Cuchet
Suzi Quatro � Susan Kay Quatrocchio
QBoy � Marcos Brito
Queen Ida � Ida Lee Lewis
Queen Latifah � Dana Elaine Owens
Questlove � Ahmir Khalib Thompson (a.k.a. ?uestlove)
Louis Quinn � Louis Frackt
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
R[edit]
Ra�Rn

Rachel Z � Rachel Carmel Nicolazzo
Roddy Radiation � Rodney Byers
Johnny Raducanu � Raducanu Cretu
Charlotte Rae � Charlotte Rae Lubotsky
Raekwon � Corey Woods
Chips Rafferty � John William Pilbean Goffage
George Raft � George Ranft
A. R. Rahman (a.k.a. Allah-Rakha Rahman) � A. S. Dileep Kumar
Jessica Raine � Jessica Helen Lloyd
Cristina Raines � Cristina Herazo
Ralph Rainger � Ralph Reichenthal
Jody Rainwater (a.k.a. Little Jody Rainwater) � Charles Edward Johnson
Marvin Rainwater � Marvin Percy
Rosa Raisa � Raitza Burchstein
Rajasulochana � Pilliarchetty Bhakthavatsalam Naidu Rajeevalochana
Shiva Rajkumar � Putta Swamy
Rakim � William Griffin
Hanna Ralph � Johanna Antonia Adelheid G�nther
Jessie Ralph � Jessie Ralph Chambers
Dame Marie Rambert (also known as Myriam Ramberg) � Cyvia Rambam
Natacha Rambova � Winifred Shaughnessy (her name was legally changed to Winifred Hudnut after she was adopted by her stepfather)
Twiggy Ramirez � Jeordie Osbourne White
Ram�n de Algeciras � Ram�n S�nchez Gomes
Dee Dee Ramone � Douglas Glenn Colvin
Joey Ramone � Jeffrey Ross Hyman
Johnny Ramone � John William Cummings
Marky Ramone � Marc Bell
Tommy Ramone � Erd�lyi Tam�s (later Thomas Erdelyi)
C. J. Ramone � Christopher Joseph Ward
Richie Ramone � Richard Reinhardt
Matt Ramsey � Alden Brown
Sally Rand (a.k.a. Billie Beck) � Helen Harriet Beck
Frankie Randall (singer) � Frank Joseph Lisbona
Tony Randall � Leonard Rosenberg
James Randi � Randall James Hamilton Zwinge
Jane Randolph � Jane Roemer
John Randolph � Emanuel Hirsch Cohen
Joyce Randolph � Joyce Sirola
Rajinikanth � Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
Ranking Roger � Roger Charlery
Shabba Ranks � Rawlston Gordon
Barney Rapp � Barney Rappaport
Dizzee Rascal � Dylan Mills
Rasta � Lester Speight
Thalmus Rasulala � Jack Crowder
Luis Ra�l � Luis Ra�l Mart�nez Rodr�guez
Genya Ravan (a.k.a. Goldie) � Genyusha Zelkovicz
Raven � Scott Anthony Levy
Raven-Symon� (a.k.a. Raven) � Raven-Symon� Christina Pearman
Elsa Raven � Elsa Rabinowitz
James Ray � James Raymond
Philip Ray � Roy Edgar Cochrane
Gene Rayburn � Eugene Rubessa
Jazz Raycole � Jazzmine Raycole Dillingham
Martha Raye � Margy Reed
Ray-J � William Raymond Norwood Jr.
Raylene � Stacey Briana Bernstein
Gene Raymond � Raymond Guion
Amber Rayne � Meghan Wren
Madison Rayne � Ashley Nichole Simmons
Rayvon � Bruce Brewster
Andy Razaf � Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo
Razor Ramon (Canadian wrestler) (a.k.a. "Fake Razor Ramon") � Richard Bognar
Razor Ramon (American wrestler) � Scott Oliver Hall
Razor Ramon (Japanese comedian and wrestler) � Masaki Sumitani
Maxim Reality � Keeti Palmer
Jay Reatard � Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr.
Leon Redbone � Dickran Gobalian
Redfoo � Stefan Gordy
Redman � Reginald Noble
Alan Reed � Herbert Theodore Bergman
Donna Reed � Donna Belle Mullenger
Jerry Reed � Jerry Reed Hubbard
Paul Reed (actor) � Sidney Kahn
Robert Reed � John Robert Rietz Jr.
Della Reese � Delloreese Patricia Early
George Reeves � George Keefer Brewer
Vic Reeves � James Roderick Moir
William Regal (a.k.a. Steven Regal) � Darren Kenneth Matthews
Elis Regina � Elis Regina Carvalho Costa
Ada Rehan � Delia Crehan
Roman Reigns � Leati Joseph Anoa'i
Max Reinhardt � Maximilian Goldmann
MC Ren � Lorenzo Patterson
Duncan Renaldo � Renault Renaldo Duncan
Colette Renard � Colette Lucie Raget
Mariana Renata � Mariana Renata Dantec
Line Renaud � Jacqueline Ente
Diane Renay � Renee Diane Kushner
Wendy Rene (also known as Mary Cross) � Mary Frierson
Priscilla Renea � Priscilla Renea Hamilton
Ciara Ren�e � Ciara Ren�e Harper
Jean Reno � Juan Moreno y Herrera-Jim�nez
Mike Reno � Joseph Michael Rynoski
Residente Calle 13 (a.k.a. Residente) � Ren� P�rez Joglar
Martin Rev � Martin Reverby
Paul Revere (musician) � Paul Revere Dick
The Reverend Tholomew Plague (a.k.a. The Rev) � James Owen Sullivan
Dorothy Revier � Doris Velagra
Simon Rex � Simon Rex Cutright
Alvino Rey � Alvin McBurney
Antonia Rey � Antonia Francesch Rangel
Fernando Rey � Fernando Casado D'Arambillet
Flori�n Rey � Antonio Mart�nez del Castillo
Reynaldo Rey � Harry Reynolds
Craig Reynolds � Harold Hugh Enfield
Randi Rhodes � Randi Bueten
Rhino � Terrance Gerin
Cody Rhodes � Cody Runnels
Donnelly Rhodes � Donnelly Rhodes Henry
Dustin Rhodes � Dustin Patrick Runnels
Dusty Rhodes � Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr.
Erik Rhodes � Ernest Sharpe
Marjorie Rhodes � Millicent Wise
Nick Rhodes � Nicholas James Bates
Randi Rhodes � Randi Beuten
Busta Rhymes � Trevor Tahiem Smith Jr.
Matthew Rhys � Matthew Rhys Evans
Rhythim is Rhythim (a.k.a. Mayday) � Derrick May
Buddy Rich � Bernard Rich
Rich Homie Quan � Dequantes Lamar
Don Rich � Donald Eugene Ulrich
Tony Rich � Anthony Jeffries
Sir Cliff Richard � Harry Rodger Webb
Little Richard � Richard Wayne Penniman
Wendy Richard � Wendy Emerton
Shane Richie � Shane Patrick Roche
Lucille Ricksen � Ingeborg Myrtle Elisabeth Ericksen
John Ridgely � John Huntington Rea
Robert Ridgely � Robert Ritterbusch
Suzanne Ridgeway � Ione Ahrens
Zoogz Rift � Robert Pawlikowski
Edward Rigby � Edward Coke
Rihanna � Robyn Rihanna Fenty
Rikishi � Solofa F. Fatu Jr.
Rikki � Nakano Ritsuki
Jeannie C. Riley � Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson
Rosa Rio � Elizabeth Raub
Elisabeth Risdon � Elizabeth Evans
Rita (Israeli singer) � Rita Yahan Farouz
Jonas Rivanno � Jonas Rivanno Wattimena
Mon Rivera � Monserrate Rivera Alers (father) and Efra�n Rivera Castillo (son)
Joan Rivers � Joan Alexandra Molinsky
Johnny Rivers � John Ramistella
Larry Rivers � Yitzroch Loiza Grossberg
Road Dogg � Brian Girard James
Road Warrior Animal � Joseph Aaron Laurinaitis
Road Warrior Hawk � Michael James Hegstrand
Jerome Robbins � Jerome Wilson Rabinowitz
Peter Robbins � Louis Nanasi
Marty Robbins � Martin David Robinson
Chris Roberts (singer) � Christian Klus�cek
Jake Roberts � Aurelian Smith, Jr.
Kane Roberts � Robert William Athis
Roy Roberts � Roy Barnes Jones
Tawny Roberts � Adrienne Almond
Robbie Robertson � Jaime Royal Klegerman
Alys Robi � Alice Robitaille
Edward G. Robinson � Emanuel Goldenberg
Sugar Ray Robinson � Walker Smith, Jr.
Stuart Robson � Henry Robson Stuart
Robyx � Roberto Zanetti
Patricia Roc � Felicia Miriam Ursula Herold
Alex Rocco � Alexander Federico Petricone
Rosanna Roces � Jennifer Adriano-Molina
Ro�Rz

Susan Roces � Jesusa Purificaci�n Sonora
Aesop Rock � Ian Bavitz
Crissy Rock � Christine Murray
Chubb Rock � Richard Simpson
Derek Lee Rock � Derek Lee Smith
Pete Rock � Peter Phillips
Peter Rock (musician) � Peter Mociulski von Remenyk
Rocco Rock � Theodore James Petty
The Rock � Dwayne Douglas Johnson[67]
Woody Rock � James Green
Lee Rocker � Leon Drucker
Rikki Rockett � Richard Allan Ream
Clara Rockmore � Clara Reisenberg
Rockwell (musician) � Kennedy Gordy
James Roday � James David Rodriguez
Gaby Rodgers � Gabrielle Rosenberg
Red Rodney � Robert Roland Chudnick
Lolita Rodriguez � Dolores Marquez Clark
Rodrigo (musician) � Rodrigo Alejandro Bueno
Johnny Rodz � Johnny Rodriguez
Beth Rogan � Jenifer Puckle
Jean Rogers � Eleanor Dorothy Lovegren
Jimmy Rogers � Jay Arthur Lane
Julie Rogers (singer) � Julie Rolls
Roy Rogers � Leonard Slye
Suzanne Rogers � Suzanne Cecelia Crumpler
�ric Rohmer � Maurice Henri Joseph Sch�rer (or Jean-Marie Maurice Sch�rer, varying sources)
Gilbert Roland � Luis Antonio D�maso de Alonso
Henry Rollins � Henry Garfield
Jack Rollins (producer) � Jacob Rabinowitz
Seth Rollins � Colby Lopez
Sandra Romain � Maria Popescu
Yvonne Romain � Yvonne Warren
Lulu Roman � Bertha Louise Hable
Rome � Jerome Woods
Max Romeo � Maxwell Livingston Smith
Gloria Romero � Gloria Galla
Nicky Romero � Nick Rotteveel
Mickey Rooney � Joseph Yule, Jr.
Buddy Roosevelt � Kenneth Stanhope Sanderson
George Roper � George Francis Furnival
Skid Roper � Richard Banke
No�l Roquevert � No�l Louis Raymond B�n�vent
Fran�oise Rosay � Fran�oise Bandy de Nal�che
Axl Rose � William Bruce Bailey
Majesty Rose � Majesty Rochelle York
Rose Marie � Rose Marie Mazzetta
Billy Rose � William Samuel Rosenberg
Shiva Rose � Shiva Rose Gharibafshar
Bodil Rosing � Bodil Hammerich
Annie Ross � Annabelle Allan Short
Gaylen Ross � Gail Sue Rosenblum
Jeff Ross � Jeffrey Ross Lifschultz
Joe E. Ross � Joseph Roszawikz
Rick Ross � William Leonard Roberts, II
Shirley Ross � Bernice Maude Gaunt
Robert Rossen � Robert Rosen
Steve Rossi � Joseph Charles Michael Tafarella
Cecilia Roth � Cecilia Edith Rotenberg
Lillian Roth � Lillian Rutstein
Ian Rotten � John Benson Williams
Johnny Rotten � John Joseph Lydon
Rottyful Sky (formerly known as Haneul) � Kim Hanul
Roxee B � Anne Roxanne Jordan Barcelo
Deep Roy � Mohinder Purba/Gordeep Roy
Candida Royalle � Candice Vadala
Rozalla � Rozalla Miller
Gennady Rozhdestvensky � Gennady Nikolayevich Anosov
Evelyn Rudie � Evelyn Rudie Bernauer
Sara Rue � Sara Schlackman
Titta Ruffo � Ruffo Titta Cafiero
Rufus (a.k.a. Zio Vittorio) � Jacques Narcy
Bunny Rugs � William Alexander Anthony Clarke
Ja Rule � Jeffrey Atkins
Rev. Run (a.k.a. DJ Run) � Joseph Simmons
Rusev (wrestler) � Miroslav Barnyashev
Jennifer Rush � Heidi Stern
Joseph Ruskin � Joseph Richard Schlafman
Albert Russell � Albert Lerche
Hal Russell � Harold Luttenbacher
Leon Russell � Claude Russell Bridges
Lillian Russell � Helen Louise Leonard
Mark Russell � Mark Ruslander
Nipsey Russell � Julius Russell
Theresa Russell � Theresa Paup
William Russell (American actor) � William Lerche
William Russell (British actor) � Russell William Enoch
Russian Red � Lourdes Hern�ndez
Kelly Rutherford � Kelly Rutherford Deane
RyanDan � Ryan and Dan Kowarsky (identical twin brothers; Canadian musical duo)
Amy Ryan � Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski
Eileen Ryan � Eileen Annucci
Kate Ryan � Katrien Verbeeck
Paul Ryan (actor) � Bernard Paul Feldman
Sheila Ryan � Katherine Elizabeth McLaughlin
Ryback � Ryan Reeves
Bobby Rydell � Robert Louis Ridarelli
Alfred Ryder � Alfred Jacob Corn
Mitch Ryder � William Levise
Winona Ryder � Winona Laura Horowitz
Zack Ryder � Matthew Joseph Cardona Jr.
Michael Rye (a.k.a. Rye Billsbury) � John Michael Riorden Billsbury
Rye Rye � Ryeisha Berrain
Marcy Rylan � Marcy Faith Behrens
RZA � Robert Diggs
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
S[edit]
Sa�Sh

Raphael Saadiq � Charlie Ray Wiggins
Sabah (Lebanese singer) � Jeanette Gergis Al-Feghali (or Jeanette Gergi Feghali)
Sable (akas: Rena Richardson, Rena Mero, Rena Lesnar) � Rena Greek
Sabu (actor) � Sabu Dastagir
Sabu (wrestler) � Terry Michael Brunk
Sadayakko (a.k.a. Sada Yacco) � Sadayakko Kawakami
Sade � Helen Folasade Adu
Sadiki (a.k.a. Pancho Kryztal) � Henry Buckley Jr.
Kenji Sahara (a.k.a. Sahara Kenji) � Masayoshi Kato
Martine St. Clair � Martine Nault
Julie St. Claire � Juliette Marie Capone
Pam St. Clement � Pamela Ann Clements
Lili St. Cyr � Willis Marie Van Schaack
James St. James � James Clark
Rebecca St. James � Rebecca Smallbone
Susan Saint James � Susan Jane Miller
Austin St. John � Jason Geiger
Betta St. John � Betty Jean Striegler
Bridget St John � Bridget Anne Hobbs
Jill St. John � Jill Arlyn Oppenheim
Mark St. John � Mark Leslie Norton
Pete St. John � Peter Mooney
Nick St. Nicholas � Klaus Karl Kassbaum
Mathew St. Patrick � Patrick Mathews
Crispian St. Peters � Robin Peter Smith
Pat Sajak � Patrick Leonard Sajdak
S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall � Ger� Jen� (later changed name to Szoke Szak�ll)
Chika Sakamoto � Chika Ishihara
Soupy Sales � Milton Supman
Ola Salo � Ola Svensson
Olga Samaroff � Lucy Mary Agnes Hickenlooper
Aldo Sambrell � Alfredo Sanchez Brell
Samoa Joe � Nuufolau Joel Seanoa
Emma Samms � Emma Samuelson
Savanna Samson � Natalie Oliveros
Lauren Samuels � Lauren Bonner
Paul Sand � Paul Sanchez (some sources cite Pablo Sanchez)
The Sandman � Jim Fullington
Flo Sandon's � Mammola Sandon
Damien Sandow � Aaron Steven Haddad
Kenneth Sandford � Kenneth Parkin
Yusuke Santamaria � Yusuke Nakayama
Juelz Santana � LaRon Louis James
Tito Santana � Merced Solis
Santigold (formerly Santogold) � Santi White
Father Guido Sarducci � Don Novello
Dick Sargent � Richard Stanford Cox
Joseph Sargent � Giuseppe Danielle Sorgente
Georges Sari (a.k.a. Georges Sarri, Zorz Sari) � Georgia Sarivaxevani
Savitha Sastry � Savitha Subramaniam
Saukrates (a.k.a. Big Sox) � Amani Wailoo
Lori Saunders � Linda Marie Hines
Savage � Roberto Zanetti
Ann Savage � Bernice Maxine Lyon
Dutch Savage � Frank Stewart
John Savage (actor) � John Smeallie Youngs
Michael Savage � Michael Alan Weiner
Randy Savage � Randall Mario Poffo
Jan Savitt � Jacob Savetnick
Connie Sawyer � Rosie Cohen
Saxa (musician) � Lionel Augustus Martin
James Saxon � William James Smyth
John Saxon � Carmine Orrico
Jo Ann Sayers � Miriam Lucille Lilygren
Rat Scabies � Chris Miller
Delia Scala � Odette Bedogni
Gia Scala � Giovanna Scoglio
Scarface � Brad Jordan
Scatman John � John Paul Larkin
Nicole Scherzinger � Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente
Romy Schneider � Rosemarie Magdalena Albach
Margarete Sch�n � Margarete Schippang
Scientist � Overton Brown
Tony Scoggo � Anthony Scoggins
Bonnie Scott � Bonnie Ann Paul
Gordon Scott � Gordon Merrill Werschkul
Jack Scott � Jack Scafone
Josey Scott � Joseph Scott Sappington
Kathryn Leigh Scott � Marlene Kringstad
Linda Scott � Linda Joy Sampson
Lizabeth Scott � Emma Matzo
L'Wren Scott � Laura Bambrough (aka Luann Bambrough)
Randolph Scott � George Randolph Crane
Ronnie Scott � Ronald Schatt
Simon Scott � Daniel Scott Simon
Angus Scrimm � Lawrence Rory Guy (also known as Lawrence Guy and Rory Guy, varying sources)
Seal � Sealhenry Olusegun Olumide Samuel (also Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, varying sources)
George Seaton � George Stenius
Joan Sebastian � Jos� Manuel Figueroa Figueroa
Sybil Seely (a.k.a. Sibye Trevilla) � Sybil Travilla
H�l�ne S�gara � H�l�ne Aurore Alice Rizzo
Seka � Dorothiea Ivonniea Hundley
Connie Sellecca � Concetta Sellecchia
Riya Sen � Riya Dev Varma
Sen Dog � Sennen Reyes
Johnny Sequoyah � Johnny Sequoyah Friedenberg
MC Serch � Michael Berrin
Ivan Sergei � Ivan Sergei Gaudio
Yahoo Serious � Gregory Pead (changed name by deed poll to Yahoo Serious)
Raymond Serra � Aurelio Lacagnina
Camilo Sesto � Camilo Blanes Cort�s
Pilar Seurat � Rita Hernandez
Johnny Seven � John Anthony Fetto Jr. (or John Anthony Fetto II)
Toni Seven � June Elizabeth Millarde
Steve Severin (a.k.a. Steve Havoc) � Steven John Bailey
S�verine (singer) � Josiane Grizeau
Nin�n Sevilla � Emelia P�rez Castellanos
David Seville � Rostom Sipan Bagdasarian (also known as Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.)
Anne Seymour � Anne Seymour Eckert
Carolyn Seymour � Carolyn von Beckdendorf
Jane Seymour � Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg
Sgt. Slaughter � Robert Remus
Shabba Doo � Adolfo Gordon Qui�ones
DJ Shadow � Josh Davis
M.Shadows � Matthew Charles Sanders
Shaggy � Orville Richard Burrell
Shagrath � Stian Shagrath Thoresen
Shakin' Stevens � Michael Barrett
Shakira � Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
MC Shan � Shawn Moltke
Shana � Shana Petrone
Alex Shane � Alexander Daniel Spilling
Paul Shane � George Frederick Speight
L. Shankar (a.k.a. Shenkar) � Lakshminarayanan Shankar
Ravi Shankar � Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury
Bob Shannon (radio personality) � Don Bombard
Del Shannon � Charles Weedon Westover
Peggy Shannon � Winona Sammon
Emma Shapplin � Cryst�le Madeleine Joliton
Omar Sharif � Michel Demitri Shalhoub
Eric Shark (Deaf School) � Thomas Sam Davis
Shark Boy � Dean Mathew Roll
Dee Dee Sharp � Dione LaRue
Todd Sharpville � Roland Augusto Jestyn Estantislao Philipps
Artie Shaw � Arthur Jacob Arshawsky
Sandie Shaw � Sandra Ann Goodrich
Susan Shaw � Patsy Sloots
Victoria Shaw (actress) � Jeanette Ann Lavina Mary Elizabeth Elphick
Wini Shaw (a.k.a. Winifred Shaw) � Winifred Lei Momi
Dick Shawn � Richard Schulefand
Dorothy Shay � Dorothy Sims
Sheamus (a.k.a. Sheamus O'Shaunessy) � Stephen Farrelly
Al Shean � Albert Sch�nberg
Michael Sheard � Donald Marriot Perkins or Michael Perkins
Moira Shearer � Moira Shearer King
Charlie Sheen � Carlos Irwin Estevez
Martin Sheen � Ram�n Gerard Antonio Est�vez
Johnny Sheffield � John Matthew Sheffield Cassan
Reginald Sheffield � Matthew Reginald Sheffield Cassan
Dean Shek (akas: Shek Tien, Shek Tin) � Liu Wei Cheng
Margaret Shelby � Margaret Reilly
Paul Shelley � Paul Matthews
Pete Shelley � Peter Campbell McNeish
Anne Shelton � Patricia Sibley
Shemp � Samuel Howard
T.G. Sheppard (aka Brian Stacy) � William Neal Browder
Mark Shera � Mark Shapiro
Mallika Sherawat � Reema Lamba
Sh�So

Dinah Sheridan � Dinah Nadyejda Ginsburg
Lee Sheriden � Roger Pritchard
Gale Sherwood � Jacqueline Nash
Lydia Sherwood � Lily Shavelson
Shing02 � Shingo Annen
Anne Shirley � Dawn Evelyeen Paris
Natasha Shneider � Natalia Mikhailovna Schneiderman
Michelle Shocked � Karen Michelle Johnston
Troy Shondell � Gary Wayne Schelton
Roberta Shore � Roberta Jymme Schourop
Shy Carlos � Schirin Grace Sigrist
Shy'm � Tamara Marthe
Shyne (a.k.a. Moshe Levi Ben-David) � Jamal Michael Barrow
Frank Sidebottom � Christopher Mark Sievey
The Silence � Mark Maclaine
Beverly Sills � Belle Miriam Silverman
Paul Sills � Paul Silverberg
Jay Silverheels � Harold Smith
Phil Silvers � Philip Silversmith
Maria S�lvia � Maria S�lvia Correa Moreira Menezes Aguiar
David Simeon � David John Townsend
Al Simmons � Aloisius Szymanski
Gene Simmons � Chaim Klein Witz; later Gene Klein
Dominique Simone � Deidre Morrow
Nina Simone � Eunice Kathleen Waymon
Ren�e Simonot � Jeanne Ren�e Deneuve
Simple Kid � Ciar�n McFeely
Mickey Simpson � Charles Henry Simpson
Sinbad � David Adkins
Bob Sinclar � Christophe LeFriant
Diane Sinclair � Miriam Rosen
Madge Sinclair � Madge Dorita Walters
The Singing Nun � Jeanne-Paule-Marie Deckers
Penny Singleton � Marianna Dorothy Agnes Letitia McNulty
Sinik (akas: Malsain, L'assassin and S.I.N.I.K.) � Thomas Idir
Sinitta � Sinitta Renet Malone
Siouxsie Sioux � Susan Janet Ballion
Sirusho � Siranush Harutyunyan
Sisq� � Mark Althavean Andrews
Sister Carol (akas: Black Cinderella, Mother Culture) � Carol Theresa East
Nikki Sixx � Frank Carlton Serafino Ferrana
Sizzla (a.k.a. Sizzla Kalonji) � Miguel Orlando Collins
Skee-Lo � Antoine Roundtree
Skerik � Eric Walton
Luke Ski � Luke Sienkowski
Skin � Deborah Dyer
Frank Skinner � Christopher Graham Collins
Skratch Bastid � Paul Murphy
Skrillex � Sonny John Moore
Sky Blu � Skyler Gordy
Jennifer Sky � Jennifer Danielle Wacha
Velvet Sky � Jamie Szantyr
Ione Skye � Ione Skye Leitch
Acey Slade � Emil John Schmidt IV
Slash � Saul Hudson
Mia Slavenska � Mia Corak
Sleek the Elite � Paul Nakad
Kimbo Slice � Kevin Ferguson
Earl Slick � Frank Madeloni
Slim Dusty � David Gordon Kirkpatrick
P. F. Sloan (a.k.a. Flip Sloan) � Philip Gary Schlein
Karl Slover � Karl Kosiczky
Slug � Sean Daley
Slushii � Julian Scanlan
Pat Smear � Georg Albert Ruthenberg
Yakov Smirnoff � Yakov Naumovich Pokhis
Buffalo Bob Smith � Robert Emil Schmidt
Cal Smith � Calvin Grant Shofner
John Smith � Robert Errol Van Orden
Keely Smith � Dorothy Jaqueline Keely
Liz Smith � Betty Gleadle
Lois Smith � Lois Arlene Humbert
Margo Smith � Betty Lou Miller
Whispering Jack Smith � Jacob Schmidt
Michael Kelly Smith � Michael Shermick
Sam Sneed � Sam Anderson
Gene Snitsky � Eugene Alan Snisky
Snoop Dogg � Calvin Broadus
Snow � Darrin O'Brien
Al Snow � Allen Ray Sarven
Phoebe Snow � Phoebe Ann Laub
Leigh Snowden � Martha Lee Estes
Jimmy Snuka � James William Reiher
Al Sobrante � John Kiffmeyer
MC Solaar � Claude M'Barali
Gordon Solie � Jonard Frank Labiak
Alba Sol�s � �ngela Herminia Lamberti
Sir Georg Solti � Gy�rgy Stern
Brett Somers � Audrey Dawn Johnston
Suzanne Somers � Suzanne Marie Mahoney
Elke Sommer � Elke Schletz
Charlotte Sometimes � Jessica Charlotte Poland
Grethe S�nck � Grethe Ingeborg Nielsen Hald
Sonia Noemi � Sonia Noem� Gonz�lez
Cahide Sonku � Cahide Serap
Jack Soo � Goro Suzuki
Louise Sorel � Louise Jacqueline Cohen
Ted Sorel � Theodore Eliopoulos
Topi Sorsakoski � Pekka Erkki Juhani Tammilehto
So�Sz

Genevi�ve Sorya � Genevi�ve Marie Th�r�se Durand
Ann Sothern � Harriette Arlene Lake
Alain Souchon � Alain Kienast
Jimmy Soul � James McCleese
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em � DeAndre Ramone Way
Soulman Alex G � Alex Gibson
Joe South � Joseph Souter
Eve Southern � Elva McDowell
Jeri Southern � Genevieve Lillian Hering
Southside (record producer) � Joshua Howard Luellen
Southside Johnny � John Lyon
Sowelu � Harada Aki
Kevin Spacey � Kevin Spacey Fowler
Ned Sparks � Edward Arthur Sparkman
Bubba Sparxxx � Warren Anderson Mathis
Special K � Kevin Keaton
Zsa Zsa Speck � Perry Pandrea
Speech � Todd Thomas
Georgina Spelvin � Shelley Graham
Bud Spencer � Carlo Pedersoli
John Spencer � John Speshock, Jr.
Baby Spice � Emma Lee Bunton
Ginger Spice � Geraldine Estelle Halliwell
Posh Spice � Victoria Caroline Beckham
Scary Spice � Melanie Janine Brown
Sporty Spice � Melanie Jayne Chisholm
Dave Spikey � David Gordon Bramwell
Spindarella � Deidre Roper
Anthony Spinelli (akas: Sam Weston, Wes Brown, Arvid Bellar, Leonard Burke, Jack Armstrong, Sybil Kidd, Wendy Lions, Btrambare) � Samuel Weinstein
Joe Spinell � Joseph J. Spagnuolo
Dusty Springfield � Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien
Rick Springfield � Richard Lewis Springthorpe
Raymond Spum � John Kricfalusi
Squarepusher � Tom Jenkinson
James Stacy � Maurice William Elias
John M. Stahl � Jacob Morris Strelitsky
John Standing � John Ronald Leon
Bern Nadette Stanis � Bernadette Stanislaus
Florence Stanley � Florence Schwartz
Kim Stanley � Patricia Reid
Louise Stanley � Louise Keyes
Michael Stanley � Michael Stanley Gee
Paul Stanley � Stanley Eisen
Barbara Stanwyck � Ruby Catherine Stevens
Scott Stapp � Anthony Scott Flippen
Ryan Star � Ryan Star Kulchinsky
Alvin Stardust (a.k.a. Shane Fenton) � Bernard William Jewry
Michael Stark (now known as Michael Williams-Stark) � Michael Williams
Belle Starr � Myra Maybelle Shirley
Blaze Starr � Fannie Belle Fleming
Brenda K. Starr � Brenda Kaplan
Edwin Starr � Charles Hatcher
Fredro Starr � Fred Scruggs
Kay Starr � Katherine Starks
Martin Starr � Martin James Pflieger Schienle
Randy Starr � Warren Nadel
Ringo Starr � Richard Starkey
Sally Starr � Alleen Mae Beller
Wayne Static � Wayne Richard Wells
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat � Richard Henry Blood
J.A. Steel � Jacquelyn Ruffner
Bob Steele (actor) � Robert Adrian Bradbury
Peter Steele � Peter Thomas Ratajczyk
Tommy Steele � Thomas William Hicks
Rick Steiner � Robert Rechsteiner
Scott Steiner � Scott Rechsteiner
Stephanie (South Korean singer) (a.k.a. Stephanie Kim) � Kim Bo-kyung
Henry Stephenson � Henry Garroway
Ford Sterling � George Ford Stich
Jan Sterling � Jane Sterling Adriance
Robert Sterling � William Sterling Hart
Mike Stern � Michael Sedgwick
Steve-O � Stephen Gilchrist Glover
April Stevens � Carol LoTempio
Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) � Steven Demetre Georgiou
Connie Stevens � Concetta Rosalie Ingolia
Craig Stevens � Gail Shikles Jr.
Dodie Stevens � Geraldine Pasquale
Inger Stevens � Inger Stensland
K. T. Stevens � Gloria Wood
Onslow Stevens � Onslow Ford Stevenson
Ray Stevens � Harold Ray Ragsdale
Ris� Stevens � Ris� Steenberg
Shadoe Stevens � Terry Ingstad
Shakin' Stevens � Michael Barratt
Tabitha Stevens � Kelly Garrett
Elaine Stewart � Elsy Steinberg
Jennifer Stewart � Jennifer Noble
Jon Stewart � Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz
Martha Stewart (actress) � Martha Haworth
Paula Stewart � Dorothy Paula Z�rndorfer
Vinnie Stigma � Vincent Cappucchio
Sting (musician) � Gordon Matthew Sumner
Sting (wrestler) � Steven James Borden
John Stockwell (actor) � John Stockwell Samuels, IV
Christopher Stone (actor) � Thomas Edward Bourassa
Cliffie Stone � Clifford Snyder
Freddie Stone � Frederick Stewart
Harold J. Stone � Harold Hochstein
Jeffrey Stone � John Forrest Fontaine
John Stone � John Hailstone
Joss Stone � Joscelyn Eve Stocker
Lew Stone � Louis Steinberg
Philip Stone � Philip Stones
Rose Stone � Rosemary Stewart
Sly Stone � Sylvester Stewart
Vet Stone � Vaetta Stewart
Gale Storm � Josephine Owaissa Cottle
Hannah Storm � Hannah Storen
Lance Storm � Lance Timothy Evers
Rory Storm � Alan Caldwell
Tempest Storm � Annie Blanche Banks
Peter Stormare � Rolf Peter Ingvar Storm
Suzanne Storrs � Suzanne Storrs Poulton
St�Sz

Izzy Stradlin � Jeffrey Dean Isbell
Elsa Stralia � Elsie Mary Fischer
Steve Strange � Steven Harrington
Teresa Stratas � Anastasia Stratakis
Trish Stratus � Patricia Anne Stratigias
The Streets � Michael Geoffrey Skinner
Melissa Stribling � Melissa Stribling Smith
Stringbean (aka String Bean) � David Akeman
Freddie Stroma � Frederic Wilhelm C.J. Sjostrom
Stromae � Paul Van Haver
Mark Strong � Marco Giuseppe Salussolia
Samantha Strong � Samona Susan Shields
Joe Strummer � John Graham Mellor
Barbara Stuart � Barbara Ann McNeese
Conny Stuart � Cornelia van Meijgaard
Iris Stuart � Frances McCann
Jeanne Stuart � Ivy Sweet
Mary Stuart � Mary Stuart Houchins
Maxine Stuart � Maxine Shlivek
Mel Stuart � Stuart Solomon
Randy Stuart � Elizabeth Shaubell
Levi Stubbs � Levi Stubbles
Marie Studholme � Caroline Maria Lupton
Preston Sturges � Edmund Preston Biden
A.J. Styles � Alan Jones
Styles P � David Styles
Vi Subversa � Frances Sokolov
Nikki Sudden � Adrian Nicholas Godfrey
Sugar � Stephanie Beard
Suggs � Graham McPherson
Sugizo � Yasuhiro Sugihara
Sulli (a.k.a. Sulli Choi) � Choi Jinri
Big Jim Sullivan � James George Tomkins
Grant Sullivan (actor) � Jerry Schulz
Yma Sumac � Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Ch�varri del Castillo
Kabir Suman � Suman Chattopadhyay
Sumire (model) � Arisa Ishikawa
Marc Summers � Marc Berkowitz
Paige Summers � Nancy Coursey
Sun Ra � Herman Poole Blount (changed name legally to: Le Sony'r Ra)
Daniel Sunjata � Daniel Sunjata Condon
Sunnyland Slim � Albert Luandrew
Tommie Sunshine � Thomas Lorello
Super Cat � William Maragh
Super Crazy � Francisco Pantoja Islas
Dick Sutherland � Archibald Thomas Johnson
James Sutton � James Cook
Dolores Sutton � Dolores Lila Silverstein
Jack Swagger � Jacob Hager
Swamp Dogg � Jerry Williams, Jr.
Bettye Swann � Betty Jean Champion
Larry Sweeney � Alexander Whybrow
Allen Swift � Ira Stadlen
DeVante Swing � Donald Earle DeGrate, Jr.
Swizz Beats � Kasseem Daoud Dean (or Kasseem David Dean)
Tom Swoon (a.k.a. Pixel Cheese) � Dorian Tomasiak
Syd tha Kyd � Sydney Loren Bennett
Sylvain Sylvain � Sylvain Mizrahi
Rikki Sylvan � Nicholas Condron
Sylvester � Sylvester James
Sylviac � Marie-Th�r�se Chauvin (actress & mother of Fran�oise Rosay)
David Sylvian � David Alan Batt
Sylvia Syms (U.S. singer) � Sylvia Blagman
Synyster Gates � Brian Elwin Haner Jr.
Syrinx � Simion Stanciu
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
T[edit]
Mr. T � Lawrence Tureaud (later known as Lawrence Tero)
T La Rock � Clarence Ronnie Keaton
T-Pain � Faheem Najm
T-Boz � Tionne Watkins
Ta-Tanisha � Shirley Cummings
Vic Tablian � Varoujan Aintablian
Taboo (The Black Eyed Peas) � Jaime Luis Gomez
Tabu (actress) � Tabassum Fatima Hashmi
Jamaaladeen Tacuma � Rudy McDaniel
Tado (comedian) � Arvin Jimenez
Seo Taiji � Jeong Hyeon-cheol
Taj Mahal � Henry St. Clair Fredericks
Tajci � Tatjana Mateja�
Tal (singer) � Tal Benyerzi
Lyle Talbot � Lisle Henderson
Nita Talbot � Anita Sokol
Myfanwy Talog � Myfanwy Talog Williams
Tampa Red � Hudson Woodbridge (known since childhood as Hudson Whittaker)
Sharon Tandy � Sharon Finkelstein
Tank � Durrell Babbs
Betty Tanner � Betty Toczylowski
Bill Tarmey � William Piddington
Tatanka � Christopher Chavis
Catherine Tate � Catherine Ford
Richard Tauber (akas: Ernst Seiffert, Carl Tauber, C. Richard Tauber) � Richard Denemy
Alex Taylor � Adriana Molinari
Chip Taylor � James Wesley Voight
Eva Taylor � Irene Joy Gibbons
Georgia Taylor � Claire Jackson
Joan Taylor � Rose Marie Emma
Kent Taylor � Louis William Weiss
Koko Taylor (a.k.a. KoKo Taylor) � Cora Walton
Ren�e Taylor � Renee Wexler
Rip Taylor � Charles Elmer, Jr.
Robert Taylor � Spangler Arlington Brugh
William Desmond Taylor � William Cunningham Deane-Tanner
Scout Taylor-Compton � Desariee Starr Compton
Lyle Tayo � Lyle Shipman
Taz (singer) (a.k.a. Johnny Zee) � Tarsame Singh Saini
Tazz (akas: the Tasmanian Devil, the Tazmaniac, Kid Krush) � Peter Senerchia
Ted Ray (comedian) � Charlie Olden
MC Tee � Tour� Embden
Teena Marie (aka Lady T) � Mary Christine Brockert
Tegan and Sara � Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Kiersten Quin
Lou Tellegen � Isidore Louis Bernard Edmon van Dommelen
Dame Marie Tempest � Mary Susan Etherington
Joey Tempest � Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson
Vienna Teng � Cynthia Yih Shih
David Tennant � David McDonald
Teoman (singer) � Fazli Teoman Yakupoglu
Robert Tepper � Antoine Robert Teppardo
Tila Tequila � Tila Nguyen
Bryn Terfel � Bryn Terfel Jones
Tammi Terrell � Thomasina Winifred Montgomery
Krissada Terrence (akas: Noi S. Clapp, Noi Pru) � Krissada Sukosol Clapp
Jack Terricloth � Peter Ventantonio
Norma Terris � Norma Allison
Ellaline Terriss � Mary Ellaline Lewin
Tom Terriss � Thomas Herbert F. Lewin
William Terriss � William Charles James Lewin
Alice Terry � Alice Frances Taaffe
Phillip Terry � Frederick Henry Kormann
Sonny Terry � Saunders Terrell
Terry-Thomas � Thomas Terry Hoar Stevens
Walter Tetley � Walter Campbell Tetzlaff
Joe Tex (a.k.a. Yusuf Hazziez) � Joseph Arrington Jr.
Lorna Thayer � Lorna Patricia Casey
The Child of Lov (aka Cole Williams) � Martijn William Zimri Teerlinck
Allan Th�o � Alain Rouget
Thirstin Howl III � Victor DeJesus
Danny Thomas � Amos Alphonsus Muzyad Yakhoob
Henry Thomas � Henry Thomas Jackson Jr.
Jay Thomas � John Thomas Terrell
Jonathan Taylor Thomas � Jonathan Weiss
Paul Thomas (director) � Philip Charles Toubus
Robin Thomas � Robin Thomas Grossman
Sunset Thomas � Diane Fowler
Duane Thompson � Duane Maloney
Kay Thompson � Catherine Louise Fink
Sue Thompson � Eva Sue McKee
Frank Thornton � Frank Thornton Ball
Juan Carlos Thorry � Jos� Antonio Torrontegui
Johnny Thunders � John Anthony Genzale Jr.
Greta Thyssen � Greta Thygesen
T.I. � Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.
Tina Ti (a.k.a. Tina Leung) � Leung Kwok-hing
Ti�sto � Tijs Michiel Verwest
Pamela Tiffin � Pamela Tiffin Wonso
Kevin Tighe � John Kevin Fishburn (some sources cite Jon Kevin Fishburn)
Tim & Bob (a.k.a. Funktwons) � Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson
Timbaland � Timothy Mosley
Timbuktu (artist) � Jason Michael Robinson Diakit�
Betty Ting � Tang Mei Li
Tiny (Xscape) � Tameka Cottle
Tiny Tim � Herbert Khaury[68]
Tito "El Bambino" � Efra�n Fines Nevares
TobyMac (a.k.a. Toby McKeehan) � Kevin Michael McKeehan
Hallie Todd � Hallie Eckstein
Josh Todd � Joshua Todd Gruber
Mike Todd � Avrom Hirsch Goldbogen
Nick Todd � Nicholas Boone
George Tokoro � Takayuki Haga
Michael Tolan � Seymour Tuchow
Lorna Tolentino � Victoria Lorna Aluquin-Fernandez
Tone Loc � Anthony Terrell Smith
Tongolele � Yolanda Ivonne Montes Farrington
Too Short � Todd Anthony Shaw
Torch � Frederick Hahn
Rita Tori � Marguerite Thoresen
Peter Tork � Peter Halston Thorkelson
Fray Tormenta � Sergio Guti�rrez Ben�tez
Toro y Moi � Chazwick Bradley Bundick
David Torrence � David Tayson
Alessandra Torresani � Alessandra Olivia Toreson
Peter Tosh � Winston Hubert McIntosh
Stuart Tosh � Stuart MacIntosh
Toshi � Toshimitsu Deyama
Tot� � Antonio Clemente
Tot� la Momposina � Sonia Bazanta Vides
Tamara Toumanova � Tamara Vladimirovna Khassidovitch
Maurice Tourneur � Maurice Thomas
Mageina Tovah � Mageina Tovah Begtrup
Sheila Tracy � Sheila Lugg
Steve Tracy � Steven Crumrine
Trae tha Truth � Frazier Othel Thompson
Chris Tranchell � Christopher Peter John Small
Henry Travers � Travers John Heagerty
Dave Lee Travis � David Patrick Griffin
Randy Travis � Randy Traywick
Robert Trebor � Robert Schenkman
Dorothy Tree � Dorothy Estelle Triebitz
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree � Herbert Draper Beerbohm
Jackie Trent � Yvonne Burgess
Claire Trevor � Claire Wemlinger
Trey Songz � Tremaine Aldon Neverson
Tricky � Adrian Thaws
Triple H � Paul Michael Levesque
Trombone Shorty � Troy Andrews
Doris Troy � Doris Higginson
Andrea True (akas: Inger Kissin, Singe Low, Sandra Lips, Andrea Travis, Catherine Warren) � Andrea Marie Truden
Trugoy the Dove � David Jude Jolicoeur
Arnaud Tsamere � Arnaud Tsedri
Nicholas Tse � Tse Ting-fung
Tsui Hark � Tsui Man-kong
King Tubby � Osborne Ruddock
Richard Tucker � Rivn Ticker (later known as Rubin Ticker)
Tommy Tucker � Robert Higginbotham
Antony Tudor � William Cook
Tunisiano � Bachir Baccour
Janine Turner � Janine Loraine Gauntt
Sammy Turner � Samuel Black
Yolande Turner � Yolande Eileen Turnbull
Shania Twain � Eilleen Regina Edwards (later Eilleen Regina Twain)
Tweet � Charlene Keys
Twiggy � Lesley Hornby
Twiggy Ramirez � Jeordie Osbourne White
Twin Shadow � George Lewis Jr.
Twinkle (singer) � Lynn Annette Ripley
Twista � Carl Mitchell
Conway Twitty � Harold Lloyd Jenkins
Tyga � Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson
Tyler, the Creator � Tyler Gregory Okonma
Bonnie Tyler � Gaynor Hopkins
Ginny Tyler � Merrie Virginia Erlandson
Judy Tyler � Judith Mae Hess
Steven Tyler � Stephen Victor Tallarico
T. Texas Tyler � David Luke Myrick
Tom Tyler � Vincent Markowski
Hunter Tylo (a.k.a. Deborah Morehart) � Deborah Jo Hunter
George Tyne � Martin Yarus
Rob Tyner � Robert Derminer
Judie Tzuke � Judie Myers
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
U[edit]
Uffie � Anna-Catherine Hartley
U-God � Lamont Jody Hawkins
U-Know Yunho � Yunho Jung
U-Roy � Ewart Beckford
Skeet Ulrich � Bryan Ray Trout
The Ultimate Warrior � Brian James Hellwig, later legally changed to simply Warrior
Ultra Violet � Isabelle Collin Dufresne
Uncle Don (a.k.a. Uncle Don Carney) � Howard Rice
Uncle Floyd � Floyd Vivino
Uncle Kracker � Matthew Shafer
Dan Under � Dan Smith
The Undertaker � Mark William Calaway
The Unknown Comic � Murray Langston
Minerva Urecal � Minerva Holzer
Jimmy Urine � James Euringer
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
V[edit]
Michael V. � Beethoven del Valle Bunagan
Big Van Vader (a.k.a. "Vader") � Leon Allen White
Roger Vadim � Roger Vladimir Plemiannikov
Dan Vadis � Constantine Daniel Vafiadis
Vera Vague � Barbara Jo Allen
Holly Valance � Holly Rachel Vukadinovic (some sources indicate Vukadinovic)
Sigrid Valdis � Patricia Annette Olson
Eric Vale � Christopher Eric Johnson
Jerry Vale � Genaro Louis Vitaliano
Ritchie Valens � Richard Steven Valenzuela
Brooke Valentine � Kanesha Nichole Brooks
Dickie Valentine (a.k.a. Richard Bryce) � Richard Maxwell
Gary Valentine � Gary Joseph Knipfing
Gary Valentine (musician) � Gary Lachman
Judy Valentine � Norma Baker
Stacy Valentine � Stacy Baker
Val Valentino � Leonard Montano
Laurita Valenzuela � Roc�o Espinosa L�pez-Cepero
Dana Valery � Fausta Dana Galli
Valda Valkyrien � Adele Eleonore Freed
Jean Vall�e � Paul Goeders
Alida Valli � Alida Maria Laura von Altenburger
Frankie Valli � Francesco Stephen Castelluccio
Valli Valli � Valli Knust
Virginia Valli � Virginia McSweeney
Vampira � Maila Elizabeth Syrj�niemi; later known as Maila Nurmi
Vampiro � Ian Richard Hodgkinson
Bobby Van � Robert Jack Stein
Dame Irene Vanbrugh � Irene Barnes
Violet Vanbrugh � Violet Augusta Mary Barnes
Tommy Vance � Richard Anthony Crispian Francis Prew Hope-Weston
Vivian Vance � Vivian Roberta Jones
Edmond Van Da�le � Edmond Jean Adolphe Minckwitz
Rob Van Dam � Robert Alex (or Alexander) Szatkowski
Jean-Claude Van Damme � Jean-Claude Camille Fran�ois van Vaerenbergh
Musetta Vander � Musetta van der Merwe
Trish Van Devere � Patricia Louise Dressel
Warren Vanders � Warren John Vanderschuit
Despina Vandi � Despina Malea
Mamie Van Doren � Joan Lucille Olander
John van Dreelen � Jacques van Drielen Gimberg
Paul Van Dyk � Matthias Paul
Les Vandyke (akas: Johnny Worth, John Worth) � John Worsley
Daniel Vangarde � Daniel Bangalter
Vangelis � Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou
Jimmy Van Heusen � Edward Chester Babcock
Dave Vanian � David Lett (or Letts)
Vanilla Ice � Robert Van Winkle
Vanity � Denise Katrina Matthews
David VanLanding (a.k.a. David Van Landing) � William David VanLandingham
Tzeni Vanou � Eugenia Vrachnou
Big Van Vader � Leon White
Philip Van Zandt � Philip Pinheiro
Norma Varden � Norma Varden Shackleton
Rosy Varte � Nevarte Manouelian
Frankie Vaughan � Frank Abelson
Peter Vaughan � Peter Ohm
Jean Vautrin � Jean Herman
Bobby Vee � Robert Thomas Velline
Alan Vega � Boruch Alan Bermowitz
Julie Vega � Julie Pearl Apostol Postigo
Paz Vega � Paz Campos Trigo
Johnny Vegas � Michael Joseph Pennington
Vinny Vella � Vincent Franco Vellacerra
Zacky Vengeance � Zachary James Baker
Val Venis � Sean Allen Morley
Lee Venora � Elena Sinaguglia
Jesse Ventura � James George Janos
Richard Venture � Richard Charles Venturella
Benay Venuta � Benvenuta Rose Crooke
Billy Vera � William Patrick McCord
Vera-Ellen � Vera Ellen Westmeier Rohe
Violette Verdy � Nelly Armande Guillerm
Ben Vereen � Benjamin Augustus Middleton
Tom Verlaine � Thomas Miller
Kaaren Verne � Ingeborg Greta Katerina Marie-Rose Klinckerfuss
Dai Vernon � David Frederick Wingfield Verner
Howard Vernon � Mario Lippert
Howard Vernon (Australian actor), also a.k.a. Norman Letville � John Lett
Irene Vernon � Irene Vergauwen
Jackie Vernon � Ralph Verrone
John Vernon � Adolphus Raymondus Vernon Agopsowicz
V�ronique � V�ronique B�liveau
Odile Versois � �tiennette de Poliakoff-Baydaroff (some sources cite forename as Tatiana)
Edy Vessel (akas: Edi Vessel, Edy Vesel) � Edoarda Vesselovsky
Sid Vicious (musician) � John Simon Ritchie
Sid Vicious (wrestler) � Sidney Ray Eudy
Martha Vickers � Martha MacVicar
Yvette Vickers � Iola Yvette Vedder
Violetta Villas � Czeslawa Maria Cieslak
Aspen Vincent � Aspen Miller
Frank Vincent � Frank Vincent Gattuso
Gene Vincent � Vincent Eugene Craddock
June Vincent � Dorothy June Smith
Leslie Vincent � Leslie Fullard-Leo
Tony Vincent � Anthony Peter Strascina
Vinnie Vincent � Vincent John Cusano
Lee Ving � Lee James Capellaro
Helen Vinson � Helen Rulfs
Bobby Vinton � Stanley Robert Vintula, Jr.
Viper (actress) � Stephanie Patricia Green
Helle Virkner � Helle Genie Lotinga
Yolandi Visser (a.k.a. Yo-Landi Vi$$er) � Anri Du Toit
Vitamin C � Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick
Viva � Janet Susan Mary Hoffmann
Marina Vlady � Marina Catherine de Poliakoff-Baydaroff
Voltio (a.k.a. Julio Voltio) � Julio Ramos
Kat Von D � Katherine von Drachenberg
Chris Von Erich � Chris Barton Adkisson
David Von Erich � David Alan Adkisson
Fritz Von Erich � Jack Barton Adkisson
Kerry Von Erich � Kerry Gene Adkisson
Kevin Von Erich � Kevin Ross Adkisson
Lacey Von Erich � Lacey Dawn Adkisson
Lance Von Erich � William Kevin Vaughan
Mike Von Erich � Michael Brett Adkisson
Waldo Von Erich � Walter Paul Sieber
Dita Von Teese � Heather Sweet
Patricia Vonne � Patricia Rodriguez
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
W[edit]
will.i.am � William Adam James Jr.
WC (rapper) � William L. Calhoun Jr.
Andrew W.K. � Andrew Fetterly Wilkes Krier
Michael Wager � Emanuel Weisgal
Tomisaburo Wakayama � Masaru Okumura
Gregory Walcott � Bernard Mattox
Wally Wales (a.k.a. Hal Taliaferro) � Floyd Taliaferro Alderson
Betty Walker � Edith Seeman
Gary Walker (musician) � Gary Leeds
Jerry Jeff Walker � Ronald Clyde Crosby
Johnny Walker � Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi
Junior Walker � Autry DeWalt Jr.
Nancy Walker � Anna Myrtle Swoyer
Scott Walker (singer) � Noel Scott Engel
Beryl Wallace � Beryl Heischuber
Dee Wallace (a.k.a. Dee Wallace Stone) � Deanna Bowers
Jean Wallace � Jean Walasek
Harold Brent Wallis (aka Hal B. Wallis) � Aaron Blum Wolowicz
Bruno Walter � Bruno Schlesinger
Wando (singer) � Wanderley Alves dos Reis
Walter Wanger � Walter Feuchtwanger
Burt Ward � Bert John Gervis Jr.
Fannie Ward � Fannie Buchanan
Harlan Warde � Harlan Ward Lufkin
Jack Warden � John Warden Lebzelter Jr.
Irene Ware � Irene Catherine Ahlberg
Andy Warhol � Andrew Warhola
Wario � Gerard Daniel Junesville, later Gerard Dashiell Junesville
Jack Warner (English actor) � Horace John Waters
Fran Warren � Frances Wolfe
Harry Warren � Salvatore Antonio Guaragna
Rusty Warren � Ilene Goldman
David Warshofsky � David A. Warner
Dee Dee Warwick � Delia Mae Warrick
Dionne Warwick � Marie Dionne Warrick
Giulia Warwick � Julia Ehrenberg
Robert Warwick � Robert Taylor Bien
Don Was � Donald Fagenson
Washboard Sam � Robert Brown
Dinah Washington � Ruth Lee Jones
Muddy Waters � McKinley Morganfield
Wavy Gravy � Hugh Nanton Romney
Wax (singer) � Cho Hye-ri
Alvis Wayne � Alvis Wayne Samford
John Wayne � Marion Robert Morrison (later known as Marion Mitchell Morrison)
Johnny Wayne � Louis Weingarten
Lil Wayne � Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.
Clifton Webb � Webb Parmalee Hollenbeck
Wednesday 13 � Joseph Poole
Dean Ween � Mickey Melchiondo
Gene Ween � Aaron Freeman
Raquel Welch � Jo Raquel Tejada
Joan Weldon � Joan Louise Welton
Brandi Wells � Marguerite J. Pinder
Cory Wells � Emil Lewandowski
Doris Wells � Doris Mar�a Buonafina
Kitty Wells � Ellen Muriel Deason
Robert Wells � Robert Levinson
Paul Wesley � Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski
Adam West � William West Anderson
Dottie West � Dorothy Marie Marsh
Maura West � Maura Jo Snyder
Shane West � Shannon Bruce Snaith
WestBam � Maximillian Lenz
Ellen Weston � Ellen Weinstein
Jack Weston � Jack Weinstein
Paul Weston � Paul Wetstein
Riley Weston � Kimberlee Kramer
Peetie Wheatstraw � William Bunch
Maggie Wheeler (briefly known as Maggie Jakobson) � Margaret Emily Jakobson
Jesse White � Jesse Marc Weidenfeld
Jules White � Jules Weiss
Joan Whitney � Zoe Parenteau
Peter Whitney � Peter King Engle
Mary Wickes � Mary Isabelle Wickenhauser
Mary Wigman � Karoline Sophie Marie Wiegmann
Detroit Gary Wiggins � Gary Allen Wiggins
Kim Wilde � Kim Smith
Marty Wilde � Reginald Leonard Smith
Olivia Wilde � Olivia Jane Cockburn
Gene Wilder � Jerome Silberman
Wilfried (singer) � Wilfried Scheutz
Warren William � Warren William Krech
Adam Williams � Adam Berg
Anson Williams � Anson William Heimlich
Bill Williams (actor) � Herman August Wilhelm Katt
Cara Williams � Bernice Kamiat
Doc Williams (singer) � Andrew John Smik, Jr.
Guy Williams � Armando Joseph Catalano
Joe Williams (jazz singer) � Joseph Goreed
Roger Williams � Louis Weertz
Kate Williamson � Robina Jane Sparks
Sonny Boy Williamson � John Lee Curtis Williamson (later known as Sonny Boy Williamson I)
Sonny Boy Williamson � Aleck Ford (later known as Aleck/Alex/Rice Miller and Sonny Boy Williamson II)
Mark Wills � Daryl Mark Williams
Eva Wilma � Eva Wilma Rilfles
Meri Wilson � Meri Wilson Edgmon
Rebel Wilson � Melanie Elizabeth Bownds
Trey Wilson � Donald Yearnsley Wilson, III
Paul Winchell � Pinkus Wilchinski (some sources indicate Paul Wilchinsky)
Barron Winchester � Duane Lee Jones
Beatrice Winde � Beatrice Lucille Williams
Barbara Windsor � Barbara Ann Deeks
Claire Windsor � Clara Viola Cronk
Frank Windsor � Frank W. Higgins
Marie Windsor � Emily Marie Bertelson
Ariel Winter � Ariel Winter Workman
Judy Winter � Beate Richard
Marian Winters � Marian Weinstein
Shelley Winters � Shirley Schrift
Estelle Winwood � Estelle Ruth Goodwin
Nicky Wire � Nicholas Jones
Ernie Wise � Ernest Wiseman
Wish Bone � Charles Scruggs
Wisin & Yandel � Juan Luis Morera Luna and Llandel Veguilla Malave
John Witty � Rupert John Blanchflower Featherstone-Witty
Jah Wobble � John Joseph Wardle
Karl Wolf � Carl Abou Samah
Peter Wolf � Peter Blankfield
Wolfman Jack � Robert Smith
Stevie Wonder � Steveland Hardaway Judkins (originally); later known as Steveland Hardaway Morris
Anna May Wong � Wong Liu Tsong
Casanova Wong � Kim Yong-ho
Fann Wong � Fann Woon Fong
Faye Wong (also known as Shirley Wong) � Xia Lin
Vincent Wong � Vivian Warren Chen
Brenton Wood � Alfred Smith
Judith Wood � Helen Johnson
Lana Wood � Svetlana Gurdin
Natalie Wood � Natalie Zakharenko
Chan Woods (a.k.a. Chan Parker) � Beverly Dolores Berg
Donald Woods � Ralph Zink
Eli Woods (akas: Bretton Woods; Jack Casey) � John Casey
Ilene Woods � Jacqueline Ruth Woods
Ali-Ollie Woodson � Ollie Creggett
Hawksley Workman � Ryan Corrigan
Harry Worth � Harry Bourlon Illingsworth
Helen Worth � Cathryn Helen Wigglesworth
Irene Worth � Harriet Elizabeth Abrams
John Wray � John Griffith Malloy
Tera Wray � Tera Elizabeth Lents
Wreckless Eric � Eric Goulden
Dale Wright � Harlan Dale Riff
Martha Wright (actress) � Martha Lucile Wiederrecht
Butterfly Wu � Hu Die (also known as Hu Ruihua)
Wu Ma � Feng Hongyuan
Gretchen Wyler � Gretchen Patricia Wienecke
Bill Wyman (a.k.a. Lee Wyman) � William George Perks Jr.
Margaret Wycherly � Margaret DeWolfe
Patrick Wymark � Patrick Carl Cheeseman
Sir Charles Wyndham � Charles Culverwell
Victoria Wyndham � Victoria Camargo
Tammy Wynette � Virginia Wynette Pugh
Ed Wynn � Isaiah Edwin Leopold
May Wynn � Donna Lee Hickey
Nan Wynn � Marsha Vatz
Philipp� Wynne � Phillip Walker
Diana Wynyard � Dorothy Isobel Cox
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
X[edit]
Terminator X � Norman Lee Rogers
X-Pac � Sean Michael Waltman
Xia � Kim Junsu
Xuxa � Maria da Gra�a Meneghel
XXXTentacion � Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy
Xzibit � Alvin Nathaniel Joiner
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Y[edit]
Sami Yaffa � Sami Lauri Takam�ki
Ya Kid K � Barbara Kamosi Maoso Duogi
Yalin � H�seyin Yalin
Romina Yan � Romina Yankelevich
Mama Yancey � Estella Harris
"Weird Al" Yankovic � Alfred Matthew Yankovic
Yazz � Yasmin Evans
DJ Yella � Antoine Carraby
Yellowman � Winston Foster
Yo-Yo � Yolanda Whitaker
Yokozuna � Rodney Agatupu Anoa'i
Tokitenku Yoshiaki � Altangadasyn Kh�chitbaatar
Christian York � Jason Spence
Michael York � Michael Hugh Johnson
Susannah York � Susannah Yolande Fletcher
Edith Yorke � Edith Murgatroyd
Yabby You � Vivian Jackson
Burt Young � Gerald Tommaso DeLouise
Gig Young � Byron Elsworth Barr
Skip Young � Ronald Plumstead
Stephen Young � Stephen Levy
Young Buck (of G-Unit) � David Darnell Brown
Young Jeezy � Jay Jenkins
Young Kenny � Justin Moorhouse
Yukmouth � Jarold Ellis, Jr.
Yukon Eric � Eric Holmback
Yung Joc � YaMar Jon Robinson
Yuri (Mexican singer) � Yuridia Valenzuela Canseco
Contents :
Top 0�9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Z[edit]
Zacky Vengeance � Zachary James Baker
Pia Zadora � Pia Alfreda Schipani
Zekuuba Zekkariyas � Cecil Dale Womack
Hy Zaret � Hyman Harry Zaritsky
Zazie � Isabelle de Truchis de Varennes
Larry Zbyszko � Lawrence Whistler
Stanislaus Zbyszko � Jan Stanislaw Cyganiewicz
Wladek Zbyszko � Wladyslaw Cyganiewicz
Robert Z'Dar � Robert J. Zdarsky
Virginia Zeani � Virginia Zehan
Ona Zee � Ona Zimmerman
Freekey Zekey � Ezekiel Giles
Zelo � Choi Junhong
Monica Zetterlund � Monica Nilsson
Dolph Ziggler � Nicholas Theodore Nemeth
Gyula Zilahy � Gyula Balogh
Zim Zum � Timothy Michael Linton
Sandra Zober � Sonia Zoberblatt
Rob Zombie (a.k.a. Robert Wolfgang Zombie) � Robert Bartleh Cummings
Zomboy � Joshua Mellody
Tay Zonday � Adam Nyerere Bahner
Billy Zoom � Tyson Kindell
Vera Zorina � Eva Brigitta Hartwig
Ra�l Zorrilla � Emilio Vieyra
Diana Zubiri � Rosemarie Joy Garcia
Arianne Zucker � Arianne Bethene Zuckerman
Zulu � Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi
Bob Zurke � Boguslaw Albert Zukowski
Zuzzurro � Cipriano Andrea Brambilla
Walter Zwol (a.k.a. Zwol) � Walter Zwolinski
Buckwheat Zydeco � Stanley Dural Jr.

List of people who adopted matrilineal surnames
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Main article: Matriname
This is a list of notable people who have changed, adopted or adjusted their surnames based on a mother's or grandmother's maiden name. Included are people who changed their legal names and people who created personal or professional pseudonyms. Under longstanding Western custom and law, children are customarily given the father's surname, except for children born outside marriage, who often carry their mother's family names.[1] However, in the 1970s, some women began to adopt their mother's maiden name as their legal surnames.[2] People in Sweden have recently begun adopting maternal line surnames in an effort to broaden the number of last names in the country.[3]

Stage names[edit]
Many actors and other entertainers elect to add or include their mothers' maiden names in their adopted stage names. The book How to be a Working Actor: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film, and Television advises aspiring performers to consider changing their names, noting that "if [your birth name] is difficult to spell, pronounce, or remember, it may not be the name you want for your professional career." It goes on to suggest: "If you want to retain a connection to your family, try using your mother's maiden name or the name of a revered relative."[4]

A person's mother's maiden name is used by many financial institutions as a key piece of information to validate a customer's identity.[5] In 2005, researchers showed that the common practice of using a mother's maiden name as the basis for a stage name could be exploited to entice people to reveal that name and other details that could allow fraudsters to steal their identities. Researchers asked a random sample of people on London streets a series of questions, beginning with "What is your name?" They then engaged in conversation about theatre, asked people if they knew how actors choose their stage names, then told them that stage names were typically a combination of the name of a pet and the mother's maiden name. Next the participants were asked what their stage names would be; 94% responded by revealing both their mother's maiden name and a pet's name.[5]

List[edit]
Contents
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A[edit]
Janet Achurch, British actress, was born Janet Sharp; her mother died during childbirth and she was reared by her father William Prior Sharp, an insurance agent. She later adopted her maternal grandparents' surname (Achurch) as her professional name.[6]
Edie Adams, American actress and singer, was born Edith Elizabeth Enke to Sheldon Alonzo Enke and his wife, Ada Dorothy (n�e Adams), later adopting her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[7]
Maude Adams, American actress, was born Maude Ewing Kiskadden and adopted her mother's maiden name of Adams as her stage name.[8]
Andr�s Adorj�n, Hungarian author and chess grandmaster; adopted his mother's maiden name, Adorj�n, at the age of 18, in 1968.[why?][9]
Theodor Adorno, German sociologist, philosopher and musicologist known for his critical theory of society, was born Theodor Ludwig Wiesengrund to Oscar Alexander Wellington (1870�1946) and Maria Calvelli-Adorno della Piana (1865�1952). His mother wanted her son's paternal surname to be supplemented by the addition of her own surname/maiden name, Adorno. His earliest publications carried the name Theodor Wiesengrund-Adorno. Upon his application for United States citizenship, his name was modified to Theodor W. Adorno. He was also sometimes known by such aliases as Theodor Ludwig Adorno-Wellington and Theodor Ludwig Adorno-Wiesengrund before becoming a U.S. citizen.[8]
Priscilla Ahn, American singer-songwriter, was born Priscilla Natalie Hartranft. For her career, Ahn adopted her Korean mother's maiden name.[10]
Clay Aiken, American singer-songwriter, was born Clayton Holmes Grissom. Estranged from his birth father, Vernon Grissom, and with the permission of his mother (Faye Aiken Grissom) and his maternal grandfather (Alvis Aiken), Clay legally changed his surname from Grissom to Aiken at the age of 19.[11]
Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet, born Anna Andreyevna Gorenko, adopted her great-grandmother's maiden name after her father objected to her vocation and called her writings "decadent" and did not want to see any verses printed under his "respectable" name.[12]
Svetlana Alliluyeva, daughter of Joseph Stalin, began using her mother's surname after her father's death in 1953.[13]
Clarence Ashley, American singer and musician, also known as Tom Ashley and Thomas Ashley, was born Clarence Earl McCurry in Bristol, Tennessee in 1895, the only child of George McCurry and Rose-Belle Ashley. Shortly before Clarence was born, Rose-Belle's father, Enoch Ashley, discovered that his son-in-law George was an adulterer. George was forced to leave town. Rose-Belle moved back in with her father. As he was raised by the parents of his mother, the name "McCurry" was dropped in favor of "Ashley".[14]
Susan Ashton, American contemporary Christian musician, was born Susan Rae Hill, but elected to use her mother's maiden name as her professional surname to distinguish herself from another contemporary Christian singer, Kim Hill.[15]
Michael Ayrton, English artist and writer, was born Michael Gould. For professional purposes, he adopted his mother (Barbara Ayrton-Gould)'s maiden name.[8]
B[edit]
Jean Babil�e, French ballet dancer and choreographer, was originally named Jean Gutmann but adopted his mother's maiden name for professional use.[8]
Lauren Bacall, American actress, was born Betty Joan Perske. After her parents divorced when she was a young child, she assumed her maternal grandmother's surname (also her mother's maiden name) of Bacal. She later added a second "l" to make the pronunciation clearer.[16]
Herbert Baker, American songwriter and screenwriter, was born Herbert Joseph Abrahams, to Belle Baker (born Bella Becker) and Maurice Abrahams. He later changed his surname and adopted that of his mother. He and she shared the same birthdate (December 25).[17]
Antonio Banderas, Spanish actor, was born Jos� Antonio Dom�nguez Banderas. He dropped his first (paternal) surname (Dom�nguez), electing to use his second surname (his mother's maiden name, Banderas) as his acting name.[18]
Edith Barrett, American actress, born Edith Williams, adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name. She was the granddaughter of Lawrence Barrett.[19]
Sir Brian Batsford, British painter, designer, publisher and Conservative Party politician, was originally named Brian Cook and used that name for his early artwork and in his first electoral candidacy. In June 1946, when he was 35 years old, he adopted his mother's maiden name of Batsford for business reasons at the request of an uncle. He sometimes joked that "Brian Cook ceased to exist" after World War II.[20]
Richard Bebb, English actor, born Richard Bebb Williams, he was obliged to change his surname (Williams) to avoid confusion with another player, and elected to use "Bebb", his mother's maiden name.[citation needed]
Beck, born Bek David Campbell; now known as Beck Hansen. Adopted his mother's maiden name (Hansen) after his father was estranged from the family.[21]
Peter Benenson, English activist, was born in London as Peter James Henry Solomon to a Jewish family, the only son of Harold Solomon and Flora Benenson, Peter Benenson adopted his mother's maiden name later in life, reportedly in tribute to his maternal grandfather, the Russian gold tycoon Grigori Benenson, following the latter's death.[22]
David Benioff, American writer, was born David Friedman in New York City; he changed his surname to Benioff, his mother's maiden name.[23]
Jeannie Berlin, American actress, born Jeannie Brette May, to Marvin and Elaine (n�e Berlin) May.
Wolfgang Bernhard, German businessman. Born Wolfgang Ayerle, he later took his mother's maiden name as his professional name.[24][25]
Regina Bianchi, Italian actress, born Regina D'Antigny, the daughter of two theater actors.[26] She adopted, professionally, the surname of her paternal grandmother.[27]
Neil and Peter Billingsley, American actors, directors, and producers, born to Alwin Michaelsen, a financial consultant and Gail Billingsley, a niece of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley;[28][29] the brothers have been known, alternatively, as Neil Billingsley-Michaelsen and Peter Billingsley-Michaelsen.[30][31]
Yelena Bonner, Soviet dissident and human rights activist, was born Lusik Georgievna Alikhanova[32] to Georgy Alikhanov (n� Gevork Alikhanyan) and Ruf Bonner, but changed her first name and chose to keep her mother's maiden name as her own surname through two marriages and until her death.[33]
Bimba Bos�, born Eleonora Salvatore Gonz�lez, Italian-born Spanish model, actress and singer, daughter of Spaniard Luc�a Gonz�lez Bos� and her Italian first husband, Alessandro Salvatore. Her maternal grandmother was actress Lucia Bos�.[34][35]
Patricia Bosworth, American journalist, biographer and former actress and model, was born Patricia Crum in Oakland, California, the daughter of writer Anna Gertrude Bosworth and attorney Bartley Crum.[36][37]
Margaret Bourke-White, American photographer who was born Margaret White. In 1927, following a brief, failed marriage, she adopted her mother's maiden name ("Bourke") as part of her new hyphenated name, Bourke-White.[38]
Stephen Boyd, Northern Irish actor; born William Millar, he adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional surname.[39]
Jacqueline Boyer, French singer and actress, was born Jacqueline Ducos, the daughter of performers Jacques Pills (n� Ren� Jacques Ducos) and Lucienne Boyer, and adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[citation needed]
Ren� Boylesve, French author whose birth name was Ren� Marie Auguste Tardiveau, used his mother's maiden name in his pen name.[8]
Hercules Brabazon Brabazon, English artist, was born Hercules Brabazon Sharpe and adopted his mother's maiden name as his surname to inherit a family estate.[8]
Klaus Maria Brandauer was born Klaus Georg Steng (or Stenj), the son of Maria Brandauer and Georg Steng (or Georg Stenj). He subsequently adapted his mother's maiden name as his professional name.[40][41][42]
Pierre Brasseur, French actor, was born to actors Georges Espinasse and Germaine Brasseur. He adopted his mother's name as his professional surname. His grandfather, Jules Brasseur, was an actor as well. The family tradition of using the surname Brasseur was continued by Pierre's son, Claude, and Pierre's grandson Alexandre.[8][43]
Sir Francis Buller-Yarde-Buller, 2nd Bt. of Churston Court, British aristocrat, born to Sir Francis Buller and his wife, Susanna (n�e Yarde), he incorporated his mother's maiden name into his own. His own son and heir, John, changed the surname to Yarde-Buller, dropping the first "Buller", and the name has remained in this form ever since.
Anthony Burgess, English writer, teacher and composer, born John Anthony Burgess Wilson to Joseph and Elizabeth (n�e Burgess) Wilson; he adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional name when he became a published author.[44][45][46]
Edd Byrnes, American actor, was born Edward Byrne Breitenberger. When he was 13 his father died. After this, he adopted a new surname (and future stage name) by altering his middle name "Byrne" in favor of "Byrnes", his mother's maiden name�the name of his maternal grandfather, a fireman.[47]
C[edit]
Christian Camargo, American actor and director, was born Christian Minnick in New York City, the son of actress Victoria Wyndham and grandson of actor Ralph Camargo. He adopted his mother's maiden name professionally.[48]
Helen Stuart Campbell, American social reformer and pioneer in the field of home economics, was born Helen Stuart, but made "Stuart" her middle name, adopting her mother's maiden name (Campbell) as her surname, for reasons which are unclear.[49][50]
Denis Cannan, British dramatist, playwright and script writer, was born Harold Denis Pullein-Thompson, the son of Captain Harold J. Pullein-Thompson and novelist Joanna Cannan, he later adopted his mother's maiden name as his own.[51]
Diana Canova, American actress, was born Diane Canova Rivero, the daughter of actress Judy Canova (n�e Juliette Canova) and musician Filberto Rivero. She adopted her mother's surname as her professional name.[52]
Bobby Cap�, Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter musician, born F�lix Manuel Rodr�guez. Born in Coamo, Puerto Rico, he adopted his stage name (Rodr�guez is a common Hispanic surname, so he reportedly opted to use his mother's less common one, Cap�, instead), and migrated to New York City early in the 1940s.[53]
Barbara Carrera, Nicaraguan-American model and socialite, was born Barbara Kingsbury in 1945 in San Carlos, Nicaragua. Her mother, Do�a Florencia Carrera, was a native of Nicaragua, and her father, Louis Kingsbury, was an American employee of the United States embassy in Nicaragua. She changed her last name to her mother's surname after beginning her career as a model with the Eileen Ford agency.[54]
Igor and Oleg Cassini, born Igor Cassini Loiewski and Oleg Cassini Loiewski, respectively. Igor, the younger brother (1915�2002) was an American syndicated gossip columnist for the Hearst newspaper chain. Oleg, the elder brother (1913�2006), was a well-known American fashion designer. Both brothers adopted the maiden name of their mother, Countess Marguerite Cassini, an aristocrat of Russian and Italian descent.
Leo Castelli, American art dealer, acquired his mother's maiden name of "Castelli", in place of his birth name of "Krausz" or "Krauss", as a child, when his birth city of Trieste was transferred from Austrian to Italian control.[55]
Alexander "Sandy" Chaplin, American actor, was born Alexander Gaberman. He and his wife Daisy (Harold Prince's daughter) changed their surnames to Daisy's mother (Judith Chaplin)'s name.[56]
Francis Charteris, 7th Earl of Wemyss, a Scottish peer, was the second son of James Wemyss, 5th Earl of Wemyss and his wife Janet, the daughter of Colonel Francis Charteris, whose surname Francis Wemyss adopted on 24 February 1732, legally changing his name to Francis Wemyss Charteris, upon inheriting the estates of his maternal grandfather.[citation needed]
Eric Clapton, British musician and singer, was born in Ripley, Surrey, England, the son of 16-year-old Patricia Molly Clapton (b. 7 January 1929) and Edward Walter Fryer (21 March 1920 � 15 May 1985), a 24-year-old soldier from Montreal, Quebec.[57][58][59]
Brian Connolly, Scottish musician, was born in 1945 in Govanhill, Glasgow. The identity of his father was never made public. His mother, Frances Connolly, was a teenaged waitress who left him in a Glasgow hospital. He was fostered, aged two, by Jim and Helen McManus of Blantyre and took their family name. In a radio interview, Connolly reported that singing was a large part of growing up since there was no television, and that he was regularly called upon to sing for family and friends. After inadvertently discovering his lineage[when?] he eventually reverted to the surname Connolly.[60]
Chris Cornell, American rock musician and singer (Soundgarden, Audioslave) was born Christopher John Boyle. Following their parents' divorce, he and his siblings changed their surnames from Boyle to their mother's maiden name (Cornell).[61]
Constance Cummings, American-born British actress, was born Constance Halverstadt, the daughter of Dallas Vernon Halverstadt, a lawyer, and his wife, Kate Logan Cummings, a concert soprano.[62]
Peggy Cummins, Irish actress, born Augusta Margaret Diane Fuller in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, Wales, where she was born because her Irish parents happened to be there and a storm kept them from returning to their home in Dublin for her birth. Her mother was an actress in her own right, Margaret Cummins (1889�1973), whose name Peggy adopted as her own professionally.[63]
Louise Currie, American actress, was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles W. Gunter, a banker, and his wife, Louise (n�e Currie),[64] whose maiden name she would take for her professional acting surname.
Peter Theo Curtis, American journalist and released hostage, was born Peter Theophilus Eaton Padnos in Atlanta, Georgia to Michael Padnos and Nancy Curtis;[65] he adopted his mother's surname after his parents separated.
D[edit]
Jeremy Davies, American actor, born Jeremy Boring. He adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional name when he began acting.[66]
Patti Davis, American actress and daughter of President Ronald Reagan, born Patricia Ann Reagan, began using her mother's maiden name of "Davis" while she was a university student.[67] In 2009, she told interviewer Tavis Smiley that she "had that famous kid thing of I just want my own identity" and that she chose her mother's maiden name for her new name "because I really didn't want to anger my parents."[68]
Bill de Blasio, born Warren Wilhelm, Jr., is an American activist and politician. He was sworn in as the 109th Mayor of New York City on January 1, 2014. He was born to Warren and Maria (n�e de Blasio) Wilhelm in 1961 in Manhattan.[69] His father was of German descent, and his maternal grandparents, Giovanni and Anna, were Italian immigrants.[70][71] His family always called him "Bill" and he legally changed his name in 2001 to Bill de Blasio.
Chris de Burgh, Anglo-Irish singer-songwriter, born Christopher John Davison in Venado Tuerto, Argentina, to Colonel Charles Davison, a British diplomat, and Maeve Emily de Burgh, a native of Ireland; he later adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional surname.[72]
Yvonne De Carlo, Canadian-American actress, was born Margaret Yvonne Middleton. She was not yet three years old when her father abandoned the family. Left on her own, her mother returned to using her maiden name, Marie De Carlo, and the actress later took "De Carlo" for her own career.[73]
Albert Dekker, American actor, was born Albert Van Ecke in Brooklyn, New York; he adopted his mother's maiden name of Dekker as his stage name.[74]
Paco de Luc�a, Spanish guitar player, was born Francisco Gustavo S�nchez Gomes. "In the documentary Paco de Luc�a - Light and Shade: A Portrait, he tells how, when he was playing in the streets as a young boy, there were many Pacos and Pablos in Andalusia taking this into consideration and ... [he] ... wanted to honor [his] Portuguese mother Lucia [L�cia] Gomes, Paco took his stage name Paco de Luc�a".[75]
Pepe de Luc�a, born Jos� S�nchez Gomes, Spanish flamenco singer and songwriter. One of the five children born to flamenco guitarist Antonio S�nchez Pecino and his Portuguese wife, L�cia Gomes, Pepe, like his brother, Paco, adopted his professional name to honor their mother.[76]
Catherine Deneuve, French actress, was born Catherine Fabienne Dorl�ac. When she was to appear in a movie with her elder sister, Fran�oise Dorl�ac, she adopted the surname of her mother, actress Ren�e Simonot (born Jeanne Ren�e Deneuve) to distinguish herself from her sister.[77]
Patrick Dewaere, born either Patrick Jean Marie Henri Bourdeaux or Jean-Marie Patrick Bourdeau, and known professionally as Patrick Maurin, he finally opted for the stage surname Dewaere, which was his grandmother's maiden name.[citation needed]
Xavier Dolan, Canadian actor, director and screenwriter; the son of Quebec actor Manuel Tadros and Genevi�ve Dolan, a teacher; he adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional name.[78]
Arielle Dombasle, American actress; born Arielle Laure Maxime Sonnery de Fromental, to Jean-Louis Melchior Sonnery de Fromental, a silk manufacturer, and his wife, Francion Garreau-Dombasle. The Dombasle surname came into existence in 1912, when Arielle's grandfather, Ren� Sonnery (1887�1925), an industrialist from Lyon, married Anne-Marie Berthon du Fromental. In memory of her mother who died at the age of 36, Arielle took the pseudonym Arielle Dombasle.[79]
Melvyn Douglas, American actor; born Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg to Lena Priscilla (n�e Shackelford) and Edouard Gregory Hesselberg, he adopted his maternal grandmother's maiden name (Douglas) as his professional and legal name.[80]
Eddie Dowling, American actor and producer, was born Joseph N. Goucher; he adopted the maiden name of his mother (Bridget Mary Dowling) as his stage surname.[81]
Charlie Drake, British actor and comedian, was born Charles Edward Springall in Elephant and Castle, Southwark. He later took his mother's maiden name for the stage and, later, television and film, achieving success as a comedian.[citation needed]
Genevieve Driscoll, born Alma Genevieve Rubens to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother, she became a silent film actress known as Alma Rubens.[82] Some biographies erroneously state that her birth name was Genevieve Driscoll, however, that name was a pseudonym that she later used in a non-professional capacity (Genevieve was her middle name and Driscoll was her maternal grandmother's maiden name).[82]
Z�lia Duncan, born Z�lia Cristina Gon�alves Moreira, is a Brazilian singer and composer. She adopted the surname "Duncan" (her mother's maiden name) professionally.[83]
Michael Dunn, born Gary Neil Miller, he changed his surname to Dunn (his maternal grandmother's maiden name) as there was already one performer in the actor's union with the name Gary Miller; it is unknown why he changed his first name to Michael.[84]
Shaila D�rcal, born Shaila de los �ngeles Morales de las Heras, the daughter of Spanish singer Roc�o D�rcal and Filipino singer, Antonio Morales, known professionally as Junior Morales. Shaila adopted her mother's professional surname (D�rcal) as her own, professionally if not legally.[85]
E[edit]
Biddy Early, Irish herbalist, accused by some of being a witch, was born in County Clare and baptised Bridget Ellen Connors. Her parents were John Thomas Connors, a poor farmer, and his wife Ellen (n�e Early). She later adopted her mother's maiden name and was known as Biddy (a nickname for Bridget) Early for most of her life.[86]
John Elwes, English politician (birth name "Meggot") was born on 7 April 1714 into a respectable English family. His father, Robert Meggot, was a respected Southwark brewer and his grandfather was Sir George Meggot, MP for that same borough.[87] His mother, Amy (n�e Elwes), was the granddaughter of Sir Gervase Elwes, 1st Baronet and MP for Suffolk (see Elwes baronets).[88][89]
Aaron and Ethan Embry, American songwriter/record producer and actor brothers � born Ethan Philan Randall and Aaron Randall, respectively, they adopted the maiden name of their mother, Karen Embry, a screenwriter and talent manager.[90]
F[edit]
Maude Fealy (1883�1971), actress, was born as Maude Mary Hawk in Memphis, Tennessee;[91] her mother was actress/acting coach Margaret Fealy.[citation needed]
Felix Fibich, Polish-born American actor, dancer, choreographer and teacher, born Fajwel Goldblatin in 1917 in Warsaw, Poland (then part of Imperial Russia). He adopted Fibich, his maternal grandmother's surname, as his professional name.[92]
Ruth Fischer (1895�1961), co-founder of the Austrian Communist Party in 1918, was born Elfriede Eisler in Leipzig, the daughter of Rudolf Eisler, a professor of philosophy, and his wife, Marie (n�e Fischer). According to secret information declassified in 2010, she was a key agent of the American intelligence service known as "The Pond".[93][94][95]
Tara Fitzgerald, British actress, born Anne Tara Callaby in Cuckfield, Sussex to Irish portrait photographer Sarah Geraldine Fitzgerald and English artist Michael Callaby. When she was still a child her family moved to Freeport, Bahamas, where her maternal grandfather, David Fitzgerald, practised law. Her parents divorced after returning to England when Tara was three years old; she uses her mother's surname.
Margot Fonteyn, British ballerina, was born Margaret Hookham. Her stage name, which she first used when she made her professional debut at the age of 15, was adapted from her first name and her mother's maiden name.[96]
Brenda and Ralph Forbes, British-born American stage and film actors (siblings) were born to E. J. Taylor and actress Mary Forbes; they adopted their mother's surname professionally.[citation needed]
J.D. Fortune (aka Jason Dean Fortune), Canadian rock singer and songwriter; born Jason Dean Benninson, he adopted his mother's maiden name as his own surname.[97]
Anthony Franciosa, American actor, was born Anthony George Papaleo to Italian-American parents; raised by his mother and aunt, he adopted his mother's maiden name (Franciosa) as his professional name.[98]
Victoria Fyodorova was a Russian-American actress and author. She was born shortly after World War II to U.S. Admiral Jackson Tate (1898�1978) and Russian actress Zoya Fyodorova (1909�1981); the couple had had a brief affair before Tate was expelled from Moscow by Joseph Stalin. She wrote the 1979 book, The Admiral's Daughter about her experience attempting to reunite with her father.[99][100]
G[edit]
Troy Garity, American actor and social activist, born Troy O'Donovan Hayden, is the son of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden. His professional surname, Garity, is the maiden name of his paternal grandmother.[101]
Elizabeth Garner, Scottish-born Dominica-based writer, socialite and politician, was born Elma Gordon-Cumming, the eldest of five siblings born to Sir William Gordon-Cumming and his wife, Florence Josephine (n�e Garner; 1870�1922). She adopted her mother's maiden name (Garner) as a pen name.[102]
David Garrett, German classical violinist, was born David Bongartz, the son of a German jurist and an American prima ballerina; he later adopted his mother's maiden name as his own.[103]
Theodor Geisel, American writer, based his pen name of Dr. Seuss on his middle name, which was his mother's maiden name (Henrietta Seuss).[104]
Troy Gentile, American actor (The Goldbergs), born Troy Francis Farshi,[105] adopted his mother (Debbie Gentile)'s maiden surname.
Ryan Giggs, Welsh footballer, was born Ryan Joseph Wilson, but at age 16 legally adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional surname.[106]
Cherie and Mark Gil, Filipino acting siblings, born Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann and Raphael Joseph De Mesa Eigenmann, respectively. The children of actors Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, Cherie and Mark adopted their mother's maiden name professionally.[107]
Bartholomew Gill, Irish-American writer, was born Mark C. McGarrity; he adopted his maternal grandfather's name as his pen name.[108]
John Gilroy, for whom the town of Gilroy, California is named, was born John Cameron. After deserting from his ship, the Isaac Todd, in Monterey, California, in 1814,[why?] he adopted his mother's maiden name as his own in an ultimately successful ruse to avoid being retaken. When he later was received into the Roman Catholic faith, he was baptized as Juan Bautista Mar�a Gilroy.[109]
Paulette Goddard, American film actress, born with the surname Levy, she adopted her mother (Alta Goddard)'s maiden name professionally.[110]
Gale Gordon, American actor, was born Charles Thomas Aldrich, Jr., in New York City to American vaudevillian Charles Thomas Aldrich and his wife, English actress Gloria Gordon; he adopted his mother's professional surname "Gordon" (her professional name; she was born Bertha St Leger Palliser Wilson), when he became an actor himself.[111]
H[edit]
Cosmo Hamilton, English playwright and novelist, was the pen name of Henry Charles Hamilton Gibbs, aka Cosmo Gibbs, an English playwright and novelist whose mother's maiden name was Hamilton.[8]
David Hamilton, British radio and TV presenter, was born David Pilditch, but took up his mother's maiden name as his surname after he was advised that his real name would be difficult for audiences to remember.[8]
Jean Harlow, American actress, was born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; Jean Harlow had been her mother's maiden name.[112]
Samantha Harris, American model, and television presenter/personality. Born Samanthan Harris Shapiro; she adopted her mother's maiden name (Harris) as her professional name.[113][114]
Lilian Harvey, English-born actress and singer, who spent many years in Germany, was born Helene Lilian Muriel Pape. Her mother was English and her father was a German businessman. She began her career by attending the dance and voice school of the Berlin State Opera, later adopting her maternal grandmother's maiden name (Harvey) as her professional name.[115]
Rita Hayworth, American actress and dancer, was born Margarita Carmen Cansino and appeared in her first 10 movies under the name Rita Cansino. Subsequently, under the tutelage of her first husband and manager, she altered her physical appearance and adopted the maiden name of her mother (Volga Hayworth) so as to no longer be perceived solely as an exotic or ethnic Latina.[116]
Mlle Hervez, French actress; born Genevi�ve B�jart, she later adopted a variation of her mother's maiden name (Herv�) as her stage name.[117]
Dana Hill, American film, television and voice actress; born Dana Lynne Goetz, she adopted her mother's maiden name (Hill) as her professional acting name in the 1970s to avoid the appearance of nepotism as her father worked in the entertainment industry.[118]
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, QPM, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (of London; as of 2012); former Chief Constable of the Merseyside Police, former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary. Hogan-Howe was born in Sheffield in 1957, the son of Bernard Howe. He was brought up by his mother, whose maiden name (Hogan) he later added by Deed poll.[119]
Lyndsie Holland, English actress and singer, born Margaret Foster. She took her stage name from her two maternal grandmothers.[120][121]
Olivia Hussey, British actress, was born Olivia Osuna in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Joy Alma (n�e Hussey), a British legal secretary, and Andr�s Osuna (aka Osvaldo Rib�), an Argentine musician;[122] the couple divorced when Olivia was two years old.
I[edit]
Peter Igelhoff, Austrian pianist, light music and film composer/arranger, and entertainer, was born Rudolf August Ordnung on 22 July 1904 in Vienna. He changed his forename and took his mother's maiden name as his surname after he resolved on a career in music. He died on 8 April 1978, aged 73, in Bad Reichenhall.[123]
Frieda Inescort (born Frieda Wrightman), Scottish film and stage actress, who adopted her mother (actress Elaine Inescort)'s surname as her own professional name.[124]
J[edit]
Ernst Jansen Steur (born Ernst Nicolaas Herman Jansen; 24 October 1945), is a Dutch former neurologist, who garnered notoriety for misconduct and lost his license to practice medicine.[125][126]
Norah Jones, American singer-songwriter, was born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar to Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar and concert producer Sue Jones; she changed her name at the age of 16.[127]
Penny Jordan, n�e Penelope Jones, aka Annie Groves, was a best-selling and prolific English writer of over 200 romance novels. She started writing regency romances as Caroline Courtney, and wrote contemporary romances as Penny Jordan and historical romances as Annie Groves (her mother's maiden name).[128]
Louis Jourdan, French actor, was born as Louis Robert Gendre in Marseille, the son of Yvonne (n�e Jourdan) and Henry Gendre.[129]
Ashley Judd, American actress and political activist, was born Ashley Tyler Ciminella, the daughter of Naomi Judd, a country music singer and motivational speaker, and Michael Charles Ciminella, a marketing analyst for the horseracing industry.[130][131]
K[edit]
Garry Kasparov, Russian chess champion, was born Garry Kimovich Weinstein[132] in the former Azerbaijan SSR to an Armenian mother and a Jewish father.[133] When Garry was seven years old, his father died of leukemia[134] and five years later he adopted his Armenian mother's maiden name, Gasparyan, which he modified to the more Russian-sounding "Kasparov".[135]
Diane Keaton, American actress, was originally named Diane Hall, but could not use that name professionally as it belonged to another actress, so she selected her own mother's maiden name as her professional surname.[8]
Barbara Kent, Canadian-American film actress, was born Barbara Cloutman in Gadsby, Alberta to Jullion Curtis and Lily Louise (n�e Kent) Cloutman. She later adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[136]
Olga Kern, Russian classical pianist whose original surname was Pushechnikova.[137]
Imran Khan (Indian-American actor) was born Imran Pal. After his father (Anil Pal) and mother (Nuzhat Khan) divorced he took his mother's maiden name as his legal name.[138]
Sophie Kinsella, British author, was born Madeleine Sophie Townley. She later adopted her pen name, Sophie Kinsella (which was taken from her middle name and her mother's maiden name).[139][140][141]
L[edit]
Katherine Kelly Lang, American actress, was born Katherine Kelly Wegeman. She is the daughter of Olympic ski-jumper Keith R. Wegeman and actress Judith Lang and the granddaughter of Oscar-winning cinematographer Charles Lang. She adopted her mother's surname professionally.[142]
Dorothea Lange, American photographer, was born Dorothea Margaretta Nutzhorn, but after her father abandoned her mother, she stopped using both her middle name and her father's surname, adopting her mother's maiden name in their place.[143]
Mario Lanza, American singer and actor, born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza, adopted the stage name Mario Lanza, which was his mother (Maria Lanza)'s maiden name.[144]
Brie Larson, American actress, born Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers, took her Swedish great-grandmother's maiden name ("Larson") as she said "her [own] surname [Desaulniers] was too difficult to pronounce".[145]
Jody Lawrance, American actress (1930�1986), born Nona Josephine Goddard in Fort Worth, Texas; in 1949 she adopted the screen name of Jody (short for Josephine) Lawrance (her maternal grandmother's maiden name) for her first television role.[146]
Florence Lawrence, Canadian actress (1886�1938), was born Florence Annie Bridgwood in Hamilton, Ontario to George and Charlotte A. Bridgwood. Her mother, a vaudeville actress, and leading lady and director of the Lawrence Dramatic Company, was known professionally as Lotta Lawrence. Florence's surname was changed at age four to her mother's stage name.[citation needed]
Laura Leighton, American actress, was born Laura Miller in Iowa City, Iowa; she assumed her maternal grandfather's surname in 1988.[147]
John Le Mesurier, British actor (1912�1983), was born John Elton Le Mesurier de Somerys Halliley to Charles Elton Halliley, a solicitor, and Amy Michelle (n�e Le Mesurier), and adopted his mother's maiden name as his acting name.[148][149]
Alexander Lernet-Holenia was an Austrian poet and novelist, born Alexander Marie Norbert Lernet to Alexander Lernet (an ocean liner officer) and Sidonie (n�e Holenia), who attached his mother's maiden name to his family name after he was formally adopted by Carinthian relatives of his mother (whose aristocratic family had lost most of its wealth after the war) in 1920.[citation needed]
C.S. Lewis published the poem "Dymer" under the name "Clive Hamilton"; Hamilton was his mother's maiden name.[8]
Hamish Linklater was born to Scottish-born Kristin Linklater, Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Acting Division at Columbia University and a renowned teacher of vocal technique, and Jim Cormeny; he is known by Linklater, his mother's maiden name.
Anne Lockhart, American actress, was born Anne Kathleen Maloney in New York City, the daughter of actress June Lockhart and Dr. John F. Maloney. Professionally, she used her mother's maiden name through her whole career.[150]
Julia Lockwood, British actress, born Margaret Julia Leon, daughter of actress Margaret Lockwood; Julia adopted her mother's professional surname.
Cissie Loftus, Scottish variety hall performer, was born Marie Cecilia Loftus Brown in Glasgow, Scotland to Ben Brown and Marie Loftus (also a variety hall performer). Cissie adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[151]
Denise Lor, American actress and singer, born Denise Jeanne Briault,[152] in Los Angeles. She decided to use her mother's maiden name, Lor, as her stage name.[152]
Norman Lumsden, English actor, was born Norman Thompson. He made his first radio broadcast for the BBC in the 1930s, singing Negro spirituals and Czech songs by Dvor�k. At this time he changed his surname to Lumsden (his mother's maiden name).[153]
Dame Beatrix Lyall, n�e Rostron, and her husband George Lyall, B.A., Conservative Party politician and social activist, and her husband (n� George Henry Hudson Pile), a solicitor; he changed his surname by deed poll in 1914 to "Lyall", his mother's maiden name, and his wife followed suit.[154][155]
Viola Lyel, English film and stage actress, was born Viola Mary Watson in Hull, Yorkshire, the daughter of Frederick Watson and his wife Elizabeth (n�e Lyel). She later adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[156]
M[edit]
Kenneth MacKenna, American actor and film director, was born Leo Mielziner Jr., the son of Leo Mielziner Sr. and Ella Lane McKenna Friend; he adopted a family name from his mother (whom he predeceased) as his professional surname.[157][158]
Shirley MacLaine, American actress, was born Shirley MacLean Beaty; she adopted a variation of her mother (Kathlyn Corinne MacLean)'s maiden name as her professional name.[citation needed]
Benji and Joel Madden, identical twin members of pop punk band Good Charlotte, changed their surname from Combs to their maternal surname, Madden, after their father, Roger Combs,[159] walked out on the family.[160]
Ramona Mallory, American actress, is the daughter of actors/singers Mark Lambert and Victoria Mallory. She was born Ramona Mallory Lambert, but is known professionally as Ramona Mallory.
Mona Malm, born Mona Kristina Ericsson, Swedish actress of film, stage, and television, was born in 1935 to Harald Ericsson and Inez Malmberg. She adapted part of her mother's maiden name as her professional name when she began her career with the Swedish Royal Dramatic Theater in 1957.[161]
Costas and Louis Mandylor, Australian actors of Greek ancestry, were born to Louise (n�e Mandylaris) and Yannis Theodosopoulos.[162] The brothers adopted a version of their mother's maiden name professionally.[163]
Barry Manilow, American musician, was born Barry Alan Pincus to Harold Pincus and Edna (n�e Manilow).[164] His mother's family was Jewish, while his father, who was often known by the surname Keliher,[why?] was born to a Jewish father and Irish American mother. Barry adopted his mother's maiden name � Manilow � at the time of his bar mitzvah.[165]
David Manners, Canadian-American actor; born Rauff de Ryther Daun Acklom, he changed his name legally to David Joseph Manners in 1940 (Manners was his mother's maiden name).[166]
Chris and Sean Marquette, American actors, borr Christopher George Rodriguez and Sean Anthony Edward Rodriguez, respectively, to Patricia Helen (n�e Marquette) and Jorge Luis Rodriguez. The brothers adopted their mother's maiden name as their professional surnames.[167]
Edgar Lee Masters, American writer, first published his early poems and essays under the pseudonym Dexter Wallace, derived from his mother's maiden name and his father's middle name.[168]
Gordon Matta-Clark, American artist, was born Gordon Roberto Echaurren Matta to Anne Clark, an American artist, and Roberto Matta, a Chilean Surrealist painter. In 1971, he changed his name to Gordon Matta-Clark, adopting his mother's last name.[169]
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, British actress, was born Gugulethu Sophia Mbatha, to Patrick Mbatha, a South African doctor, and Anne (n�e Raw), an English nurse. She later added her mother's surname to that of her father.[170][171]
Patty McCormack, American actress, was born Patricia Ellen Russo in Brooklyn, New York to Elizabeth (n�e McCormack), a professional roller skater, and Frank Russo, a fireman. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[172]
Jack McCullough, American convicted murderer and former Washington State policeman, who was convicted in September 2012 of the kidnapping and murder of a young girl (Maria Ridulph) from Sycamore, Illinois in December 1957 (55 years earlier) and sentenced in December 2012 to life imprisonment at age 73, was born John Samuel Tessier and adopted his mother's maiden name as his surname after relocating to Washington.[173]
Natascha McElhone, British actress, was born Natasha Abigail Taylor to Noreen (n�e McElhone) and Michael Taylor, both journalists.[174] She took her mother's maiden name as her stage name.[175]
Benjamin McKenzie, American actor, was born in Austin, Texas,[176] as Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan, one of three brothers, to Frances Victory Schenkkan, a poet, and Pieter Meade Schenkkan, an attorney.[177][178] His middle name, McKenzie, is his paternal grandmother's maiden name.
Rita McKenzie, New Zealand artist and painter, formerly known as Rita Angus, was born Henrietta Catherine Angus. She married Alfred Cook, another artist, on 13 June 1930. In 1934 they separated due to incompatibility,[179] and divorced in 1939. Angus had signed many of her paintings as Rita Cook between 1930 and 1946, but after she discovered in 1941 that her ex-husband had remarried she changed her surname by deed poll to McKenzie, her paternal grandmother's name. As a result, some of her paintings are signed R. Mackenzie or R. McKenzie.[180]
Jenna McMahon, born Mary Virginia Skinner, was an American television writer, producer, and comedian. Using the surname McMahon (her mother's maiden name), in 1961, she and Dick Clair formed a comedy act similar to that of Nichols and May, playing nightclubs and eventually appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Merv Griffin Show and other television programs.[181]
Juliano Mer-Khamis, Israeli-Palestinian actor and director. Added his mother's maiden name ("Mer") to his surname later in life.[182][183][184]
Alan Merrill, American vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, born Allan Preston Sachs. He adopted his mother's (Helen Merrill) professional surname. Helen Merrill and her first husband, musician Aaron Sachs, divorced several years after they wed.[185]
Christina Milian, American singer was born Christine Mari� Flores to Cuban parents, Don and Carmen (n�e Milian) Flores. She reportedly adopted her mother's maiden name in the hopes of landing a wider range of acting roles[186]
Crispian Mills, British musician, born Crispian John David Boulting, son of Roy Boulting and actress Hayley Mills. He adopted his mother's surname professionally. He is also known as Krishna Kantha Das.[citation needed]
Yvonne Mitchell, English stage, television and film actor, was born Yvonne Frances Joseph. In 1946 she changed her name by deed poll to Yvonne Mitchell (without the Frances).[187] Her mother's maiden name was Mitchell.[188]
Melissa Molinaro, Canadian-born actress and singer, born Melissa Ann Smith; she adopted her mother's maiden name (Molinaro) as her professional surname.[189]
Marilyn Monroe, American actress who was born as Norma Jeane Mortenson and later known as Norma Jeane Baker, she decided to use her own mother's maiden name (Monroe) as her professional surname. She had initially selected the name "Jeane Monroe", but eventually settled on Marilyn Monroe as per advice from a movie studio executive.[190][191]
Poppy Montgomery, Australian-American actress, born Poppy Petal Emma Elizabeth Deveraux Donahue to Nicola (n�e Montgomery) and Philip Donahue; she adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[192][193]
John Morghen, Italian actor, born Giovanni Lombardo Radice; he later Anglicised his forename (from "Giovanni" to "John"), and adopted his maternal grandmother's surname (Morghen), as his professional name.[194]
Brittany Murphy, actress, born Brittany Anne Bertolotti[195] to Sharon Kathleen Murphy and Angelo Joseph Bertolotti[196] who divorced when she was two years old. Murphy was raised by her mother and adopted her mother's maiden name as her own.
N[edit]
Geoffrey de Neville, born Geoffrey FitzMaldred to Robert FitzMaldred and Isabel of Neville (also known as Isabel de Neville, a Norman heiress), who eventually inherited the Manors of Sheriff Hutton near York and Brancepeth, together with lesser lands and manors. Geoffrey, Lord of Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, Sheriff of Northumberland, and Justice of the King's Forests, adopted his mother's maiden name (de Neville), as did his brothers, William, Lord of Carleton, and Sir John, Knight.[197]
Emerson Newton-John, American racing driver, is the son of Graham Hall and Rona Newton-John, elder sister of Olivia Newton-John. He adopted his mother's maiden name.[198] He was named for two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi.[199]
Ivor Novello, Welsh musician, composer and actor, born David Ivor Davies, adopted part of his mother (Clara Novello Davies)'s maiden name, "Novello", as his professional surname, although he did not change his name legally [by deed poll] until 1927.[200]
Marie Novello, Welsh pianist, born Marie Williams in Maesteg, Glamorgan, to William Thomas Williams and Anne Bedlington Kirkhouse. Marie took the surname "Novello" after being adopted by her piano teacher, Clara Novello Davies, mother of Ivor Novello. Critically acclaimed, Marie Novello died at age 30 from esophageal cancer.[201]
O[edit]
Richard O'Brien, British actor (Rocky Horror Picture Show), born Richard Timothy Smith. Upon launching his acting career he changed his name to O'Brien, his maternal grandmother's name,[202] as there was already an actor named Richard Smith.
Frank O'Connor, Irish writer, born Michael Francis O'Donovan, adopted his mother (Minnie O'Connor)'s maiden name as his pen name.[203][204]
Bulle and Pascale Ogier, French actresses, mother and daughter, respectively. Bulle, born Marie-France Thielland, adopted her mother's maiden name (Ogier) as her professional surname, and Pascale, born Pascale Schroeder, who predeceased her parents, adopted, in turn her own mother's professional surname, i.e. her maternal grandmother's maiden name.[205]
Susan Oliver, American actress, was born Charlotte Gercke, the daughter of George Gercke, journalist, and Ruth Hale Oliver, an astrology practitioner, in New York City in 1932. Her parents divorced when she was still a child. In June 1949, Oliver joined her mother in Southern California, where Ruth was in the process of becoming a well-known Hollywood astrologer. Oliver made a decision to embark upon a career as an actress and chose the stage name Susan Oliver.[206]
Sam Outlaw, American musician, was born Sam Morgan in Aberdeen, South Dakota. When Outlaw decided to actively pursue and music career, he borrowed his late mother's maiden name, Outlaw, for a stage moniker, which he continues to use.[207]
P[edit]
Chris Paciello, American mobster and nightclub owner, was originally named Christian Ludwigsen, but started calling himself Chris Paciello at age 19. He reportedly told friends he decided to use his mother's maiden name of Paciello as a rejection of his father, as well as a claim on the Italian side of his family background.[208]
Angelica Page, American actress; the daughter of actors Rip Torn and Geraldine Page, she was born Angelica Torn, but legally changed her name in 2011.[209]
Philippe Panneton, Canadian diplomat, writer, academic and physician, used the pen name "Ringuet", which had been his mother's maiden name.[210][211]
Quanah Parker (died 23 February 1911) was a Comanche chief, a leader in the Native American Church, and the last leader of the powerful Quahadi band before they surrendered their battle of the Great Plains and went to a reservation in Indian Territory. He was the son of Comanche chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, a European American, who had been kidnapped at age nine and assimilated into the tribe. He led his people on the reservation, where he became a wealthy rancher and influential in Comanche and European American society. He adopted his mother's surname as his people did not then use surnames.[212]
Hunter Parrish, American actor and singer, was born in Richmond, Virginia to Annie Parrish, who works with autistic children, and Bruce Tharp, an engineer. He adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional surname.[213][214]
Elsa Pataky, Spanish actress, born Elsa Lafuente in Madrid, Spain,[215] the daughter of Jos� Francisco Lafuente, a Spanish biochemist, and Cristina Pataky Medianu, a publicist of Romanian and Hungarian ancestry.[216][217] She attended the CEU San Pablo University,[218] studying journalism and taking acting classes. She became an actress and adopted part of her mother's maiden name (Pataky) as her professional name.
Jim Perry, American television personality and game show host, was born James Edward Dooley in Camden, New Jersey. His mother, Genevieve Perry, was a record holding swimmer, as well as a known marathon dancer. His father, Edward Dooley, was a musician. Due to a name conflict with AFTRA, he adopted his mother's maiden name of Perry when he began his television work.[219]
Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson and released her self-titled debut album, Katy Hudson, under her real surname. She adopted her mother's surname as a stage name for her next album, One of the Boys.[220]
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, adopted his mother's name of Mountbatten in 1947, along with a new nationality and religious affiliation, before his marriage to Elizabeth II.[221]
Marguerite Piazza, American operatic soprano and philanthropist; born as Marguerite Claire Luft, she adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[222]
Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter; born Pablo Diego Jos� Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Mar�a de los Remedios Cipriano de la Sant�sima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso, "he adopted his mother's Italian surname, because he thought it suited him better. Here's how he explained it to Hungarian artist George Brassa�: '[Picasso] was stranger, more resonant, than Ruiz ... Do you know what appealed to me about that name? Well, it was undoubtedly the double s, which is fairly unusual in Spain. Picasso is of Italian origin, as you know. And the name a person bears or adopts has its importance. Can you imagine me calling myself Ruiz? Pablo Ruiz? Diego-Jos� Ruiz? Or Juan-N�pomuc�ne Ruiz?'".[223]
Piero Piccioni, Italian lawyer, film score composer, pianist, organist, conductor, and author; his mother's maiden name was Marengo, hence his pseudonym Piero Morgan, which he adopted until 1957.[224][225]
Aida Pierce, Mexican actress and comedian, born Aida Mar�a Zerecero Pierce to Jos� Luis Zerecero and Aida Pierce. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[226]
Martha Plimpton, American actress, is the daughter of actors Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. Her parents never married and she was raised by her mother. Some sources indicate she was born Martha Campbell Carradine, others cite Martha Campbell Plimpton.[227]
Cl�mence Po�sy, French fashion model and film/television actress. Born Cl�mence Guichard, she adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional surname.[228]
Georg Joachim de Porris, later known as Rheticus, was a mathematician, cartographer, navigational-instrument maker, medical practitioner, and teacher, born at Feldkirch to Georg and Thomasina (n�e de Porris) Iserin. His parents were wealthy as his father was the town physician. However, Georg Iserin abused the trust of many of his patients, stealing belongings and money, and, in 1528 was convicted and executed. The family was stripped of their surname and adopted de Porris, Rheticus' mother's maiden name. Later as a student in Wittenberg, Georg de Porris adopted the toponym Rheticus, a form of the Latin name for his home region, Rhaetia. In the matriculation list for the University of Leipzig his family name, "de Porris", is translated into German as "von Lauchen".[229][230]
Natalie Portman, Oscar-winning Israeli-American actress; born Neta-Lee Hershlag, she took her paternal grandmother (Mania Hershlag)'s maiden name, "Portman", as her stage name.[231][232][233][234][235]
Sally Pressman, American actress and dancer, was born Sally Pressman Bernstein in New York City to Penny Ann (n�e Pressman) and Jonathan Bernstein. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional surname.[236]
Q[edit]
Thomas Quick (born Sture Ragnar Bergwall, a name he has since readopted, after using his mother's maiden name "Quick" for many years) � convicted Swedish criminal, previously believed to be a serial killer, having confessed to more than 30 murders. He was convicted of eight of these murders, but all of the convictions have been overturned.[237][238]
R[edit]
Noomi Rapace (n�e Nor�n), Swedish actress, was born in Hudiksvall, Sweden. Her mother, Nina Nor�n (born Kristina Nor�n; 1954) is a Swedish actress, and her father, Rogelio Dur�n (1953�2006), was a Spanish Flamenco singer from Badajoz.[239]
Sally Jessy Raphael, American talk show host and television personality, was born in 1935 in Easton, Pennsylvania to Jesse Lowenthal, a businessman, and his wife, Dede Lowry (n�e Raphael), an artist.[240]
Ravachol, French anarchist; born Fran�ois Claudius Koenigstein, the son of a Dutch father (Jean Adam Koenigstein) and a French mother (Marie Ravachol); he adopted his mother's maiden name after his father abandoned the family.[241]
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Irish actor, born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keeffe to musician John O'Keeffe and his wife, Mary Geraldine (n�e Meyers). Rhys Meyers' stage name is partially derived from his mother's maiden name.[242]
Talulah Riley, British actress and wife of billionaire Elon Musk, born Talulah Jane Riley-Milburn[243] to Una Riley, founder of a security systems company and a PR company,[244] and Doug Milburn, formerly head of the National Crime Squad, who now works as a screenwriter (Silent Witness, Prime Suspect and The Bill); known professionally and socially as Talulah Riley.
Diana-Maria Riva, American actress, born Diana-Maria Uhlenbrock in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Maria (n�e Riva) and Chris B. Uhlenbrock, a dentist. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional surname.[245]
Melissa Rivers, American television personality, born Melissa Warburg Rosenberg, adopted the professional surname used by her own mother (Joan Rivers).[246]
Chino Rodriguez, American musician and impresario of Puerto Rican and Chinese descent, specializing in Latin music, most notably Salsa and Latin jazz. Chino was born James Mui to Chueng Mui and Gloria Figueroa Rodriguez.[247]
Christy Carlson Romano, American actress and singer, born Christy Michelle Romano, adopted her mother Sharon's maiden name (Carlson) as part of her professional name.[248]
Mike Rossman, American professional boxer and one-time WBA light heavyweight champion of the world, was born Michael Albert DePiano.[249] Rossman is his mother's maiden name, which he uses rather than that of his father as part of an appeasement agreement. Rossman's father was Italian, and his mother Jewish.
Meg Ryan, American actress, born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra, changed her surname when she registered with Screen Actors Guild, adopting "Ryan", her grandmother's maiden name.[250]
S[edit]
Isla St Clair, a Scottish singer, actress and former game show co-host, born Isabella Margaret Dyce, adopted a variation of her mother's maiden name, Sinclair, after her parents divorced.[citation needed]
Dmitry Salita, Ukraine-born American boxer, born Dmitry Aleksandrovich Lekhtman, adopted his late mother's maiden name as his professional name.[251][252]
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, American actor, was born Ruben Hudson to Alean Hudson and Ruben Santiago; he adopted a compound surname, with both parents' surnames.[253]
Henri Sauguet, French composer, born Henri Pierre Poupard. He first used his mother's maiden name when he began performing as a musician in deference to his father, a businessman, who did not want his family name associated with a profession he deemed to be "undignified".[254]
Prunella Scales, English actress, was born Prunella Margaret Rumney Illingworth. Her mother was actress Catherine Scales.[255]
Maria Schneider, French actress, was born Marie Christine G�lin to Daniel G�lin, a French actor, and his wife, Marie-Christine Schneider.[256] She was raised by her mother and took her mother's maiden name as her own professional name.[257]
Kaya Scodelario, English actress, born Kaya Rose Humphrey, was born in Haywards Heath, England. Her mother, Katia Scodelario, is Brazilian, and moved to England in 1990 (her surname comes from her Italian grandfather).[258] Her father, Roger Humphrey, was English.[259][260][261] Her parents divorced when she was a child and she was brought up by her mother, subsequently adopting her surname and becoming fluent in Portuguese.[262]
Lev and Sergei Sedov were the sons of the Russian Communist leader Leon Trotsky and his second wife Natalia Sedova; they took their mother's (maiden) name for political reasons.[263]
Ayrton Senna, Brazilian racecar driver, was born Ayrton Senna da Silva, but as "Silva" is a very common Brazilian name, he adopted his mother's maiden name ("Senna").[264]
Mallika Sherawat, Bollywood actress, was born Reema Lamba.[265][266][267] "Sherawat" is her mother's maiden name.[268] She has stated that she uses her mother's maiden name because of the support she received from her mother.[267]
Jane Siberry, Canadian singer and musician, was born Jane Stewart in Toronto in 1955, and raised in the suburb of Etobicoke.[269] She would take her subsequent surname, "Siberry", from the family name of her maternal aunt and uncle. Many years later, she would explain this choice by stating "this woman and her husband were the first couple I met where I could feel the love between them and I held that in front of me as a reference point."[270]
Simone Signoret, French actress, was born Simone Henriette Charlotte Kaminker. Her family name was a Jewish name. In order to get acting work in Nazi-occupied France in the early 1940s, she adopted her Catholic mother's maiden name of "Signoret" as her professional name.[271][272]
Stevan Sindelic (1771�1809), Serbian revolutionary leader, was born Stevan Rakic. His father, a craftsman named Radovan Rakic, died at a young age. His mother, Sindelija, remarried, and her son later adopted the surname from his mother's matronymic ("Sindelija").[273]
Lilia Skala, Austrian-American actress, was born Lilia Sofer in Vienna. Her mother, Katharina Skala, was Catholic, and her father, Julius Sofer, who worked as a manufacturers representative for Jindrich Waldes, was Jewish. Lilia adopted her mother's surname professionally.[274][275]
J. Smith-Cameron, American actress, born Jean Isabel Smith, "adopted the hyphenated 'Cameron' name to her moniker as both a tribute to her great-grandmother and in order to avoid confusion once she joined Actor's Equity", as there was already another actress registered with the name Jean Smith.[276]
Lucita Soriano, Filipino actress (23 February 1941 � 8 July 2015), was born Lucita Soriano Adriano in Taguig to Eugenio Adriano and Elvira Jamon Soriano, and spent her early years in Pateros, Metro Manila. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional surname.[277]
John Standing, British actor, born John Ronald Leon, the son of Kay Hammond (n�e Dorothy Katherine Standing), an actress, and Sir Ronald George Leon, a stockbroker. From a well-known acting family on his mother's side, including his great-grandfather Herbert Standing (1846�1923) and his grandfather, Sir Guy Standing (1873�1937), he adopted his mother's maiden name as his acting name. He is officially titled as Sir John Ronald Leon Standing, 4th Baronet.[278]
Jean Stapleton, American actress, born Jeanne Murray, the daughter of Joseph E. and Marie (n�e Stapleton) Murray, she adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name.[279]
Mary Stuart, American actress and singer-songwriter, was born Mary Stuart Houchins. She used her middle name of Stuart, which was her mother's maiden name, as her professional name.[280] Stuart's own daughter, Cynthia Krolik changed her surname to that of her maternal grandmother (Stuart). Cynthia graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts and eventually became a journalist, writing for the Detroit Free Press, before following in her mother's footsteps as an actress.[281]
T[edit]
Mabel Terry-Lewis, British actress, was born Mabel Gwynedd Terry, in London, the youngest of the four children, all daughters, of Arthur James Lewis (1824�1901) and his wife Kate, n�e Terry. Her father was a prosperous businessman, co-owner of the haberdashery firm of Lewis and Allenby, and an amateur painter, illustrator and musician. Her mother was from the prestigious Terry acting family. Mabel added her mother's maiden name to her surname as a portmanteau professional name.[282]
David Thewlis, British actor, was born David Wheeler in Blackpool, Lancashire, to Maureen (n�e Thewlis) and Alec Raymond Wheeler; when he registered with the actors' union, he intended to use Wheeler as his stage name, but a "David Wheeler" already existed. His mother's maiden name was the first that came to mind.[283]
Jennifer and Meg Tilly, American-Canadian actresses, born Jennifer Chan and Margaret Chan, respectively, adopted their mother Patricia (n�e Tilly)'s maiden name.[284]
Allen Toussaint, American musician, used the pseudonym Naomi Neville for some of his work; Naomi Neville was his mother's maiden name.[285]
Henrietta Treffz, born Henrietta Chalupetzky (1 July 1818 � 8 April 1878), "was best known as the first wife of Johann Strauss II and a well-known mezzo-soprano... the only child of a Viennese goldsmith and studied music in Vienna, adopting her mother's maiden name, Treffz, for professional purposes."[who said this?][286]
Dennis Trillo, born Abelardo Dennis Florendo Ho (or Abelardo Dennis Florendo Trillo Ho), was born to Florita (n�e Trillo), and Abelardo Leslie Ho. The actor adopted his mother's maiden name as his acting name.[287]
Susan Tyrrell, born Susan Jillian Creamer, was born to Gillian (n�e Tyrrell) and John Creamer, who divorced. The actress adopted her mother's maiden name as her acting name.[288]
V[edit]
Eve Valois, French dancer, singer, sex star and pornographic actress, was raised in the resort town of La Baule on the Atlantic coast. She often talked about her unhappy childhood, with her father absent and her mother Catherine Valois (n�e Ferrari) disliking her.[289]
Martin van Ma�le, French illustrator, born Maurice Fran�ois Alfred Martin, combined his original surname and his mother's maiden name to create the pseudonym under which he published erotic artwork.[290]
Eddie Vedder, American musician, was born Edward Louis Severson III. His parents divorced when he was one year old, and Vedder was adopted by his mother (Karen Lee Vedder)'s new husband (Peter Mueller) soon after, becoming Edward Mueller. He grew up believing Mueller was his biological father and stayed with him after his stepfather and mother divorced. After learning the truth, and as his biological father was deceased, he rejoined the rest of his family and adopted his mother's maiden name.[291]
Bobby Vernon, American actor and filmwriter. The son of actors Harry Burns and Dorothy Vernon, he first appeared onstage at the age of nine.[292]
Mavis Villiers, Australian-born British stage, film and television actress. Her parents were John and Clara (n�e Villiers) Cooney. Her brother, Cecil Cooney, was a camera operator and cinematographer.[293] Her stage name, Villiers, was taken from her maternal grandfather.[294][295]
W[edit]
Benjamin Walker, American actor, was born in Georgia, the son of Jeannine (n�e Walker), a music teacher, and Greg Davis, who owned a movie rental store and works in financial services.[296] He took his mother's maiden name as his stage name because there was a Benjamin Davis already registered with the Screen Actors Guild.[297]
Herta Ware, American actress, was born Herta Schwartz in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of Helen Ware, a musician and violin teacher, and Lazlo Schwartz, an actor who was born in Budapest.[298] Her mother's brother was activist Harold Ware and her maternal grandmother was labor organizer and socialist Ella Reeve Bloor. Her father was Jewish and her mother was Christian.[299]
Richard Waring, English-born American actor, was born Richard Stephens, the son of Thomas E. Stephens, a painter, and Evelyn M. Stephens (n�e Waring). He adopted his mother's maiden name as his stage name.[citation needed]
Theodore Watts-Dunton (1832�1914) was an English critic, poet and lawyer, born Walter Theodore Watts. In 1897, he chose to add his mother's maiden name (Dunton) to his surname. Abandoning natural history for the law, he qualified as a solicitor and went to London, where he practised for some years, giving his spare time to his chosen pursuit of literature.[300]
Michael Weston, American actor, born Michael Rubinstein in New York City, the son of actors Judi West and John Rubinstein, he had to change his surname professionally as there was already an actor with the same name. He adopted a variation ("Weston") of his mother's surname ("West").[301]
Antonia White, British writer, originally named Eirene Adeline Botting. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her pen name, feeling her original name was not "sufficiently imposing" for her personality.[8]
Bernie Williams, American baseball player, born Bernab� Williams Figueroa Jr., was born to Bernab� Williams Figueroa Sr., a merchant marine and dispatcher, and Rufina Williams, a retired principal and college professor.[302]
Otis Williams, born Otis Miles Jr., is an American baritone singer. He was born to Otis Miles and Hazel Louise Williams, an unmarried couple who separated shortly after their son's birth. He adopted his mother's maiden name[why?] for his stage name.[303]
Shelley Winters, American actress, was originally named Shirley Schrift. Her stage name ("Winters") was based on her mother's maiden name ("Winter").[304]
John Wojtowicz, the American bank robber whose story was the basis for the movie Dog Day Afternoon, used the alias Littlejohn Basso in gay bars. His adopted name was based on a combination of a nickname and his mother's maiden name.[305]
See also[edit]

List of pen names
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of pen names used by notable authors of written work.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
A pen name or nom de plume is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance the author from some or all of his or her other works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her writings, to combine more than one author into a single author, or for any of a number of reasons related to the marketing or aesthetic presentation of the work. The author's name may be known only to the publisher, or may come to be common knowledge.

Pen name Real name Details
A.A. Fair Erle Stanley Gardner One of several that he used
Aapeli Simo Puupponen 20th-century Finnish writer and chatty articler
Aaron Wolfe Dean Koontz
Abigail Van Buren Pauline Phillips and then
Jeanne Phillips Mother and daughter advice columnists for Dear Abby
Abram Tertz Andrei Sinyavsky
Abu Nuwas Hasin ibn Hani al Hakami 8th-century Arabic language poet (Persia)
Acton Bell Anne Bront�
Adunis Ali Ahmad Said Esber
� George William Russell Irish poet and theosophist (1867 - 1935)
Alan Gould Victor Canning
Alan Smithee various Pen name used by American film directors under certain circumstances
Alberto Moravia Alberto Pincherle
Alcofribas Nasier Fran�ois Rabelais
Alex Kava Sharon M. Kava American author of psychological suspense novels.
Alexander Kent Douglas Reeman
Algoth Tiet�v�inen Algot Untola 20th-century Finnish author
Alice Addertongue Benjamin Franklin
Amanda Cross Carolyn Gold Heilbrun 20th-century American mystery writer
Amanda Quick Jayne Ann Krentz
Anatole France Jacques Anatole Fran�ois Thibault 20th-century French author
Andrej Zivor Andrej Tisma
Andrew MacDonald William Luther Pierce
Ann Landers Ada Langworthy Collier Author of Lilith, The Legend of the First Woman
Anna L. Cunningham Ruth Crowley and then
Eppie Lederer Advice columnists for Ask Ann Landers
Anna L. Cunningham Ada Langworthy Collier American poet, writer
Anne Chaplet Cora Stephan 20th-century German crime novelist and journalist
Anne Knish Arthur Davison Ficke Co-author of Spectra: A Book of Poetic Experiments
Anne Perry Juliet Marion Hulme
Anne Rice Howard Allen Frances O'Brien Other aliases: Anne Rampling and A.N. Roquelaure
Anonymous Joe Klein Used to conceal his identity for the initial publication of the novel Primary Colors
Anthony Afterwit Benjamin Franklin
Anthony Boucher William Anthony Parker White American science fiction editor and writer of mystery novels and short stories
Anthony Burgess John Anthony Burgess Wilson 20th-century British writer
Anthony Gilbert Lucy Beatrice Malleson British author of the Arthur Crook crime fiction novels
Anthony Mills William Joseph Slim British military commander after writing novels, short stories, and other publications earlier in his career.
Anthony North Dean Koontz
Antosha Chekhonte Anton Chekhov 19th-century Russian physician and author, who also used the pseudonyms "Man Without a Spleen" and "My Brother's Brother"[1]
Arkon Daraul Idries Shah
Artemus Ward Charles Farrar Browne 19th-century American humor writer
Asdreni Aleksand�r Stavre Drenova 20th-century Albanian poet
Aunt Nabby Lizzie P. Evans-Hansell 19th-century American novelist, short-story writer
Aunt Stomly Emeline S. Burlingame American editor and evangelist
Ayn Rand Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum 20th-century fiction writer and creator of the philosophy Objectivism
Azor�n Jos� Mart�nez Ruiz
B. Traven unknown 20th-century novelist, aka Bruno Traven
Ba Jin Li Yaotang 20th-century Chinese writer
Banaphul Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay Bengali author, playwright and poet
Barbara Michaels Barbara Mertz
Barbara Vine Ruth Rendell 21st-century British author who writes a subset of her work under this pseudonym
Bartholomew Gill Mark C. McGarrity American crime fiction novelist and newspaper feature writer, wrote 22 novels under pseudonym (Peter McGarr series), wrote under real name for six books (5 novels, 1 non-fiction) and for feature writing on nature and outdoor recreation topics for The Star-Ledger
BB Denys Watkins-Pitchford 20th-century illustrator and children's book author
Beachcomber J. B. Morton and D. B. Wyndham Lewis Used for the surrealist humorous column By the Way in the Daily Express
bell hooks Gloria Jean Watkins
Benevolus Benjamin Franklin
Berrintho Robert Roberthin 17th-century German poet
Blaise Cendrars Fr�d�ric Louis Sauser
Bob Hart Al Trace
Boris Akunin Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili
Boz Charles Dickens 19th-century British novelist
Boz Raymond "Boz" Burrell
Branislav Nu�ic Alkibijad Nu�a
Brian Coffey Dean Koontz
Brynjolf Bjarme Henrik Ibsen
Busy Body Benjamin Franklin
C. S. Forester Cecil Smith 20th-century writer of the Captain Horatio Hornblower novels, The African Queen, and other novels
Caelia Shortface Benjamin Franklin
Cantinflas Fortino Mario Alfonso Moreno Reyes
Carr Dickson John Dickson Carr 20th-century author of detective stories
Carter Dickson John Dickson Carr 20th-century author of detective stories
Cassandra William Connor 20th-century left-wing journalist for The Daily Mirror
Cassandra Clare Judith Rumelt
Catherine Shaw Leila Schneps Author of mathematically themed classic murder mysteries
Chanakya Jawaharlal Nehru First Indian Prime Minister
Charles Moulton William Moulton Marston Creator of Wonder Woman comic book character
Charlotte Jay Geraldine Halls
Cherry Wilder Cherry Barbara Grimm
Cherubina de Gabriak Elisaveta Ivanovna Dmitrieva
Christian Reid Frances Christine Fisher Tiernan American author of The Land of the Sky
Christopher Pike Kevin Christopher McFadden Prolific author of young-adult horror and sci-fi novels
Clem Watts Al Trace
Clive Hamilton C. S. Lewis Used when publishing Spirits in Bondage and Dymer
Cordwainer Smith Paul M. A. Linebarger 20th-century science fiction author
Cousin Annie Annie Maria Barnes American journalist, editor, author
Currer Bell Charlotte Bront�
Curzio Malaparte Kurt Erich Suckert
Dan Crow Ernest Aris
Daniel Defoe Daniel Foe
Daniil Kharms Daniil Ivanovich Yuvachev
Danuta de Rhodes Dan Rhodes
David Agnew various Pen name used by BBC television drama screenwriters under certain circumstances
David Axton Dean Koontz
David Michaels Raymond Benson
Dazai Osamu Shuji Tsushima
Deanna Dwyer Dean Koontz
Diablo Cody Brook Busey Screenwriter
Diedrich Knickerbocker Washington Irving Early 19th-century U.S. writer
Dominique Aury Anne Desclos 20th-century French author and critic who wrote under this name for her early works
Douglas Spaulding Ray Bradbury
Dr. Seuss Theodor Seuss Geisel 20th-century American writer and cartoonist, best known for his children's books, aka Theo LeSieg
E. L. James Erika Leonard, born Erika Mitchell Author of Fifty Shades of Grey
Eckhart Tolle Ulrich Leonard Tolle Author of The Power of Now
Ed McBain Evan Hunter, born as Salvatore A. Lombino
Edgar Box Gore Vidal
Edith Van Dyne L. Frank Baum
Edmond Dant�s John Hughes 20th-century American screenwriter and director; used this name on later works
Edogawa Ranpo Taro Hirai
Edward Charles Edward Charles Edmond Hemsted 20th-century British educator and author.
Edward Pygge Ian Hamilton, John Fuller, Clive James, Russell Davies
Edwin Caskoden Charles Major
Eleanor Kirk Eleanor Maria Easterbrook Ames 19th-century American writer
Eleanor Putnam Harriet Bates 19th-century American poet, novelist
Elia Charles Lamb The pen name Lamb used as a contributor to The London Magazine.
Elizabeth Peters Barbara Mertz
Ellery Queen Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee 20th-century detective fiction
Ellis Bell Emily Bront�
Ellis Peters Edith Pargeter
Elsa Triolet Elsa Kagan
Elsie J. Oxenham Elsie Jeanette Dunkerley
Emanuel Morgan Witter Bynner Co-author of Spectra: A Book of Poetic Experiments
�mile Ajar Romain Gary French author; only author to win the Prix Goncourt twice, once under his real name, and once under his pen name
Emily Rodda Jennifer Rowe Australian children's fantasy author; published crime fiction for adults under her own name; also writes under the alias Mary-Ann Dickinson
Emma Lathen Mary Jane Latsis and Martha Henissart An economist/lawyer team write humorous banking mysteries with global scope
Enna Duval Anne Hampton Brewster
Eric Iverson Harry Turtledove
Erich Maria Remarque Erich Paul Remark
Erin Hunter Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, and Victoria Holmes Authors of the fantasy novel series Warriors
Erle Douglas Eliza D. Keith American educator, suffragist, journalist
Euphrosyne Julia Nyberg
Fergie Stacy Ann Ferguson
Flann O'Brien Brian O'Nolan
Ford Madox Ford Ford Hermann Hueffer Early 20th-century English novelist and poet
Francis Bennett Edwin Keppel Bennett
Franklin W. Dixon Leslie McFarlane 20th-century Canadian writer was the first of a variety of different authors to use this pen name for The Hardy Boys novels
Fran�oise Sagan Fran�oise Quoirez
Gabriela Mistral Lucila Godoy Alcayaga Chilean poet, educator, diplomat, and feminist who was the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1945
Geoffrey Crayon Washington Irving Used when publishing The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.
George Eliot Mary Ann Evans 19th-century English novelist
George Groth Martin Gardner Criticized Gardner's The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener
George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair 20th-century British author and essayist
George Sand Amandine Lucie Aurore Dupin 19th-century French novelist and early feminist
Georges Courteline Georges Victor Marcel Moinaux
G�rard de Nerval G�rard Labrunie 19th-century French poet, essayist and translator
Gerald Wiley Ronnie Barker
Grace Greenwood Sara Jane Lippincott
Grant Naylor Rob Grant and Doug Naylor Late 20th-century creators of the science fiction-sitcom, Red Dwarf
Guillaume Apollinaire Wilhelm Albert Wlodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki 20th-century French poet, writer, and art critic
Gulzar Sampooran Singh Kalra Noted Indian poet, lyricist, director, and playwright, who works primarily in Hindi and Urdu languages
Gun Buster John Charles Austin and
Richard Campion Austin Father and son team who wrote a series of books about British exploits in World War II
H.D. Hilda Doolittle 20th-century American imagist poet, novelist and memoirist
H.E. Sayeh Hushang Ebtehaj 20th-century Iranian poet (????? ??????)
H.N. Turtletaub Harry Turtledove
Hajime Yatate various Pen name of Sunrise animation staff members
Hans Fallada Rudolf Wilhelm Friedrich Ditzen German writer
Hard Pan Geraldine Bonner
Harold Robbins Harold Rubin
Havank Hans van der Kallen
Henri Gordon Clara M. Brinkerhoff 19th-century British soprano and romance novelist
Henriett Seth F. Fajcs�k Henrietta
Henry Handel Richardson Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson Early 20th-century Australian author
Henry Wade Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, 6th Baronet British mystery writer (1887-1969)
Herblock Herbert Lawrence Block 20th-century political cartoonist
Herg� Georges Remi 20th-century Belgian cartoonist and creator of The Adventures of Tintin
Hero Strong Clara Augusta Jones Trask 19th-century American dime-novelist
Hugh Conway Frederick John Fargus
Ianthe Emma Catherine Embury 19th-century American author, poet
Ibn Warraq various Pen name has traditionally been adopted by dissident authors throughout the history of Islam, including a current writer from India
Iceberg Slim Robert Beck African American writer
Ilkka Remes Petri Pyk�l� 20th- and 21st-century Finnish writer
Ilya Ilf Ilya Arnoldovich Faynzilberg
Ion Barbu Dan Barbilian 20th-century Romanian poet and mathematician
Irmari Rantamala Algot Untola 20th-century Finnish author
Irwin Shaw Irwin Shamforoff
Isak Dinesen Karen Blixen 20th-century Danish author of Out of Africa and Babette's Feast
Italo Svevo Aron Ettore Schmitz
Iyanla Vanzant Rhonda Eva Harris author, spiritual teacher, and television personality.
J. D. Robb Nora Roberts
J. I. Vatanen Algot Untola 20th-century Finnish author
J. K. Rowling Joanne Rowling British author of the Harry Potter books.
Jack Kirby Jacob Kurtzberg Comic book pioneer
James Dillinger James Robert Baker
James Herriot James Alfred Wight 20th-century British writer
James Tiptree, Jr. Alice Bradley Sheldon 20th-century science fiction author
Jane Somers Doris Lessing The Diaries of Jane Somers: The Diary of a Good Neighbor and If The Old Could
Janet Grant Mary Catherine Crowley American writer
Janez Jan�a (visual artist),
Janez Jan�a (director),
and Janez Jan�a (performance artist) various Pen name used by three contemporary artists who changed their names in 2007[2] to the name of the Slovenian right-wing politician
Jay Livingston Jacob Harold Levison
Jean Paul Johann Paul Friedrich Richter
Jean Plaidy Eleanor Hibbert
Jean Ray Raymundus Joannes de Kremer
Jeremy Bishop Jeremy Robinson
Jin Yong Louis Cha Leung-yung 20th-century Chinese-language novelist
Joe Hill Joseph Hillstrom King
Johann Joachim Sautscheck Roman Turovsky-Savchuk
Johannes de silentio S�ren Kierkegaard
John Beynon John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris
John Christopher Samuel Youd
John Hill Dean Koontz
John Lange Michael Crichton 20th-century science fiction author
John le Carr� David John Moore Cornwell 20th-century British writer
John Sedges Pearl S. Buck Author of "The Townsman"
John Wyndham John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris Post-apocalyptic British science fiction writer
Jonathan Oldstyle Washington Irving Author of Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent.
Joseph Conrad J�zef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski 20th-century Polish-British author
Joseph Howard Paul Rudnick Screenwriting credit for Sister Act; he refused to have his real name associated with it
Josephine Tey Elizabeth MacKintosh 20th-century British writer, who also used the pseudonym "Gordon Daviot"
Juhani Tervap�� Hella Wuolijoki 20th-century Estonian-born Finnish writer
Julia Quinn Julia Pottinger
K. Hardesh Clement Greenberg 20th-century American art critic
K. R. Dwyer Dean Koontz
Kate Elliott Alis A. Rasmussen 20th/21st-century fantasy author
Ka-Tsetnik 135633 Yehiel De-Nur
Kennilworthy Whisp J. K. Rowling Used for the publication of Quidditch Through the Ages, from the Harry Potter universe
Kir Bulychov Igor Vsevolodovich Mozheiko (????? ???????????? ???????) 20th-century Russian science fiction writer and historian
Korney Chukovsky Nikolay Vasilyevich Korneychukov
Kozma Prutkov Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy, Aleksey Zhemchuzhnikov, and two others Collective name who published in Sovremennik during 1836�1866
Kurban Said disputed Author of Ali and Nino, a novel originally published in 1937
Lauren Kelly Joyce Carol Oates Author of Blood Mask, The Stolen Heart, and Take Me, Take Me With You
Lazlo Toth Don Novello Author of the satiric The Lazlo Letters and other books; the name was taken from that of a deranged Hungarian-born Australian man named Laszlo Toth who vandalized Michelangelo's statue Pieta in Rome
Leigh Nichols Dean Koontz
Lemony Snicket Daniel Handler Author of A Series of Unfortunate Events
Leslie Charteris Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin Half-Chinese, half-English author of primarily mystery fiction such as the Simon Templar series
Lester del Rey Leonard Knapp American science fiction author and editor
Lewis Allan Abel Meeropol
Lewis Carroll Charles Lutwidge Dodgson 19th-century British author, mathematician, Anglican clergyman, logician, and amateur photographer, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Padgett Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore American husband and wife science fiction authors
Liisan-Antti ja Jussi Porilainen Algot Untola 20th-century Finnish author
L'Inconnue Lucy Virginia French 19th-century American author
Lizzie M. Boynton Elizabeth Boynton Harbert 19th-century American author, lecturer, reformer philanthropist
Lobsang Rampa Cyril Henry Hoskin The author of The Third Eye, a supposedly authentic autobiography of a monk born in Tibet, was unmasked as a British plumber who had decided in 1958 to write the bestseller.
Lorenzo Da Ponte Emmanuele Conegliano
Louis-Ferdinand C�line Louis-Ferdinand Destouches
Lu Xun Zhou Shuren 20th-century Chinese writer and cultural critic
Lucile Lucinda Barbour Helm American author, editor, women's religious activist
Lucrece Cora Linn Daniels American author
Lydia Koidula Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen
M. Barnard Eldershaw Marjorie Barnard and Flora Eldershaw
Maarten Maartens Jozua Marius Willem van der Poorten Schwartz
Mabel Percy Mary R. P. Hatch 19th-century American writer
Maddox George Ouzounian American author known for his website The Best Page in the Universe
Madeleine Brent Peter O'Donnell
Maiju Lassila Algot Untola 20th-century Finnish author
Maironis Jonas Maciulis
Mao Dun Shen Dehong 20th-century Chinese novelist, cultural critic, and journalist
Mark Brandis Nikolai von Michalewsky
Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens 19th-century American humorist, author, and lecturer
Martha Careful Benjamin Franklin
Marton Taiga Martti L�fberg 20th-century Finnish pulp writer, who also used several other pseudonyms
Mary Westmacott Agatha Christie 20th-century British writer
Max Stirner Johann Kaspar Schmidt 19th-century German philosopher
Maxwell Grant Primarily Walter B. Gibson, shared with Theodore Tinsley, Bruce Elliott and Lester Dent Author of The Shadow pulp novellas
Mencius Moldbug Curtis Yarvin 21st-century political theorist
Mercedes Katherine Eleanor Conway Editor-in-chief of The Pilot
Michael Arlen Dikran Kuyumjian
Michael Innes J. I. M. Stewart
Michael Serafian Malachi Martin
Migjeni Millosh Gjergj Nikolla 20th-century Albanian poet
Miss Manners Judith Martin Author, columnist, and etiquette authority
Mizpah Mildred Amanda Baker Bonham 19th-century American traveler and journalist
Moli�re Jean Baptiste Poquelin 17th-century French theatre writer, director and actor, and writer of comic satire
Mr. Blackwell Richard Sylvan Selzer Fashion critic, journalist, creator of annual "Ten Worst Dressed Women List". Also used the alias "Richard Blackwell".
Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller Mittie Frances Clarke Point American dime-novelist
Mrs. E. Burke Collins Emma Augusta Sharkey 19th-century American dime novelist
Mrs. J. T. Gracey Annie Ryder Gracey American writer, missionary
Mrs. Madeline Leslie Harriette Newell Woods Baker 19th-century American novelist, religious writer
Multatuli Eduard Douwes Dekker Dutch writer known for his satirical novel, Max Havelaar (1860)
Murray Leinster William Fitzgerald Jenkins 20th-century science fiction author
N. W. Clerk C. S. Lewis Used when publishing A Grief Observed
Nancy Boyd Edna St. Vincent Millay
Natsume Soseki Natsume Kinnosuke Early 20th-century Japanese novelist
Newt Scamander J. K. Rowling Used for the publication of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, from the Harry Potter universe
Nicci French Nicci Gerard and Sean French British crime fiction team
Nicolas Blake Cecil Day-Lewis Poet Laureate of the U.K., 20 mysteries written as Nicolas Blake
Nicolas Bourbaki various A group of mainly French 20th-century mathematicians
Nina Gray Clarke Mary H. Gray Clarke 19th-century American author, correspondent, poet
Nino Culotta John O'Grady Australian writer
Nisa Nicola Salerno Italian lyricist
Novalis Georg Philipp Friedrich Freiherr von Hardenberg
O. Henry William Sydney Porter American author of short stories and novels
Ogdred Weary Edward Gorey
Omer Tarin Omar Salim Khan Pakistani poet, scholar and Sufi mystic
Onoto Watanna Winnifred Eaton Canadian author
Ouida Marie Louise de la Ram�e 19th-century English novelist
Owen West Dean Koontz
P. L. Travers Helen Goff Writer of the Mary Poppins series.
P. Mustap�� Martti Haavio 20th-century Finnish poet
Pablo Neruda Ricardo Eliecer Neftal� Reyes Basoalto 20th-century Chilean poet, Nobel laureate
Pat Frank Harry Hart Frank 20th-century author of the apocalyptic novel Alas, Babylon
Patience Strong Winifred Emma May 20th-century English poet
Paul Annixter Howard Allison Sturtzel
Paul Celan Paul Antschel
Paul �luard Eug�ne Grindel 20th-century French Dada and Surrealist poet
Paul French Isaac Asimov U.S. science fiction author, when publishing the Lucky Starr series of novels
Paul Veronique Elizabeth Marney Conner 19th-century American writer, founder of the Buffalo School of Elocution
Pauline R�age Anne Desclos 20th-century French author and critic who wrote Story of O
Perez Hilton Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. Celebrity blogger and gossip columnist
Peter Gast Heinrich K�selitz
Peter MacAlan Peter Berresford Ellis 20th-century British novelist
Peter Tremayne Peter Berresford Ellis 20th-century British novelist
Peter Warlock Philip Arnold Heseltine 20th-century British composer
Petresia Peters Julia Carter Aldrich American author
Peyo Pierre Culliford 20th-century creator of The Smurfs comics
Philemon Betsy Perk Dutch author, a pioneer of the Dutch women's movement
Philip Guston Phillip Goldstein
Pierre Loti Louis Marie Julien Viaud
Piers Anthony Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob
Pisanus Fraxi Henry Spencer Ashbee 19th-century book collector, writer, bibliographer, and author of a three-volume bibliography of erotic literature
Pittacus Lore James Frey, Jobie Hughes, and Greg Boose Authors of the Lorien Legacies series; Pittacus Lore is also a character in the series
Polly Baker Benjamin Franklin
Premchand Dhanpat Rai Srivastav An Indian author, notable for his modern Hindustani literature
Professor X unknown 21st-century author of In the Basement of the Ivory Tower
Pseudonymous Bosch Raphael Simon Author of the The Secret Series, fictional children's books
Q Arthur Quiller-Couch Late 19th- and early 20th-century British author, poet, and literary critic
Quinn Fawcett Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and
Bill Fawcett American mystery authors
Raccoona Sheldon Alice Bradley Sheldon 20th-century science fiction author
Rachel Bach Rachel Aaron American science fiction author
Refugitta Constance Cary Harrison American writer
Rehmat Farrukhabadi Muhammad Rehmatullah Qureshi Author and Muslim scholar
Rhys Bowen Janet Quin-Harkin British mystery writer
Richard Bachman Stephen King Contemporary American horror author
Richard Leander Richard von Volkmann
Richard Paige Dean Koontz
Richard Saunders Benjamin Franklin The "Poor Richard" of Poor Richard's Almanac
Richard Stark Donald E. Westlake Westlake used many other pen names as well.
Robert Galbraith J. K. Rowling Used for the publication of The Cuckoo's Calling
Robert Jordan James Oliver Rigney, Jr. Author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series
Robert Markham Kingsley Amis
Robert Tressell Robert Croker
Robert O. Saber Milton K. Ozaki Mid-20th-century journalist, author and detective novelist (Dressed to Kill (1954) and many others)
Robin A Hood Ernest Aris
Robin Hobb Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden 20th-century fantasy author; also published under the pen name Megan Lindholm
Roger Fairbairn John Dickson Carr
Romain Gary Romain Kacew
Rosamond Smith Joyce Carol Oates Novels include Nemesis, Lives of the Twins, Soul Mate, Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon, The Barrens, Snake Eyes, You Can't Catch Me, Kindred Passions, and Double Delight.
Rosemary Edghill eluki bes shahar American writer and editor of science fiction and fantasy
Ross Franklyn Frank Hardy Left-wing Australian writer best known for his novel Power Without Glory
S. S. Van Dine Willard Huntington Wright Art critic and author of Philo Vance mysteries
Saint-John Perse Alexis Saint-L�ger L�ger
Saki Hector Hugh Munro Early 20th-century British satirist
Salomeja Neris Salomeja Bucinskaite-Buciene
Samantha Spriggins Helen Maud Merrill 19th-century American litterateur and poet
Sannois Camille Saint-Sa�ns
Sapper H. C. McNeile
Sapphire Ramona Lofton 21st-century African-American poet and author
Shahriar Mohammad-Hossein Shahriar Iranian poet, writing in Persian and Azerbaijani
Shawn Haigins Ashwin Sanghi Indian writer of historical fiction thrillers including The Rozabal Line and Chanakya's Chant (Shawn Haigins is an anagram of Ashwin Sanghi)
Sidney Sheldon Sidney Schechtel Novelist and television producer. Created I Dream of Jeannie television series
Silence Dogood Benjamin Franklin Used to get his work published
Sister Nivedita Margaret Elizabeth Noble
Sj�n Sigurj�n Birgir Sigur�sson Icelandic novelist, poet, lyricist
Stan Lee Stanley Martin Lieber Comic book pioneer
Steele Rudd Arthur Hoey Davis
Stefan Brockhoff Dieter Cunz, Richard Plant, Oskar Seidlin
Stein Riverton Sven Elvestad Born as Kristoffer Elvestad Svendsen
Stendhal Marie-Henri Beyle 19th-century French writer
Student William Sealy Gosset Discoverer of Student's t-distribution in statistics
Sue Denim Dav Pilkey Writer and illustrator of the Captain Underpants children's book series, when author of the Dumb Bunnies books (Sue Denim is a parody of the word pseudonym)
Sui Sin Far Edith Maude Eaton
T. H. Lain Philip Athans and Bruce Cordell A collective pseudonym used by nine separate authors writing Wizards of the Coast's Dungeons & Dragons novels
T. M. Maple Jim Burke
Ted L. Nancy Barry Marder and Bruce Baum Authors of the Letters from a Nut series
Theo LeSieg Theo Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
Thoinot Arbeau Jehan Tabourot
Timothy Shy D. B. Wyndham Lewis 20th-century British poet and author, collaborated with Ronald Searle on The Terror of St Trinian's
Tite Kubo Noriaki Kubo Manga artist of Bleach
Toegye Yi Hwang 16th-century Korean Confucian scholar
Tom Tomorrow Dan Perkins 20th-century editorial cartoonist
Tori Carrington Tony Karayianni and Lori Schlachter Karayianni American husband and wife romance novelists
Trevanian Rodney William Whitaker 20th-century American spy novelist
Tristan Tzara Sami Rosenstock
Tudor Arghezi Ion N. Theodorescu 20th-century Romanian poet and children's author
Uanhenga Xitu Agostinho Andr� Mendes de Carvalho
Umberto Saba Umberto Poli
Uriah Fuller Martin Gardner Wrote Confessions of a Psychic
V�in� Stenberg Algot Untola 20th-century Finnish author
Vazha Luka Razikashvili
Vera Haij Tove Jansson Author of the picture book Sara och Pelle och n�ckens bl�ckfiskar
V�ra Tsaritsyn Gertrude Elizabeth Blood Journalist, author, playwright, and editor; Queen Victoria's daughter
Vercors Jean Bruller
Vernon Sullivan Boris Vian
V�ctor Catal� Caterina Albert Author of Solitud (Solitude) (1905)
Victoria Lucas Sylvia Plath Poet and author of The Bell Jar
Vladimir Sirin Vladimir Nabokov 20th-century novelist; used this name on early works
Voltaire Fran�ois-Marie Arouet 18th-century French Enlightenment writer, deist and philosopher
W. N. P. Barbellion Bruce Frederick Cummings 20th-century diarist
Walter Henry Spencer Ashbee 19th-century book collector, writer, bibliographer, and suspected author of My Secret Life, the sexual memoirs of a Victorian era gentleman
Wang Shiwei (???) Wang Sidao (???) 20th-century Chinese journalist and literary writer
William Lee William S. Burroughs American novelist, short story writer, essayist and spoken word performer.
William Penn Jeremiah Evarts 19th-century activist against Indian removal
Willibald Alexis Georg Wilhelm Heinrich Haring
Winnie Woodbine Esther Saville Allen 19th-century American author
Winnie Rover Mary Catherine Chase 9th-century American Catholic nun and writer
Wiz Khalifa Cameron Jibril Thomaz African American rap artist
Woody Allen Allen Stewart Konigsberg
Yevgeny Petrov Yevgeniy Petrovich Kataev
Yukio Mishima Hiraoka Kimitake 20th-century Japanese novelist, essayist, and playwright
Yulgok Yi I 16th-century Korean Confucian scholar
Zena Clifton Lillian Rozell Messenger American poet
Aaron Wolfe Dean Koontz
Zig Eliza Archard Conner American journalist, lecturer, feminist

List of one-word stage names
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of notable people best known by a stage name consisting of a single word.

This list does not include the many famous people who are commonly referred to by their surname (e.g., Liberace, Mantovani, Morrissey, Mozart, Shakespeare); it is quite common and regular for surnames to be used to identify historic and pop culture figures.

People marketed on promotional material using their given name as a mononym, such as Prince Rogers Nelson and Madonna Louise Ciccone, are included.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Contents :
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See also
A[edit]
Aadhi (born 1982), Indian actor
Aaliyah (1979�2001), American R&B singer Aaliyah Haughton
Aamani (born 1973), Indian actress
Aaradhna (born 1983), New Zealander singer-songwriter and record producer
Aarathi, Indian actress and producer
Aasim (born 1979), American rapper
Abbas (born 1975), Indian actor
Abdominal (born 1974), Canadian rapper
Abhirami (born 1983), Indian actress
Abigail, English singer Abigail Zsiga
Abigail (born 1946), Australian television actress Abigail Rogan
Above (born 1981), American street artist
Abyale, French singer
Abyss (born 1973), American wrestler
Aceyalone, American rapper
Adamo (born 1943), Belgian-Italian singer
Adamski (born 1967), English music producer
Adassa (born 1987), American singer-songwriter
Addictiv (born 1984), American singer-songwriter
Adeeb (1934�2006), Pakistani actor
Adele (born 1988), English singer-songwriter Adele Adkins
Aderet (born 1976), Israeli entertainer
Adeva (born 1960), American musician
Adeyto (born 1976), French singer-songwriter, actress and director
Adira (born 1991), Malaysian singer
Adithya, Indian actor
Aeone (born 1959), British singer-songwriter
Afrob (born 1977), Italian-born German rapper
Afrojack, Dutch music producer and DJ
Afroman (born 1974), American rapper
Agallah, American rapper
Agha, Indian actor
Ahlam (born 1969), Arab singer
Ai (born 1981), Japanese American singer
Aidonia (born 1981), Jamaican musician
Aiko (born 1975), given name of Japanese singer-songwriter Aiko Yanai
Ailyn (born 1982), Spanish singer
Aisha (born 1962), English singer
Aja, American dancer and pornographic actress and director
Ajeesh, Indian singer
Ajith, Indian Tamil actor
Ajoo (born 1990), South Korean singer
Akala (born 1983), British rap and hip hop artist
Akarova (1904�1999), Belgian dancer and choreographer
Akhenaton (born 1968), French rapper and producer
Akir, American hip hop artist and producer
Akon (born 1973), Senegalese Hip-hop artist
�kos (born 1968), Hungarian singer-songwriter
Akrobatik, American rapper
Alamgir (born 1955), Pakistani singer
Alan (born 1973), Mexican actor and singer
alan (born 1987), Chinese singer
Alana, American singer
Alaska (born 1963), Spanish Mexican singer
Albela (1941�2004), Pakistani actor
ALB, French electro-pop musician
Alberte (born 1963), Danish singer and actress
Aleena (1986�2007), Pakistani actress and dancer
Alex (born 1978), Danish singer, songwriter and actor
Alexandra (1942�1969), German singer
Alexia (born 1967), Italian singer
Alexis, German singer
Aleyn, English composer
Alfio (born 1978), Italian-Australian singer-songwriter and musician
Algerino, French rapper of Algerian descent
Ali (born 1967), Indian actor
Ali (born 1971), American rapper
Ali (born 1975), French rapper of Moroccan origin
Alias, American hip hop artist and producer
Alice (born 1954), Italian singer-songwriter and pianist
Alisan (born 1976), Turkish singer and actor
Alisha (born 1968), American singer
Aliz�e (born 1984), French singer
Alonzo, French hip hop artist, rapper and singer of Comorian descent
Aloy (born 1986), Spanish rapper
Alpay, Turkish singer
Alsou (born 1983), Tatar Russian singer
Alu, American singer-songwriter and musician
Alyosha (born 1986), Ukrainian singer
Alyth (born 1970), Scottish singer and actress
Amala, Indian actress
Amanda (born 1985), French-born Swedish singer
Amandititita (born 1982), Mexican singer-songwriter
Amar, British-Indian singer
Amarfis, Dominican singer-songwriter
Amber (born 1970), Dutch-German singer-songwriter
Ambika (born 1962), Indian actress
Am�rico (born 1977), Chilean singer-songwriter
Amerie (born 1980), American singer-songwriter, dancer and actress
Amidou (1935�2013), Moroccan actor
Amil (born 1978), American rapper and singer
Amine, Moroccan-born French singer
Amin� (born 1994), American rapper
Amoc (born 1984), Finnish rap musician
Amoolya, Indian actress
Amuka, American singer-songwriter
Anabela (born 1976), Portuguese singer and actress
Anacani (born 1954), Mexican-born American singer
Anagnorisis (born 1986), Russian-born German singer-songwriter and musician
Anah� (born 1983), Mexican actress and singer
Anaida, Indian entertainer
Ana�s (born 1984), Dominican-Puerto Rican singer
Anamor, Italian singer and actress
Anari (born 1970), Spanish singer-songwriter
Anasol, Argentine-born Colombian singer
Anastacia (born 1968), American singer and songwriter
Aneka (born 1954), Scottish singer
Anelia (born 1982), Bulgarian singer
An�mone (born 1950), French actress
Angel (American singer) (born 1988), American singer
Angel (British musician)
Angelica (born 1972), American singer
Ang�lica (born 1973), Brazilian singer, actress and TV hostess
Angelyne (born 1958), American model
Anggun (born 1974), Indonesian singer-songwriter
Angham (born 1972), Egyptian singer, record producer and actress
Ania (born 1981), Polish singer and composer
Anita (born 1960), Austrian singer
Anjali (born 1982), Indian actress and model
Anjani (born 1959), American singer-songwriter and pianist
Anjulie, Canadian singer-songwriter
Anjuman, Pakistani actress
Anna (born 1987), Japanese-born American singer
Annabella (1909�1996), French film actress
Annabelle (born 1967), French singer and actress
Annapoorna, Indian actress
Annie (born 1977), Norwegian singer and DJ
Anniela (born 1990), Swedish pop singer
Annupamaa (born 1968), Indian singer
Anodajay (born 1977), Canadian rapper
Anouk (born 1975), Dutch singer
Anoushka (born 1960), Egyptian singer
Anquette (born 1972), American rapper
Anri (born 1961), Japanese singer-songwriter
Ant, American hip hop producer
Ant (born 1967), American comedian and actor
Antoine (born 1944), French singer
Antoinette, American rapper
Anuj, Indian-born Australian singer
Anwar (born 1949), Indian singer
Anza (born 1976), Japanese musician, singer and actress
Aoife, Irish singer and composer
Apache (d. 2010), American rapper
Apathy (born 1979), American rapper and producer
Aphrodite, British DJ and producer
Appa (born 1983), Dutch rapper
Aqualung (born 1972), English singer-songwriter
Arabesque (born 1981), Canadian rapper
Aramary, Japanese singer and voice actress
Aranza (born 1971), Mexican singer and TV presenter
Arash (born 1977), Iranian-Swedish entertainer
Arata (born 1974), Japanese actor
Arc�ngel (born 1986), American-born Dominican-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter, rapper and actor
Archana, Indian actress
Aref (born 1941), Iranian singer
Ares (born 1973), Norwegian singer and musician
Argenis (born 1986), Mexican wrestler
Aria, American singer-songwriter and actress
Aril (born 1985), Malaysian singer, actor, dancer and television host
Arisa (born 1982), Italian singer
Arletty (1898�1992), French model, singer, and actress
Arrow (1954�2010), West Indian singer-songwriter
Aruray (born 1920), Filipina actress
Arya (born 1980), Kerala-born Indian actor
A?a (born 1982), Nigerian singer-songwriter
�sgeir (born 1992), Icelandic singer
Ashanti (born 1980), American singer-songwriter
Ashley (born 1975), Puerto Rican singer
Ashok (born 1981), Indian actor
Aslyn, American singer-songwriter
Asmahan (1912�1944), Syrian singer, actress
Assia (born 1973), French singer
Assol (born 1993), Ukrainian singer
Asuka (born 1981), Japanese professional wrestler
Asya (born 1965), Turkish singer-songwriter
Ateed, German singer
Atlantis (born 1962), Mexican wrestler
Auburn, American singer
Averno (born 1977), Mexican wrestler
Avi (born 1937 Edward Irving Wortis), American author of young adult literature
Avicii (born 1989), Swedish EDM DJ, remixer, and record producer
Avra, Greek-Australian singer-songwriter, actress, dancer and producer
Awie (born 1968), Malaysian singer, actor
Axel (born 1977), Argentine singer-songwriter
Axwell (born 1977), Swedish DJ and record producer
Ayaka (born 1987), Japanese singer-songwriter
Ayana, Japanese singer-songwriter
Ayane, Japanese singer
Ay? (born 1980), German singer-songwriter
Azad (born 1974), Iranian-born, German rapper
Azis (born 1978), Bulgarian singer
Azu (born 1981), Japanese singer
B[edit]
Babalu, Filipino comedian
Babbar, French rapper
Babita (born 1948), Indian actress
Babydaddy (born 1976), musician and member of American glam-rock band Scissor Sisters
Babyface (born 1958), American singer-songwriter and musician
Bacchelli (born 1952), Spanish singer
Bada (born 1980), South Korean singer
Baekhyun (born 1992), South Korean singer and actor
Bahadoor (1930�2000), Indian comedian
Bahamadia, American hip hop artist, DJ and MC
Bahamas (born 1981), Canadian musician
Bajka, Indian-born German singer-songwriter and producer
Bala, Indian actor
Balvaz (born 1970), Norwegian musician
BANKS (born 1988), American singer-songwriter
Banksy, British Graffiti Artist
Barbara (1930�1997), French singer
Barbette (1899�1973), American performer and trapeze artist
Baron (1838�1920), French actor and singer
Barzin, Canadian singer-songwriter
Bashy (born 1985), British hip hop artist
Basia (born 1954), Polish singer
Basim (born 1992), Danish singer
Basshunter (born 1984), Swedish singer-songwriter and producer
Basto, Belgian musician and DJ
Battlecat, American hip hop producer
Bayley (born 1989), American professional wrestler
Beans (born 1971), American hip hop artist and producer
Beauregarde, American wrestler and musician
Beaver (1951�2010), New Zealand singer
Bebe (born 1978), Spanish singer and actress
Becca (born 1989), American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Beck (born 1970), American musician
Becky (born 1984), Japanese TV personality
Beefy (born 1985), American rapper and webcomic artist
Belchior (born 1946), Brazilian singer and composer
Belinda (born 1989), Spanish-born Mexican singer-songwriter and actress
Belladonna (born 1981), American pornographic actress
Belly (born 1984), Canadian rapper
B�lO (born 1979), Haitian singer-songwriter and musician
Ben (born 1981), German singer-songwriter, occasional voice actor and TV host
B�nabar (born 1969), French singer-songwriter
Beng� (born 1979), Turkish singer
Beni (born 1986), Japanese singer-songwriter
Bentot (1928�1986), Filipino comedian
Benzino (born 1964), American rapper
Bera (born 1994), Georgian albino rapper
Bernadette (born 1959), Dutch singer
Berri, English singer
Beth (born 1981), Spanish singer and actress
Beto (1967�2010), Portuguese singer
Betzaida (born 1981), American singer
Beyonc�, (born 1981), American Singer
Bez, British dancer and percussionist with the Happy Mondays
Bhavatharini, Indian singer and music director
Bhavya, Indian actress
B�a, Brazilian-born French singer
Bibie (born 1957), Ghanaian singer
Bilal (born 1979), American singer-songwriter and musician
Bilal (born 1983), Lebanese singer
Bindu (born 1951), Indian actress
Bionca (born 1967), American pornographic actress and director
Biquardus, French composer
Birdman (born 1969), American rapper
Biyouna (born 1952), Algerian singer, dancer and actress
Bizarre (born 1976), American hip hop artist
Bizniz (born 1982), South Korean rapper and singer
Bj�rk (born 1965), Icelandic singer-songwriter, actress and music producer
Blaaze (born 1975), Indian rap artist and singer
Black (born 1962), British singer-songwriter
Blaqstarr (born 1985), American rapper, singer, producer and DJ
Bleubird, American rap artist
Bless (born 1983), Canadian hip hop artist
Bligg (born 1976), Swiss rapper
Blinky, American singer
Blowfly (born 1945), American singer-songwriter, comedian and rapper
Blu (born 1983), American rapper
Blueprint, American rapper and hip hop producer
Blumio, German rapper
BoA (born 1986), South Korean pop singer
Bocafloja (born 1978), Mexican MC and spoken word artist
Bojoura (born 1947), Dutch singer
Bombolo (1931�1987), Italian actor and comedian
Bono (born 1960), Irish singer and lyricist
Bonvi (1941�1995), Italian comic book artist
Booba (born 1976), French rapper
Boondox, American rapper
Borgeous, American DJ and producer
Borgore (born 1987), Israeli producer and DJ
Boris (born 1965), French singer-songwriter
Borlet, French composer
Boss (born 1969), American rapper
Bossman (born 1983), American rapper
Bosson (born 1969), Swedish singer-songwriter
Bourvil (1917�1970), French actor and singer
Bowzer (born 1947), American singer
Br�di (born 1979), Finnish hip hop artist
Braguinha (1907�2006), Brazilian songwriter and singer
Brahmanandam (born 1956), Indian actor and comedian
Brainpower (born 1975), Belgium-born Dutch rapper
Braintax, British hip hop artist and producer
Brandy, American recording artist and entertainer
Brassa� (1899�1984), Hungarian photographer and filmmaker
Braulio, Spanish singer-songwriter
Breakbot (born 1981), French producer and a DJ
Brendon, British singer
Brisco (born 1983), American rapper
Broery (1944�2000), Indonesian singer
Brolle (born 1981), Swedish singer and musician
Buckethead (born 1969), American musician
Bukkcity (born 1980), Australian-born, American rapper
Buffalax American, writes English-sounding words to foreign songs.
Busdriver (born 1978), American rapper
Bushido (born 1978), German rapper
Bussunda (1962�2006), Brazilian TV comedian
Butterscotch (born 1985), American singer and pianist
Byul (born 1983), South Korean singer
Byz (born 1984), Swedish hip hop musician
C[edit]
Cadenet (1160�1235), French-Spanish composer
Cage, American rapper
Cali (born 1968), French singer-songwriter
Calogero (born 1971), French singer
Caman� (born 1967), Portuguese singer
Chameleone Ugandan reggae musician
Camelia (born 1974), Malaysian singer and model
Camilla (born 1984), English singer and actress
Camille (born 1978), French singer-songwriter and actress
Camoflauge (1981�2003), American rapper
Cam'ron (born 1976), American rapper
Canardo (born 1984), French rapper, singer, songwriter and music producer
Cancerbero (born 1977), Mexican wrestler
Canibus (born 1974), Jamaican-born, American rapper
Cantinflas (1911�1993), Mexican comedian and actor
Canuplin (1904�1979), Filipino actor, and comedian
Caparezza (born 1973), Italian rapper
Cappadonna (born 1968), American rapper
Capucine (1931�1990), French actress
Capulina (born 1927), Mexican comedy actor
Caravelli (born 1930), French orchestra leader, composer and arranger
Cardin (born 1972), Vietnamese-born American singer and composer
Caribou (born 1978), Canadian musician
Carlos (1943�2008), French entertainer
Carlprit (born 1986), Zimbabwean rapper and actor
Carmel (born 1958), British singer
Carmella (born 1987), American cheerleader, dancer, fitness trainer, model, professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager
Carminho (born 1984), Portuguese singer
Carpentras (1470�1548), French composer
Carrara, Italian singer, composer and DJ
Cartola (1908�1980), Brazilian singer and composer
Cascarita (1920�1975), Cuban singer
Case, American singer
Cashis (born 1978), American rapper
Cassiane (born 1972), Brazilian singer
Cassidy (born 1982), American rapper
Castelloza, French composer
Catalina (born 1978), American pornographic actress
Caushun (born 1977), American rapper
Cazuza (1958�1990), Brazilian singer and composer
Cazwell, American rapper and songwriter
Cecilia, Norwegian singer
Cecilia (1948�1976), Spanish singer-songwriter
Cecilia (born 1943), Chilean singer-songwriter
Celeda, American singer and drag performer
Cepill�n (born 1946), Mexican television clown
Cesaro (born 1980), Swiss wrestler
C�u (born 1980), Brazilian singer-songwriter
Ceui, Japanese singer-songwriter
Ceza (born 1976), Turkish rapper
Chacrinha (1917�1988), Brazilian TV host and comedian
Chakri (born 1974), Indian music director and singer
Chakuza (born 1981), Austrian rapper
Chalam, Indian actor, comedian and director
Chalice (born 1983), Estonian singer and rapper
Cham (born 1977), Jamaican DJ, singer-songwriter and record producer
Chamillionaire (born 1979), American rapper
Chandrashekhar (born 1922), Indian actor
Chara (born 1968), Japanese singer, songwriter, musician and actress
Charice (born 1992), Filipina singer
Charizma (1973�1993), American MC
Charlene (born 1950), American singer
Charlotte (born 1986), American wrestler
Charo (born 1951), Spanish American entertainer
Charuhasan, Indian actor
Charyt�n (born 1954), Dominican singer and actress
Chata, Japanese singer
Chaundon, American rapper
Chayanne (born 1968), Puerto Rican singer
Checkmate, Canadian hip hop artist
Cheek (born 1981), Finnish rapper
Chenoa (born 1975), Argentine-Spanish singer
Cher (born 1946), American singer
Cheran, Indian actor and director
Cherie (born 1984), French singer
Cherrelle (born 1958), American singer
Chespirito (born 1929), Mexican actor and screenwriter
Chessman (born 1975), Mexican wrestler
Chezidek (born 1973), Jamaican singer
Chiaki (born 1971), Japanese entertainer
Chiara (born 1976), Maltese singer
Chiara (born 1986), Italian singer
Chicane (born 1971), British musician, composer and producer
Chichay (1918�1993), Filipino comedian
Chikezie (born 1985), American singer
Chingy (born 1980), American hip-hop artist
Chinmayi (born 1984), Indian singer
Chipmunk (born 1990), English rapper and singer-songwriter
Chiquito (1932�1997), Filipino actor
Chiranjeevi (born 1955), Indian actor
Chisu (born 1982), Finnish singer-songwriter and producer
Chitragupta (1917�1991), Indian composer
Chloe, Australian singer-songwriter
Chloe (born 1971), American pornographic actress, director and nude model
Chloe (born 1987), American singer-songwriter
Choclair, Canadian rapper
Chocolat (born 1978), Japanese singer
Choice, American rapper
Choppa (born 1980), American rapper
Chor�o (1970�2013), Brazilian musician, singer, poet
Chouchou, Lebanese comedian, stage actor, director
Chrisanthos (1934�2005), Greek singer-songwriter
Chrispa (born 1982), Greek singer
Christell (born 1998), Chilean singer and musician
Christian (1821�99), French actor and singer in operetta
Christian (born 1949), Italian singer
Christian (born 1973), Canadian professional wrestler
Christo (born 1935), Bulgarian artist
Christophe (born 1945), French singer-songwriter
Christopher (born 1992), Danish singer
Chrisye (1949�2007), Indonesian singer
Chuggo (born 1971), Canadian rapper
Chyna (born 1970), former American professional wrestler
Ciara (born 1985), American singer
Cibelle (born 1978), Brazilian performance artist, singer-songwriter and producer
Cibern�tico (born 1975), Mexican wrestler
Cilvaringz, Dutch rapper and hip hop producer
Cineplexx (born 1973), Argentine musician
Clairette (1919�2008), French-Canadian actress and singer
Classified (born 1978), Canadian rapper
Cl�udya (born 1948), Brazilian singer
Clemens (born 1979), Danish rapper, singer, music writer, actor
Cl�mentine (born 1963), French singer-songwriter
Cleopatra, Greek singer
Clueso (born 1980), German singer-songwriter, rapper and producer
Coba (born 1959), Japanese musician
Cocco (born 1977), Japanese singer
Coko (born 1970), American singer
Colette (1873�1954), French novelist
Colos (born 1981), Albanian-born, German rapper
Coluche (1944�1986), French comedian and actor
Common (born 1972), American rapper and actor
Conchita (born 1980), Finnish-born Spanish singer
Consequence (born 1977), American rapper
Coolio (born 1963), American rapper
Copp�, Japanese singer-songwriter and music producer
Corina, American singer
Corina (born 1980), Romanian singer and composer
Cormega (born 1973), American emcee rapper
Corneille (born 1977), Canadian Rwandan singer
Cornelius (born 1969), Japanese musician and producer
Cougnut (1968�2001), American rapper
Crane (born 1956), American trumpeter and vocalist
Criolo (born 1975), Brazilian singer and rapper
Cristie (born 1978), Spanish singer-songwriter
Cronos (born 1963), English heavy metal singer and bass guitarist
Crowbar (born 1974), American wrestler
Cs�zy (born 1979), Hungarian singer
Culture, Canadian rapper, reggae and hip hop artist
Currensy (born 1981), American rapper
Curse (born 1978), German hip hop artist
Cybele (1887�1978), Greek actress
Cytherea (born 1981), American pornographic actress and model
D[edit]
Dabo, Japanese rapper
Dadoo (born 1976), French rapper
Daedelus (born 1977), American record producer
Daesung (born 1989), South Korean singer, MC and actor
Daffney (born 1975), American wrestler
Dagmar (1921�2001), American actress, model, and TV personality
Dagmar (born 1955), Puerto Rican TV host, comedian, and singer
Daigo (born 1978), Japanese singer-songwriter
Dajim (born 1977), Thai hip hop singer and rap artist
Daklon, Israeli singer
Dalia, American singer
Dalia, Egyptian singer
Dalida (1933�1987), Italo-French Egyptian-born singer and actress, diva
Damae, German model, TV presenter and singer-songwriter
Damia (1889�1978), French singer and actress
Damian (born 1964), English musician and actor
Dana (born 1951), Irish singer
Dana (born 1986), South Korean singer, dancer and pianist
D'Angelo (born 1974), American singer
Dani (born 1945), French actress and singer
Daniel (born 1955), Montenegro-born singer
Daniel (born 1968), Brazilian singer
Danny! (born 1983), American rap performer and producer
Danzel (born 1976), Belgian singer and musician
Daphn�, French singer
Dara (born 1984), South Korean singer, singer and actress
Dappy (born 1987), English-born, Greek rapper, singer and actor
Darin (born 1987), Swedish singer
Darina (born 1980), Mexican singer-songwriter
Darine (born 1984), Lebanese-born Swedish singer-songwriter
Darpan (1928�1980), Pakistani actor
Darude (born 1975), Finnish trance producer and DJ
Daryl (born 1955), American magician
Dataz (born 1984), Tanzanian rapper
Daubray (1837�1892), French actor and operetta singer
Dave (born 1944), Dutch-born French singer
Davina (born 1966), American singer and musician
Daya (born 1998), American singer-songwriter
Dead (1969�1991), Swedish vocalist
Deadlee, American rapper
Deakin, American singer and musician
Dee, Canadian singer-songwriter, DJ, musician and producer
Deeba (born 1947), Pakistani actress
Deedar (born 1980), Pakistani actress
Deemi (born 1980), American singer-songwriter and producer
Deen (born 1982), Boznia and Herzegovina singer
Deepu (born 1986), Indian singer
Deesha (born 1980), Canadian singer
Deeyah (born 1977), Norwegian singer, composer and filmmaker
Defari, American hip hop artist
Defconn (born 1977), South Korean rapper, comedian and MC
Delirious (born 1981), American wrestler
D�lizia (born 1952), Italian-Belgian singer
Delkash (1924�2004), Iranian singer and actress
Delta (born 1985), Mexican wrestler
Dendemann, German rapper
Denyo (born 1977), German hip hop artist
DeRoK (born 1966), Canadian singer/songwriter, MC, producer, radio announcer
D�sir� (1823�1873), French baritone, who created many comic roles for Offenbach
Desireless (born 1952), French singer
Des'ree (born 1968), British singer
Dessa, American spoken word artist, author and MC
Deva (born 1950), Indian composer and singer
Devadarshini, Indian actress and TV anchor
Devayani (born 1974), Indian actress
Devika (1943�2002), Indian actress
Devon (born 1963), Canadian rapper
Devon (born 1977), American pornographic actress
Dexter (born 1973), Brazilian rapper
Dhamu, Indian actor and comedian
Dhanush (born 1978), Indian actor and singer
Dhany, Italian singer
Dharan (born 1983), Indian composer and music director
Dharmendra (born 1935), Indian actor
Dharshana, Indian singer
Diamond (born 1988), American rapper
Diana (born 1954), Brazilian singer
Diaz (born 1976), Norwegian rapper
Dicte (born 1966), Danish musician and songwriter
Dido (born 1971), British singer
Diganth, Indian actor and model
Dilana (born 1972), South African singer-songwriter and guitarist
Dilba (born 1971), Turkish-born Swedish singer-songwriter of Kurdish origin
Dilber (born 1958), Chinese singer
Dileep (born 1968), Indian actor and producer
Dileepan (d. 2012), Indian actor
Dilip (d. 2012), Indian actor
Dina (born 1956), Portuguese singer
Dina (born 1985), Norwegian singer
Dinio (born 1972), Cuban singer and pornographic actor
Dino (born 1963), American DJ, singer-songwriter and record producer
Dino (born 1948), Italian singer and actor
Dio (1942-2010), American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter
Dion (born 1939), American singer-songwriter
Diplo, American DJ, producer and songwriter
Diverse, American rapper
Divine (1945�1988), American transvestite actor
Divino, Puerto Rican reggaeton artist
Divyadarshini (born 1980), Indian actress and TV anchor
Djavan (born 1949), Brazilian singer and composer
Dntel, American electronic music artist
Do (born 1981), Dutch singer
Doda (born 1984), Polish singer
Doddanna (born 1949), Indian actor
Dolcenera (born 1977), Italian singer-songwriter
Dolla (1987�2009), American rapper
Dollarman, Caribbean singer, songwriter, producer and musician born in Grenada
Dolphy (1928�2012), Filipino actor and comedian
Dominguinhos (born 1941), Brazilian singer and composer
Domino (born 1970), American rapper, record producer and DJ
Domino (born 1972), American rapper
Donatello (born 1947), Italian singer
Dondria (born 1987), American singer-songwriter
Donghae (born 1986), South Korean singer and occasional actor
Donovan (born 1946), Scottish singer-songwriter
Dora, Portuguese singer
Doris (born 1947), Swedish singer
Dorismar (born 1975), Argentine model, actress, TV hostess and singer
Dorlis (born 1982), Japanese musician
Doro (born 1964), German singer-songwriter
Doroth�e (born 1953), French singer and TV presenter
Doseone (born 1977), American emcee, artist and poet
Dotan (born 1986), Dutch-Israeli singer-songwriter
Dottsy (born 1963), American singer
Double (born 1975), Japanese singer
Drake (born 1986), Canadian actor and rapper
Drama, American rapper
Dranem (1869�1935), French singer and actor
Dregen (born 1973), Swedish musician
Dres, American rapper and actor
Dresta (born 1971), American rapper
Dru, Canadian singer-songwriter
Drupi (born 1947), Italian pop-rock singer
Dry (born 1977), French rapper of Congolese origin
Dugazon (1746�1809), French actor
Duilio (born 1973), Swiss singer
Duke, English singer-songwriter and producer
Dumbfoundead (born 1986), Argentine-born, American rapper
Duquende (born 1965), Spanish singer
Dwele (born 1978), American singer-songwriter and record producer
DyE French musician
Dyango (born 1940), Spanish musician
Dynamo (born 1982), American magician and TV personality
E[edit]
Eamon (born 1984), American singer-songwriter
Eartha, American singer-songwriter and musician
Earthquake (born 1963), American actor and comedian
Earthquake (1963�2006), Canadian sumotori and professional wrestler
Ebi (born 1949), Iranian singer
Edan, American hip hop artist, emcee, DJ and record producer
Edge (born 1973), Canadian wrestler and actor
Edurne (born 1985), Spanish singer
Edwin, Canadian musician
Eilera, French singer-songwriter and guitarist
Eita (born 1982), Japanese actor
Eiv�r (born 1983), Faroese singer
Egardus, Flemish composer
Ektor (born 1980), Puerto Rican singer and actor
El�n (born 1983), Mexican singer-songwriter and pianist
Elastinen (born 1981), Finnish rap musician
Eldee (born 1977), Nigerian-American rapper and producer
Electrico (born 1986), Mexican wrestler
Electroshock (born 1970), Mexican wrestler
Eliel (born 1981), Puerto Rican reggaeton producer
Eligh, American emcee, songwriter and record producer
Elisa (born 1977), Italian singer-songwriter
Elisa (born 1989), Japanese singer and model
Elissa, Canadian singer and record producer
Elissa (born 1972), Lebanese singer
EliZe (born 1982), Dutch singer
Ella (born 1966), Malaysian singer
Ellis (born 1976), American singer-songwriter
Elpida (born 1950), Greek singer-songwriter
Elwood, Finnish musician
Elzhi, American rapper
Emade (born 1981), Polish hip hop producer
Emicida (born 1985), Brazilian rapper and songwriter
Emii, American singer-songwriter
Emilia (born 1978), Ethiopian-Swedish singer
Emilia (born 1982), Bulgarian singer
Emilio Navaira (born 1962-2016), American singer-songwriter, also called Emilio
Eminem (born 1972), American rapper
Emir, (born 1980), Tukish pop singer
Emma (born 1974), Welsh singer
Emmanuel (born 1955), Mexican singer
Emme (born 1963), American plus-size supermodel
Emmi, Australian singer-songwriter
Emmi (born 1979), Finnish singer-songwriter
Emmy (born 1984), Armenian singer
Emmy (1989�2011), Albanian singer
Emyli (born 1988), Japanese singer
Encore (born 1974), German singer
Engelina (born 1978), Danish singer-songwriter
Envy (born 1987), English rapper and MC
Enya (born 1961), Irish musician
Eon (1954�2009), British producer
Epaksa (born 1954), South Korean singer
Ephesto (born 1965), Mexican wrestler
Epico (born 1982), Puerto Rican professional wrestler
Erakah, New Zealand singer
Ercandize (born 1981), German rapper
Erfan (born 1983), Iranian rapper and producer
Erik, British singer
Escoria (born 1980), Mexican wrestler
Esham, American rapper
Esmeray (1949�2002), Turkish singer
Esquerita (1935�1986) American Singer
Estelle (born 1980), British singer and rapper
Esthero (born 1978), Canadian singer-songwriter
Eternia, Canadian rapper
�tienne (born 1971), Canadian singer
Euforia (born 1974), Mexican wrestler
Eugene (born 1981), South Korean singer and actress
Eunhyuk (born 1986), South Korean entertainer
Euronymous (1968�1993), Norwegian guitarist
Eve (born 1978), American rapper
Everlast (born 1969), Irish American rapper and singer-songwriter
Evidence (born 1976), American hip hop artist and producer
Evridiki (born 1968), Cypriot singer
Example (born 1982), British rapper
Excalibur, American wrestler
Exile, American hip hop DJ, producer and rapper
Extince (born 1967), Dutch rapper
Eyedea (1981�2010), American rapper
F[edit]
Fabian Forte (born 1943), former American teen idol, also called Fabian
Fabio (born 1959), Italian fashion model
Fabio (born 1965), British disc jockey and record producer
Fabo (born 1983), American rapper and producer
Fabolous (born 1977), American rapper
Fairuz (born 1935), Lebanese singer
Falco (1957�1998), Austrian musician
Falete (born 1978), Spanish singer
Fallon (born 1967), American pornographic actress
Fallulah (born 1985), Danish singer-songwriter
Falu, Indian-born American singer-songwriter
Fanchon (1668�1743), French operatic soprano and celebrated beauty
Fancy (born 1946), German singer
Fandango (born 1983), American professional wrestler
Fanfulla (1913�1971), Italian actor and comedian
Fanny (born 1979), French singer
Fantasia (born 1984), American singer
Fargetta (born 1962), Italian DJ, producer and composer
Farruko (born 1993), Puerto Rican reggaeton singer-songwriter
Fashawn (born 1988), American rapper
Fatlip (born 1969), American hip hop musician
Faudel (born 1978), French singer
Favorite (born 1986), German rapper
Fawni (born 1985), Austrian singer-songwriter and actress
Faylan, Japanese singer
Feiticeira (born 1976), Brazilian model and TV personality
Felecia, American pornographic actress, nude model and dancer
Feloni, American rapper
Fenriz (born 1971), Norwegian musician and songwriter
Fergie (born 1975), American singer-songwriter
Fernandel (1903�1971), French actor and singer
Ferras (born 1982), American singer-songwriter
Ferr�z (born 1975), Brazilian rapper
Ferron (born 1952), Canadian singer-songwriter
Fey (born 1973), Mexican singer
Fieldy (born 1969), American bass guitar player
Fiend, American rapper
Fingazz, American record producer
Fiona (born 1961), American singer and actress
Fiordaliso (born 1956), Italian singer
Fish (born 1958), Scottish singer and lyricist
Fisz (born 1978), Polish rap artist
Flash (born 1981), Mexican wrestler
Flea (born 1962), Australian-born American musician
Fler (born 1982), German rapper
Flex (born 1980), Panamanian reggaeton artist
Flor (born 1984), Argentine singer
Florence (1749�1816), French actor
Fontaine (born 1979), American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Fosforito (born 1932), Spanish singer
Foxx (born 1984), American rapper
Franco, Cuban singer
Frankee (born 1983), American singer
Frankmusik (born 1985), English electropop musician, singer
Frauenarzt (born 1978), German rapper
Fredwreck (born 1972), American producer
Free (born 1968), American rapper, singer and TV personality
Freeman (born 1972), Algerian-born, French hip hop artist, actor and dancer
Freeway (born 1977), American rapper
Fr�hel (1891�1951), French singer and actress
Frenkie (born 1982), Bosnian rapper
Fugative (born 1994), British hip hop and grime artist
Fuko (born 1988), Japanese pornographic actress and model
Future (born 1985), Haitian-American rapper and musician
G[edit]
Gaahl (born 1975), Norwegian singer
Gabriela, Filipino singer
Gabrielle (born 1970), English singer
Gackt (born 1973?), Japanese musician, songwriter and actor
Gajala, Indian actress
Gala (born 1975), Italian singer-songwriter
Galder (born 1976), Norwegian composer, musician and singer
Game (born 1979), American rapper
Ganesh (born 1977), Indian actor
Ganeshkar, Indian actor and comedian
Garbo (born 1958), Italian singer-songwriter and record producer
Garou (born 1972), Armenian Canadian singer
Gauge (born 1980), American pornographic actress and former stripper
Gazebo (born 1960), Italian singer and musician
Geetha (born 1962), Indian actress
[[Getter (producer)
Gemini, American rapper
Geraldo (1904�1974), British bandleader
Gerardo (born 1965), Ecuador-born rapper
Ghantasala (1922�1974), Indian singer and composer
Ghetto (born 1984), English grime artist
Ginger (born 1964), Solo artist and also frontman for The Wildhearts
Giggs (born 1981), British rapper
Gigi (born 1974), Ethiopian singer
Gilda (1961�1996), Argentine singer-songwriter
Gilla (born 1950), Austrian singer
Gimma, Swiss rapper
Ginger (born 1964), English guitarist and singer-songwriter
Ginuwine (born 1975), American R&B singer and performer
Giovanna (born 1945), Italian singer
Girija (born 1969), Indian actress
Gisburg (born 1966), Austrian singer
Gisela (born 1979), Spanish singer
Gisselle (born 1969), Puerto Rican singer
Gloria (born 1951), Irish singer
Gloria (born 1973), Bulgarian singer
Glory, Puerto Rican singer
Glukoza (born 1986), Russian singer
Glykeria (born 1953), Greek singer
Goapele (born 1977), American singer-songwriter
Godsilla (born 1984), German rapper
G�ksel (born 1971), Turkish singer-songwriter and musician
Goldie (born 1965), British musician, DJ, visual artist and actor
GoldLink (born 1993), American rapper
Goldust (born 1969), American professional wrestler
Goldy (born 1969), American rapper
Gombloh (1948�1988), Indonesian singer and songwriter
Gonzaguinha (1945�1991), Brazilian singer and composer
Gonzales, Canadian musician
Googoosh (born 1950), Iranian singer and actress
Gopika (born 1984), Indian actress
Gotye (born 1980), Belgium-born Australian singer-songwriter
Goundamani, Indian actor and comedian
Governor (born 1972), American singer
Govinda (born 1963), Indian actor
Grace, Russian actress, singer and musician
Graciela (1915�2010), Cuban singer
Gr�goire (born 1979), French singer and composer
Gretchen (born 1959), Brazilian singer
Gribouille (1941�1968), French singer
Grimace, French composer
Grimes (musician) (born 1988), Canadian musician and singer-songwriter
Griot, Swiss rapper
Gripsta, American rapper
Grooverider (born 1967), British DJ
Guinga (born 1950), Brazilian composer and musician
G�lsen (born 1976), Turkish singer-songwriter and model
G�lseren (born 1973), Turkish-born French singer
Gummy (born 1981), South Korean singer
Guru (1966�2010), American rapper
Gurukiran, Indian actor and music director
[[1]]

H[edit]
Hadise (born 1985), Belgian-born Turkish singer-songwriter, dancer and presenter
Hafiz (born 1990), Malaysian singer
Haha (born 1979), South Korean entertainer
Haiducii (born 1977), Romanian musician, songwriter, model and actress
Hakim, Egyptian singer
Hakim (born 1966), Moroccan-Spanish singer
Hakimakli, French DJ
Halloween (born 1971), Mexican wrestler
Hallowicked (born 1981), American wrestler
Halna (born 1980), Japanese singer
Halsey (born 1994), American singer-songwriter
Halston (1932�1990), American fashion designer
Hamsalekha (born 1951), Indian music director and lyricist
Hamuchtar (born 1971), Israeli singer, actor and director
Hanayo (born 1970), Japanese musician and actress
Hannah (born 1978), Australian singer-songwriter and musician
Hariharan (born 1955), Indian singer
Harini, Indian singer
Harisu (born 1975), South Korean transsexual/transgender singer, model, and actress
Harpo (born 1950), Swedish singer, musician and actor
Harvey (born 1951), American radio and TV personality
Hat, Norwegian singer
Hayden (born 1971), Canadian singer-songwriter
Hayedeh (1942�1990), Iranian singer
Haytana (born 1979), Ukrainian singer-songwriter
Headliner (born 1967), American rapper and DJ
Heino (born 1938), German singer
Heinrich, German singer-songwriter
Heinz (1942�2000), German-born English bassist and singer
Heklina, American performer
Helen (born 1939), Indian actress and dancer
Hemlata, Indian singer
Haystak (born 1973), American rapper
Heath (born 1968), Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
Herg� (1907�1983), Belgian comics writer and artist
HeWhoCannotBeNamed, American guitarist with punk band Dwarves
Hero (born 1986), South Korean entertainer
Herv� (1825�1892), French singer, composer and conductor
Herv� (born 1980), British DJ and producer
Hichkas (born 1985), Iranian rap artist
hide (1964�1998), Japanese musician
Hildegarde (1906�2005), American cabaret singer
Himeka (born 1981), Canadian singer
Hind (born 1979), Bahraini singer
Histeria (born 1969), Mexican wrestler
hitomi (born 1976), Japanese singer and songwriter
Hizaki, Japanese musician
Hoku (born 1981), American musician, singer-songwriter and actress
Homicide (born 1977), American wrestler
Honoka (born 1983), Japanese actress, pornographic actress and TV personality
Hooligan (born 1972), Mexican wrestler
Hornswoggle (born 1986), American professional wrestler
Horse (born 1958), Scottish singer-songwriter
Houston (born 1969), American pornographic actress
Houston (born 1983), American singer
Hozier (born 1990), Irish singer, songwriter
Huey (born 1988), American rapper
H�meyra (born 1947), Turkish actress and singer-songwriter
Hunterz, Pakistani-born English musician
Hush, American hip hop artist
Husna, Pakistani actress
Hwanhee (born 1982), South Korean singer and actor
Hwayobi (born 1982), South Korean singer
Hyde (born 1969), Japanese singer and lyricist
Hydra, American wrestler
Hyoyeon (born 1989), South Korean entertainer
Hyuna (born 1992), South Korean singer
I[edit]
Icarus (born 1982), American wrestler
Ichiro (born 1973), Japanese and American baseball player
ICHIKO (born 1970), Japanese singer-songwriter
Ichimaru (1906�1997), Japanese recording artist and geisha
Iconiq (born 1984), Japanese singer, actress and MC
Ida (born 1994), Danish singer
Idaira (born 1985), Spanish singer
Idha (born 1972), Swedish singer-songwriter
Idir (born 1949), Algerian musician
Iftekhar (1922�1995), Indian actor
Ihriel (born 1972), Norwegian musician and singer
Ihsahn (born 1975), Norwegian composer, musician and singer
Ilaiyaraaja (born 1943), Indian singer and composer
Ilanit (born 1947), Israeli singer
Illmind, Filipino American hip hop producer
Ilya, Swedish record producer
Ima or sometimes IMA (born 1978), Quebec, Canada singer
Imaani (born 1972), English singer
Iman (born 1955), Somali American supermodel
Imani (born 1971), American rapper
Imany (born 1979), Comores Islands Afro-soul singer
Imposs, Canadian rapper
India (born 1977), American pornographic actress, singer and rap artist
Indigo (born 1984), American actress
Indila (born 1984), French singer
Indio, Canadian singer-songwriter
Indra (born 1967), French-Swedish singer
Indrajith (born 1980), Indian actor
Indrans, Indian actor
Inez (born 1977), Danish singer
Ingeborg (born 1966), Belgian singer and TV presenter
Ingola (born 1973), Slovak singer
Inna (born 1986), Romanian singer
Innocent (born 1945), Indian actor
Inoran (born 1970), Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
Insooni (born 1957), South Korean singer
Iota, Australian singer-songwriter, musician and actor
Irma born 19880, Cameroonian singer-songwriter
Isgaard (born 1972), German singer
iSH, Canadian singer, actor
Ishtar (born 1968), Israeli-born French singer
Islaja (born 1979), Finnish singer-songwriter and musician
Isol (born 1972), Argentine singer
Israel (born 1983), Filipino-born Australian singer
Ivana (born 1969), Bulgarian singer
Ivory (born 1961), American professional wrestler
Ivy (born 1982), South Korean singer, model and occasional actress
J[edit]
Jacno (1957�2009), French musician
Jacotin (d. 1529), Franco-Flemish singer and composer
Jacynthe (born 1979), Canadian singer
Jadakiss (born 1975), American rapper
Jaddanbai (d. 1949), Indian singer, composer, actress and filmmaker
Ja�l (born 1979), Swiss singer-songwriter and guitarist
Jagadish (born 1958), Indian actor
Jagannathan (1938�2012), Indian actor
Jagdeep, Indian actor
Jaggesh, Indian actor
Jaheim (born 1978), American singer
Jai (born 1985), Indian actor
Jaibi (1943�1984), American singer-songwriter
Jaidev (1919�1987), Indian composer
Jaishankar (1938�2000), Indian actor
Jamel�o (1913�2008), Brazilian samba singer
Jamelia (born 1981), British entertainer
Jana, American singer-songwriter and actress
Janagaraj (born 1950), Indian comedian
Janardhanan, Indian actor
Jandek (born 1945), American musician
Janita (born 1978), Finnish singer-songwriter
Januarisman (born 1985), Indonesian singer-songwriter and musician
Jaqee (born 1977), Ugandan-Swedish musician
Jaramar (born 1954), Mexican singer-songwriter
Jarboe, American singer-songwriter and keyboardist
Jasmine, Finnish singer
Jasmine (born 1981), Chinese-born Taiwanese singer-songwriter and musician
Jaya (born 1969), Filipino singer, record producer, TV hostess and actress
Jayabharathi, Indian actress
Jayachitra, Indian actress
Jayamala, Indian actress
Jayamalini (born 1948), Indian actress
Jayan (1938�1980), Indian actor
Jayant, Indian actor
Jayanthi (born 1950), Indian actress
Jayaram (born 1964), Indian actor
Jayasudha, Indian actress
Jayasurya (born 1978), Indian actor and mimicry artist
Jazz (born 1973), American wrestler
Jazzmun (born 1969), American actor and performer
Jeanette (born 1951), English-born Spanish singer and actress
Jedker (born 1977), Polish MC
Jeetendra (born 1942), Indian actor
Jeeva, Indian actor
Jeeva (born 1983), Indian actor
Jeevan (born 1975), Indian actor
Jehst (born 1979), English rapper
Jelly, Chinese singer
Jem (born 1975), Welsh singer-songwriter
Jenifer (born 1982), French singer
Jenteal (born 1976), American pornographic actress
Jentina (born 1984), British singer
Jerem�as (born 1973), British-born Venezuelan singer-songwriter
Jeremih (born 1987), American singer-songwriter and producer
Jero (born 1981), American-born Japanese singer
Jessicka (born 1975), American singer-songwriter
Jethro (born 1948), English comedian
Jetta (born 1987), British wrestler
Jewel (born 1974), American singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress
Jewell, American singer
Jhene (born 1988), American singer
Jigsaw (born 1983), American wrestler
Jikki (d. 2004), Indian singer
Jimena (born 1980), Mexican singer
Jimeoin (born 1966), Irish-born Australian actor and comedian
Jimilian (born 1994), Albanian-Danish singer
Jin (born 1982), Chinese American rapper
Jippu (born 1985), Finnish pop singer
Jiro (born 1972), Japanese musician
Jishnu, Indian actor
Jobriath (1946�1983), American glam rock singer
J�den (born 1974), Danish rapper
Joe (born 1972), American singer and record producer
Joeystarr (born 1967), French rapper
Johnson (born 1979), Danish rapper
JoJo (born 1990), American pop/R&B singer and actress
Joker (born 1983), American wrestler
Jokeren (born 1973), Danish rapper and hip hop artist
Jomol, Indian actress
Jonell, American singer
Jonesmann, German rapper
J�nsi (born 1975), Icelandic musician
Jont (born 1973), British singer-songwriter
Jorane (born 1975), Canadian singer and cellist
Jordan (born 1955), English model and actress
Jordan (born 1978), English model
Jordy (born 1988), French singer and musician
Joselito (born 1943), Spanish singer and actor
Joselo (1936�2013), Venezuelan actor and comedian
Josenid (born 1998), Panamanian singer
Joshi, Indian film director
Jovanotti (born 1966), Italian singer-songwriter and rapper
Joya (born 1978), American singer
Joyce (born 1948), Brazilian singer and composer
J-Son(born 1985), Brazilian-Swedish singer
Juanes (born 1972), Colombian singer-songwriter and guitarist
Juanito, French singer of Algerian origin
Jude (born 1969), American singer-songwriter
Juju, Japanese singer
Juju, Finnish rapper
Jujubee (born 1984), American performer and TV personality
Juka (born 1981), Japanese singer
Jul, French rapper hip hop artist
Juliette (born 1926), Canadian singer and TV hostess
Jullie (born 1988), Brazilian singer-songwriter, model, actress and presenter
Julyo (born 1978), Italian guitarist, songwriter, producer and DJ
Jun, Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
Junjun (born 1988), Chinese-Japanese singer
Juvelen (born 1976), Swedish electro-pop singer
Juvenile (born 1975), American rapper
Jyongri (born 1988), Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
K[edit]
Kafani (born 1981), American rapper
Kahi (born 1982), South Korean singer-songwriter, dancer and choreographer
Kai (born 1994), South Korean dancer, singer, actor and model
Kaitlyn (born 1986), American fitness model and professional wrestler
Kajjanbai, Indian singer and actress
Kajol (born 1975), Indian actress
Kakko (born 1969), Japanese actress, TV presenter and singer
Kalaranjini, Indian actor
Kalimba (born 1982), Mexican singer and actor
Kaliopi (born 1966), Macedonian singer-songwriter
Kalisto (born 1986), Mexican-American professional wrestler
Kalomoira (born 1985), Greek-American singer
Kalpana (d. 1979), Indian actress
Kalpana (1946�2012), Indian actress
Kalpana (born 1965), Indian actress
Kamahl (born 1934), Australian singer
Kamala (born 1950), American wrestler
Kamaliya (born 1977), Ukrainian musical performer, actress and model
Kambi (born 1961), Swaziland-born Canadian rapper
Kamelia (born 1971), Bulgarian singer
Kam-Hill (1856 to 1935), French cabaret performer and singer
Kamini (born 1979), French rapper
Kana, Finnish rapper
Kanaka, Indian actress
Kanchana, Indian actress
Kandi (born 1976), American singer-songwriter
Kane (born 1967), American wrestler and actor
Kangta (born 1979), South Korean singer
Kano (born 1985), British rapper
Kanon (born 1980), Japanese singer-songwriter and producer
Karan, Indian actor
Karandash (1901�1983), Soviet clown
Karina (born 1943), Spanish singer
Karina (born 1968), Venezuelan singer-songwriter and actress
Karolina, Israeli singer-songwriter
Karpaga, Indian transsexual actress
Karthik (born 1980), Indian singer
Karthika, Indian actress
Karunas (born 1970), Indian actor
Karylle (born 1981), Filipina singer
Kashinath, Indian actor and director
Kassia, Byzantine composer
Kasthuri (born 1974), Indian actress and TV anchor
Kathleen, Canadian singer
Katman, Greek singer and TV personality
Kato Kato (born 1981), Danish DJ
Katsuni (born 1979), French pornographic actress
Kausalya (born 1978), Indian actress
Kavana (born 1977), English singer and actor
Kaveri, Indian actress
Kayah (born 1967), Polish singer-songwriter
Kayahan (born 1949), singer-songwriter and musician
Kayle, Canadian singer
Kaysha (born 1974), Congolese-born, French rapper
Kaytranada (born 1992), Haitian-Canadian electronic musician
Kaze, American rapper
Kazzer (born 1977), Canadian musician and TV personality
Keisha (born 1966), American pornographic actress
Keith (born 1949), American singer
Kehlani (born 1995), American singer
Kelis (born 1975), American singer-songwriter
Kellee (born 1968), American electronica-house artist
Kem (born 1969), American singer-songwriter and producer
Ken (born 1968), Japanese guitarist
Ken (born 1979), Swedish rap artist
Kennedy (born 1972), American political satirist, radio personality, and former MTV VJ
Kerli, (born 1987), Estonian pop singer
Kesha (born 1987), American recording artist
Key (born 1991), South Korean singer, dancer, rapper, actor, recording artist, promotional model, radio host and MC.
Khaled (born 1960), Algerian musician
Khalid (born 1998), American singer
Kh�ops (born 1966), French DJ
Khia, American rapper, songwriter and producer
Khosrovidukht, Armenian composer
Khotan (born 1973), Mexican actor
Khrysis, American hip hop producer
Kiara (born 1963), Venezuelan singer, actress and TV presenter
Kidd (born 1996), American rapper
Kidd (sometimes stylized as KIDD) (born 1989), Danish-Scottish rapper and hip hop artist
Kiesza (born 1989), Canadian singer, instrumentalist
Kiki (1901�1953), French artists' model, nightclub singer, actress, and painter
Kimbra (born 1990), New Zealand singer
Kimera (born 1954), South Korean singer
Kimeru (born 1980), Japanese musician, singer and actor
Kina (born 1969), American musician
Kipper, British musician
Kira (born 1977), Belgian singer and model
Kira (born 1978), German singer-songwriter
Kirito, Japanese singer
Kirka (1950�2007), Finnish musician
Kishore, Indian actor
Kissey (born 1982), singer, songwriter, producer and performer
Kitaro (born 1953), Japanese New Age musician
Kitkat (born 1984), Filipino singer, actress and comedian
Kiyoharu (born 1968), Japanese singer-songwriter
Kizzy (born 1979), Dutch actress, singer-songwriter and TV personality
Klaha, Japanese singer
Klashnekoff, British rapper
Klayton (born 1970), American musician and record producer
K'naan (born 1978), Somali-Canadian poet, rapper, and musician
Knobody, American record producer
Knox (born 1945), British singer-songwriter and guitarist
Kohndo (born 1975), French rapper and producer
Kokane (born 1969), American rapper and singer
Kokia (born 1976), Japanese singer-songwriter and producer
Kollegah (born 1984), German rapper
Konnan (born 1964), Cuban wrestler and rapper
Konnor (born 1980), American professional wrestler
k-os (born 1972), Canadian rapper, singer, producer
Kotoko (born 1980), Japanese singer-songwriter
Koushik, Canadian musician
Kovas (born 1984), American songwriter, record producer and recording artist
Koxie (born 1977), French singer of Tunisian origin
Koyuki (born 1976), Japanese model and actress
K�zi (born 1972), Japanese musician
Kramer, American musician and record producer
Krazy, American rapper
Kraus, New Zealand musician and composer
Kreskin (born 1935), American magician
Kreva (born 1976), Japanese hip hop MC and producer
Krisdayanti (born 1975), Indonesian singer and actress
Krishna (born 1943), Indian actor
Krishnaveni (born 1924), Indian actress, singer and producer
Kristina (born 1987), Slovak singer
Krohme (born 1980), American hip hop MC and producer
Kshetrayya (1600�1680), Indian composer
Kumar (born 1984), Cuban rapper
Kunchacko (1912�1984), Indian producer and director
Kurious, American hip hop artist
Kuroneko, Japanese singer
Kurupt (born 1972), American rapper
Kwes (born 1987), English record producer, songwriter and musician
Kyla (born 1981), Filipino singer
Kylie (born 1968), Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue
Kylee (born 1994), Japanese singer
Kyo (born 1976), Japanese singer-songwriter and producer
Kyper, American rapper
Kyuhyun (born 1988), South Korean singer, dancer, actor and model
L[edit]
L��m (born 1971), French singer
Laava (born 1983), Brazilian singer
Labrinth (born 1989), English singer-songwriter and producer
Lacey (born 1983), American wrestler
Lach, American musician
Lachi, American visually impaired musician
Ladyhawke (born 1979), New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician
Lahannya, British singer-songwriter, performer and DJ
Lakshmi (born 1952), Indian actress
Lal (born 1958), Indian director and actor
Lalaine (born 1987), American actress
Laleh (born 1982), Iranian-born Swedish singer-songwriter
L'Alg�rino, French rapper of Algerian descent
Lana (born 1985), American professional wrestling valet
Laraaji (born 1943), American musician
Larusso (born 1979), French singer
Lasairfh�ona, Irish singer-songwriter
Late, British rapper
Lateef (born 1974), American hip hop artist
Latifa (born 1968), Tunisian singer
Latino (born 1973), Brazilian singer
Laya, Indian actress and dancer
Lazee (born 1985), Swedish rapper
Lebleba (born 1945), Egyptian Armenian film actress and entertainer
Lecca, Japanese singer-songwriter
Lecrae (born 1980), American Christian rapper
Leeteuk (born 1983), South Korean singer, presenter and occasional actor
Lehri (1929�2012), Pakistani actor and comedian
Leif (born 1989), American rapper
Lekain (1728�1778), French actor
Leki (born 1978), Congolese-Belgian R&B artist
Lele (1986�2010), Puerto Rican rapper
Lemar (born 1978), English singer-songwriter
Lemmy (1945-2015), English singer and bass guitarist
Lena (born 1991), German singer-songwriter
Lena, Indian film actress
Lenine (born 1959), Brazilian singer-songwriter
Lenka (born 1978), Australian TV actress, musician and singer-songwriter
Leon (born 1962), American actor and singer
Leon (born 1969), German singer
L�once (1823�1900), French comic actor and singer
L�onin (d. 1201), French composer
Leslie (born 1985), French singer
Lexy (born 1979), Korean singer and rapper
Leyona (born 1977), Japanese singer-songwriter
Lia, Japanese singer-songwriter
Life, British rapper
Ligalize (born 1977), Russian hip hop artist
Lights (born 1987), Canadian singer-songwriter and musician
Lilimar (born 2000), Venezuelan actress
Limahl (born 1958), British singer
Limenius, Athenian musician and composer
Lina, American singer-songwriter
Linda (born 1977), Russian singer-songwriter
Lio (born 1962), Portuguese-born Belgian singer and actress
Lior (born 1976), Israeli-born Australian singer-songwriter
Liroy (born 1971), Polish rapper
Lisa (born 1974), Japanese-Colombian singer and producer
Lisa (born 1997), French dancer, actress and singer
Lissette (born 1949), Peruvian-born Cuban singer-songwriter and record producer
Lita (born 1975), American singer and professional wrestler
Livingston, Indian actor
Lizy, Indian actress
Lob�o (born 1957), Brazilian singer-songwriter and TV host
Lobo (born 1943), American singer-songwriter
Lobo (born 1975), American wrestler
L.O.C. (born 1979), Danish rapper
Logic (born 1990), American rapper and singer
Lola (born 1981), French-born American singer-songwriter
Lolita (1931�2010), Austrian singer
Lolita (1950�1986), Italian singer
Lolly (born 1978), British singer, TV presenter and actress
Lonyo, British producer and MC
Loona (born 1974), Dutch singer-songwriter and dancer
Loquillo (born 1961), Spanish singer
Lora (born 1982), Romanian singer
Lorde (born 1996), New Zealand singer songwriter
Loredana (1924 - 2016), Italian actress
Loreen (born 1983), Swedish singer and music producer
Lorena (born 1986), Spanish singer
Lorie (born 1982), French singer-songwriter and actress
Loriot (born 1923), German humorist, film director and actor
Lorna (born 1983), Panamanian rapper and reggaeton artist
Lou (born 1963), German singer
Louiselle (born 1946), Italian singer
Louison (1668-after 1692), French operatic soprano and celebrity
Lovefoxxx (born 1984), Brazilian singer
Lovefreekz, British producer and remixer
Lowkey (born 1981), American rapper and producer
Lowkey (born 1986), British musician, poet and playwright
Luba (born 1958), Canadian singer-songwriter and musician
Luce (born 1990), French singer-songwriter
Lucenzo (born 1983), Portuguese-French singer-songwriter, and producer
Lucero (born 1969), Mexican singer and actress, formerly known as Lucerito
Luc�a (born 1964), Spanish singer
Luciano (born 1964), Jamaican singer-songwriter
Lucrecia, Spanish-Cuban singer
Ludacris (born 1977), American rapper
Luenell (born 1959), American comedian and actress
Luka (born 1979), Brazilian singer and songwriter
Lula (born 1973), German singer and songwriter
Lulu (born 1948), Scottish singer-songwriter and actress
Lumidee (born 1984), American singer-songwriter and rapper
Lunna (born 1960), Puerto Rican singer
Lura (born 1975), Portuguese singer and musician
Lydia (born 1980), Spanish singer
Lyn (born 1981), South Korean singer
Lyrian (born 1985), Italian-born Japanese singer
Lyrik, Israeli music producer, dancer and singer
M[edit]
-M- (born 1971), French musician guitarist
MAA, previously known as Mar, Japanese singer-songwriter, former television host and model
Mac (born 1977), American rapper
Macklemore (born 1983), American singer, rapper and musician
Machito (1909�1984), Cuban musician
Macromantics (born 1980), Australian hip hop artist
Madhavi (born 1962), Indian actress
Madhoo (born 1972), Indian actress
Madhu (born 1933), Indian actor
Madhubala (1933�1969), Indian actress
Madhumitha, Indian actress
Madhushree, Indian singer
Madison, Canadian wrestler
Madita (born 1978), Austrian singer and actress
Madlib (born 1973), American DJ, musician, rapper and producer
Madonna (born 1958), American entertainer
Madusa (born 1964), American female wrestler and monster truck driver
Maestro (born 1980), American producer, singer-songwriter and rapper
Maggot, British rapper
Magic (born 1968), American rapper
Magik (1978�2000), Polish rapper
Magnet (born 1970), Norwegian singer-songwriter
Magno (born 1984), Mexican wrestler
Magoo (born 1973), American rapper
Mahasti (1946�2007), Iranian singer
Mahendran, Indian actor
Mahlathini (1938�1999), South African singer
Ma�a (born 1982), Colombian singer-songwriter
Ma�wenn (born 1976), French actress and film director
Maiysha (born 1978), American singer-songwriter and model
Majdala, Lebanese singer
Majid, Danish rapper of Moroccan-Berber origin
Makano (born 1983), Panamanian singer
Makaveli (1971-1996), American rapper better known under the stage name 2Pac
Makii (born 1987), Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
Mako (1933�2006), Japanese American actor
MAKO (born 1986), Japanese female band member
MakSim (born 1983), Russian female singer
Mala (born 1939), Pakistani singer
Malaika, American singer
Malavika (born 1979), Indian actress
Mallika, Indian actress
Mal� (born 1982), Spanish singer
Mammootty (born 1951), Indian actor
Mamukkoya (born 1946), Indian comedian actor
Mana, Japanese musician and fashion icon
Manafest (born 1981), Canadian rapper
Mandakini (born 1969), Indian actress
Mandaryna (born 1978), Polish singer, dancer and actress
Mandingo (born 1975), American pornographic actor
Mandisa (born 1976), American singer
Mando (born 1966), Greek singer-songwriter
Mango (1954�2014), Italian singer-songwriter and musician
Maniaco (born 1966), Mexican wrestler
Manikuttan, Indian actor
Manivannan, Indian actor and director
Manjula (1951�1986), Indian actress
Mankind (born 1965), American wrestler, actor and comedian
Mano (born 1965), Indian singer
Manobala (born 1960), Indian director and comedian actor
Manorama (born 1943), Indian actress
Manoush (born 1971), Dutch actress and singer-songwriter
Manskee (born 1978), Filipino-American musician
Mansour (born 1971), Iranian singer, composer and actor
Mantas (born 1961), English heavy metal guitarist
Mantra, Indian actress
Manya, Indian actress
Maradja, French singer, songwriter and music producer
Marce (born 1974), Colombian singer-songwriter
Marcela (born 1971), Mexican professional wrestler
Marcelo (born 1983), Serbian rapper
Marcha (born 1956), Dutch singer and TV presenter
Mareko (born 1981), New Zealander rapper
Margo (born 1951), Irish singer
marhy, Japanese singer-songwriter
Mari, American soprano vocalist
Maria, Danish singer and songwriter
Maria (born 1982), Bulgarian pop-folk singer
Maria (born 1987), Japanese singer and actress
Mariama (born 1986), Sierra Leone-born German singer-songwriter
Maribelle (born 1960), Dutch singer
Marilou (born 1990), Canadian singer
Marilyn (born 1962), English singer-songwriter and entertainer
Marinella (born 1983), Greek singer
Mario (born 1810), Italian operatic tenor
Mario (born 1986), American R&B singer
Marisela (born 1966), American-Mexican singer
Mariska (born 1979), Finnish rapper
Marisol (born 1948), Spanish singer and actress
Mariza (born 1973), Portuguese singer
Marjo (born 1953), Canadian singer-songwriter
Markoolio (born 1975), Swedish-Finnish entertainer
Marlayne (born 1971), Dutch singer and presenter
Martika (born 1969), American singer
Marracash (born 1979), Italian rapper
Mars (born 1954), Hong Kong actor, action director and stuntman
Mars (born 1980), American rapper
Martika (born 1969), American singer
Martirio (born 1958), Spanish singer
Marwa, Lebanese music artist
Marwan, Danish-Palestinian rapper
Maryon (born 1987), French singer
Maryse (born 1983), French Canadian actress,businesswoman, glamour model, professional wrestling manager, and former professional wrestler
Marz, American rapper
Marzieh (1926�2010), Iranian singer
Masada, American wrestler
Mase (born 1974), American rapper
Mashonda (born 1981), American singer
Maskiri, Zimbabwean rapper
Massari (born 1980), Lebanese Canadian R&B singer
Massiel (born 1947), Spanish singer
Massiv (born 1982), German rapper
Matisyahu (born 1979), American musician
Maurane (born 1960), Belgian singer
Mavado (born 1981), Jamaican musician and DJ
Max (born 1988), South Korean singer-songwriter and occasional actor
Maxi (born 1950), Irish DJ, actress and singer
Maximo (born 1980), Mexican wrestler
Maxwell (born 1973), American singer-songwriter and producer
May (born 1982), South Korean singer-songwriter
Maya (born 1975), South Korean singer
Maylaffayza (born 1976), Indonesian violinist and singer
Mayoori (d. 2005), Indian actress
Maysa (1936�1977) Brazilian Bossa Nova singer
Maysa (born 1966) American jazz singer
Mcenroe, Canadian hip hop musician
McG (born 1970), American film producer and director
Mdot, American rapper and actor
Medina (born 1982), Danish singer-songwriter
M�dine, French rapper
Meechie, American singer
MeeK, (born 1971), Franco-English singer songwriter
Meena, Indian film actress
Meenakshi, Indian actress
Meera (born 1976), Pakistani actress
Meg (born 1980), Japanese singer-songwriter
Megas (born 1945), Icelandic singer-songwriter
Mehmood (1932�2004), Indian actor, director and producer
Mehnaz (born 1958), Pakistani singer
Meiko (born 1982), American singer-songwriter
Meja (born 1969), Swedish composer and singer
Melanie (born 1947), American singer-songwriter
Melissa (born 1982), Lebanese singer
Mell, Japanese singer-songwriter
Melody (born 1977), Belgian singer
Melody (born 1982), Japanese singer and TV hostess
Melody (born 1990), Spanish singer
Menaka, Indian actress
M�n�lik (born 1970), French rapper
Menny (born 1983), Mexican singer-songwriter
Mephisto (born 1968), Mexican wrestler
Mercedes (born 1978), American rapper and singer
Merche (born 1974), Spanish singer
Merton, American musician and personality
Merz, English musician and singer-songwriter
Metis (born 1984), Japanese singer-songwriter
Metro (born 1983), Mexican wrestler
Micachu (born 1987), English singer-songwriter and producer
Michal (born 1983), Polish singer
Michele (born 1942), Italian singer
Michelle (born 1972), German singer
Michel'le (born 1970), American singer-songwriter
Micky (born 1943), Spanish singer
Micky (born 1986), South Korean singer-songwriter and occasional actor
Mictl�n (born 1982), Mexican wrestler
Midori (born 1968), American pornographic actress
Mietta (born 1969), Italian singer and actress
Miguel (born 1985), American recording artist, songwriter and producer
Miguelito (born 1999), Puerto Rican reggaeton artist
Mika (born 1983), British singer
Mikaila (born 1986), American singer
Mikeyla, Swedish singer
Milan (1941�1971), Serbian-American musician
Millie (born 1946), Jamaican singer-songwriter
Milow (born 1981), Belgian singer-songwriter
Milva (born 1939), Italian singer, actress and TV personality
Mim, British singer
Mimi, American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey
Mina (born 1940), Italian singer
Mina (born 1993), German singer
Minette (1767�1789), Haitian actress, singer and dancer
Mink (born 1984), South Korean-born Japanese singer
Minmi (born 1974), Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and producer
Minmini (born 1970), Indian singer
Mirah (born 1974), American musician
Mireille (1906�1996), French singer-songwriter and actress
Mirela (born 1990), Spanish singer
Miria, American singer-songwriter
Miriam (born circa 1981), Mexican pre-operative transsexual
Mirusia (born 1985), Australian soprano
Misha (born 1975), Slovak singer
M�sia (born 1955), Portuguese singer
Misia (born 1978), Japanese singer-songwriter and musician
misono (born 1984), Japanese singer
Missy (1967�2008), American pornographic actress
Misterioso (born 1966), Mexican-American wrestler
M�stico (born 1982), Mexican wrestler
Mistinguett (1875�1956), French singer
Mitsou (born 1970), Canadian pop singer
Mi�cha (born 1937), Brazilian singer and composer
Miwa (born 1990), Japanese singer-songwriter, musician and radio DJ
Miyavi (born 1981), Japanese entertainer
Miz (born 1981), Japanese singer
Mizchif (born 1976), Zimbabwean-born South African rapper
M�, Swedish singer-songwriter
Moana (born 1961), New Zealand singer-songwriter and documentary maker
Moby (born 1965), American musician
Mocky (born 1974), Canadian musician, producer, songwriter and performer
Moddi, Norwegian musician
Mogol (born 1936), Italian music lyricist
Mohan (born 1956), Indian actor
Mohanlal (born 1960), Indian actor and producer
Mohini, Indian actor
Mohombi (born 1986), Swedish-Congolese R&B singer, songwriter
Mokob� (born 1976), French-Malian rapper
Mokona (born 1968), Japanese manga artist
Moli�re (1622�1673), French playwright and actor
Momo (born 1974), Japanese singer-songwriter
Momus (born 1960), Scottish singer-songwriter
Monguito (d.2006), Cuban singer
Monica (born 1980), American singer-songwriter and actress
Monica (born 1987), Indian actress
Monice (born 1989), Bosnian-born Austrian singer
Monifah (born 1972), American singer-songwriter
Mo'Nique (born 1967), American comedian and actress
Monisha (1971�1992), Indian actress
Mont�hus (1872�1952), French singer-songwriter
Montrouge (died 1903), a comic actor in French musical theatre
Moomin (born 1972), Japanese reggae artist
Moony (born 1980), Italian musician
Moos (born 1974), French singer
Morena (born 1984), Maltese singer
Morgane (born 1975), Belgian singer
Morlacchi (born 1846), Italian dancer and actor
Moroccoblu (born 1979), Mexican singer-songwriter
Morris (born 1976), Romanian singer and DJ
Motilal (1910�1965), Indian actor
MoZella (born 1981), singer-songwriter
Mozez, Jamaican-born English singer-songwriter
Mugihito (born 1944), Japanese voice actor
Mugison (born 1976), Icelandic musician
Muhin, Bangladeshi singer
Muhsinah (born 1983), American singer-songwriter and producer
Mukesh (1923�1976), Indian singer
Mukesh (born 1957), Indian actor and producer
Muki (born 1975), Israeli singer-songwriter, musician and rapper
Mukkamala (1920�1987), Indian actor
Mumtaj (born 1980), Indian actress
Mumtaz (born 1947), Indian actress
Muna, Nigerian hip hop artist and model
Mundy (born 1976), Irish singer-songwriter
Murali (1954�2009), Indian actor and author
Murali (1964�2010), Indian actor
Murcof (born 1970), Mexican musician and record producer
Muscles, Australian electronica musician
Musidora (1889�1957), French actress
Muska (born 1952), Finnish singer
Mussum (1941�1994), Brazilian actor and musician
M�a (born 1979), American singer
Myco (born 1979), Japanese singer, voice actress and radio personality
Mynavathi (1935�2012), Indian actress
Mystic, American hip hop artist
Mystikal (born 1970), American rapper
Myztiko (born 1988), Canadian reggaeton producer
N[edit]
Naama (born 1934), Tunisian singer
Nabiha, Danish singer-songwriter and actress
Nada (born 1953), Italian singer
Nadeem (born 1941), Indian-born Pakistani actor
Nadhiya, Indian actress
N�dine (born 1982), South African singer
N�diya (born 1973), French singer
Nagesh (1933�2009), Indian comedian actor
Nagma (born 1974), Indian actress
Najee, American musician
Najim, Algerian singer
Nakul (born 1984), Indian actor and singer
Naldo, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer
Naledge (born 1983), American rapper
Namitha (born 1980), Indian actress
Nana (born 1968), Ghanaian-born, German rapper
Nana (born 1983), Malaysian DJ, singer and actress
Nanao (born 1988), Japanese model and actress
Nanda (born 1939), Indian actress
Nandha, Indian actor
Nanditha, Indian singer
Naomi (born 1983), American pornographic actress
Naomi (born 1987), American professional wrestler, actress, model, dancer, and singer
Napoleon (born 1963), Indian actor
Napoleon (born 1977), American rapper and motivational speaker
Narain (born 1979), Indian actor
Naresh, Indian actor
Nargis (1929�1981), Indian actress
Nargis (born 1976), Pakistani actress
Narsha (born 1981), South Korean singer and dancer
Nas (born 1973), American rapper
Nashad (1923�1981), Pakistani-Indian composer and music producer
Nasri, Canadian singer, songwriter and music producer
Nassar (born 1958), Indian actor, producer, director, lyricist and singer
Natalia (born 1982), Spanish singer
Natalia (born 1983), Greek singer
Natalie (born 1979), American singer-songwriter
Natalise (born 1985), American singer-songwriter
Natalya (born 1982), Canadian female wrestler
Natasha (born 1988), American singer and model
Natassha (born 1981), Indian model and actress
Nature (born 1972), American rapper
Naushad (1919�2006), Indian musician and music director
Navdeep (born 1980), Indian actor
Nawal, Comorian musician
Nayantara (born 1984), Indian actress
Nayobe (born 1968), American singer
Necro (born 1976), American rapper, producer, actor and director
Necrobutcher (born 1968), Norwegian musician
Needlz, American hip hop producer and composer
Neeli, Pakistani actress
Neja (born 1972), Italian singer
Nek (born 1972), Italian singer-songwriter
Nelly (born 1974), American rapper
Nelly (born 1949), Egyptian actress, singer, comedian, television personality
Nely (born 1987), Puerto Rican reggaeton producer
Nena (born 1960), German singer and actress
Nerdkween, American singer-songwriter
Nesli (born 1980), Italian rapper and producer
Nesty (born 1973), Puerto Rican reggaeton producer
Nevaeh, American wrestler
Neville (born 1986), English wrestler
Newkid (born 1990), Swedish-Filipino rapper
Neymar (born 1992), Brazilian footballer
Ngaire, New Zealand singer
Niarn (born 1979), Danish rapper
Nichkhun (born 1988), American/Thai K-pop singer
Nickelz (born 1981), American hip-hop artist
Nicki (born 1966), German singer and composer
Nico (1938�1988), German model and singer-songwriter
Nico (born 1970), Romanian singer
Nicolay, Dutch hip hop musician
Nicole (born 1964), German singer
Nicole (born 1977), Chilean singer
Nicoletta (born 1944), French singer
Nicolette, British singer-songwriter
Niello, Swedish rapper and electronic hip hop artist
Nika (born 1979), Spanish singer
Nikki, Japanese-born American musician
Nikki (born 1985), Malaysian singer
Niklas (born 1983), Danish singer songwriter
Nimmi (born 1933), Indian actress
Nina (born 1966), Spanish singer and actress
Nine (born 1969), American rapper
Ninezero, Australian singer-songwriter and musician
Ninja, English rapper
Nino (born 1981), Greek singer-songwriter and musician
Nirala (d. 1985), Pakistani comedian
Nitro, Mexican wrestler
Nitti, American record producer
Nitty (born 1977), American rapper
Nivea (born 1982), American singer and songwriter
Nneka (born 1980), Nigerian-German singer and songwriter
Noa (born 1969), Israeli singer
Nodesha (born 1985), American singer
Noel, Puerto Rican singer
Noelia (born 1977), Puerto Rican singer-songwriter
Noemi (born 1982), Italian singer
Nokko (born 1963), Japanese singer-songwriter
Nonchalant (born 1973), American singer, rapper and songwriter
Noodles (born 1963), American guitarist
Noor (born 1982), Pakistani actress and model
Nooshafarin, Iranian singer
Nornagest (born 1977), Belgian singer and musician
Nour (born 1977), Lebanese actress
Nourhanne (born 1977), Lebanese singer
Novel (born 1981), American hip hop artist
Noztra (born 1982), Dominican-born, American musician
Nucha (born 1966), Portuguese singer
Nujabes, Japanese hip hop producer and DJ
Nump, Filipino-American rapper
Numskull (born 1975), American rapper
Nutan (1936�1991), Indian actress
Nygma (born 1974), Mexican wrestler
O[edit]
Oceana (born 1982), German singer
Octag�n (born 1961), Mexican wrestler
Octag�ncito (born 1973), Mexican wrestler
Octahvia, American singer
Odetta (1930�2008), American singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress
Oforia (born 1971), Israeli electronic music artist and music producer
Ogeday (born 1981), Turkish rap singer
Ola (born 1986), Swedish singer
Olamide (born 1989), Nigerian hip-hop artist
Ol�mpico (born 1965), Mexican wrestler
Oliver (1945�2000), American singer
Olivia (born 1979), Japanese American singer-songwriter
Olivia (born 1980), American singer
Olunike (born 1977), Canadian actress
Omarion (born 1984), American singer-songwriter, actor, dancer and producer
Omnionn, Salvadoran music producer
Oneya (born 1979), Serbian hip hop producer
Onew (born 1989), singer, dancer, lyricist, presenter, radio host, MC and promotional model.
Onyx, American wrestler
Opaque (born 1976), Norwegian rapper
Orelsan (born 1982), French hip hop and rap artist
Oreste (1923�1998), Maltese actor-singer, popular in "The Vagabond King"
Orianthi (born 1985), Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist
Origa (born 1970), Russian Japanese singer
Oscarito (1906�1970), Brazilian actor and comedian
Osez, Swiss rapper and dancer
Outsider (born 1983), South Korean rapper
Ovidie, French director, producer and pornographic actress
P[edit]
Pacifico (born 1964), Italian singer-songwriter and composer
Padmini (1932�2006), Indian actress
Paige (born 1992), English wrestler
Palito (1934�2010), Filipino actor
Pampidoo, Jamaican musician, songwriter and DJ
Panaiotis, American vocalist and composer
Panchito, Filipino comedian
Pandora (born 1970), Swedish eurodance artist
Panti (born 1968), Irish performer
Paperboy, American rapper
Papoose (born 1978), American rapper
Paradime (born 1974), American hip hop singer and musician
Parajanov (1924�1990), Soviet Armenian film director
Paraluman (1923�2009), Filipino actress
Paris (born 1967), American hip hop artist
Parisa (born 1950), Iranian singer and musician
PartyNextDoor (born 1993), Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer
Passenger, British singer-songwriter and indie pop/folk/rock singer
Passi (born 1972), French hip hop artist
Pasupathy (born 1968), Indian actor
Pata (born 1965), Japanese musician and songwriter
Patachou (born 1918), French singer
Patra (born 1972), Jamaican singer
Patrizia, Italian-born Canadian singer
Pauline (born 1988), French singer-songwriter
Paulini (born 1982), Fijian-born Australian singer-songwriter and actress
Peaches (born 1968), Canadian musician
Pebbles (born 1964), American singer, songwriter and producer
Pegasso (born 1978), Mexican wrestler
Peirol, French composer
Peja (born 1976), Polish rap musician, songwriter and producer
Pel� (born 1940), Brazilian footballer, occasional actor and singer-songwriter
Perarasu, Indian director
Perdigon, French composer
Peret (born 1935), Spanish singer, musician and composer
Perfect (born 1980), Jamaican singer
Perla (born 1952), Paraguayan-Brazilian singer
Perlla (born 1988), Brazilian singer
P�rotin, European composer
Pest, Norwegian singer
Peter (born 1952), Japanese singer, dancer and actor
PewDiePie (born 1989), Swedish web-based comedian and producer
Phew (born 1959), Japanese singer
Philomina (1926�2006), Indian actress
Photek (born 1972), British disc jockey and record producer
Phranc (born 1952), American singer-songwriter
Phyno (born 1986) Nigerian rapper and record producer
Pianoman, British dance music producer
Pierrothito (born 1967), Mexican wrestler
Pikotaro, Japanese entertainer and comedian
Pinchers (born 1965), Jamaican singer
Pink (born 1979), American singer-songwriter
Piotta (born 1973), Italian hip hop musician
Pitbull (born 1981), American rapper
Pitof (born 1957), French film director
Pitty (born 1977), Brazilian singer
Pixinguinha (1897�1973), Brazilian composer and musician
Plavka (born 1968), British-American singer
Playalitical (born 1982), American rapper
Plies (born 1976), American rapper
Pliers (born 1963), Jamaican Reggae singer
Plumb (born 1975), American musician
Poe (born 1968), American singer-songwriter
Pokwang (born 1970), Filipino comedian, and dramatic actress
Polaire (1874�1939), Algerian-born French singer and actress
Poldowski (1879�1932), Belgian-born British composer and pianist
Pollyfilla (born 1978), New Zealand performer
P�lvora (born 1979), Mexican wrestler
Ponvannan, Indian actor
Pooh (born 1974), Filipino comedian
Poorna, Indian actress and model
Poornitha (born 1990), Indian actress
Porta (born 1988), Spanish rap singer
Povia (born 1972), Italian singer-songwriter
Pras (born 1972), American rapper
Prasanna (born 1982), Indian actor
Predikador (born 1983), Panamanian producer
Prema, Malaysian singer-songwriter and musician
Premji (1908�1998), Indian actor
Preslava (born 1984), Bulgarian singer
Primo (born 1982), Puerto Rican professional wrestler
Prince (1958-2016), American musician
Princessa, American rapper and singer
Princessa (born 1975), Spanish singer
Priscilla (born 1989), French singer
Pritam, Indian composer and music director
Prithviraj (born 1982), Indian actor, playback singer and producer
Priyadarshan, Indian director and screenwriter
Priyadarshini (born 1978), Indian actress
Priyamani (born 1984), Indian actress and model
Promise (born 1982), Canadian rapper
Promoe (born 1976), Swedish rapper
Proof (1973�2006), American rapper
Prozak, American rapper
Psarantonis (born 1942), Greek singer-songwriter and musician
Psicosis (born 1971), Mexican wrestler
Psy (born 1977), South Korean entertainer
Psychosiz (born 1984), American rapper
Pugo, Filipino actor and comedian
Pulsedriver (born 1974), German DJ and producer
Puntillita (1921�2000), Cuban singer
Pupo (born 1955), Italian singer and lyricist
Pushead, American artist and writer
Pushim (born 1975), Japanese reggae artist
Pycard, European composer
Pyranja (born 1978), German rapper
Pyruz (born 1961), Iranian singer-songwriter and guitarist
Q[edit]
QT (born 1988), singer and performance artist
Quavo (born 1991), American rapper
Questlove (born 1971), American drummer, DJ and record producer
Quicksilver, American wrestler
Qwel, American rapper
Qwote, Haitian club, pop, R&B, electronic and urban artist
R[edit]
Raageshwari (born 1977), Indian singer, actress, model, TV anchor and VJ
Raaghav (born 1974), Indian actor
Raakhee (born 1947), Indian actress
Rachel, French singer
Radha (born 1965), Indian actress
Radioinactive, American rapper
Raekwon (born 1970), American rapper
Raf (born 1959), Italian singer-songwriter
Raffi (born 1948), Canadian singer-songwriter
Raghav (born 1981), Canadian singer-songwriter
Raghuvaran (1954�2008), Indian actor
Ragini, Indian dancer and actress
Rahzel (born 1964), American hip-hop artist
Raimu (1883�1946), French actor
Rain (born 1982), Korean entertainer
Raja (born 1978), Indian actor
Rajesh, Indian actor
Rajinikanth, Indian actor
Rajkiran, Indian actor and director
Rajkumar (1929�2006), Indian actor and singer
Rakim (born 1968), American hip-hop artist
Rakshita (born 1984), Indian actress
Ramarajan, Indian actor
Rambha (born 1976), Indian actress
Rameshwari, Indian actress
Rammellzee (1960�2010), American performance artist and hip-hop musician
Ram�n (born 1985), Spanish singer-songwriter
Ramona (1909�1972), American singer and pianist
Ramya (born 1982), Indian actress
Rani (1946�1993), Pakistani actress
Ranjitha, Indian actress
Raphael (born 1943), Spanish singer and actor
Raptile (born 1976), German rapper, producer and songwriter
Rasco, American rapper
Rasel, Spanish singer
Rasheeda (born 1982), American rapper
Rasta (born 1963), American football player and actor
Ratheesh (1954�2002), Indian actor
Ratsy, American singer-songwriter
Raven (born 1964), American wrestler and occasional actor
Raven (born 1979), American performer and TV personality
Ravi (1926�2012), Indian music director
Ravi (born 1976), Norwegian artist, musician, vocalist, composer, journalist
Ravichandran (d. 2011), Indian actor
Raylene (born 1977), American pornographic actress
Raymzter (born 1979), Dutch rapper
Rayvon (born 1970), Barbadian singer
Raziel (born 1973), Mexican wrestler
Razzle (1960�1984), British drummer
Redman (born 1970), American rapper, producer and actor
RedOne (born 1972), Moroccan-Swedish-American producer, songwriter and music executive
Reina (born 1978), American singer-songwriter
Rekha, Indian actress
Rekha (born 1954), Indian actress
Rell, American singer
Remady, Swiss music producer
Remedy (born 1972), American emecee and hip hop producer
Renaud (born 1952), French singer-songwriter and actor
Res, American singer
Resham (born 1976), Pakistani actress
Reshma (born 1947), Pakistani singer
Retta, American actress and stand-up comedienne
Revathi (born 1966), Indian actress and director
Reyash (born 1974), Polish musician and singer
Reyli (born 1972), Mexican singer-songwriter
Reynaert (born 1955), Belgian singer-songwriter
Rhianna (born 1983), English singer
Rhydian (born 1983), Welsh singer
Rhymefest (born 1977), American hip hop artist
Rhymson, Tanzanian-Canadian rapper
Rhyno (born 1975), American wrestler
Ricky (musician), Japanese singer, musician
Rico, Scottish musician
Ricochet (born 1988), American wrestler
Ridan (born 1975), French singer
Rihanna (born 1988), Barbadian singer
Rikrok (born 1972), English singer
Rita, Japanese voice actress, singer and lyricist
Rita (born 1962), Iranian-born Israeli singer and actress
Rivulets, American singer-songwriter
Riya, Japanese singer
Roark, American singer-songwriter
Robert (born 1964), French singer-songwriter
Robin (born 1998), Finnish singer and teen pop artist
Robyn (born 1979), Swedish singer-songwriter
Rocc (born 1979), Slovenian opera stage director & designer
Rocca, American rapper
Rock, American rapper
Rocko (born 1979), American rapper
Rockwilder (born 1971), American hip hop and R&B record producer
Rodriguez (born 1942), American folk musician
Roesy, Irish singer-songwriter and model
Rohff (born 1977), French rapper
Rohini, Indian actress
Rojan, Iranian singer
Rola (born 1990), Japanese fashion model and TV personality of Bangladeshi descent
Roma (born 1984), Indian actress and model
Romanthony, American musician
Romeo (born 1980), English rapper and MC
Ronaldo (born 1976), Brazilian footballer and occasional actor
Roscoe (born 1983), American rapper
Roshan (1917�1967), Indian composer
Roshana (born 1989), Canadian singer-songwriter
Roshini, Indian singer
Rosko, American singer-songwriter and producer
Rossa (born 1978), Indonesian singer
Rowetta (born 1966), English singer
Rox (born 1988), English singer-songwriter
Roya (born 1982), Azerbaijani singer
Rozalla (born 1964), Zambian singer
Ruby (born 1972), American pornographic actress
Ruby (born 1981), Egyptian singer and actress
Ruggedman, Nigerian rapper
Rukkus (born 1970), American wrestler
Rumer, Pakistani-born, British singer-songwriter
RuPaul (born 1960), American drag queen and talk show host
Rupini, Indian actress
Rurutia, Japanese singer-songwriter
Rusev (born 1985), Bulgarian wrestler
Ruslana (born 1973), Ukrainian singer
Russya, Ukrainian singer and musician
Ruudolf (born 1983), Finnish hip hop artist
Ryback (born 1981), American wrestler
Ryeowook (born 1987), South Korean singer-songwriter and occasional actor
Ryo (born 1973), Japanese model, actress and singer
Ryuichi (born 1970), Japanese singer-songwriter
S[edit]
Saandip (born 1978), Indian singer, actor and anchor
Saara (born 1994), Finnish singer and TV host
Sabah (born 1927), Lebanese singer and actress
Sabi (born 1988), American singer/songwriter and actress
Sabian (born 1979), American wrestler
Sable (born 1967), American model, actress and wrestler
Sabrina (born 1936), English glamour model
Sabrina (born 1968), Italian singer
Sabrina (born 1969), Greek singer
Sabrina (born 1983), Portuguese singer
Sabrina (born 1989), Filipino singer
Sabu (born 1964), American wrestler
Sachin (born 1957), Indian actor and producer
Sadahzinia (born 1977), Greek rapper
Sade (born 1959), Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter
Sadha (born 1984), Indian actress
Sadhana (born 1941), Indian actress
Sadiki (born 1971), Jamaican-American singer-songwriter and producer
Saffron (born 1968), Nigerian-born British singer
Safir, Danish singer, musician and composer
saga (born 1975), Swedish white nationalist singer-songwriter
Sagarika (born 1970), Indian singer
Sagat, American rapper
Sahakdukht, Armenian composer
Sahlene (born 1976), Swedish singer and actress
Saigon (born 1977), American rapper
Saikumar (born 1963), Indian actor
Sailorine (born 1979), Norwegian singer-songwriter and musician
Saima (born 1967), Pakistani actress
Saindhavi, Indian singer
Sakanakun, Japanese television personality and marine biologist
Saki (born 1870), English writer
Sakura (born 1969), Japanese musician
Salif (born 1982), French rapper
Salom� (born 1943), Spanish singer
Salome (born 1985), Iranian rapper
Saloni, Pakistani actress
Salyu (born 1980), Japanese singer
Sameksha, Indian actress
Sammie (born 1987), American singer and actor
Samsaya (born 1979), Indian-born Norwegian singer and actress
Samsong (born 1974), Nigerian singer
Samuthirakani, Indian director
Sandhya (born 1989), Indian actress
Sandra (born 1962), German singer
Sandrin, French composer
Sandrine, Australian singer-songwriter
Sandy (born 1983), Brazilian singer-songwriter, producer and actress
Sangeeta, Pakistani actor and director
Sangeeta, Indian Telugu actress
Sangeetha, Indian Tamil actress
Sanghavi (born 1977), Indian actress
Sangtar (born 1973), Indian singer-songwriter
Sanjana (born 1989), Indian model and actress
Sanjivani, Indian singer
Sankaradi (1924�2001), Indian actor
Sanrabb, Norwegian musician
Santhanam, Indian actor
Santhoshi (born 1987), Indian actress
Santigold (born 1976), American singer-songwriter and producer
Santo (1917�1984), Mexican wrestler and actor
Sapho (born 1950), Moroccan-born French singer
Sapphire (1935�1996), American wrestler
Sapphire (born 1950), American author and performance poet
Sarai (born 1981), American rapper and actress
Sarangapani, Indian composer
Sarbel (born 1986), British-Cypriot singer
Sarika (born 1962), Indian actress
Saritah, Australian singer-songwriter
Saritha, Indian actress
Sarp (born 1977), Turkish singer-songwriter and musician
Sascha (born 1976), German pornographic actor
Sash! (born 1970), German DJ and producer
Sasha, Jamaican DJ
Sasha, Russian singer, model, choreographer and TV and video producer
Sasha (born 1969), Welsh DJ and producer
Sat (born 1975), French rapper
Sathyaraj (born 1954), Indian actor
Satomi' (born 1989), Japanese singer-songwriter
Satsuki, Japanese musician
Saud, Pakistani actor
Saukrates (born 1977), Canadian rapper, singer and record producer
Savage (born 1981), New Zealander hip hop singer and rapper
Savage (born 1956), Italian singer, record producer and composer
Savannah (1970�1994), American pornographic actress
Savitri (1937�1981), Indian actress, director and producer
Scarface (born 1970), American rapper
Schmier (born 1966), German musician
Scialpi (born 1962), Italian singer
Scorcher, British MC and producer
Scribe (born 1979), New Zealand rapper
Seagram (1970�1996), American rapper
Seal (born 1963), British singer
Seamo (born 1975), Japanese rapper and hip-hop artist
Sebastian, American rapper
Seema (born 1957), Indian actress
Seetha, Indian actress
Sefyu (born 1981), French rapper
Seka (born 1954), American pornographic actress
Selan, American musician and singer-songwriter
Selen (born 1966), Italian actress, TV presenter and pornographic actress
Selena (1971�1995), Mexican-American singer
Selwyn (born 1982), South African-born Australian singer
Sensei (born 1978), Mexican wrestler
Senthil (born 1951), Indian actor
Seohyun (born 1991), South Korean singer, dancer, model and actress
Seorak (born 1981), South Korean singer and VJ
September (born 1984), Swedish singer
Seremoniamestari, Finnish rap artist
Serena, American pornographic actress
Serenity (born 1969), American pornographic actress
Seryoga (born 1976), Belarusian rapper
Sesenne (1914�2010), Saint Lucian singer
Seungri (born 1990), Korean singer, dancer and actor
Seven (born 1978), Swiss musician and singer
Seven (born 1984), South Korean singer
S�verine (born 1948), French singer
Sha (born 1979), German singer
Shaam (born 1978), Indian model and actor
Shaan (born 1972), Indian singer and TV host
Shabnam, Pakistani actress
Shad (born 1982), Kenyan-born, Canadian hip hop musician
Shadia (born 1929), Egyptian actress and singer
Shaggy (born 1968), Jamaican-American singer
Shagrath (born 1976), Norwegian musician
Shahid (born 1950), Pakistani actor
Shahir (born 1988), Malaysian singer
Shahryar, Iranian singer-songwriter and musician
Shake (born 1950), Malaysian singer
Shakeel (born 1938), Pakistani actor
Shakeela (born 1973), Indian actress
Shakila, Indian actress
Shakila (born 1962), Iranian singer
Shakira (born 1977), Colombian musician
Shamili (born 1987), Indian actress
Shamir (born 1994), American musician
Shammu (born 1992), Indian actress and model
Shana (born 1972), American singer
Shane (born 1969), American pornographic actress and director
Shanice (born 1973), American singer-songwriter
Shankar (born 1960), Indian actor and director
Shanmugasundari (d. 2012), Indian actress
Shannon (born 1958), American singer
Shantel (born 1968), German DJ and record producer
Sharada (born 1945), Indian actress
Sharda, Indian singer
Shareefa (born 1984), American singer
Sharissa (born 1976), American singer
Shark, American composer
Sharkula, American rapper
Shashikala (born 1933), Indian actress
Shawnna (born 1979), American rapper
Shazza (born 1967), Polish singer and occasional actress
Sheamus (born 1978), Irish professional wrestler and actor
Sheela (born 1945), Indian actress
Sheila (born 1945), French singer
Sheila (born 1984), German folk music and schlager music singer of Persian (Iranian) descent
Sh�na (born 1971), English singer
Shequida, Jamaican singer-songwriter and drag artist
Sherin (born 1985), Indian actress and model
Sherine (born 1980), Egyptian singer and actress
Sherrick (1957�1999), American musician
Shifty (born 1974), American singer
Shiloh (born 1993), Canadian singer-songwriter
Shinehead (born 1962), English-born Jamaican singer, rapper and DJ
Shinya (born 1970), Japanese musician and television personality
Shinya (born 1978), Japanese musician
Shocker (born 1971), Mexican wrestler
Shockercito (born 1980), Mexican wrestler
Shona, French singer-songwriter
Shontelle (born 1985), American singer
Shoo (born 1981), Korean singer
Shorty (born 1980), Croatian rapper
Shoxrux (born 1986), Uzbekistani rapper, entertainer and producer
Shruti, Indian actress
Shurik'n (born in 1966), French hip hop artist
Shwayze (born 1985), American rapper
Shyama (born 1935), Indian actress
Shy'm, French pop singer
Shyne (born 1978), Belizean rapper
Shystie (born 1982), British rapper, songwriter and actress
Sia (born 1975), Australian singer and songwriter
Sibel (born 1987), Swedish singer
Sibiraj (born 1982), Indian actor
Siddique, Indian actor and producer
Sido (born 1980), German rapper
Sie7e (born 1977), Puerto Rican singer
Sieneke (born 1992), Dutch singer
Sifow (born 1985), Japanese singer
Sigga, Icelandic singer
Silenoz (born 1977), Norwegian guitarist
Silvan (born 1935), Italian illusionist, writer and television personality
Sim (1926�2009), French humorist, writer and comedian
Simone (born 1962), American singer and actress
Simone (born 1992), Danish pop singer
Simon-Max (1852 to 1923), French tenor
Simran (born 1976), Indian actress
Sinbad (born 1956), American actor and comedian
Singuila, French singer
Sinik (born 1980), French rap artist
Sinitta (born 1968), American-born, British singer and actress
Sirima (1964�1989), British singer
Sirone (1940�2009), American musician and composer
Sisaundra, American singer-songwriter and producer
Sisq� (born 1978), American singer and actor
Sissel (born 1969), Norwegian singer
Sita (born 1980), Dutch singer
Sithara (born 1973), Indian actress
Sivakumar (born 1939), Indian actor
Sivuca (1930�2006), Brazilian musician
�kabo (born 1976), Serbian rapper and producer
Skayde (born 1964), Mexican wrestler
Skerik, American musician
Skillz, American rapper
Skin (born 1967), British singer
Skinnyman (born 1974), English rapper
Skitzo (born 1982), American rapper and hip hop producer
Skrillex (born 1988), American DJ and singer-songwriter
Skyla (born 1991), English singer
Skyzoo (born 1982), American hip hop emcee
Slaine (born 1977), American hip hop MC
Slash (born 1965), British-born American guitarist
Sliimy (born 1988), French musician
Slim (born 1979), American R&B singer
Slimmy, Portuguese singer
Slug (born 1972), American rapper
Smartzee (born 1980), French-American rapper
Smita (born 1980), Indian singer, actress and TV anchor
Smitty, American rapper
Smooth (born 1970), American singer, rapper and actress
Smudo (born 1968), German rapper
Snakefinger (1949�1987), English musician
Sneha (born 1981), Indian actress
Snow (born 1969), Canadian singer-songwriter
Snow (born 1985), Japanese singer
Snowboy, British-Cuban musician
Sobha (1962�1980), Indian actress
Socalled, Canadian rapper and musician
Sofia, Filipino singer
Soko (born 1985), French singer and actress
Sok�l (born 1977), Polish MC
Solage, French composer
Solbi (born 1984), South Korean singer and actress
Sol� (born 1973), American rapper
Sole (born 1977), American hip hop artist
S�ley, Icelandic singer, musician
Solitair, Canadian hip hop MC and producer
Solomon (1902�1988), British classical pianist
Solomon (born 1987), American hip hop artist
Somi (born 1979), American singer-songwriter
Sommore (born 1966), American actress and comedian
Sonam (born 1972), Indian actress
Sonia (born 1971), English singer
Sonim (born 1983), Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
Sonique (born 1968), British DJ and singer
Sonny (1935�1998), American singer and comedian
Sonu, Indian actress
Soopafly (born 1972), American hip hop producer and rapper
Sooyoung (born 1990), South Korean entertainer
Sophie, British music producer
Soprano (born 1979), French rapper
Soraya (1969�2006), American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer
Sordello, Italian composer
Sorkun, Spanish singer
Sosay (born 1980), American actress, model and wrestler
Soundarya (1972�2004), Indian actress
Sowelu (born 1982), Japanese singer
Spagna (born 1954), Italian singer
Spark (born 1992), English singer-songwriter
Sparkle (born 1975), American singer
Speak (born 1976), Hungarian rapper, model and actor
Speech (born 1968), American rapper and musician
Speedy (born 1979), Puerto Rican Reggaeton artist
Spek, Canadian hip hop artist
Spens (born 1975), Bulgarian hip hop artist
Spike, English singer-songwriter
Spot (born 1984), American rapper
Sputnik (born 1943), Norwegian singer and musician
Squarepusher (born 1975), English musician
Sreenath (1957�2010), Indian actor
Sreenivasan (born 1956), Indian actor, director and producer
Sridevi (born 1963), Indian actress
Srihari (born 1964), Indian actor
Srikanth (born 1979), Indian actor
Sriman, Indian actor
Srinath, Indian actor and TV presenter
Srinivas (born 1959), Indian singer
Sripriya, Indian actress
Srividya (1953�2006), Indian actress
Stacks (born 1985), American hip hop musician
Stacy (born 1990), Malaysian singer
Stalley (born 1982), American rapper
Stanislas (born 1972), French singer
Starman (born 1974), Mexican wrestler
Stelarc (born 1946), Cyprus-born Australian performance artist
Stella (born 1980), Chinese singer, actress and model
Stendhal (1783�1842), pen-name of the French writer Marie-Henri Beyle
Steno (1915�1988), Italian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer
Stephanie (born 1987), American-born Japanese singer, DJ and actress
Stig (born 1978), Finnish hip hop, R&B and country music singer
Stigma, American wrestler
Sting (born 1951), English musician
Sting (born 1959), American wrestler
Stoka (born 1981), Croatian rap artist
Stoya (born 1986), American pornographic actress and model
Striger, Canadian hip hop artist
Stromae (born 1985), Belgian Rwandan singer songwriter
Stylah, British rapper
Styrofoam, Belgian singer and musician
Suara, Japanese singer
Suave (born 1966), American singer
Subair (born 1962), Indian actor
Subliminal (born 1979), Israeli hip hop artist and producer
Subtitle (born 1978), American rapper and producer
Sudeep (born 1975), Indian actor, director and producer
Suede, American jazz and blues singer
Suggs (born 1961), English singer, actor, radio DJ and TV personality
Sugizo (born 1969), Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer
Suho (born 1991), South Korean singer and actor
Sujatha (1952�2011), Indian actress
Sukanya (born 1969), Indian actress
Sukumaran (1948�1997), Indian actor
Sulakshana, Indian actress
Sulo, Swedish musician
Sultan (born 1987), French Comorean hip hop artist and rapper
Sumalatha (born 1963), Indian actress
Suman (born 1959), Indian actor
Sumanth (born 1975), Indian actor
Sumathi (born 1964), Indian actress
Sunaina (born 1987), Indian actress
Sungmin (born 1986), South Korean singer and actor
Sunil, Indian actor
Sunjay (born 1993), English singer-songwriter and guitarist
Sunny (born 1989), American-born South Korean singer, dancer and TV presenter
Supastition, American hip hop artist
Supernatural, American rapper
Supla (born 1966), Brazilian musician
Suraiya (1929�2004), Indian singer and actress
Susan, Japanese singer
Susan (1942�2004), Iranian singer
Suthivelu (1947�2012), Indian actor and comedian
Suvalakshmi (born 1977), Indian actress
Svala (born 1977), Icelandic singer-songwriter
Swanee (born 1952), Scottish-born Australian singer
Swapna, Indian actress
Swarnalatha (1973�2010), Indian singer
Swarnamalya, Indian actress and TV anchor
Swingfly, American-born Swedish rapper and singer
Syang (born 1970), Brazilian musician, writer and model
Sybil (born 1965), American singer
Sylvester (1947�1988), American singer and gay drag performer
Sylvia (born 1956), American singer-songwriter
Syreeta, American singer-songwriter
Syria (born 1977), Italian singer
SZA (born 1990), American singer and songwriter
T[edit]
Tablo (born 1980), Korean Canadian hip hop artist, songwriter, lyricist, and author
Taboo (born 1975), American rapper, actor and singer
Taborah, American singer-songwriter
Tabu (born 1970), Indian actress
Taco (born 1955), Dutch singer
Taebin (born 1980), Korean singer
Taegoon (born 1986), South Korean singer and dancer
Taeyang (born 1988), South Korean singer
Taeyeon (born 1989), South Korean entertainer
Taffy (born 1963), American singer
Tagaq, Canadian singer
Tahis (born 1988), Spanish singer
Taiguara (1945�1996), Brazilian singer songwriter
Taiji (1966�2011), Japanese musician and singer-songwriter
Tainy (born 1989), Puerto Rican reggaeton producer
Taiska (born 1955), Finnish singer
Tajai (born 1975), American rapper and producer
Tajci (born 1970), Croatian singer
Takaloo (born 1975), Iranian born British based boxer
Takanohana (born 1972), Japanese sumo wrestler
Takfarinas (born 1958), French-Algerian singer-songwriter and musician
Taktloss (born 1975), German rap artist
Tal (born 1989), Israeli-born French singer, songwriter
T�mar (born 1980), American singer
Tamia (born 1975), Canadian-American singer-songwriter
Tamina, American professional wrestler and actress
Tamta (born 1981), Georgian singer
Tanisha (born 1978), Indian actress
Tank (born 1976), American singer
Tank (born 1977), German musician
Tank (born 1982), Taiwanese singer-songwriter
Tanuja (born 1943), Indian actress
Tara (1944�2007), Indian actress
Tara (born 1967), Indian actress
Tarako (born 1960), Japanese voice actress
Tarkan (born 1972), Turkish singer
Tarja (born 1977), Finnish singer and songwriter
Tarsem (born 1961), Indian-American director
Tash (born 1971), American rapper
Tataee (born 1976), Romanian record producer and rapper
Tatiana (born 1968), Mexican singer
Taz (born 1967), British singer, composer and actor
Tazz (born 1967), American wrestler and color commentator
Tede (born 1976), Polish rapper
Teebs, American electronic producer and artist
Tei (born 1983), South Korean singer
Tejashree, Indian actress
Tekitha, American singer and rapper
Tela, American rapper
Temperamento (born 1981), Puerto Rican rap artist
Tenmon (born 1971), Japanese composer
Teoman (born 1967), Turkish singer-songwriter
Teru, Japanese guitarist
Teru, Japanese singer
T�t� (born 1975), Senegalese-born French singer-songwriter and musician
Tetsuya (born 1969), Japanese singer, musician and composer
Thal�a (born 1971), Mexican singer and actress
Thaman, Indian composer and actor
Tharika, Indian actress
Thekra (1966�2003), Tunisian singer
Thisha (born 1983), Austrian singer
Thor, Filipino singer-songwriter and performer
Thrust (born 1976), Canadian rapper
Thulla (born 1968), Danish singer and composer
Tianna (born 1963), American pornographic actress
Ti�sto (born 1969), Dutch DJ and electronic music producer
Tifa (born 1960), Bosnian singer
Tiffany (born 1971), American singer
Tiffany (born 1989), American-born South Korean singer, dancer, model and TV hostess
Tiga (born 1974), Canadian DJ and producer
Tiggy, Danish singer
Tim (born 1981), South Korean American singer
Timati (born 1983), Russian rapper
Timaya (born 1976), Nigerian singer-songwriter
Timbaland (born 1971), American singer and producer
Timbuktu (born 1975), Swedish rapper and reggae artist
Time (born 1985), American hip hop artist
Timz (born 1985), American rapper
Tinashe (born 1993), American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress, and former model
Tiririca (born 1965), Brazilian entertainer
Titiyo (born 1967), Swedish pop singer and songwriter
Titof (born 1973), French pornographic actor
Togo, Filipino actor
Tomatito (born 1958), Spanish composer and guitarist
Tomato, American singer-songwriter and drummer
Tomcraft (born 1975), German DJ and producer
Tonedeff (born 1978), American rapper, producer and singer-songwriter
Ton�x (born 1975), American singer-songwriter, musician, dancer and producer
Tonia (born 1947), Belgian singer
Tontxu (born 1973), Spanish singer-songwriter
Tooji, Norwegian-Iranian singer, model and television host
Topol, (born 1935), Israeli theatrical and film performer, actor, writer and producer
Toquinho (born 1946), Brazilian singer, musician and composer
Torch (born 1971), German rapper
Toshi (born 1965), Japanese singer-songwriter and musician
Tot� (1898�1967), Italian comedian, actor, writer and singer-songwriter
Tour� (born 1971), American novelist, music journalist, cultural critic and TV personality
Toya (born 1983), American singer
Tozovac (born 1936), Serbian singer, musician and actor
TQ (born 1976), American R&B singer
Trae (born 1981), American rapper
Tranda, Romanian hip hop artist
Traxamillion (born 1979), American rapper
Traylude, English rapper
Treach (born 1970), American rapper and actor
Trebor, French composer
Trenyce (born 1980), American singer
Tricarico (born 1971), Italian singer-songwriter
Tricky (born 1968), English musician and actor
Trina (born 1978), American rapper
Trinere, American singer
Tristen (born 1983), American singer
Troja, American musical theatre performer
Trusenz (born 1980), South African hip hop artist
Tsunku (born 1968), Japanese singer, songwriter and music producer
Tulisa (born 1988), English Singer and actress
Tunisiano (born 1979), French rapper
Tuotilo, Irish composer
Turk, American rapper
Tweet (born 1971), American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Twiggy (born 1949), British model
Twink (born 1944), English drummer, singer-songwriter and actor
Twinkle (born 1947), British pop singer
Twista (born 1973), American rapper
Ty, British hip hop artist
Tyagaraja (1767�1847), Indian composer
Tyga (born 1989), American rapper
Tyla, English singer-songwriter and guitarist
Tylea, Australian singer-songwriter
Tyssem (born 1984), French singer-songwriter
Tzuki (born 1974), Mexican wrestler
U[edit]
Ua (born 1972), Japanese singer-songwriter, producer and actress
Uee (born 1988), South Korean singer, dancer and actress
Uffie (born 1987), American-born French entertainer
UFO, Danish, singer, rapper and hip hop artist
Umashree (born 1957), Indian actress
Uniikki (born 1981), Finnish artist
Upendra (born 1967), Indian actor and director
Urbanus (born 1949), Belgian comedian, actor and singer
Urna (born 1969), Mongolian singer and musician
Urvashi (born 1966), Indian actress
Usher (born 1978), American singer-songwriter
U$O (born 1981), Danish rapper
V[edit]
Vadivelu (born 1960), Indian actor and singer
Va� (born 1979), Moroccan-born, Canadian rapper and hip hop artist
Vaiyapuri, Indian comedian actor
Vajramuni, Indian actor
Vakill (born 1975), American rapper
Valdy (born 1945), Canadian singer-songwriter and musician
Valensia (born 1971), Dutch singer, composer, producer and musician
Valeriya (born 1968), Russian singer
Valete, Portuguese hip hop artist
Vamba (1858�1920), Italian author
Vampiro (born 1967), Canadian wrestler
Vangelis (born 1943), Greek composer
Vaniity (born 1973), Mexican-born American transsexual pornographic film actress
Vanity (born 1959), Canadian entertainer
Vanna (born 1970), Croatian singer
Vanusa (born 1947), Brazilian singer
VanVelzen (born 1978), Dutch singer-songwriter
Vassy, Greek-Australian singer-songwriter
Vasundhara, Indian actress and model
Veena (1926�2004), Indian actress
Vega (born 1979), Spanish singer-songwriter
Velvet (born 1975), Swedish singer
Veronica (born 1974), American singer and actress
Versatile, American record producer, songwriter, and remixer
Vertexguy (born 1979), American musician
Vidyasagar (born 1963), Indian music director and composer
Vignesh, Indian actor
Vijay, Indian Tamil actor
Vijayakanth (born 1952), Indian actor
Vijayakumar, Indian actor
Vijayaraghavan, Indian actor
Vijayashanti (born 1964), Indian actress
Vijayasree, Indian actress
Vikranth, Indian actor
Viktor (born 1980), Canadian professional wrestler
Viktoria (born 1970), Filipino singer
Viktorija (born 1958), Serbian singer
Vinayan, Indian director
Vincent (born 1980), Swedish singer
Vineeth (born 1969), Indian actor and dancer
Vinni (born 1976), Norwegian musician and hip hop artist
Violetta, German-American singer and performer
Violette, French singer
Virus (born 1968), Mexican wrestler
Vishnuvardhan (1950�2009), Indian actor and singer
Vitaa (born 1983), French singer
Vitas (born 1979), Russian singer-songwriter and actor
Vitorino (born 1942), Portuguese singer-songwriter
Vivek (born 1961), Indian actor and comedian
Voltaire (born 1967), Cuban-born American musician
Voltio (born 1977), Puerto Rican Reggaeton artist
Vyjayanthimala (born 1936), Indian actress
W[edit]
Waajeed, American rapper and producer
Wafande, Danish reggae and soul singer and songwriter
Wale (born 1984), American hip hop artist
Wallen (born 1978), French singer
Wanderl�a (born 1946), Brazilian singer
Wando (1945�2012), Brazilian singer-songwriter
Wanessa (born 1982), Brazilian singer-songwriter
Wanz, American singer
Warrior (born 1957), retired American professional wrestler
Wax (born 1976), South Korean singer
Wayna, Ethiopian-born American singer
Webbie (born 1985), American rapper
Weegee (1899�1968), American photojournalist and filmmaker
Wess (1945�2009), American-born, Italian singer
Wheesung (born 1982), South Korean singer
Whigfield (born 1970), Danish singer
Whitton, American singer-songwriter
Wildchild, American rapper
Wildflower, British rapper and musician
Wiley (born 1979), British MC and music producer
Wing, Hong Kong-born, New Zealand singer and musician
Winta (born 1984), Norwegian singer-songwriter
Wise (born 1979), Japanese hip hop musician
Witchdoctor, American rapper, musician and producer
Woodkid (born 1983), French music video director, graphic designer and singer-songwriter
Wordburglar, Canadian hip hop artist
Wordplay (born 1974), British musician and actor
Wordsworth, American hip hop MC
Wrabel (born 1989), American singer
Wreckonize, American rapper
Wunmi, British singer and dancer
W�rzel (born 1949), English musician
Wuv (born 1972), American musician with P.O.D.
Wynonna (born 1964), American country music singer
X[edit]
Xandee (born 1978), Belgian singer
Xander (born 1988), Danish pop singer and songwriter
Xander (born 1985), Dutch singer, songwriter
Xatar (born 1982), Kurdish-born, German rapper
Xavier, American wrestler
Xenia (born 1994), American singer
Xiah (born 1986), South Korean singer-songwriter
Xonia (born 1989), Australian singer-songwriter, actress and dancer
xSDTRK (born 1988), Canadian writer, producer and artist
Xuxa (born 1963), Brazilian TV hostess, actress and singer
XXXTENTACION (born 1998), American rapper
Xzibit (born 1974), American rapper, actor and television personality
Y[edit]
Yahir (born 1979), Mexican singer and actor
Yaire (born 1977), Puerto Rican singer-songwriter
Yaiya (born 1990), Swedish artist, songwriter and actor
Yameen, American hip hop producer
Yan, English singer-songwriter and musician
Yani (born 1978), Filipino singer and musician
Yanni (born 1954), American musician
Yara (born 1983), Lebanese singer
Yared (505�571), Ethiopian musician
Yas (born 1982), Iranian rapper
Yasmine (1972�2009), Belgian singer and TV presenter
Yazz (born 1960), British singer and model
Yehonathan (born 1977), Israeli singer
Yellowman (born 1956), Jamaican musician, songwriter and DJ
Yelawolf (born 1979), American rapper
Yepha (born 1983), Danish, singer, rapper and hip hop artist
YG (born 1990), American rapper
Yiruma (born 1978), South Korean pianist and composer
Yoav (born 1979), Israeli singer-songwriter and musician
Yohio (born 1995), Japanese-Swedish singer
Yokozuna (1966�2000), American wrestler
Yoona (born 1990), South Korean singer, actress, model and dancer
Yoshika (born 1983), Japanese singer
Yoshiki (born 1965), Japanese musician, songwriter and record producer
You (born 1964), Japanese model, TV personality, singer and actress
Youddiph (born 1973), Russian singer
Younha (born 1988), South Korean singer
Yousra (born 1950), Egyptian actress and singer
Yovanna (born 1940), Greek singer
Yozuca*, Japanese singer
Yui (born 1987), Japanese musician and actress
Yuka (born 1970), Japanese singer
Yukana (born 1975), Japanese voice actress and singer
Yukmouth (born 1974), American rapper
Yumao (born 1980), Japanese singer-songwriter
Yuna (born 1986), Malaysian singer-songwriter
Yungun, British hip hop artist
Yuri (born 1976), Korean pop singer
Yuri (born 1989), South Korean pop singer (Member of Girls' Generation)
Yuri (born 1964), Mexican singer and actress
Yuria, Japanese singer and guitarist
Yuridia (born 1986), Mexican singer
Yusa, Cuban singer-songwriter
Yuusuke (born 1985), Japanese singer
Z[edit]
Zacarias (1934�1990), Brazilian actor and comedian
Zahara, South African singer-songwriter
Zaho (born 1980), Algerian-Canadian singer
Zalon, British singer-songwriter and record producer
Zamfir, Romanian pan-flute player (born 1941)
Zara (born 1976), Turkish singer and actress
Zara (born 1983), Russian singer and actress
Zarif, British singer-songwriter
Zarsanga (born 1946), Pakistani singer
Zayn (born 1993), English singer and songwriter
Zaytoven, American record producer
Zaz (born 1980), French singer
Zazie (born 1964), French singer-songwriter
Zeba (born 1945), Pakistani actress
Zeebee (born 1965), German-born Austrian singer-songwriter and producer
Zeebra (born 1971), Japanese hip hop artist
Zemfira (born 1976), Tatar Russian singer
Zendaya (born 1996), American actress, singer and dancer
Zen�ma (born 1969), German-born Italian singer-songwriter and musician
Zico (rapper) (born 1992), South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper and music producer
Zifou (born 1992), French rapper of Moroccan origin
Z�ngaro (born 1949), Spanish singer
Zo�, British singer-songwriter
Zoey (born 1984), Japanese singer
Zombo (1979�2008), South African singer-songwriter and music producer
Zouzou (born 1943), Algerian model, actress and singer
Zoxea (born 1974), French rapper
Zucchero (born 1955), Italian singer
Zulema, American singer-songwriter

List of legally mononymous people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List[edit]
Akihito (born 1933), Japanese emperor
Boediono (born 1943), former Vice President of Indonesia
Cher (born 1946 as Cherilyn Sarkisian), American singer and actress[1]
Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer, 1970�2016), American professional wrestler and actress.[2]
DotComGuy (born and reverted to Mitch Maddox), American computer specialist
Goodspaceguy (born Michael George Nelson, 1938), American perennial political candidate[3]
Govindjee, biochemist
Hirohito (1901�1989), Japanese emperor
Indrani (photographer), Indian-British-Canadian director, photographer, girls' empowerment activist and author born Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri. [4]
iOTA (born 1968/1969), Australian musician and actor
KentuckyFriedCruelty.com (born and reverted to Christopher Garnett), American animal rights activist
Mayawati (born 1956), former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
Michiko (born 1934 Michiko Shoda), Japanese empress consort
Nen� (born 1982 Maybyner Rodney Hilario), Brazilian basketball player
Loongkoonan, Australian aboriginal artist
Patch (born Patrick Abbatiello c.1989), American video game designer[1]
Riazuddin (1930�2013), Pakistani physicist
Sjumandjaja (1934�1985) � Indonesian director, screenwriter, and actor
Sudirman (1916�1950), Indonesian National Hero and the first commander of Indonesian Armed Forces
Suharto (1921�2008), Indonesian president (1968-1998)
Sukarno (1901�1970), Indonesian president (1945-1967)
Supriyadi (1923�?), Indonesian National Hero and the first appointed Indonesian Minister of Public Security
Teller (born 1948 Raymond Joseph Teller), American magician[5]
Trisha (born 1983), an Indian film actress
Triyatno (born 1987), Indonesian weightlifter and Olympic silver medalist
Warrior (born James Brian Hellwig, 1959�2014), American professional wrestler
U Thant (1909-1974), longest-serving Secretary-General of the United Nations ("U" being, rather than a first name, a commonly added title translating as "mister" or "sir")
Winter (born 1972 Rafael Antonio Lozano Jr., changed to John Winter Smith, then to just Winter)

List of U.S. Navy acronyms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from List of U.S. Navy acronyms and expressions)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The United States Navy, like any organization, produces its own acronyms and abbreviations, which often come to have meaning beyond their bare expansions. United States Navy personnel sometimes colloquially refer to these as NAVSpeak. Like other organizational colloquialisms, their use often creates or reinforces a sense of esprit and closeness within the organization.

Contents [hide]
1 Official acronyms
1.1 A
1.2 B
1.3 C
1.4 D
1.5 E
1.6 F
1.7 G
1.8 H
1.9 I
1.10 J
1.11 K
1.12 L
1.13 M
1.14 N
1.15 O
1.16 P
1.17 Q
1.18 R
1.19 S
1.20 T
1.21 U
1.22 V
1.23 W
1.24 X
1.25 Y
2 See also
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links
Official acronyms[edit]
For a comprehensive list of unit organizations in the United States Navy, see List of units of the United States Navy.

1MC - 1 Main Circuit, shipboard public address system
3M - Maintenance and Material Management (3M System)
3MC - Maintenance Material Management Coordinator
5MC - 5 Main Circuit, Carrier Flight Deck address system
A[edit]
A-STRIKE - Assistant STRIKE Operations Officer (Carrier Scheduler/Planner)
AA - Airman Apprentice[1]
AAW - Anti-Air Warcraft
AB - Aviation Boatswain's Mate[1]
ABE - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launching and Recovery)[1]
ABF - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels)[1]
ABH - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling)[1]
AC - Air Traffic Controlman[1]
ACR - Armored cruiser
AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate[1]
ADCON - Administrative control
ADNS - Automated Digital Network System
ADSW - Active Duty Special Work (U.S. Navy Reserve, type of active duty orders, typically 6 months in duration)
ADT - Active Duty Training (U.S. Navy Reserve, type of active duty orders, typically more than 30 days but less than 6 months)
AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate[1]
AF - Aviation Photographer's Mate[1]
AFC - Aviation Fire Control[1]
AFCM - Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman[1]
AFFF - Aqueous Film Forming Foam
AFSB - Afloat Forward Staging Base [2]
AG - Aerographer's Mate[1]
AIMD - Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (or Detachment)
AK - Aviation Storekeeper[1] (outdated; merged into LS rating)
ALNAV - All Navy
ALPO - Assistant Lead Petty Officer
AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic[1]
AME - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Environmental (Air Conditioning, Oxygen, and Ejection Seats), Aviation Mechanical Exception
AMH - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Hydraulics
AMMRL - Aviation Maintenance Material Readiness List
AMO - Assistant Maintenance Officer
AMS - Aviation Structural Mechanic - Structures
AN - Airman[1]
AO - Aviation Ordnanceman[1]
AOE - Fast Combat Support-Supply ship, operated by Military Sealift Command (US Merchant Marines)
AOW - Auxilliaryman of the Watch
AR - Airman Recruit[1]
ARRS - Afloat Readiness Reporting System
AS - Aviation Support Equipment Technician
ASAU - Air Search and Attack Unit
ASUW - Anti-Surface Warfare
ASVAB - Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
ASW - Auxiliary Seawater system
ASW - Anti-Submarine Warfare
ASWO - Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer
AT - Annual Training (U.S. Navy Reserve, type of active duty orders, typically less than 30 days)
AT - Aviation Electronics Technician[1]
AUTEC - Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center
AUXO - Auxiliaries Officer
AVCM - Master Chief Avionics Technician
AVGAS - Aviation Gasoline
AWCS - Assistant Work Center Supervisor
AZ - Aviation Maintenance Administrationman[3]
B[edit]
B/N - Bombardier/Navigator; NFO in A-3B Skywarrior, A-5A Vigilante and A-6 Intruder attack aircraft (no longer used)
BAM - Bad Ass Marine ("Broad Ass Marine" if used in reference to a female)
BB - Battleship
BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge (also colloquially known as "Big Chicken Dinner")
BCGs - Birth Control Glasses
BCM - Beyond Capable Maintenance. Equipment status that indicates the item cannot be repaired and must be sent out for rework or disposed.
BESS - Basic Enlisted Submarine School
BJOQ - Blue Jacket of the Quarter
BJOY - Blue Jacket of the Year
BM - Boatswain's Mate[1]
BMOW - Boatswain's Mate Of the Watch
BOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes Again
BOL - Bupers Online[4]
BT - Boiler Technician
BU - Builder[1]
BUMED - Bureau of Medicine and Surgery[5]
BUPERS - Bureau of Naval Personnel[6]
BUSANDA - Bureau of Supplies and Accounts
BUWEPS - Bureau of Naval Weapons
BZ - Bravo Zulu (meaning well done)
C[edit]
CA - Construction Apprentice[1]
CA - Heavy Cruiser (outdated)
CAG - Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser (outdated) or Commander, Air Group
CAPT - Captain
CDB - Career Development Board
CDO - Command Duty Officer
CDR - Commander
CE - Construction Electrician's Mate[1]
CEC - Civil Engineer Corps
CEC- Cooperative Engagement Capability
CENTCOM - U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM)
CF - Charlie Foxtrot, Polite form of "Cluster Fuck"
CG: Guided Missile Cruiser
CGN: Guided Missile Cruiser, Nuclear Powered (outdated)
CHC - Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy
CHENG: Chief Engineer (surface only)
CHMC - Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps (always a Navy flag officer)
CIC - Combat Information Center
CICO - Combat Information Center Officer
CIS - CASREP Information System
CIVLANT - "Civilian Life" as defined by Atlantic Fleet personnel
CIVPAC - "Civilian Life" as defined by Pacific Fleet personnel
CIWS - Close-In Weapon System
CM - Construction Mechanic[1]
CMC - Commandant of the Marine Corps or Chaplain of the Marine Corps or Command Master Chief[3]
CMDCM - Command Master Chief
CMDCS - Command Senior Chief
CMS-ID - Career Management System-Interactive Detailing
CN - Constructionman[1]
CNATRA - Chief of Naval Air Training
CNAVRES - Chief of Navy Reserve
CNET - Command Naval Education and Training
CNO - Chief of Naval Operations
CO - Commanding Officer[NB 1]
COB - Chief of the Boat (traditionally found only on submarines; pronounced "cob"). Can also be used for "close of business" (pronounced "C-O-B").
COD - Carrier Onboard Delivery
COMCVW - Commander, Carrier Air Wing
COMDESGRU - Commander, Destroyer Group
COMDESRON - Commander, Destroyer Squadron
COMEX - Commence Exercise
COMLANTFLT - Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
COMMO - Communications Officer
COMNAVAIRES - Commander, Naval Air Force, Reserve
COMNAVAIRFOR (also CNAF) - Commander, Naval Air Forces
COMNAVAIRLANT (also CNAL) - Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic
COMNAVAIRPAC - Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific
COMNAVRESFOR - Commander, Navy Reserve Forces
COMNAVSEASYSCOM - Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command
COMNAVSECGRU - Commander, Naval Security Group
COMPACFLT - Commander, Pacific Fleet (formerly CINCPACFLT)
COMPATRECONGRU - Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group
COMPATRECONWING - Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing
COMPTUEX - Composite Training Unit Exercise
COMSEC - Communications Security
COMSUBFOR - Commander, Submarine Forces
COMSUBLANT - Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic
COMSUBPAC - Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
COMTACGRU - Commander, Tactical Air Control Group
COMTRAWING - Commander, Training Air Wing
CORTRAMID - Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen
COS (also CoS) - Flag Officer's Chief of Staff
CPO - Chief Petty Officer
CPOM - Chief Petty Officer's Mess
CR - Construction Recruit[1]
CRG - Coastal Riverine Group
CS - Culinary Specialist[1]
CSADD - Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions
CSC - Combat Systems Coordinator
CSC - Command Senior Chief
CSC - Culinary Specialist Chief (E-7)
CSEC - Computerized Self Evaluation Checklist
CSMC - Combat Systems Maintenance Center
CSOOW - Combat Systems Officer of the Watch
CSOSS - Combat Systems Operational Sequencing Systems
CT - Cryptologic Technician
CTI - Cryptologic Technician Interpretive
CTM - Cryptologic Technician Maintenance
CTN - Cryptologic Technician Networks
CTR - Cryptologic Technician Collection
CTT - Cryptologic Technician Technical
CVN - Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier (Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear),[7] i.e. CVN-72 USS Abraham Lincoln
CVW - Carrier Air Wing
CWO - Chief Warrant Officer
D[edit]
DAPA - Drug and Alcohol Programs Advisor
DC - Damage Controlman[1]
DCA - Damage Control Assistant
DCAG - Deputy Air Wing Commander (see CAG)
DCC - Damage Control Central
DCO - Damage Control Officer (Chief Engineer) or Direct Commission Officer
DCPO - Damage Control Petty Officer
DD - Destroyer
DDG - Guided Missile Destroyer
DDR - Radar Picket Destroyer
DE - Destroyer Escort
DESDIV - Destroyer Division
DESRON - Destroyer Squadron
DEVGRU - Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly (and informally still) SEAL Team SIX
DFM - Diesel Fuel Marine (F-76), standard Navy bunker fuel
DIRNSA - Director of the National Security Agency
DL - Destroyer Leader (outdated)
DLG - Guided Missile Destroyer Leader (outdated)
DLGN - Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Destroyer Leader (outdated)
DM - Destroyer Minelayer (outdated)
DM - Illustrator Draftsman
DMHRSi - Defense Medical Human Resources System - internet
DOD (also DoD) - Department of Defense
DoN - Department of the Navy
DRB - Discipline Review Board
DRRS-N - Defense Readiness Reporting System - Navy
DSG - Defense Strategic Guidance [2]
E[edit]
EAOS - End of Active Obligated Service
EAWS - Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist
ECRC - Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center
EDMC - Engineering Department Master Chief (Submarines)
EDO - Engineering Duty Officer
EEBD - Emergency Escape Breathing Device
EIDWS - Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist
EM - Electrician's Mate[1]
EM - Emergency Management
EMCON - Emissions Control
EMI - Extra Military Instruction
EMO - Electronics Materiel Officer
EN - Engineman[1]
ENS - Ensign
EO - Equipment Operator[1]
EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
EOOW - Engineering Officer of the Watch
EOS - Enclosed Operating Space
EOSS - Engineering Operational Sequencing Systems
ERS - Engineroom Supervisor
ESWS - Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist
ET - Electronics Technician[1]
EW - Electronic Warfare
EWS - Engineering Watch Supervisor
EXW - Expeditionary Warfare
F[edit]
F/MC - Fleet (or Force) Master Chief
FA - Fireman Apprentice[1]
FAC - Forward Air Controller
FAC/A - Forward Air Controller/Airborne
FC - Fire Controlman[1]
FCDSSA - Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity
FCF - Functional Check Flight
FCPCP - Fleet Computer Programming Center of the Pacific
FCPOM - First Class Petty Officer's Mess
FDO - Flight Deck Officer
FICEURLANT - Fleet Intelligence Center Europe & Atlantic
FIS - Fire Inhibit Switch
FMF - Fleet Marine Force
FMSS - Field Medical Service School
FN - Fireman[1]
FOD - Foreign Object Damage (Debris and Detection also used in some cases)
FR - Fireman Recruit[1]
FRC - Fleet Readiness Center
FRS - Fleet Replacement Squadron (Formerly RAG)
FSA - Food Service Attendant
FSO - Food Service Officer
FT - Fire control technician
FTN - Forget the Navy (polite form)
FTN - Full-time Navy (humorous form)
FTS - Full-time Support (full-time, active-duty personnel in U.S. Navy Reserve)
G[edit]
GCCS-M - Global Command and Control System-Maritime
GM - Gunner's Mate[1]
GQ - General Quarters (Call to battle stations)
GSA - General Services Administration
GSE- Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Electrical
GSM- Gas Turbine Systems Technician - Mechanic
H[edit]
HA - Hospital Apprentice[1]
HEDSUPPACTLANT - Headquarters, Support Activity Atlantic
HELO - Helicopter
HM - Hospital Corpsman[1]
HMFIC - Head Mother Fucker In Charge (See SOPA Below)
HN - Hospitalman[1]
HR - Hospital Recruit[1]
HS - Helicopter Squadron, Anti-Submarine Warfare (HS-4 Black Knights)
HT - Hull Maintenance Technician[1]
I[edit]
IAMM - Individual Augmentation Manpower Management
IAP - In Assignment Processing
IAW - In Accordance With
IC - Interior Communications Electrician[1]
ICO - In Case Of (or In Care Of)
IHO - Industrial Hygiene Officer
IMF - Intermediate Maintenance Facility
IMRL - Individual Material Readiness List
IP - Irish Pennant - A loose thread of a Naval or Marine uniform.
IRT - In Reference To
IT - Information System Technician
ITS - Information Technology Submarines
J[edit]
JAG - Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
JBD - Jet Blast Deflector (carriers)
JHSV - Joint High Speed Vessel [2]
JO - Journalist[1] (obsolete), Junior Offier
JP-5 - Jet Propellant no. 5, standard Navy jet fuel (F-44, AVCAT)
JTF - Joint Task Force
JTFEX - Joint Task Force Exercise
K[edit]
KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid
L[edit]
LANTCOM - Atlantic Command
LAWS - Laser Weapon System
LCDR - Lieutenant Commander
LCPO - Leading Chief Petty Officer
LDO - Limited Duty Officer
LES - Leave and Earnings Statement
LHA - Amphibious Helicopter Assault (Amphibious Class Ship)
LHD - Amphibious Helicopter Dock i.e. LHD-1 USS WASP[8] (Follow on to LHA types)
LKA - Amphibious Cargo Attack i.e. LKA-117 USS El Paso
LPD - Amphibious Platform Dock (Amphibious Class Ship)
LPO - Leading Petty Officer
LPOD - Last Plane On Deck
LRAD - Long Range Acoustic Device
LS - Logistics Specialist
LSO - Landing Signal Officer
LT - Lieutenant
LTJG - Lieutenant Junior Grade
M[edit]
MAA (also MA) - Master-at-Arms
MALS - Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron
MC - Mass Communication Specialist
MCO - Material Control Officer
MCPO - Master Chief Petty Officer
MCPON - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (pronounced "Mick Pon")
MIDN - Midshipman
MIDRATS - Midnight Rations
MM - Machinist's Mate[1]
MMCO - Maintenance/Material Control Officer
MMCPO - Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer
MO - Maintenance Officer (pronounced "Moe")
MOA - Memorandum of Agreement
MOU - Memorandum of Understanding
MPA - Main Propulsion Assistant
MPA - Military Patrol Craft (P-3 Orion, etc.)
MRDB - Material Readiness Database
MSG - Message
MSW - Main Seawater System
MT - Missile Technician
MTS - Master Training Specialist
MU - Musician
N[edit]
NAB - Naval Amphibious Base
NAF - Naval Air Facility
NALCOMIS - Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System
NAS - Naval Air Station
NAS JRB - Naval Air Station / Joint Reserve Base
NATOPS - Naval Air Training and Operational Procedure Standardization
NAVAIR - Naval Air Systems Command
NAVCOMP - Comptroller of the Navy
NAVEDTRA - Chief of Navy Education and Training
NAVFAC - Naval Facilities Engineering Command
NAVFLIGHTDEMRON - Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels)
NAVMAT - Naval Material Command
NAVMILPERSCOM - Navy Military Personnel Command
NAVSEA - Naval Sea Systems Command
NAVSECGRUACT - Naval Security Group Activity
NAVSTA - Naval Station
NAVSUBASE - Naval Submarine Base
NAVSUP - Naval Supply Systems Command
NAVTRA - Chief of Naval Training
NAWCAD - Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division
NAWCWD - Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (formerly Pacific Missile Test Center)
NBSD - Naval Base San Diego
NCDU - Navy Combat Demolition Unit
NCF - Naval Construction Force (Seabees)
NCIS - Naval Criminal Investigative Service
NCM - Navy Commendation Medal
NCTAMS - Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station
NCTS - Naval Computer Telecommunications Station
NECC - Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
NeL - Navy eLearning
NEX - Navy Exchange
NFAAS - Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System
NFO - Naval Flight Officer / Normal Fuel Oil
NJROTC - Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
NKO - Navy Knowledge Online
NMCB - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seabees
NMCI - Navy/Marine Corps Intranet
NMPS - Navy Mobilization and Processing Site
NMTI - Navy Military Training Instructor
NNSY - Norfolk Naval Shipyard
NOSC - Navy Operational Support Center (a U.S. Navy Reserve shore command)
NOSR - Network On-Site Representative
NPC - Navy Personnel Command[9]
NROTC - Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps
NS - Naval Station
NSAWC - Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center
NSGA - Naval Security Group Activity
NSIPS - Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System
NSWC - Naval Surface Warfare Center
NSWG - Naval Special Warfare Group
NSY - Naval Shipyard
NTC - Naval Training Center
NUWC - Naval Undersea Warfare Center
NWTD - Non Watertight Door
NWU - Navy Working Uniform
O[edit]
OAE - Old Antarctic Explorer
OBA - Oxygen Breathing Apparatus
OCS - Officer Candidate School, located at Naval Station Newport
OFS - Out Freaking Standing (polite)
OM - On the Move
OMPF - Official Military Personnel File
OOD - Officer of the Deck
OOMA - Optimized Organizational Maintenance Activity
OPCON - Operational control
OPNAV - Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
OPS-O - Operations Officer
OSA - Overseas Contingency Operation Support Assignments
OSTR - Optimal Ship Track Route[10]
P[edit]
PACOM - Pacific Command
PAPERCLIP - People Against People Ever Reenlisting Civilian Life Is Preferred
PAX - Passengers[11]
PCO - Prospective Commanding Officer
PCS - Permanent Change of Station
PDHA - Post-Deployment Health Assessment
PDHRA - Post-Deployment Health Re-Assessment
PFA - Physical Fitness Assessment
PHA - Physical Health Assessment
PHRA - Physical Health Re-Assessment
PIR - Pass in Review
PO(3/2/1) - Petty Officer (Third/Second/First Class)
POC - Point of Contact
POD - Plan of the Day
POM - Plan of the Month
POOW - Petty Officer of the Watch
POTUS - President of the United States
POW - Plan of the Week
POW - Prisoner of War
PRD - Projected Rotation Date
PRIFLY - Primary Flight Control (Aircraft carriers)
PRT - Physical Readiness Test
PSNS and IMF - Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility
PT - Physical Training
PTS - Perform to Serve
PWD - Public Works Department
PXO - Prospective Executive Officer
Q[edit]
QAWTD/QAWTH - Quick Acting Water Tight Door/Quick Acting Water Tight Hatch
QM - Quartermaster[1]
QMOW - Quartermaster of the Watch
R[edit]
RADCON - Radiation Control
RADM - Rear Admiral (United States) (Upper Half)
RAG - Replacement Air Group, now known as Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS)
RCA - Reactor Controls Assistant
RDC - Recruit Division Commander
RDML - Rear Admiral (United States) (Lower Half)
RHIB (RIB) - Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
RIMPAC - Rim of the Pacific
RIO - Radar Intercept Officer (NFO in F-4 Phantom II and F-14 Tomcat)
RL - Restricted Line Officer
RMD - Restricted Maneuvering Doctrine
RPM - Remedial Project Manager
RP - Religious Program Specialist
RPOC - Recruit Petty Officer in Charge or Recruit Chief Petty Officer
RT - Radiotelephone (voice radio)
RTC - Recruit Training Command
S[edit]
S1C - Seaman 1st Class
S2C - Seaman 2nd Class
S2F - Speed to Fleet[2]
SA - Seaman Apprentice[1]
SAG - Surface Action Group
SAM - Surface-to-Air Missile[NB 1]
SAPR - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
SARC - Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman
SAU - Search and Attack Unit
SCAT - Small Craft Attack Team
SCBA - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
SCPO - Senior Chief Petty Officer
SCW - Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist insignia
SE - Support Equipment
SEALs - United States Navy SEALs (stands for Sea, Air, Land), officially termed Special Warfare Operators (SO)
SEAOPDET - Sea Operational Detachment
SECDEF - Secretary of Defense (United States)
SECNAV - Secretary of the Navy (United States)
SICLOS - Shift Inspect Clean Lube Oil Strainers
SLBM - Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
SN - Seaman[1]
SNA - Student Naval Aviator
SO - Special Warfare Operator, aka US Navy SEAL.
SOFA - Status of Forces Agreement
SOP(A) - Senior Officer Present (Ashore)
SOPA - Senior Officer Present Afloat
SOQ - Sailor of the Quarter
SOY - Sailor of the Year
SPAWAR - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
SPAWARSYSCEN - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center
SR - Seaman Recruit[1]
SRB - Selective Reenlistment Bonus
SRW - Shutdown Roving Watch
SS - Submarine Specialist or Submersible Ship
SSBN (aka Boomers) - Hull classification symbol for ballistic missile submarine. The SS denotes submarine, the B denotes ballistic missiles, and the N denotes nuclear-powered.
SSES - Ships Signals Exploitation Space. A compartment on a ship where embarked NAVSECGRU personnel, known a Cryptologic Technicians, do their work.
SSGN - Hull classification symbol for cruise missile submarine. The SS denotes submarine, the G denotes guided missile, and the N denotes nuclear-powered.
SSN - Hull classification symbol for general-purpose fast attack submarines. The SS denotes submarine, while N denotes nuclear-powered.
SSOQ - Senior Sailor of the Quarter
SSOY - Senior Sailor of the Year
SSTG - Ships Service Turbo Generator
STG � Sonar Technician Surface
STREAM - Standard Tension Replenishment Alongside Method
STS � Sonar Technician Submarines
SUBRON - Submarine Squadron
SUBSAFE - Submarine Safety Program
SUPPO - Supply Officer
SWCC (swick) - Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, the Special Operations Forces who operate and maintain an inventory of boats used to support special operations missions, particularly those of the U.S. Navy SEALs.
SWO - Surface Warfare Officer
T[edit]
TACK - Meaning dash or hyphen.
TAD - Temporary Additional Duty
TADCEN - Training and Distribution Center
TAO - Tactical Action Officer (Fights the ship under the supervision of the Captain)
TAR - Training and Administration of the Reserve (U.S. Navy Reserve, former designation for FTS personnel)
TE - Task Element
TF - Task Force
TFO - Temporary Flight Orders. Non-aircrew personnel that have passed the minimum requirements to act as part of the aircrew for some purpose, e.g. secondary door gunner.
TFOA - Things Falling Off Aircraft
TG - Task Group
TILLIE - Large mobile crane on Flight Deck to pick up and move disabled aircraft. Came from original crane designation: T1-E
TM - Torpedoman's Mate[1]
TOPGUN - United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
TSP - Troubled Systems Process
TU - Task Unit
TYCOM - Type Commanders
U[edit]
UA - Unauthorized Absence, equivalent to Army absent without leave (AWOL)
UA - Urinalysis
UAS - Unmanned Aerial System
UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UCMJ - Uniform Code of Military Justice
UDT - Underwater Demolition Team
UNODIR - Unless Otherwise Directed
UNREP - Underway Replenishment
UNSAT - Unsatisfactory
URL - Unrestricted Line Officer
USMC - United States Marine Corps, organized under the United States Department of the Navy
USN - United States Navy
USNA - United States Naval Academy (Annapolis)
USS - United States Ship
UWT - Underwater Telephone
V[edit]
VA/VAM - Fixed Wing Attack/Fixed Wing Medium Attack (no longer used)
VAQ - Fixed Wing Electronic-Attack Squadron
VAW - Fixed Wing Airborne Early Warning Squadron
VBSS - Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure
VCNO - Vice Chief of Naval Operations
VDS - Variable Depth Sonar[2]
VERTREP - Vertical Replenishment
VF - Fixed Wing Fighter (no longer used)
VFA - Fixed Wing Strike Fighter Squadron
VP - Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron
VRC - Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC-30 Providers)
VTU - Volunteer Training Unit
VX - Air Test & Evaluation Squadron (VX-4 Evaluators)
W[edit]
WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service
WCS - Workcenter Supervisor
WO - Warrant Officer
WSO - (Wizzo) - Weapon Systems Officer (Naval Flight Officer) in USMC F/A-18D Hornet and USN F/A-18F Super Hornet)
WTC - Watertight Compartment
WTD - Watertight Door
WTF - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, usually an interrogative phrase, but may also be used in a declarative manner
WTH - Water Tight Hatch
X[edit]
XO - Executive Officer
Y[edit]
YN - Yeoman[1]

Brevity code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brevity codes are used in amateur radio, maritime, aviation and military communications. The codes are designed to convey complex information with a few words or codes. Some terms are classified to the public.

Major published brevity codes[edit]
ACP-131 Allied military brevity codes
Multiservice tactical brevity code used by various military forces. The codes' procedure words, a type of voice procedure, are designed to convey complex information with a few words, when brevity is required but security is not.
Q code - initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. Used since circa 1909.
RST code - information about the quality of a radio signal being received. Used by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners. Widespread use by 1912.
Ten-code - North American police brevity codes, including such notable ones as 10-4.
Z code - also used in the early days of radiotelegraph communication.
See also[edit]
SINPO code - code used to describe the quality of radio transmissions, especially in reception reports written by shortwave listeners
External links[edit]
Nonsecret Code: An Overview of Early Telegraph Codes
RadioReference.com Brevity codes

ACP-131
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ACP-131 is the controlling publication for the listing of Q codes and Z codes. It is published by the Combined Communications Electronics Board (CCEB) countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom and United States), and revised from time to time. When the meanings of the codes contained in ACP-131 are translated into various languages, the codes provide a means of communicating between ships of various nations, such as during a NATO exercise, when a common language is not in effect.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Reason for the codes
3 Applicability of the codes
4 Applicability of codes by type of emission
5 Voice transmission
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
History[edit]
The original edition of ACP-131 was published by the U.S. military during the early years[when?] of radio telegraphy for use by radio operators using Morse Code on continuous wave (CW) telegraphy. It became especially useful, and even essential, to wireless radio operators on both military and civilian ships at sea before the development of advanced single-sideband telephony in the 1960s.

Reason for the codes[edit]
Radio communications, prior to the advent of landlines and satellites as communication paths and relays, was always subject to unpredictable fade outs caused by weather conditions, amount of emission power in kilowatts at the transmitter, radio frequency of the transmission, type of emission, type of transmitting antenna, signal basewave shape and size, sensitivity of the receiver and presence, or lack of presence, of atmospheric reflective layers above the earth, such as the E-layer and F-layers, the type of receiving antenna, the time of day, and numerous other factors.

Because of these factors which often resulted in limiting periods of transmission time on certain frequencies to only several hours a day, or only several minutes, it was found necessary to keep each wireless transmission as short as possible and to still get the message through. This was particularly true of CW radio circuits shared by a number of operators, with some waiting their turn to transmit.

As a result, an operator communicating by CW radio to another operator, wanting to know how the other operator was receiving the signal, could send out a message on his key in Morse Code stating, �How are you receiving me?�

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Using ACP-131 codes, the question could be phrased simply �INT QRK�

__________________________________________________________

resulting in much more efficient use of circuit time.

If the receiver hears the sender in a �loud and clear� condition, the response would be "QRK5":

______________________________________________________

All of which requires less circuit time and less �pounding� on the key by the sending operators.

Should the receiving operator not understand the sending operator, the receiving operator would send �?�

__________________

The other operator would respond again with:

__________________________________________________________

which is much easier than retransmitting �How are you receiving me?�

If the receiving operator understood the sending operator, the receiving operator would send "ROGER", or the short form "R"

__________

"R" and "?" are similarly structured, but very easy to distinguish.

Applicability of the codes[edit]
According to ACP-125(F), paragraphs 103 and 104, in radio communications involving Allied military units:

Q codes are authorized for both civilian and military use, and for communications between the two.
Z codes are authorized for use only among military stations.
Applicability of codes by type of emission[edit]
Civilian radio continuous wave (CW): Q codes.
Military radio continuous wave (CW): Q codes and Z codes.
Civilian shipboard signal lamp: Q codes.
Military shipboard signal lamp: Q codes and Z codes.
Military Flag semaphore: Q codes and Z codes.
Military teletype: Z codes used as routers in message header.
Voice transmission[edit]
Some assert that the use of Q codes and Z codes was not intended for use on voice circuits, where plain language was speedy and easily recognizable, especially when employing the character recognition system in use at the time, such as ALFA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, etc. However, in military communication the latter are still in use.[1] The latter due to the poor transfer-conditions still suffered on HF band communications (eg, due to heavy swells or Northern Light), ie, for which Q codes and Z codes remain in use. To exemplify the latter, while words such as "received one flash message" may be distorted into unrecognisable clutter, Z codes exhibits a distinctiveness (which enables transfer of radio-messages even under poor conditions).[2]

Typical Simplex military voice exchange:

Q. Lima Five this is Charlie Two � Radio Check Over.
A. Lima Five - roger, over.
A. Charlie Two - roger, out.
However, some voice operators, such as amateur radio operators, find it convenient or traditional to use some of the Q codes, such as QSL, QRK, etc.

Multiservice tactical brevity code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with byte code.

Contents
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y
References
American/NATO codes[edit]
This is a list of American standardized brevity code words. The scope is limited to those brevity codes used in multiservice operations and does not include words unique to single service operations. While these codes are not authoritative in nature, all services agree to their meanings. Using the codes eases coordination and improves understanding during multiservice operations. The codes are intended for use by air and ground operations personnel at the tactical level. Code words that are followed by an asterisk (*) may differ in meaning from NATO usage.

A[edit]
Aborting/Abort/Aborted
Directive/informative call to cease action/attack/event/mission.
Action
Directive to initiate a briefed attack sequence or maneuver.
Active
An emitter is radiating.
Add (system/category)
Directive call to add a specific (system) or (electronic order of battle (EOB) category) to search responsibility.
Alarm
Directive/informative call indicating the termination of emission control (EMCON) procedures.
Alligator
Link-11/tactical digital information link (TADIL) A.
Alpha check
Request for/confirmation of bearing and range to described point.
Anchor/anchored
Orbit about a specific point; refueling track flown by tanker
Informative call to indicate a turning engagement about a specific location.
Angels
Term meaning altitude in thousands of feet (e.g., Angels Five is 5,000 ft).
Arizona
No anti-radiation missile (ARM) ordnance remaining.
As fragged
Unit or element will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order (ATO).
Authenticate
To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.
Autocat
Any communications relay using automatic retransmissions.
Azimuth
Two or more groups primarily separated in bearing.
B[edit]
Ball
AFLOLS carrier landing glideslope system
Bandit
An aircraft identified as enemy, in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.
Banzai
Information/directive to execute launch and defend tactics.
Base (number)
Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitude, and fuels.
BeadWindow
Last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information.
Beam/beaming
Target stabilized within 70 to 110 degree aspect; generally (direction) given with cardinal directions: east, west, north, or south.
Bent
System indicated is inoperative.
Bingo
Minimum fuel state needed for aircraft to return to base (aka "recovery").
Proceed/am proceeding to specified base (field) or carrier
Bird
Friendly surface-to-air missile (SAM).
Bird(s) affirm
Surface-to-air (S/A) informative call indicating unit is able and prepared to engage a specified target with SAMs (presumes target is within or will enter the SAM engagement envelope).
Bird(s) away
Friendly SAM has been fired at designated target.
Bird(s) negat
S/A informative call indicating unit is unable to engage a specified target with SAMs. Opposite of bird(s) affirm.
Bittersweet
Notification of possible blue on blue (friendly fire) situation relative to a designated track or friendly aircraft.
Blank
A suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft does not detect any emitters of interest.
Blind
No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of visual.
Blow through
Directive/informative call that indicates aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not turn with target/targets.
Blue on blue
Friendly fire, inadvertent hostile engagement between allies.
Bogey
A radar or visual air contact whose identity is unknown.
Bogey dope
Request for target information as briefed/available.
Box
Groups/contacts/formations in a square or offset square. FM 101-5-1 MCRP 5-2A
BRAA
Tactical control format providing target bearing, range, altitude, and aspect, relative to a friendly aircraft.
Bracket
Indicates geometry where friendly aircraft will maneuver to a position on opposing sides, either laterally or vertically from the target.
Break (direction)
Directive to perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the direction indicated; assumes a defensive situation.
Breakaway
Tanker or receiver directive call indicating immediate vertical and nose/tail separation between tanker and receiver is required.
Brevity
Radio frequency is becoming saturated, degraded, or jammed and briefer transmissions must follow.
Broadcast
Request/directive to switch to broadcast control.
Broke lock
Loss of radar/infrared (IR) lock-on (advisory).
Bruiser
Friendly air-launched anti-ship missile (ASM) (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, or Penguin missiles).
Buddy lock
Locked to a known friendly aircraft; normally a response to a spike or buddy spike call and accompanied with position/heading/altitude.
Buddy spike
Friendly aircraft(s) air-to-air indication on radar warning receiver (RWR); to be followed by position, heading, and altitude.
Bugout
Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation; no intent to (direction) re-engage/return.
Bulldog
Friendly surface/submarine-launched ASM (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, Otomat).
Bullseye
An established point from which the position of an object can be referenced; made by cardinal/range or digital format.
Bump/Bump-up
Start temporary increase of flight altitude to set the aircraft to a favorable glide path to the target on the attack run.
Burn glint
Used to provide illumination.
Buster
Directive call to fly at maximum continuous speed.
Buzzer
Electronic communications jamming.
C[edit]
Candygram
Informative call to aircraft that electronic warfare (EW) targeting information is available on a briefed secure net.
Cap/capping
Directive call to establish an orbit at a specified location. (location)
An orbit at a specified location.
Captured
Aircrew has identified and is able to track a specified air-to-ground (A/G) target with an onboard sensor.
Cease
In air defense, break the engagement on the target specified. Missiles in flight engagement will continue to intercept.
Cease fire
Do not open fire and/or discontinue firing; complete intercept if weapons are in flight; continue to track.
Champagne
An attack of three distinct groups with two in front and one behind.
Chattermark
Begin using briefed radio procedures to counter communications jamming.
Cheapshot
(USAF) Active missile supported to high pulse repetition frequency (HPRF), but not medium pulse repetition frequency (MPRF).
(Naval) Active missile not supported to active range.
Check turn ()
degrees left or right and maintain new heading. (Left/right)
Cherubs
Height of a friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet.
Chicks
Friendly aircraft.
Clean
No radar contacts on aircraft of interest.
No visible battle damage
Aircraft not carrying external stores.
Cleared
Requested action is authorized (no engaged/support roles are assumed).
Cleared hot
Ordnance release is authorized.
Cloak
Directive/informative call to switch from normal external lighting to covert night vision device (NVD) only compatible lighting.
Closing
Decreasing in range.
Cold
Attack geometry will result in a pass or rollout behind the target.
On a leg of the combat air patrol (CAP) pointed away from the anticipated threats.
Group( s) heading away from friendly aircraft.
Color
Request for information on a (system) at stated location; usually a request for (system/position) ambiguity resolution. May be used with improved data modem (IDM) data message-color, data.
Comeoff
Directive to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to (left/right/deconflict flight paths for an exchange of engaged and supporting roles; low/dry) implies both visual and tally.
Commit/committed
Fighter intent to engage/intercept; controller continues to provide information.
Confetti
Chaff lane or corridor.
Cons/conning
Threat/bogey aircraft leaving contrails.
Contact
Sensor contact at the stated position.
Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point.
Continue
Continue present maneuver; does not imply clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
Continue dry
Ordnance release not authorized.
Cover/covering
Directive/informative call to take Surface/Air action or establish an air-to-air (A/A) posture that will allow engagement of a specified target or threat.
Crank
To maneuver beyond the range of a missile; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits.
Cutoff
Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.
Cyclops
Any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
D[edit]
Dash (#)
Aircraft position within a flight. Use if specific call sign is unknown.
Data
Standby for improved data modem (IDM) data message concerning (object) at stated location.
Deadeye
Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser/IR system is inoperative.
Deadstick
Lost all propulsive power due to engine shutoff - see Deadstick landing
Declare
Inquiry as to the identification of a specified track(s), target(s), or correlated group.
Defensive/defending
Aircraft is in a defensive position and maneuvering with reference to an active threat.
De-louse
Directive to detect and identify unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft.
Deploy
Directive to maneuver to briefed positioning.
Divert
Proceed to alternate mission or base.
Dogbox
Area within which units may interfere with or be endangered by ASW torpedoes
Dolly
Tactical Digital Information Link C [Link-4A] (Link-4A/TADIL C).[2]
Drag/dragging
(USAF) Target stabilized at 0 to 60 degrees aspect. (direction)
(Naval) Target stabilized at 120 to 180 degrees aspect.
Drop/dropping
Directive/informative call to stop monitoring a specified emitter/target and resume search responsibilities.
Remove the emitter/target from tactical picture/track stores.
Duck
Tactical air-launched decoy (TALD).
E[edit]
Echelon
Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45 degrees behind leader's 3/9 (o'clock) line, see Echelon formation.
Echo
Positive SEESAW/electronic warfare weapons system (EWWS)/System M/Mode X reply.
Engaged
Maneuvering with the intent to kill; this implies visual/radar acquisition of target.
Estimate
Provides estimate of the size, range, height, or other parameter of a specified contact; implies degradation.
Extend
Short-term maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation; normally with the (direction) intent of re-engaging.
Eyeball ()
Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
Electro-optical (EO)/IR/NVD acquisition of an aircraft. Normally followed by ( ) number of aircraft observed.
F[edit]
Faded
Radar contact is lost. (Termination of track plotting is not warranted.)
Fast
Target speed is estimated to be at least 600 kn (1,100 km/h) ground speed or Mach 1.
Father
Tactical air navigation (TACAN) station.
Feet wet/dry
Flying over water/land.
FENCE (in/out)
Set cockpit switches as appropriate prior to entering/exiting the combat area (mnemonic for fire-control system/ECM/navigation/communication/Emitters).
Flank/flanking
(USAF) Target with a stable aspect of 120 to 150 degrees.
(Naval) Target with stable aspect of 30 to 60 degrees.
Flash (system)
Temporarily turn on pre-briefed identification, friend or foe (IFF) mode or system.
Float
Directive/informative call to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain a radar contact or prepare for a defensive response.
Fox (number)
Simulated/actual launch of air-to-air weapons.
ONE - semiactive radar-guided missile, such as an AIM-7 Sparrow.
TWO - infrared-guided missile, such as an AIM-9 Sidewinder.
THREE - active radar-guided missile, such as an AIM-120 AMRAAM.
FOUR - simulated fire by a bombardier. (Also sometimes used to indicate cannon fire in place of "Guns" call.)
Fox mike
Very high frequency (VHF)/frequency modulated (FM) radio.
Friendly
A positively identified friendly contact.
Furball
A turning fight involving multiple aircraft with known bandits and friendlies mixed.
G[edit]
Gadget
Radar or emitter equipment.
Gate
Directive/informative call to fly as quickly as possible, using afterburner/maximum power.
Gimbal
Radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits. (Direction)
Glowworm
Flare-dropping aircraft
Go active
Go to the briefed HAVE QUICK net (UHF radio frequency hopping mode)
Go clear
Use unencrypted voice communications.
Goggle/degoggle
Directive/informative call to put on/take off night vision devices.
Gorilla
Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation.
Go secure
Use encrypted voice communications.
Grandslam
All hostile aircraft of a designated track (or against which a mission was tasked) are shot down.
Green (direction)
Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity.
Greyhound
Friendly ground attack cruise missile (for example, Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) and conventional air-launched cruise missile (CALCM)).
Group
Radar targets within approximately 3 nautical miles (~3.5 miles, ~5.6 kilometers) of each other.
Guns
An air-to-air or air-to-surface gunshot.
H[edit]
Hard (direction)
High-G, energy-sustaining turn.
Head/head on
(USAF) Target with an aspect of 160 to 180 degrees.
(Naval) Target with an aspect of 0 to 20 degrees.
Heads up
Alert of an activity of interest.
Heavy
A group or package known to contain three or more entities.
High
Between 25,000 and 40,000 ft (7,600 and 12,200 m) above mean sea level (MSL).
Hit(s)
Air-to-air (A/A) Momentary radar returns search. (Indicates approximate altitude information from fighter.)
Air-to-ground (A/G) Weapons impact within lethal distance.
Hold down
Directive to key transmitter for direction-finding (DF) steer.
Holding hands
Aircraft in visual formation.
Hold fire
An emergency fire control order used to stop firing on a designated target, to include destruction of any missiles in flight.
Home plate
Home airfield or carrier.
Hook (left/right)
Directive to perform an in-place 180-degree turn.
Hostile
A contact identified as enemy upon which clearance to fire is authorized in accordance with theater rules of engagement.
Hot
Attack geometry will result in rollout in front of the target.
On a leg of the CAP pointing toward the anticipated threats.
Group heading towards friendly aircraft; opposite of COLD.
Ordnance employment intended or completed.
Anti-Aircraft weapon is operational and tracking.
Hotdog
Informative/directive call that an aircraft is approaching or at a specified standoff distance from the sovereign airspace of a nation (as defined by national boundaries or territorial sea and airspace). (Color may indicate additional standoff distance.) Follow briefed procedures.
Hotel fox
High frequency (HF) radio.
Husky
(Naval) Air intercept missile (AIM)-120 supported to HPRF active range; same meaning as USAF cheapshot.
I[edit]
ID (pronounced eye dee)
Directive to identify the target.
Identification accomplished, followed by type.
In (direction)
Informative call indicating a turn to a hot aspect relative to a threat/target.
India
Mode IV.
Interrogate
Interrogate the designated contact of the IFF mode indicated.
J[edit]
Jackal
Surveillance network participating group (NPG) of tactical data information link J Link 16 (link 16/TADIL J).[2]
Joker
Fuel state above BINGO at which separation/bugout/event termination should begin.
Judy
Aircrew has radar/visual contact on the correct target, has taken control of the intercept, and only requires situation awareness information. Controller will minimize radio transmissions.
K[edit]
Kill
Clearance to fire.
In training, a fighter call to indicate kill criteria have been fulfilled.
Knock it off
Directive to cease air combat maneuvers/attacks/activities.
L[edit]
Ladder
Three or more groups/contacts in range.
Laser on
Directive to start laser designation.
Lead-trail
Tactical formation of two contacts within a group separated in range or following one another.
Leaker(s)
Airborne threat has passed through a defensive layer. Call should include amplifying information.
Line abreast
Two contacts within a group side by side.
Lights on/off
Directive to turn on/off exterior lights.
Locked
Final radar lock-on; sort is not assumed. (BRAA/direction)
Lost contact
Radar contact lost. (drop track is recommended.)
Lost lock
Loss of radar/IR lock-on (advisory).
Low
Target altitude below 10,000 ft (3,000 m) above ground level (AGL).
M[edit]
Maddog
Launch of friendly AIM-120 without radar guidance.
Magnum
Launch of friendly anti-radiation missile.
Mapping
Multifunction radar in an Air/Ground mode.
Marking
Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.
Marshal/marshalling
Establish/established at a specific point.
Medium
Target altitude between 10,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) and 25,000 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL).
Merge/merged
Information that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.
Call indicating radar returns have come together.
Mickey
Have quick radio time-of-day (TOD) signal
Midnight
Informative call advising that C2 functions (Command & Control) are no longer available; opposite of sunrise.
Monitor
Maintain radar awareness on or assume responsibility for specified group.
Mother
Parent ship.
Mud
Indicates radar warning receiver (RWR) ground threat displayed followed by clock position and type. (type/direction)
Music
Electronic radar jamming. (On air interdiction (AI) radar, electronic deceptive jamming.)
N[edit]
Nails
Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of AI radar in search. Add clock position/azimuth, if known.
Naked
No radar warning receiver (RWR) indications.
New picture
Used by controller or aircrew when tactical picture has changed. Supersedes all previous calls and re-establishes picture for all players.
No factor
Not a threat.
No joy
Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit/landmark; opposite of tally.
Notch
All aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile on the beam. Modern pulse-doppler radars remove ground clutter by filtering out returns from stationary objects; putting the threat on the beam permits the defending aircraft to be confused with ground returns and hence disappear from the threat radar. (Direction)
O[edit]
Off (direction)
Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.
Offset
Informative call indicating maneuver in a specified direction with reference to (direction) the target.
On station
Informative call unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.
Opening
Increasing in range.
Oranges
Weather.
Out (direction)
Informative call indicating a turn to a cold aspect relative to the threat; opposite of in.
Outlaw
Informative call that a bogey has met point of origin criteria.
P[edit]
Package
Geographically isolated collection of groups/contacts/formations.
Padlocked
Informative call indicating aircrew cannot take eyes off an aircraft or a surface position without risk of losing tally/visual.
Paint(s)
Interrogated group/radar contact that is responding with any of the specified IFF modes and correct codes established for the id criteria.
Parrot
IFF transponder.
Pickle
Active release of bombs on target
Picture
Provide tactical situation status pertinent to mission.
Pigeons
Magnetic bearing and range to homeplate (or specified destination). (Location)
Pince/pincer
Threat maneuvering for a bracket attack.
Pitbull
Informative call AIM-120 is at active range and is not bound by fighter medium PRF (MPRF) radar limitations.
AIM-54 at active range.
Playmate
Cooperating aircraft.
Playtime
Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.
(freq) Pogo (freq)
Switch to communication channel number preceding POGO. If unable to establish communications, switch to channel number following POGO. If no channel number follows POGO, return to this channel.
Pop
Starting climb for air-to-surface attack.
Popeye
Flying in clouds or area of reduced visibility.
Popup
1. Informative call of a contact that has suddenly appeared inside of meld/CCR/briefed range. 2. Criteria used as a self-defense method, within the ROE, to protect friendly air defense elements from hostile aircraft.
Posit
Request for position; response in terms of a geographic landmark, or off a common reference point.
Post attack
Directive transmission to indicate desired direction after completion of (Direction) intercept/engagement.
Post hole
Rapid descending spiral.
Press
Directive to continue the attack; mutual support will be maintained. Supportive role will be assumed.
Print (type)
Unambiguous Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) reply.
Pull chocks
Depart. Get ready to depart. (Refers to pulling concrete blocks from aircraft wheels to allow take-off)
Pump
A briefed maneuver to low aspect (where aspect refers to target position�regardless of distance�relative to the friendly aircraft's nose; "high aspect" would be on an azimuth in front of the friendly, while "low aspect" would indicate position along an azimuth behind the friendly) to stop closure on the threat or geographical boundary, with the intent to re-engage.
Pure
Informative call indicating pure pursuit is being used or directive to go pure pursuit.
Push (channel)
Go to designated frequency. No acknowledgment required.
Pushing
Departing designated point.
Pushing
Informative call that said group( s) have turned cold and will continue to be (group description) monitored.
R[edit]
Range
Two or more groups separated primarily in distance along the same bearing.
Raygun
Indicates a radar lock-on to unknown aircraft; a request for a buddy spike (position/heading/altitude) reply from friendly aircraft meeting these parameters (to prevent friendly fire).
Reference
Directive to assume stated heading. (Direction)
Repeat
Used in surface-surface operations to fire again using the same method of fire (during adjustment) or to fire the same number of rounds using the same method of fire (during fire for effect). This is not used to request that the last message be retransmitted (for this, use say again).
Reported
Identification of an object or a contact by an intelligence system. (Type)
Reset
Proceed to a pre-briefed position or area of operation.
Resume
Resume last formation/station/mission ordered.
Retrograde
Directive to withdraw from present position or area of operation in response to a threat.
Rider
A bogey that is conforming with safe passage routing/airspeed/altitude procedures.
Rifle
Air-to-ground missile (AGM)-65 Maverick launch.
Ripple
Two or more munitions released or fired in close succession.
River City
Implement immediate communications blackout until further notice.
Roger
Radio transmission received; does not indicate compliance or reaction.
Rolex (�time)
Time-line adjustment in minutes from planned mission execution time. (Positive is later).
Rope
Illumination of an aircraft with an IR pointer.
S[edit]
Saddled
Informative call from wingman/element indicating the return to briefed formation position.
SAM (direction)
Visual acquisition of a SAM (surface-air missile) or SAM launch; should include position.
Sandwiched
A situation where an aircraft/element is positioned between opposing aircraft/elements.
Saunter
Fly at best endurance.
Scram
Emergency directive to egress for defensive or survival reasons. (Direction)
Scramble
Takeoff as quickly as possible.
Scud
Any threat tactical/theater ballistic missile (TBM).
Separate
Leave a specific engagement; may or may not re-enter.
Shackle
One weave, a single crossing of flight paths; maneuver to adjust/regain formation parameters.
Shadow
Follow indicated target.
Shift
Directive to shift laser illumination.
Shooter
Aircraft/unit designated to employ ordnance.
Shotgun
Pre-briefed weapons state at which separation/bugout should begin.
Skate
Informative call/directive to execute launch and leave tactics.
Skip it
Veto of fighter commit, usually followed with further directions.
Skosh
Aircraft is out of or unable to employ active radar missiles.
Skunk
A radar or visual maritime surface contact whose identity is unknown.
Slapshot
Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-unknown high-speed anti-radiation (type/bearing) missile (HARM) against a specified threat at the specified bearing.
Slide
Directive call to high value airborne asset (HVAA) to continue present mission while extending range from target in response to perceived threat.
Slow
Target with a ground speed of 300 kn (560 km/h) or less.
Smash
Directive to turn on/off anti-collision lights.
Smoke
Smoke marker used to mark a position.
Snake
Directive to oscillate an IR pointer about a target.
Snap (direction)
An immediate vector to the group described.
Sniper
Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-known HARM against a specified threat at the specified location.
Snooze
Directive/informative call indicating initiation of EMCON procedures.
Sort/sorted
Directive to assign targeting or monitoring responsibility for multiple targets within a group; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar), or both.
Sort responsibility has been met.
Sour
Equipment indicated is operating inefficiently.
Invalid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sweet.)
Spades
An integrated group/radar contact which lacks the ATO (or equivalent) IFF modes and codes required for the ID criteria.
Sparkle
Target marking by IR pointer; target marking by gunship or forward air controller (airborne) (FAC-A) using incendiary rounds.
Spike
RWR indication of an AI threat in track, launch, or unknown mode; include bearing, clock position, and threat type, if known.
Spin
Directive/informative call to execute a pre-briefed timing/spacing maneuver.
Spitter
An aircraft that has departed from the engagement or is departing the engaged (direction) fighters' targeting responsibility.
Splash
(A/A) Target hit with expended munition.
(A/G) Weapons impact in lethal area of target.
Split
An informative call that a flight member is leaving formation to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained.
Spoofing
Informative call that voice deception is being employed.
Spot
Acquisition of laser designation.
Squawk (number/code)
Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated.
Squawk flash
Use the flash feature on the IFF which cause the transponder signal to highlight on radar display. Hence the term means to announce your location.
Squawking
An informative call denoting a bogey is responding with an IFF mode (#).
Stack
Two or more groups/contacts/formations with a high/low altitude separation in relation to each other.
Status
Request for tactical situation.
Steady
Directive to stop oscillation (wavering) of IR pointer.
Steer
Set magnetic compass heading indicated.
Stern
Request for, or directive to, intercept using stern geometry.
Stinger
Within a group, a formation of three or more aircraft with a single aircraft in trail.
Stop
Stop IR illumination of a target.
Stranger
Unidentified traffic that is not associated with the action in progress.
Strangle ()
Turn off equipment indicated.
Strip
Individual fighter/section is leaving the formation to pursue separate attacks.
Stripped
Informative call from wingman/element indicating out of briefed formation/position.
Strobe
Radar indications of noise jamming.
Sunshine
Directive or informative call indicating illumination of target is being conducted with artificial illumination.
Sunrise
Informative call that C2 functions (Command & Control) are available. (opposite of midnight).
Sweet
Equipment indicated is operating efficiently.
Valid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sour.)
Switch/switched
Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.
T[edit]
Tactical
Request/directive to switch to tactical control.
Tag
(system Known identification of a specific (system) at the stated location; may be used w/position) with IDM[clarification needed] data message, (for example, tag data).
Tally
Sighting of a target, bandit, bogey, or enemy position; opposite of no joy.
Target ()
Directive to assign group responsibility to aircraft in a flight.
Targeted ()
Group responsibility has been met.
Ten seconds
Directive to terminal controller to stand by for laser on call in approximately 10 seconds.
Terminate
Stop laser illumination of a target.
Cease local engagement without affecting the overall exercise.
Threat
Untargeted hostile/bandit/bogey within pre-briefed range/aspect of a (direction) friendly.
Throttles
Reduction in power to decrease IR signature.
Tied
Positive radar contact with element/aircraft.
Tiger
Enough fuel and ordnance to accept a commit.
Timber
Air control network participating group (NPG) of tactical digital information links (Link 16/TADIL J).
Tracking
Fire control system has solid lock on target (aka a "stabilized gun solution").
Continuous illumination of a target.
Contact heading.
Trailer
The last aircraft within a group(s).
Trashed
Informative call that missile has been defeated.
Trespass
The addressed flight is entering a surface/air threat ring of a specific system at the stated (position) location.
Tumbleweed
Indicates limited situational awareness; no joy, blind; a request for information.
U[edit]
Unable
Cannot comply as requested/directed.
Uniform
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio.
V[edit]
Vampire
Hostile antiship missile (ASM).
Very high
Above 40,000 ft (12,000 m) MSL.
Vic
Three groups, contacts, or formations with the single closest in range and two contacts, azimuth split, in trail.
Victor
VHF/amplitude modulation (AM) radio.
Visual
Sighting of a friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of blind.
W[edit]
Wall
Three or more groups or contacts primarily split in azimuth.
Warning (color)
Hostile attack is
RED imminent or in progress.
YELLOW probable.
WHITE improbable (all clear).
Weapons (followed by appropriate modifier below)
Fire only;
FREE at targets not identified as friendly in accordance with current rules of engagement (ROE).
TIGHT at targets positively identified as hostile in accordance with current ROE.
HOLD* (USA, USMC) in self-defense or in response to a formal order.
SAFE (USN) NOTE: USN and NATO use weapons safe to avoid confusion with the phrase hold fire.
Weeds
Indicates that fixed-wing aircraft are operating below 2,000 ft (610 m) above ground level.
What luck
Request for results of missions or tasks.
What state
Report amount of fuel and missiles remaining. Ammunition and oxygen are reported only when specifically requested or critical.
Active = number of active radar missiles remaining.
Radar = number of semi-active radar missiles remaining.
Heat = number of IR missiles remaining.
Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining.
Wilco
Will comply
Winchester
No ordnance remaining.
Words
Directive or interrogative regarding further information or directives pertinent to mission.
Working
A suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft is gathering electronic order of battle (EOB) (which emitter controls the operations of other emitters) on a designated emitter; generally followed by signal type, (SAM/AAA/group) bearing, and range, if able.
Aircraft executing electronic identification (EID) on a specific aircraft/group to obtain identification necessary for beyond visual range (BVR) employment.
Y[edit]
Yardstick
Directive to use air-to-air tactical air navigation (A/A TACAN) for ranging.
See also[edit]

Q code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"QRO" redirects here. For the airport in Mexico, see Quer�taro International Airport. For the 2-dimensional barcode standard, see QR Code.
The Q code is a standardized collection of three-letter codes all of which start with the letter "Q". It is a brevity code initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. To distinguish the use of "Q" codes transmitted as questions from those transmitted as statements, operators used the Morse question mark code (dit dit dah dah dit dit) as a prefix to the "Q" code.

Although Q codes were created when radio used Morse code exclusively, they continued to be employed after the introduction of voice transmissions. To avoid confusion, transmitter call signs are restricted; no country is ever issued an ITU prefix starting with "Q".

Codes in the range QAA�QNZ are reserved for aeronautical use; QOA�QQZ for maritime use and QRA�QUZ for all services.

"Q" has no official meaning, but it is sometimes assigned with a word with mnemonic value, such as "Queen's" (e.g. QFE = Queen's Field Elevation), "Query", "Question", or "reQuest".[1]

Contents [hide]
1 Early developments
2 Later usage
3 Breakdown by service
3.1 Aeronautical Code signals (QAA�QNZ; ICAO)
3.2 Maritime Mobile Service (QOA�QQZ)
3.3 All Services (QRA�QUZ)
3.4 Amateur radio
3.4.1 Q codes as adapted for use in amateur radio
3.4.2 Informal usage
3.4.3 German use during World War II
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Early developments[edit]
The original Q codes were created, circa 1909, by the British government as a "list of abbreviations... prepared for the use of British ships and coast stations licensed by the Postmaster General".[citation needed] The Q codes facilitated communication between maritime radio operators speaking different languages, so they were soon adopted internationally. A total of forty-five Q codes appeared in the "List of Abbreviations to be used in Radio Communications", which was included in the Service Regulations affixed to the Third International Radiotelegraph Convention in London (The Convention was signed on July 5, 1912, and became effective July 1, 1913.)

The following table reviews a sample of the all-services Q codes adopted by the 1912 Convention:

First Twelve Q Codes Listed in the 1912 International Radiotelegraph Convention Regulations

Code Question Answer or Notice
QRA What ship or coast station is that? This is ____.
QRB What is your distance? My distance is ____.
QRC What is your true bearing? My true bearing is ____ degrees.
QRD Where are you bound for? I am bound for ____.
QRF Where are you bound from? I am bound from ____.
QRG What line do you belong to? I belong to the ____ Line.
QRH What is your wavelength in meters? My wavelength is ____ meters.
QRJ How many words have you to send? I have ____ words to send.
QRK How do you receive me? I am receiving (1�5).
1 is unreadable and 5 is perfect.
QRL Are you busy? I am busy.
QRM Are you being interfered with? I am being interfered with.
QRN Are the atmospherics strong? Atmospherics (noise) are very strong.
Later usage[edit]
Over the years the original Q codes were modified to reflect changes in radio practice. For example, QSW/QSX originally stood for, "Shall I increase/decrease my spark frequency?", but in the 1920s, spark-gap transmitters were banned in the United States, rendering that meaning obsolete. By the 1970s, the Post Office Handbook for Radio Operators listed over a hundred Q codes, covering a wide range of subjects including radio procedures, meteorology, radio direction finding, and search and rescue.

Some Q codes are also used in aviation, in particular QNE, QNH and QFE, referring to certain altimeter settings. These codes are used in radiotelephone conversations with air traffic control as unambiguous shorthand, where safety and efficiency are of vital importance. A subset of Q codes is used by the Miami-Dade County, Florida local government for law enforcement and fire rescue communications, one of the few instances where Q codes are used in ground voice communication.[2]

The QAA�QNZ code range includes phrases applicable primarily to the aeronautical service,[3] as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.[4] The QOA�QQZ code range is reserved for the maritime service. The QRA�QUZ code range includes phrases applicable to all services and is allocated to the International Telecommunications Union.[5] QVA�QZZ are not allocated.[6] Many codes have no immediate applicability outside one individual service, such as maritime operation (many QO or QU series codes) or radioteletype operation (the QJ series).[7]

Many military and other organizations that use Morse code have adopted additional codes, including the Z code used by most European and NATO countries. The Z code adds commands and questions adapted for military radio transmissions, for example, "ZBW 2", which means "change to backup frequency number 2", and "ZNB abc", which means "my checksum is abc, what is yours?"[8]

Used in their formal "question/answer" sense, the meaning of a Q code varies depending on whether the individual Q code is sent as a question or an answer. For example, the message "QRP?" means "Shall I decrease transmitter power?", and a reply of "QRP" means "Yes, decrease your transmitter power", whereas an unprompted statement "QRP" means "Please decrease your transmitter power". This structured use of Q codes is fairly rare and now mainly limited to amateur radio and military Morse code (CW) traffic networks.

Breakdown by service[edit]
QAA to QNZ � Assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
QOA to QQZ � For the Maritime Mobile Service.
QRA to QUZ � Assigned by the International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).
QN- - The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has also developed its own codes for message handling located in this range. Even though they overlap with other signals, the ARRL determined that their exclusive use in NTS nets limits confusion.
Aeronautical Code signals (QAA�QNZ; ICAO)[edit]
Main article: Aeronautical Code signals
First defined in ICAO publication "Doc 6100-COM/504/1" and in "ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation Services, Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)" [Doc8400-4] (4th edition 1989), the majority of the Q codes have slipped out of common use; for example today reports such as QAU ("I am about to jettison fuel") and QAZ ("I am flying in a storm") would be voice or computerized transmissions. But several remain part of the standard ICAO radiotelephony phraseology in aviation. These are also part of ACP131, which lists all ITU-R Q Codes, without grouping them by aeronautical/marine/general use.

Question ? Answer or Advice
QAB May I have clearance (for ...) from ... (place) to ... (place) at flight level/altitude ... ? You are cleared (or ... is cleared) by ... from ... (place) to ... (place) at flight level/altitude ...
QAF Will you advise me when you are (were) at (over) ... (place)? I am (was) at (over) ... (place) (at ... hours) at flight level/altitude ...
QAG Arrange your flight in order to arrive over ... (place) at ... hours.
or
I am arranging my flight in order to arrive over ... (place) at ... hours.

QAH What is your height above ... (datum)? I am at .... flight level/altitude ...
or
Arrange your flight so as to reach flight level/altitude ... at ... (hours or place).

QAI What is the essential traffic respecting my aircraft? The essential traffic respecting your aircraft is ...
QAK Is there any risk of collision? There is risk of collision.
QAL Are you going to land at ... (place)?
or
Has aircraft ... landed at ... (place)?

I am going to land at ... (place).
or
(You may) land at ... (place).
or
Aircraft ... landed at ... (place).

QAM What is the latest available meteorological observation for ... (place)? Meteorological observation made at ... (place) at ... hours was as follows ...
Note.- The information may be given in Q Code form or the METAR form.

QAN What is the surface wind direction and speed at ... (place)? The surface wind direction and speed at ... (place) at ... hours is ... (direction) ... (speed).
QAO What is the wind direction in degrees TRUE and speed at ... (position or zone/s) at each of the ... (figures) ... (units) levels above ... (datum)? The wind direction and speed at (position or zone/s) at flight level/altitude ... is:
... (vertical distance) ... degrees TRUE ... (speed).
QAP Shall I listen for you (or for ...) on ... kHz (... MHz)? Listen for me (or for ...) on ... kHz (... MHz).
QAQ Am I near a prohibited, restricted or danger area?
or
Am I near area ... (identification of area)?

You are ...
1) near
2) flying within area ... (identification of area).
QAR May I stop listening on the watch frequency for ... minutes? You may stop listening on the watch frequency for ... minutes.
QAU Where may I jettison fuel? I am about to jettison fuel.
or
Jettison fuel in ... (area).

QAW I am about to carry out overshoot procedure.
QAY Will you advise me when you pass (passed) ... (place) bearing 090 (270) degrees relative to your heading? I passed ... (place) bearing ... degrees relative to my heading at ... hours.
QAZ Are you experiencing communication difficulties through flying in a storm? I am experiencing communication difficulties through flying in a storm.
QBA What is the horizontal visibility at ... (place)? The horizontal visibility at ... (place) at ... hours is ... (distance figures and units).
QBB What is the amount, type and height above official aerodrome elevation of the base of the cloud [at ... (place)]? The amount, type and height above official aerodrome elevation of the base of the cloud at ... (place) at ... hours is:
... eights (... type) at ... (figures and units) height above official aerodrome elevation.
QBC Report meteorological conditions as observed from your aircraft [at ... (position or zone)] [(at ... hours)]. The meteorological conditions as observed from my aircraft at ... (position or zone) at ... hours at ... (figures and units) height above ... (datum) are ...
Note.-The answer is required in the format of an AIREP message.
QBD How much fuel have you remaining (expressed as hours and/or minutes of consumption)? My fuel endurance is ... (hours and/or minutes).
QBE I am about to wind in my aerial.
QBF Are you flying in cloud? I am flying in cloud at ... flight level/altitude ... [and I am ascending (descending) to flight level/altitude ...].
QBG Are you flying above cloud? I am flying above cloud and at flight level/altitude ...
or
Maintain a vertical distance of ... (figures and units) above clouds, smoke, haze or fog levels.

QBH Are you flying below cloud? I am flying below cloud and at flight level/altitude ...
or
Maintain a vertical distance of ... (figures and units) below cloud.

QBI Is flight under IFR compulsory at ... (place) [or from ... to ... (place)]? Flight under IFR is compulsory at ... (place) [or from ... to ... (place)].
QBJ What is the amount, type and height above ... (datum) of the top of the cloud [at ... (position or zone)]? At ... hours at ... (position or zone) the top of the cloud is:
amount ... eights (... type) at ... (figures and units) height above ... (datum).
QBK Are you flying with no cloud in your vicinity? I am flying with no cloud in my vicinity and at flight level/altitude ...
QBM Has ... sent any messages for me? Here is the message sent by ... at ... hours.
QBN Are you flying between two layers of cloud? I am flying between two layers of cloud and at flight level/altitude ...
QBO What is the nearest aerodrome at which flight under VFR is permissible and which would be suitable for my landing? Flying under VFR is permissible at ... (place) which would be suitable for your landing.
QBP Are you flying in and out of cloud? I am flying in and out of cloud and at flight level/altitude ...
QBS Ascend (or descend) to ... (figures and units) height above ... (datum) before encountering instrument meteorological conditions or if visibility falls below ... (distance figures and units) and advise.
QBT What is the runway visual range at ... (place)? The runway visual range at ... (place) at ... hours is ... (distance figures and units).
QBV Have you reached flight level/altitude ... [or ... (area or place)]? I have reached ... flight level/altitude ... [or ... (area or place)].
or
Report reaching flight level/altitude ... [or ... (area or place)].

QBX Have you left ... flight level/altitude ... [or ... (area or place)]? I have left ... flight level/altitude ... [or ... (area or place)].
or
Report leaving flight level/altitude ... [or ... (area or place)].

QBZ Report your flying conditions in relation to clouds. The reply to QBZ ? is given by the appropriate answer form of signals QBF, QBG, QBH, QBK, QBN and QBP.
QCA May I change my flight level/altitude from ... to ... ? You may change your flight level/altitude from ... to ...
or
I am changing my flight level/altitude from ... to ...

QCB Delay is being caused by ...
1) your transmitting out of turn.
2) your slowness in answering.
3) lack of your reply to my ...
QCE When may I expect approach clearance? Expect approach clearance at ... hours.
or
No delay expected.

QCF Delay indefinite. Expect approach clearance not later than ... hours.
QCH May I taxi to ... (place)? Cleared to taxi to ... (place).
QCI Make a 360-degree turn immediately (turning to the ...).
or
I am making a 360-degree turn immediately (turning to the ...).

QCS My reception on ... frequency has broken down.
QCX What is your full call sign? My full call sign is ...
or
Use your full call sign until further notice.

QCY I am working on a trailing aerial.
or
Work on a trailing aerial.

QDB Have you sent message ... to ... ? I have sent message ... to ...
QDF What is your D-Value at ... (position)?
or
What is the D-Value at ... (place or position) (at ... hours) for the ... millibar level?

My D-Value at ... (position) at ... (figures and units) height above the 1013.2 millibars datum is ... (D-Value figures and units) ... (specify plus or minus).
or
The D-Value at ... (place or position) at ... hours for the ... millibar level is (D-Value figures and units) ... (specify plus or minus).
Note.- When the true altitude (radio altitude) is greater than the pressure altitude PS (Plus) is used and when it is less MS (Minus) is used.

QDL Do you intend to ask me for a series of bearings? I intend to ask you for a series of bearings.
QDM Will you indicate the MAGNETIC heading for me to steer towards you (or ...) with no wind? The MAGNETIC heading for you to steer to reach me (or ...) with no wind was ... degrees (at ... hours).
QDP Will you accept control (or responsibility) of (for) ... now (or at ... hours)? I will accept control (or responsibility) of (for) ... now (or at ... hours).
QDR What is my MAGNETIC bearing from you (or from ...)? Your MAGNETIC bearing from me (or from ...) was ... degrees (at ... hours).
QDT Are you flying in visual meteorological condition? I am flying in visual meteorological condition.
or
You are cleared subject to maintaining own separation and visual meteorological conditions.

QDU Cancelling my IFR flight.
or
IFR flight cancelled at ... (time).

QDV Are you flying in a flight visibility of less than ... (figures and units)? I am flying in a flight visibility of less than ... (figures and units) at flight level/altitude ...
QEA May I cross the runway ahead of me? You may cross the runway ahead of you.
QEB May I turn at the intersection? Taxi as follows at the intersection ...
(straight ahead DRT
turn left LEFT
turn right RITE).
QEC May I make a 180-degree turn and return down the runway? You may make a 180-degree turn and return down the runway.
QED Shall I follow the pilot vehicle? Follow the pilot vehicle.
QEF Have I reached my parking area?
or
Have you reached your parking area?

You have reached your parking area.
or
I have reached my parking area.

QEG May I leave the parking area?
or
Have you left the parking area?

You may leave the parking area.
or
I have left the parking area.

QEH May I move to the holding position for runway number ... ?
or
Have you moved to the holding position for runway number ... ?

Cleared to the holding position for runway number ...
or
I have moved to the holding position for runway number ...

QEJ May I assume position for take-off?
or
Have you assumed position for take-off?

Cleared to hold at take-off position for runway number ...
or
I am assuming take-off position for runway number ... and am holding.

QEK Are you ready for immediate take-off? I am ready for immediate take-off.
QEL May I take-off (and make a ... hand turn after take-off)? You are cleared to take-off (turn as follows after take-off ...).
QEM What is the condition of the landing surface at ... (place)? The condition of the landing surface at ... (place) is ...
Note.- The information is given by sending appropriate NOTAM Code groups.

QEN Shall I hold my position? Hold your position
QEO Shall I clear the runway (or landing area)?
or
Have you cleared the runway (or landing area)?

Clear the runway (or landing area).
or
I have cleared the runway (or landing area).

QES Is a right-hand circuit in force at ... (place)? A right-hand circuit is in force at ... (place).
QFA What is the meteorological forecast for ... (flight, route, section of route or zone) for the period ... hours until ... hours? The meteorological forecast for ... (flight, route, section of route or zone) for the period ... hours until ... hours is ...
QFB The ...
1) approach
2) runway
3) approach and runway
lights are out of order.
QFC What is the amount, the type and the height above ... (datum) of the base of the cloud at ... (place, position or zone)? At ... (place, position or zone) the base of the cloud is ... eighths ... type at ... (figures and units) height above ... (datum).
QFD 1) Is the ... visual beacon [at ... (place)] in operation?
2) Will you switch on the ... visual beacon [at ... (place)]?
3) Will you extinguish the aerodrome visual beacon [at ... (place)] until I have landed? 1) The ... visual beacon [at ... (place)] is in operation
2) I will extinguish the aerodrome visual beacon [at ... (place)] until your landing is completed.
QFE What should I set on the subscale of my altimeter so that the instrument would indicate its height above the reference elevation being used? If you set the subscale of your altimeter to read ... millibars, the instrument would indicate its height above aerodrome elevation (above threshold, runway number ...).
QFF [At ... (place)] what is the present atmospheric pressure converted to mean sea level in accordance with meteorological practice? At ... (place) the atmospheric pressure converted to mean sea level in accordance with meteorological practice is (or was determined at ... hours to be) ... millibars.
QFG Am I overhead? You are overhead.
QFH May I descend below the clouds? You may descend below the clouds.
QFI Are the aerodrome lights lit? The aerodrome lights are lit.
or
Please light the aerodrome lights.

QFL Will you send up pyrotechnical lights? I will send up pyrotechnical lights.
QFM What flight level/altitude ...
1) should I maintain?
2) are you maintaining?
3) do you intend cruising at? ...
1) Maintain (or fly at) flight level/altitude ...
2) I am maintaining flight level/altitude ...
3) I intend cruising at flight level/altitude ...

QFO May I land immediately? You may land immediately.
QFP Will you give me the latest information concerning ... facility [at ... (place)]? The latest information concerning ... facility [at ... (place)] is as follows ...
Note.- The information is given by sending appropriate NOTAM Code groups.

QFQ Are the approach and runway lights lit? The approach and runway lights are lit.
or
Please light the approach and runway lights.

QFR Does my landing gear appear damaged? Your landing gear appears damaged.
QFS Is the radio facility at ... (place) in operation? The radio facility at ... (place) is in operation (or will be in operation in ... hours).
or
Please have the ... radio facility at ... (place) put in operation.

QFT Between what heights above ... (datum) has ice formation been observed [at ... (position or zone)]? Ice formation has been observed at ... (position or zone) in the type of ... and with an accretion rate of ... between ... (figures and units) and ... (figures and units) heights above ... (datum).
QFU What is the magnetic direction (or number) of the runway to be used? The magnetic direction (or number) of the runway to be used is ...
Note.- The runway number is indicated by a two-figure group and the magnetic direction by a three-figure group.

QFV Are the floodlights switched on? The floodlights are switched on.
or
Please switch on the floodlights.

QFW What is the length of the runway in use in ... (units)? The length of runway ... now in use is ... (figures and units).
QFX I am working (or am going to work) on a fixed aerial.
or
Work on a fixed aerial.

QFY Please report the present meteorological landing conditions [at ... (place)]. The present meteorological landing conditions at ... (place) are ...
Note.- When given in Q Code the information is sent in the following sequence: QAN, QBA, QNY, QBB, QNH and/or QFE and, if necessary, QMU, QNT, QBJ.
QFZ What is the aerodrome meteorological forecast for ... (place) for the period ... hours until ... hours? The aerodrome meteorological forecast for ... (place) for the period ... hours until ... hours is ...
Note.- When given in Q Code the following sequence of Q signal answer (or advice) forms is to be used: QAN, QBA, QNY, QBB and, if necessary, QMU, QNT and QBJ.
QGC There are obstructions to the ... of ... runway ...
QGD Are there on my track any obstructions whose elevation equals or exceeds my altitude? There are obstructions on your track ... (figures and units) height above ... (datum).
QGE What is my distance to your station (or to ...)? Your distance to my station (or to ...) is ... (distance figures and units).
QGH May I land using ... (procedure or facility)? You may land using ... (procedure or facility).
QGK What track should I make good?
or
What track are you making good?

Make good a track from ... (place) on ... degrees ... (true or magnetic).
or
I am making good a track from ... (place) on ... degrees ... (true or magnetic).

QGL May I enter the ... (control area or zone) at ... (place)? You may enter the ... (control area or zone) at ... (place).
QGM Leave the ... (control area or zone).
QGN May I be cleared to land [at ... (place)]? You are cleared to land [at ... (place)].
QGO Landing is prohibited at ... (place).
QGP What is my number for landing? You are number ... to land.
QGQ May I hold at ... (place)? Hold at ... (place) at flight level/altitude ... (datum) and await further clearance.
QGT Fly for ... minutes on a heading what will enable you to maintain a track reciprocal to your present one.
QGU Fly for ... minutes on a magnetic heading of ... degrees.
QGV Do you see me?
or
Can you see the aerodrome?
or
Can you see ... (aircraft)?

I see you at ... (cardinal or quadrantal point of direction).
or
I can see the aerodrome.
or
I can see ... (aircraft).

QGW Does my landing gear appear to be down and in place? Your landing gear appears to be down and in place.
QGZ Hold on ... direction of ... facility.
QHE Will you inform me when you are on ... leg of approach? I am on ...
1) cross-wind leg
2) down-wind leg
3) base leg
4) final leg
... of approach.
QHG May I enter traffic circuit at flight level/altitude ...? Cleared to enter traffic circuit at flight level/altitude ...
QHH Are you making an emergency landing? I am making an emergency landing.
or
Emergency landing being made at ... (place). All aircraft below flight level/altitude ... and within a distance of ... (figures and units) leave ... (place or headings).

QHI Are you (or is ...) ...
1) waterborne?
2) on land? I am (or ... is) ...
1) waterborne
2) on land
at ... hours.

QHQ May I make a ... approach [at ... (place)]?
or
Are you making a ... approach?

You may make a ... approach [at ... (place)].
or
I am making a ... approach.

QHZ Shall I circle the aerodrome (or go around)? Circle the aerodrome (or go around).
QIC May I establish communication with ... radio station on ... kHz (or ... MHz.) now (or at ... hours)? Establish communication with ... radio station on ... kHz. (or MHz.) now (or at ...hours).
or
I will establish communication with ... radio station on ... kHz (or ... MHz) now (or at ... hours).

QIF What frequency is ... using? ... is using ... kHz (or ... MHz.).
QJA Is my ...
1) tape
2) mark and space
reversed? Your ...
1) tape
2) mark and space
is reversed.
QJB Will you use ...
1) radio?
2) cable?
3) telegraph?
4) teletypewriter?
5) telephone?
6) receiver?
7) transmitter?
8) reperforator? I will use ...
1) radio.
2) cable.
3) telegraph.
4) teletypewriter.
5) telephone.
6) receiver.
7) transmitter.
8) reperforator.
QJC Will you check your ...
1) transmitter distributor?
2) auto-head?
3) perforator?
4) reperforator?
5) printer?
6) printer motor?
7) keyboard?
8) antenna system? I will check my ...
1) transmitter distributor.
2) auto-head.
3) perforator.
4) reperforator.
5) printer.
6) printer motor.
7) keyboard.
8) antenna system.
QJD Am I transmitting ...
1) in letters?
2) in figures? You are transmitting ...
1) in letters
2) in figures.
QJE Is my frequency shift ...
1) too wide?
2) too narrow?
3) correct? Your frequency shift is ...
1) too wide.
2) too narrow (by ... cycles).
3) correct.
QJF My signal as checked by monitor ... is satisfactory ...
1) locally.
2) as radiated.
QJG Shall I revert to automatic relay? Revert to automatic relay.
QJH Shall I run ...
1) my test tape?
2) a test sentence? Run ...
1) your test tape.
2) a test sentence.
QJI Will you transmit a continuous ...
1) mark?
2) space? I am transmitting a continuous...
1) mark.
2) space.
QJK Are you receiving ...
1) a continuous mark?
2) a continuous space?
3) a mark bias?
4) a space bias? I am receiving ...
1) a continuous mark.
2) a continuous space.
3) a mark bias.
4) a space bias.
QKC The sea conditions (at ... position) ...
1) permit alighting but not take-off.
2) render alighting extremely hazardous.
QKF May I be relieved (at ... hours)? You may expect to be relieved at ... hours [by ...
1) aircraft ... (identification) (type ...)
2) vessel whose call sign is ... (call sign) {and/or whose name is ... (name)}].
QKG Will relief take place when ... (identification) establishes ...
1) visual,
2) communications,
contact with survivors? Relief will take place when ... (identification) establishes ...
1) visual,
2) communications,
contact with survivors.
QKH Report details of the parallel sweep (track) search being (or to be) conducted?
or
In the parallel sweep (track) search being (or to be) conducted, what is (are) ...
1) the direction of sweeps,
2) the separation between sweeps,
3) the flight level/altitude ... employed in the search pattern?

The parallel sweep (track) search is being (or to be) conducted ...
1) with direction of sweeps ... degrees ... (true or magnetic).
2) with ... (distance figures and units) separation between sweeps.
3) at flight level/altitude ...

QKN Aircraft plotted (believed to be you) in position ... on track ... degrees at ... hours.
QKO What other units are (or will be) taking part in the operation [... (identification of operation)]? In the operation [... (identification)], the following units are (or will be) taking part ... (name of units).
or
... (name) unit is taking part in operation [... (identification] (with effect from ... hours).

QKP Which pattern of search is being followed? The search pattern is ...
1) parallel sweep.
2) square search.
3) creeping line ahead.
4) track crawl.
5) contour search.
6) combined search by aircraft and ship.
7) ... (specify).
QLB Will you monitor ... station and report regarding range, quality, etc.? I have monitored ... station and report (briefly) as follows ...
QLH Will you use simultaneous keying on ... frequency and ... frequency? I will now key simultaneously on ... frequency and ... frequency.
QLV Is the ... radio facility still required? The ... radio facility is still required.
QMH Shift to transmit and receive on ... kHz (or ... MHz.); if communication is not established within 5 minutes, revert to present frequency.
QMI Report the vertical distribution of cloud [at ... (position or zone)] as observed from your aircraft. The vertical distribution of cloud as observed from my aircraft at ... hours at ... (position or zone) is :
lowest layer observed* ... eights (... type) with base of ... (figures and units) and tops of ... (figures and units)
[*and similarly in sequence for each of the layers observed.]
height above ... (datum).

QMU What is the surface temperature at ... (place) and what is the dew point temperature at that place? The surface temperature at ... (place) at ... hours is ... degrees and the dew point temperature at that time and place is ... degrees.
QMW At ... (position or zone) what is (are) the flight level(s)/altitude(s) ... of the zero Celsius isotherm(s)? At ... (position or zone) the zero Celsius isotherm(s) is (are) at flight level(s)/altitude(s) ...
QMX What is the air temperature [at ... (position or zone)] (at ... hours) at flight level/altitude ...? At ... (position or zone) at ... hours the air temperature is ... (degrees and units) at flight level/altitude ...
Note.- Aircraft reporting QMX information will transmit the temperature figures as corrected for airspeed.

QMZ Have you any amendments to the flight forecast in respect of section of route yet to be traversed? The following amendment(s) should be made to the flight forecast ...
[If no amendments, signal QMZ NIL]

QNE What indication will my altimeter give on landing at ... (place) at ... hours, my sub-scale being set to 1013.2 millibars (29.92 inches)? On landing at ... (place) at ... hours, with your sub-scale being set to 1013.2 millibars (29.92 inches), your altimeter will indicate ... (figures and units).
QNH What should I set on the subscale of my altimeter so that the instrument would indicate its elevation if my aircraft were on the ground at your station? If you set the subscale of your altimeter to read ... millibars, the instrument would indicate its elevation if your aircraft were on the ground at my station at ... hours.
Note.- When the setting is given in hundredths of inch the abbreviation INS is used to identify the units.

QNI Between what heights above ... (datum) has turbulence been observed at ... (position or zone)? Turblence has been observed at ... (position or zone) with an intensity of ... between ... (figures and units) and ... (figures and units) heights above ... (datum).
QNO I am not equipped to give the information (or provide the facility) requested.
QNR I am approaching my point of no return.
QNT What is the maximum speed of the surface wind at ... (place)? The maximum speed of the surface wind at ... (place) at ... hours is ... (speed figures and units).
QNY What is the present weather and the intensity thereof at ... (place, position or zone)? The present weather and intensity thereof at ... (place, position or zone) at ... hours is ...
Notes:
a) When present weather information is transmitted by a ground station, the abbreviations shall be selected from those specified in Annex 3, paragraph 4.8.2.
b) When present weather information is transmitted by an aircraft, the information shall be selected from items 10 to 12 of the AIREP form.

[9]

Maritime Mobile Service (QOA�QQZ)[edit]
Main article Maritime Mobile Service Q Codes

This assignment is specified in RECOMMENDATION ITU-R M.1172.[10]

Q signals are not substantially used in the maritime service. Morse code is now very rarely used for maritime communications, but in isolated maritime regions like Antarctica and the South Pacific the use of Q Codes continues. Q Codes still work when HF voice circuits are not possible due to atmospherics and the nearest vessel is one ionospheric hop away.

Question ? Answer or Advice
QOA Can you communicate by radiotelegraphy (500 kHz)? I can communicate by radiotelegraphy (500 kHz).
QOB Can you communicate by radiotelephony (2182 kHz)? I can communicate by radiotelephony (2182 kHz).
QOC Can you communicate by radiotelephony (channel 16 - frequency 156.80 MHz)? I can communicate by radiotelephony (channel 16 - frequency 156.80 MHz).
QOD Can you communicate with me in ...
0. Dutch 5. Italian
1. English 6. Japanese
2. French 7. Norwegian
3. German 8. Russian
4. Greek 9. Spanish? I can communicate with you in ...
0. Dutch 5. Italian
1. English 6. Japanese
2. French 7. Norwegian
3. German 8. Russian
4. Greek 9. Spanish.
QOE Have you received the safety signal sent by ... (name and/or call sign)? I have received the safety signal sent by ... (name and/or call sign).
QOF What is the commercial quality of my signals? The quality of your signals is ...
1. not commercial
2. marginally commercial
3. commercial.
QOG How many tapes have you to send? I have ... tapes to send.
QOH Shall I send a phasing signal for ... seconds? Send a phasing signal for ... seconds.
QOI Shall I send my tape? Send your tape.
QOJ Will you listen on ... kHz (or MHz) for signals of emergency position-indicating radiobeacons? I am listening on ... kHz (or MHz) for signals of emergency position-indicating radiobeacons.
QOK Have you received the signals of an emergency position-indicating radiobeacon on ... kHz (or MHz)? I have received the signals of an emergency position-indicating radiobeacon on ... kHz (or MHz).
QOL Is your vessel fitted for reception of selective calls? If so, what is your selective call number or signal? My vessel is fitted for the reception of selective calls. My selective call number or signal is ...
QOM On what frequencies can your vessel be reached by a selective call? My vessel can be reached by a selective call on the following frequency/ies ... (periods of time to be added if necessary).
QOO Can you send on any working frequency? I can send on any working frequency.
QOT Do you hear my call; what is the approximate delay in minutes before we may exchange traffic? I hear your call; the approximate delay is ... minutes.
All Services (QRA�QUZ)[edit]
First defined by the Washington 1927 ITU Radio Regulations. Later defined by ITU-R in Appendix 9 to the Radio Regulations Annex to the International Telecommunications Convention (Atlantic City) 1947. The current callsign table is found in ITU-R Appendix 42. Current interpretation of the Q-code can be found in ITU-R Appendices 14 and 15.

ITU Radio Regulations 1990, Appendix 13: Miscellaneous Abbreviations and Signals to Be Used in Radiotelegraphy Communications Except in the Maritime Mobile Service[11]

Question ? Answer or Advice
QRA What is the name of your vessel (or station)? The name of my vessel (or station) is ...
QRB How far approximately are you from my station? The approximate distance between our stations is ... nautical miles (or km).
QRC By what private enterprise (or state administration) are the accounts for charges for your station settled? The accounts for charges of my station are settled by the private enterprise ... (or state administration).
QRD Where are you bound for and where are you from? I am bound for ... from ...
QRE What is your estimated time of arrival at ... (or over ...) (place)? My estimated time of arrival at ... (or over ...) (place) is ... hours.
QRF Are you returning to ... (place)? I am returning to ... (place).
or
Return to ... (place).

QRG Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ...)? Your exact frequency (or that of ...) is ... kHz (or MHz).
QRH Does my frequency vary? Your frequency varies.
QRI How is the tone of my transmission? The tone of your transmission is ...
1. good
2. variable
3. bad.
QRJ How many radiotelephone calls have you to book? I have ... radiotelephone calls to book.
QRK What is the intelligibility of my signals (or those of ...)? The intelligibility of your signals (or those of ...) is ...
1. bad
2. poor
3. fair
4. good
5. excellent.
QRL Are you busy? I am busy (or I am busy with ...). Please do not interfere.
QRM Are you being interfered with? [AP13]
or
Is my transmission being interfered with? [AP14]

I am being interfered with [AP13]
or
Your transmission is being interfered with ... [AP14]
(1. nil
2. slightly
3. moderately
4. severely
5. extremely).

QRN Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static
(1. nil
2. slightly
3. moderately
4. severely
5. extremely).
QRO Shall I increase transmitter power? Increase transmitter power.
QRP Shall I decrease transmitter power? Decrease transmitter power.
QRQ Shall I send faster? Send faster (... words per minute).
QRR Are you ready for automatic operation? I am ready for automatic operation. Send at ... words per minute.
QRS Shall I send more slowly? Send more slowly (... words per minute).
QRT Shall I stop sending? Stop sending.
QRU Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you.
QRV Are you ready? I am ready.
QRW Shall I inform ... that you are calling him on ... kHz (or MHz)? Please inform ... that I am calling him on ... kHz (or MHz).
QRX When will you call me again? I will call you again at ... hours (on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QRY What is my turn?
(Relates to communication). Your turn is Number ... (or according to any other indication).
(Relates to communication).
QRZ Who is calling me? You are being called by ... (on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QSA What is the strength of my signals (or those of ...)? The strength of your signals (or those of ...) is
1. scarcely perceptible
2. weak
3. fairly good
4. good
5. very good.
QSB Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading.
QSC Are you a cargo vessel? [AP13]
or
Are you a low traffic ship? [AP14]

I am a cargo vessel. [AP13]
or
I am a low traffic ship. [AP14]

QSD Is my keying defective? [AP13]
or
Are my signals mutilated? [AP14]

Your keying is defective. [AP13]
or
Your signals are mutilated. [AP14]

QSE* What is the estimated drift of the survival craft? The estimated drift of the survival craft is ... (figures and units).
QSF* Have you effected rescue? I have effected rescue and am proceeding to ... base (with ... persons injured requiring ambulance).
QSG Shall I send ... telegrams at a time? Send ... telegrams at a time.
QSH Are you able to home on your direction-finding equipment? I am able to home on my D/F equipment (on station ...).
QSI I have been unable to break in on your transmission.
or
Will you inform ... (call sign) that I have been unable to break in on his transmission (on ... kHz (or MHz)).

QSJ What is the charge to be collected to ... including your internal charge? The charge to be collected to ... including my internal charge is ... francs.
QSK Can you hear me between your signals and if so can I break in on your transmission? I can hear you between my signals; break in on my transmission.
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt.
QSM Shall I repeat the last telegram which I sent you (or some previous telegram)? Repeat the last telegram which you sent me (or telegram(s) number(s) ...).
QSN Did you hear me (or ... (call sign)) on ... kHz (or MHz)? I did hear you (or ... (call sign)) on ... kHz (or MHz).
QSO Can you communicate with ... direct (or by relay)? I can communicate with ... direct (or by relay through ...).
QSP Will you relay to ... free of charge? I will relay to ... free of charge.
QSQ Have you a doctor on board (or is ... (name of person) on board)? I have a doctor on board (or ... (name of person) is on board).
QSR Shall I repeat the call on the calling frequency? Repeat your call on the calling frequency; did not hear you (or have interference).
QSS What working frequency will you use? I will use the working frequency ... kHz (or MHz) (in the HF bands normally only the last three figures of the frequency need be given).
QSU Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...)? Send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...).
QSV Shall I send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? Send a series of Vs on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QSW Will you send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...)? I am going to send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)) (with emissions of class ...).
QSX Will you listen to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz)? [AP13]
or
Will you listen to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz), or in the bands ... / channels ... ? [AP14]

I am listening to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13]
or
I am listening to ... (call sign(s)) on ... kHz (or MHz), or in the bands ... / channels ... [AP14]

QSY Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QSZ Shall I send each word or group more than once? Send each word or group twice (or ... times).
QTA Shall I cancel telegram (or message) number ... ? Cancel telegram (or message) number ...
QTB Do you agree with my counting of words? I do not agree with your counting of words; I will repeat the first letter or digit of each word or group.
QTC How many telegrams have you to send? I have ... telegrams for you (or for ...).
QTD* What has the rescue vessel or rescue aircraft recovered? ... (identification) has recovered ...
1. ... (number) survivors
2. wreckage
3. ... (number) bodies.
QTE What is my TRUE bearing from you?
or
What is my TRUE bearing from ... (call sign)?
or
What is the TRUE bearing of ... (call sign) from ... (call sign)?

Your TRUE bearing from me is ... degrees at ... hours.
or
Your TRUE bearing from ... (call sign) was ... degrees at ... hours.
or
The TRUE bearing of ... (call sign) from ... (call sign) was ... degrees at ... hours.

QTF Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by the direction-finding stations which you control? The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations which I control was ... latitude, ... longitude (or other indication of position), class ... at ... hours.
QTG Will you send two dashes of ten seconds each followed by your call sign (repeated ... times) (on ... kHz (or MHz))?
or
Will you request ... to send two dashes of ten seconds followed by his call sign (repeated ... times) on ... kHz (or MHz)?

I am going to send two dashes of ten seconds each followed by my call sign (repeated ... times) (on ... kHz (or MHz)).
or
I have requested ... to send two dashes of ten seconds followed by his call sign (repeated ... times) on ... kHz (or MHz).

QTH What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)? My position is ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication).
QTI What is your TRUE track? [AP13] My TRUE track is ... degrees. [AP13]
QTI* What is your TRUE course? [AP14] My TRUE course is ... degrees. [AP14]
QTJ* What is your speed?
(Requests the speed of a ship or aircraft through the water or air respectively).

My speed is ... knots (or ... kilometres per hour or ... statute miles per hour).
(Indicates the speed of a ship or aircraft through the water or air respectively).

QTK* What is the speed of your aircraft in relation to the surface of the Earth? The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the Earth is ... knots (or ... kilometres per hour or ... statute miles per hour).
QTL* What is your TRUE heading? My TRUE heading is ... degrees.
QTM* What is your MAGNETIC heading? My MAGNETIC heading is ... degrees.
QTN At what time did you depart from ... (place)? I departed from ... (place) at ... hours.
QTO Have you left dock (or port)?
or
Are you airborne?

I have left dock (or port).
or
I am airborne.

QTP Are you going to enter dock (or port)?
or
Are you going to alight (or land)?

I am going to enter dock (or port).
or
I am going to alight (or land).

QTQ Can you communicate with my station by means of the International Code of Signals (INTERCO)? I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals (INTERCO).
QTR What is the correct time? The correct time is ... hours.
QTS Will you send your call sign for tuning purposes or so that your frequency can be measured now (or at ... hours) on ... kHz (or MHz)? [AP13]
or
Will you send your call sign (and/or name) for ... seconds? [AP14]

I will send my call sign for tuning purposes or so that my frequency may be measured now (or at ... hours) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13]
or
I will send my call sign (and/or name) for ... seconds. [AP14]

QTT The identification signal which follows is superimposed on another transmission.
QTU What are the hours during which your station is open? My station is open from ... to ... hours.
QTV Shall I stand guard for you on the frequency of ... kHz (or MHz) (from ... to ... hours)? Stand guard for me on the frequency of ... kHz (or MHz) (from ... to ... hours).
QTW* What is the condition of survivors? Survivors are in ... condition and urgently need ...
QTX Will you keep your station open for further communication with me until further notice (or until ... hours)? I will keep my station open for further communication with you until further notice (or until ... hours).
QTY* Are you proceeding to the position of incident and if so when do you expect to arrive? I am proceeding to the position of incident and expect to arrive at ... hours (on ... (date)).
QTZ* Are you continuing the search? I am continuing the search for ... (aircraft, ship, survival craft, survivors or wreckage).
QUA Have you news of ... (call sign)? Here is news of ... (call sign).
QUB* Can you give me in the following order information concerning: the direction in degrees TRUE and speed of the surface wind; visibility; present weather; and amount, type and height of base of cloud above surface elevation at ... (place of observation)? Here is the information requested: ... (The units used for speed and distances should be indicated.)
QUC What is the number (or other indication) of the last message you received from me (or from ... (call sign))? The number (or other indication) of the last message I received from you (or from ... (call sign)) is ...
QUD Have you received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? I have received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours.
QUE Can you use telephony in ... (language), with interpreter if necessary; if so, on what frequencies? [AP13]
or
Can you speak in ... (language), - with interpreter if necessary; if so, on what frequencies? [AP14]

I can use telephony in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP13]
or
I can speak in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz). [AP14]

QUF Have you received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? I have received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours.
QUG Will you be forced to alight (or land)? [AP13] I am forced to alight (or land) immediately.
or
I shall be forced to alight (or land) at ... (position or place) at ... hours. [AP13]

QUH* Will you give me the present barometric pressure at sea level? The present barometric pressure at sea level is ... (units).
QUI Are your navigation lights working? [AP13] My navigation lights are working. [AP13]
QUJ Will you indicate the TRUE track to reach you (or ...)? [AP13] The TRUE track to reach me (or ...) is ... degrees at ... hours. [AP13]
QUK Can you tell me the condition of the sea observed at ... (place or coordinates)? [AP13] The sea at ... (place or coordinates) is ... [AP13]
QUL Can you tell me the swell observed at ... (place or coordinates)? [AP13] The swell at ... (place or coordinates) is ... [AP13]
QUM May I resume normal working? Normal working may be resumed.
QUN 1. When directed to all stations: [AP13,14]
Will vessels in my immediate vicinity ...
or
(in the vicinity of ... latitude, ... longitude)
or
(in the vicinity of ...) please indicate their position, TRUE course and speed?
or
2. When directed to a single station: [AP14]
please indicate their position, TRUE course and speed?

My position, TRUE course and speed are ...
QUO* Shall I search for ...
1. aircraft
2. ship
3. survival craft
in the vicinity of ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication)? Please search for ...
1. aircraft
2. ship
3. survival craft
in the vicinity of ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication).
QUP Will you indicate your position by
1. searchlight
2. black smoke trail
3. pyrotechnic lights? My position is indicated by
1. searchlight
2. black smoke trail
3. pyrotechnic lights.
QUQ Shall I train my searchlight nearly vertical on a cloud, occulting if possible and, if your aircraft is seen, deflect the beam up wind and on the water (or land) to facilitate your landing? Please train your searchlight on a cloud, occulting if possible and, if my aircraft is seen or heard, deflect the beam up wind and on the water (or land) to facilitate my landing. [AP13]
QUR* Have survivors ...
1. received survival equipment
2. been picked up by rescue vessel
3. been reached by ground rescue
party? Survivors ...
1. are in possession of survival equipment dropped by ...
2. have been picked up by rescue vessel
3. have been reached by ground rescue party.
QUS* Have you sighted survivors or wreckage? If so, in what position? Have sighted ...
1. survivors in water
2. survivors on rafts
3. wreckage
in position ... latitude, ... longitude (or according to any other indication).
QUT* Is position of incident marked? Position of incident is marked by ...
1. flame or smoke float
2. sea marker
3. sea marker dye
4. ... (specify other marking).
QUU* Shall I home ship or aircraft to my position? Home ship or aircraft ... (call sign) ...
1. to your position by transmitting your call sign and long dashes on ... kHz (or MHz)
2. by transmitting on ... kHz (or MHz) TRUE track to reach you.
QUW* Are you in the search area designated as ... (designator or latitude and longitude)? I am in the ... (designation) search area.
QUX Do you have any navigational warnings or gale warnings in force? [AP14] I have the following navigational warning(s) or gale warning(s) in force: ... [AP14]
QUY* Is position of survival craft marked? Position of survival craft was marked at ... hours by ...
1. flame or smoke float
2. sea marker
3. sea marker dye
4. ... (specify other marking).
QUZ May I resume restricted working? [AP14] Distress phase still in force; restricted working may be resumed. [AP14]
Amateur radio[edit]
Amateur radio actually has adapted two different sets of Q codes for use in amateur communications. The first set come from the ITU civil series QRA through QUZ. Most of the meanings are identical to the ITU definitions, however, they must be looked at in the context of amateur communications. For example, QSJ? asks what the charges are for sending the telegraph. Since amateur communications are without charge, this Q code would not make sense.

The second set is the set of QN Signals, used only in ARRL NTS nets. These operating signals generally have no equivalent in the ACP 131 publication or ITU publications, and are specifically defined only for use in ARRL NTS nets. They are not used in casual amateur radio communications.[12][13]

Selected Q codes were soon adopted by amateur radio operators. In December 1915, the American Radio Relay League began publication of a magazine titled QST, named after the Q code for "General call to all stations". In amateur radio, the Q codes were originally used in Morse code transmissions to shorten lengthy phrases and were followed by a Morse code question mark (��� ���) if the phrase was a question.

Q codes are commonly used in voice communications as shorthand nouns, verbs, and adjectives making up phrases. For example, an amateur radio operator will complain about QRM (man-made interference), or tell another operator that there is "QSB on the signal" (fading); "to QSY" is to change your operating frequency, or to break in on a conversation QSK is often used even on VHF and UHF frequencies. (See also Informal usage, below.)

Q codes as adapted for use in amateur radio[edit]

Code Question Answer or Statement
QLE What is your expected signal? The expected signal is low...
QNI May I join the net? You may check in...
QRA What is the name (or call sign) of your station? The name (or call sign) of my station is ...
QRG Will you tell me my exact frequency (or that of ...)? Your exact frequency (or that of ... ) is ... kHz (or MHz).
QRH Does my frequency vary? Your frequency varies.
QRI How is the tone of my transmission? The tone of your transmission is (1. Good; 2. Variable; 3. Bad)
QRJ How many voice contacts do you want to make? I want to make ... voice contacts.
QRK What is the readability of my signals (or those of ...)? The readability of your signals (or those of ...) is ... (1 to 5).
QRL Are you busy? I am busy. (or I am busy with ... ) Please do not interfere.
QRM Do you have interference? [from other stations] I have interference.
QRN Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static.
QRO Shall I increase power? Increase power.
QRP Shall I decrease power? Decrease power.
QRQ Shall I send faster? Send faster (... wpm)
QRS Shall I send more slowly? Send more slowly (... wpm)
QRT Shall I cease or suspend operation?/ shutoff the radio I am suspending operation. /shutting off the radio
QRU Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you.
QRV Are you ready? I am ready.
QRW Shall I inform ... that you are calling him on ... kHz (or MHz)? Please inform ... that I am calling him on ... kHz (or MHz).
QRX Shall I standby / When will you call me again? Please standby / I will call you again at ... (hours) on ... kHz (or MHz)
QRZ Who is calling me? You are being called by ... on ... kHz (or MHz)
QSA What is the strength of my signals (or those of ... )? The strength of your signals (or those of ...) is ... (1 to 5).
QSB Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading.
QSD Is my keying defective? Your keying is defective.
QSG Shall I send ... telegrams (messages) at a time? Send ... telegrams (messages) at a time.
QSK Can you hear me between your signals? I can hear you between my signals.
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? I am acknowledging receipt.
QSM Shall I repeat the last telegram (message) which I sent you, or some previous telegram (message)? Repeat the last telegram (message) which you sent me (or telegram(s) (message(s)) numbers(s) ...).
QSN Did you hear me (or ... (call sign)) on .. kHz (or MHz)? I did hear you (or ... (call sign)) on ... kHz (or MHz).
QSO Can you communicate with ... direct or by relay? I can communicate with ... direct (or by relay through ...).
QSP Will you relay a message to ...? I will relay a message to ... .
QSR Do you want me to repeat my call? Please repeat your call; I did not hear you.
QSS What working frequency will you use? I will use the working frequency ... kHz (or MHz).
QST � Here is a broadcast message to all amateurs.
QSU Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? Send or reply on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QSW Will you send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz))? I am going to send on this frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QSX Will you listen to ... (call sign(s) on ... kHz (or MHz))? I am listening to ... (call sign(s) on ... kHz (or MHz))
QSY Shall I change to transmission on another frequency? Change to transmission on another frequency (or on ... kHz (or MHz)).
QSZ Shall I send each word or group more than once? Send each word or group twice (or ... times).
QTA Shall I cancel telegram (message) No. ... as if it had not been sent? Cancel telegram (message) No. ... as if it had not been sent.
QTC How many telegrams (messages) have you to send? I have ... telegrams (messages) for you (or for ...).
QTH What is your position in latitude and longitude (or according to any other indication)? My position is ... latitude...longitude
QTR What is the correct time? The correct time is ... hours
QTU At what times are you operating? I am operating from ... to ... hours.
QTX Will you keep your station open for further communication with me until further notice (or until ... hours)? I will keep my station open for further communication with you until further notice (or until ... hours).
QUA Have you news of ... (call sign)? Here is news of ... (call sign).
QUC What is the number (or other indication) of the last message you received from me (or from ... (call sign))? The number (or other indication) of the last message I received from you (or from ... (call sign)) is ...
QUD Have you received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? I have received the urgency signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours.
QUE Can you speak in ... (language), � with interpreter if necessary; if so, on what frequencies? I can speak in ... (language) on ... kHz (or MHz).
QUF Have you received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station)? I have received the distress signal sent by ... (call sign of mobile station) at ... hours.
Notes for response to radiotelegraph Q-codes: Responses to a radiotelegraph Q-code query or a Q-code assertion may vary depending upon the code. For Q-code assertions or queries which only need to be acknowledged as received, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "R" for "Roger" which means "Received correctly". Sending an "R" merely means the code has been correctly received and does not necessarily mean that the receiving operator has taken any other action. For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the affirmative, the usual practice is to respond with the letter "C" (Sounds like the Spanish word "Si"). For Q-code queries that need to be answered in the negative, the usual practice it to respond with the letter "N" for "no". For those Q-code assertions that merely need to be acknowledged as understood, the usual practice is to respond with the prosign or which means "understood". On telegraph cable networks "KK" was often used at the end of a reply to a Q Code to mean "OK" or "Acknowledged". This practice predates amateur radio as telegraph operators in the late 19th Century are known to have used it.

Informal usage[edit]

Chart of the Morse code letters and numerals.[14]
QLF � "Are you sending with your left foot? Try sending with your left foot!" A humorously derogatory comment about the quality of a person's sending. [15][16]

QSK � "I can hear you during my transmission" � refers to a particular mode of Morse code operating often called QSK operation (full break-in) in which the receiver is quickly enabled during the spaces between the dits and dahs, which allows another operator to interrupt transmissions. Many modern transceivers incorporate this function, sometimes referred to as full break-in as against semi-break-in in which there is a short delay before the transceiver goes to receive.[17]

QSY � "Change to transmission on another frequency"; colloquially, "move [=change address]". E.g., "When did GKB QSY from Northolt to Portishead....?"[18]

QTH � "My location is�"; colloquially in voice or writing, "location". E.g., "The OCF [antenna] is an interesting build but at my QTH a disappointing performer."[19]

QTHR � "At the registered location�"; Chiefly British in voice or writing, "Historically - the location in the printed Callbook. Modernly - as given in online government records for my callsign". E.g., "You can contact me QTHR"[20]

German use during World War II[edit]
During World War II, according to Bletchley Park�s General Report on Tunny, [21] German radio teleprinter networks used Q-codes to establish and maintain circuit connections.

In particular: QKP was to indicate the Lorenz cipher machine setting for each message and, QZZ to indicate that the daily key change was about to take place at the sender's station.

See also[edit]

Prosigns for Morse code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Morse code prosigns or procedural signals are dot/dash sequence symbols that do not represent written characters, but instead are used to manage transmission and formatting of messages. [1] Prosigns are symbols, that have specific functions, such as: indicating changes of transmission communications protocol status, and indicating (or initiating) textual white space formatting.[2] Morse prosigns play a role similar to the role played by the nonprinting control characters of teleprinter and computer character set codes such as Baudot or ASCII. Morse code prosign symbols have been used since the 1860s.

In the early decades of telegraphy many operating efficiency improvements, such as the introduction of Morse symbols known as procedure signs or prosigns, were incorporated into the telegraph operations. Prosigns were not defined by the inventors of Morse code, but were gradually introduced over time and greatly improved the speed and performance of daily high volume telegraph message handling operations.

Improvements to the legibility of formal written telegraph messages (telegrams) by means of white space formatting were thus supported by the creation of the additional new procedure symbols. With one exception, namely the Morse symbol for the alphabetic letter "K" (____________), which also serves as a prosign when used alone at the end of a transmission, the remaining Morse code prosigns are unique dot/dash sequence code symbols. Mastery of these special Morse code prosigns is an important part of becoming a fluent and efficient telegrapher/telegraphist.

Contents [hide]
1 Prosign symbol representations
2 Table of Morse prosigns and useful Morse code abbreviations
3 See also
4 References
Prosign symbol representations[edit]
Prosigns may be represented in printed material either by a sequence of dots and dashes, or by a sequence of letters, which, if sent without the normal inter-character spacing (concatenated), correspond to the prosign symbol.

For example, the Morse code dot/dash sequence (________________) which indicates the action of spacing down two lines on a page in order to create the white space indicating the start of a new paragraph. Other than the two line white spaces themselves, there is no actual written or printed character representation or symbol for a new paragraph. Thus, in general, typical Morse code prosigns do not have written or printed textual character representations in the original source information.

Of methods used to represent Morse prosign symbols there are at least three:

Unique dot/dash sequences, e.g. (________________).
Unique audible sounds, e.g. "Dahdidididah"
Non-unique printed or written concatenated character groups, e.g. BT (alternatively typeset )
Table of Morse prosigns and useful Morse code abbreviations[edit]
The following Table lists twelve unique Morse prosigns and two useful Morse code abbreviations, ordered alphabetically.

Table of Morse Code Prosigns and Useful Morse Code Abbreviations [1]
Prosign Code Symbol Meaning Comments Memory Aid Verbalization
AA ______________ New Line (space down one line) Typewritten as Carriage Return, Line Feed (CR-LF). "Add A line" "didahdidah"
AR ________________ New Page (space down several lines) Message separator. Single-line display may use printed "+". "All Rendered" "didahdidahdit"
AS ______________ Wait Respond with: SN, or characters "R" (Roger) or "C" (Confirm). "Wait A Sec" "didahdididit"
BT ________________ New Paragraph (space down two lines) Typewritten CR-LF-LF. Single-line display may use printed "=". "Begin Two" "dahdidididah"
CT __________________ Attention Sometimes written as KA. Commencing important transmission. "Copy This" "dahdidahdidah"
HH __________________ Error (Sometimes "????" is used.) Sometimes written EEEEEEEE. Always followed by correct text. "Error" "didididididididit"
K ____________ Invitation for any station to transmit Lone alphabetic character "K" at the end of a transmission. "OK, go ahead" "dahdidah"
KN __________________ Invitation for named station to transmit Go ahead, specific named station. "OK, Named" "dahdidahdahdit"
NJ ______________________ Shift to Wabun code Shift from Morse code to Wabun code Kana characters. "Next Japanese" "dahdididahdahdah"
SK __________________ End of contact Sometimes written as VA. "Silencing Key" "didididahdidah"
SN ______________ Understood Often written VE. Alternatively shift from Wabun to Morse code. "Sho' 'Nuff" "didididahdit"
SOS __________________________ International distress signal Signals imminent danger to life or property. (About this sound listen (help�info)) "Save Our Souls" "didididahdahdahdididit"
Acronym Symbols Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviations are sent with normal inter-character spacing Memory Aid Verbalization
BK ________________________ Break (Morse abbreviation) Abbreviation for "back-to you". "BreaK" "dahdididit dahdidah"
CL __________________________ Closing (Morse abbreviation) Abbreviation for "closing station". "CLosing" "dahdidahdit didahdidit"
See also[edit]
Brevity code
Proword
Procedure word
Q code
Z code
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b

Z code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the virtual machine language introduced by Infocom, see Z-machine.
Z Code (like Q Code and X Code) is a set of operating signals used in CW, TTY and RTTY radio communication. There are two sets of Z-codes: one originally developed by Cable & Wireless Ltd. (the Cable & Wireless Service Z-Code) for commercial communications in the early days of wire and radio communications and another independently developed by NATO forces later for military needs and use. The NATO Z Code is still in use today, and is published in the unclassified document ACP-131. There are other sets of codes internally used by Russia's military and other operating agencies. The old C&W Z Codes are not widely used today.

Some example Z codes
Code Meaning Source
ZAL I am closing down (until...) due to.... C&W
ZAP Work...
1. Simplex;
2. Duplex;
3. Diplex;
4. Multiplex;
5. Single Sideband;
6. With automatic error correction system;
7. Without automatic error correction system.
8. With time and frequency diversity modem C&W
ZBK Are you receiving my traffic clear? NATO
ZBK1 I am receiving your traffic clear NATO
ZBK2 I am receiving your traffic garbled NATO
ZBM2 Place a competent operator on this circuit C&W
ZLD2 I cannot transmit pictures. C&W
ZSF Switch off...(1. IFF; 2. IFF sets for 10 minutes in area denoted except for ships whose call signs follow). C&W
ZBW no. Change to backup frequency no. C&W
ZBZ(1-5). Measure of Printability (Where 1=Garbled/unreadable & 5=Perfect) C&W
ZUJ Stand by. NATO
A lot of the old C&W codes are derived from mnemonics (ZAL = (a)lter wave(l)ength, ZAP = (a)ck (p)lease, ZSF = (s)end (f)aster, etc.

See also[edit]
ACP-131
External links[edit]

Procedure word
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Proword)
"WILCO" redirects here. For other uses, see Wilco (disambiguation).
Procedure words or prowords are words or phrases limited to radio telephone procedure used to facilitate communication by conveying information in a condensed standard verbal format.[1] Prowords are similar to the much older prosigns for Morse code first developed in the 1860s for Morse telegraphy.

Contents [hide]
1 Universal prowords
1.1 Affirm, affirmative
1.2 Clear
1.3 Negative
1.4 Out
1.5 Over
1.6 Roger, received, romeo, copy
1.7 Send It
1.8 Wilco
2 Maritime/amateur VHF prowords
2.1 Radio check
2.2 Amateur radio
2.3 Read back for check
2.4 Say again
2.5 Station calling
2.6 This is
2.7 So far
3 Examples of radio communication using procedure words
3.1 Example 1
3.2 Example 2
4 Distress, urgency and safety prowords (used for maritime and aeronautical VHF)
4.1 Mayday (distress)
4.2 Pan pan (urgency)
4.3 Securit� (safety)
5 ACP 125(F) procedure words
6 Out of use
7 See also
8 References
Universal prowords[edit]
Affirm, affirmative[edit]
"Confirm" or "yes", used in Aviation. Some air arms of military forces also use a "double click" sent over the radios by keying the mic twice to produce a "--" like Morse code, this is usually used when the pilot is unable to talk due to heavy workload or stress.

Clear[edit]
In amateur radio transmissions, the transmitting station's call sign followed by the word "clear" is used to indicated the sending station is done transmitting and leaving the airways, i.e. turning off the radio.

Negative[edit]
"No" or "neg". Because over a poor quality connection the words "affirmative" and "negative" can be mistaken for one another (for example over a sound-powered telephone circuit), United States Navy instruction omits the use of either as prowords.[2] Sailors are instructed to instead use "yes" and "no".

Out[edit]
"This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected."

Over[edit]
"This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary. Go ahead: transmit."

Contrary to popular belief, "over" and "out" are never used at the same time, since their meanings are mutually exclusive. With spring-loaded PTT buttons on modern combined transceivers, the same meaning can be communicated with just "out", as in "Ops, Alpha, ETA five minutes. Out."

Roger, received, romeo, copy[edit]
"I have received your last transmission satisfactorily, radio check is loud and clear." "Roger" is used occasionally (and incorrectly) to mean "yes", but the proword for "yes" is "affirm".

Romeo is sometimes used for the same purpose, mainly in Australian maritime operations.[citation needed]

For maritime VHF, "copy" does not mean the same as "roger" or "received". It is used when communications between two other stations which includes information for your station that has been overheard and received satisfactorily.

Send It[edit]
"I have received your initial call; send me your message."

Wilco[edit]
"I understand and will comply." Used on receipt of an order. "Roger" and "wilco" used together are redundant, since "wilco" includes the acknowledgement of "roger".[3]

Maritime/amateur VHF prowords[edit]
Radio check[edit]
What is my signal strength and readability; how do you hear me?

5 by 5 is an older term used to assess radio signals, as in 5 out of 5 units for signal strength and for readability. Other terms similar to 5x5 are "loud and clear" or "Lima and Charlie". Example:

Alpha 12: X-ray two-three, this is Alpha one-two, radio check, over.
X-ray 23: Alpha one-two, this is X-ray two-three, I read you 5 by 5, over.
Alpha 12: Alpha one-two roger, out.
Similar example in shorter form:

Alpha 12: X-ray two-three, this is Alpha one-two, radio check, over
X-ray 23: Alpha one-two, this is X-ray two-three, roger out
If the initiating station (Alpha 12 in the example) cannot hear the responding station (X-ray 23 above), then the initiator attempts a radio-check again, or if the responder's signal was not heard, the initiator replies to the responder with "Negative contact, Alpha 12 out".

The following readability scale is used: 1 = bad (unreadable); 2 = poor (readable now and then); 3 = fair (readable, but with difficulty); 4 = good (readable); 5 = excellent (perfectly readable).

Example of correct US Army radio check:

Receiver: A-11 (Alpha 11) Sender: D-12 (Delta 12)
A-11 This is D-12 "Radio check, over"
D-12 This is A-11 "Roger, over"
A-11 this is D-12 "Roger, out!"
Amateur radio[edit]
Amateur radio operators use a different scale, called R-S-T, for readability, strength and tone (the latter only used with CW transmission, the best rating being 5-9-9. [4]

Read back for check[edit]
Instruction to receiving station to read back the information it has received for confirmation. It is the same as "how copy". Reply from receiving station will be preceded by "I read back" or "I copy", confirmation by transmitting station takes the form of the proword "correct" or "good copy". The U.S. Army uses "how copy" only[citation needed].

Say again[edit]
"I have not understood your message, please say again". Usually used with prowords "all after" or "all before". Example: radio working between Solent Coastguard and a motor vessel, call-sign EG 93, where part of the initial transmission is unintelligible

- All stations, all stations, this is Solent Coastguard, Solent Coastguard. Be advised large shipping vessel entering Southampton Water, currently at position ...[transmission unintelligible]...Out.

- Solent Coastguard, Solent Coastguard, this is Echo Golf niner three. Say again all after position. Over.

At this juncture, Solent Coastguard would reply, giving the position of the shipping vessel preceded with the prowords "I say again":

- All stations, all stations, this is Solent Coastguard. I say again, large shipping vessel entering Southampton water, currently at position one decimal two miles from Calshot Spit on bearing one six five degrees. Vessel restricted in ability to deviate from its course. Do not impede. Out.

The word "repeat" is in most cases not used in place of "say again", especially in the vicinity of naval or other firing ranges, as "repeat" is an artillery proword with a wholly different meaning. However, in aviation pilots say "Please say again" or "please repeat". Also, "repeat" may be used in the middle of a signal to emphasise information. Example:

EG93: Victor Juliet five zero, this is Echo Golf niner three. How much fuel do you require? Over.
VJ50: Echo Golf niner three, this is Victor Juliet five zero. I require six five - repeat six five - litres of diesel. Over.

Or alternatively:
VJ50: Echo Golf niner three, this is Victor Juliet five zero. I require six five litres of diesel. Repeat six five litres. Repeat diesel. Over.

Instead of "repeat", wording such as "I say again" or "words twice" or "figures twice", may be said, as in:

VJ50: Echo Golf niner three, this is Victor Juliet five zero. I require six five litres of diesel. I say again six five litres of diesel. Over.

Station calling[edit]
This proword is used when addressing an unidentified station which has just hailed the receiver. For example, Cowes VTS has received a transmission from an unidentified station. The correct reply would be:

"Station calling Cowes VTS, Station calling Cowes VTS - this is Cowes VTS. Over."

This is[edit]
This transmission is from the station whose designator immediately follows. For clarity, the station called should be named before the station calling. So, "Mike Juliet zero, this is Golf Whiskey three..." or for brevity, "Mike Juliet zero, Golf Whiskey three, roger and out". Never "This is GW3 calling MJ0", "Ground control to Major Tom" nor any other reversed combination.

So far[edit]
During transmission with lots of information, this proword can be used between transmissions, to ensure all information is passed on correctly.

Examples of radio communication using procedure words[edit]
Example 1[edit]
2 helicopters are flying in formation, Indian 610 and Indian 613:

Indian 610: "613, I have a visual on you at my 3 o'clock. 610"
Indian 613: "Roger. 613"
Indian 610: "613, Turn right to a heading of 090. 610"
Indian 613: "Wilco. 613"
Anytime a radio call is made (excepting "standby", where the correct response is silence), there is some kind of response indicating that the original call was heard. 613's "roger" confirms to 610 that the information was heard. In the second radio call from 610, direction was given. 613's "wilco" means "will comply."

Reading back an instruction confirms that it was heard correctly. For example, if all 613 says is "wilco", 610 cannot be certain that he correctly heard the heading as 090. If 613 replies with a read back and the word "wilco" ("Turn right zero-niner-zero, wilco") then 610 knows that the heading was correctly understood, and that 613 intends to comply.

Example 2[edit]
The following is the example of working between two stations, EG93 and VJ50 demonstrating how to confirm information:

EG93: "Victor Juliet five zero, Victor Juliet five zero, this is Echo Golf niner three. Request rendezvous at 51 degrees 37.0N, 001 degrees 49.5W. Read back for check. Over."
VJ50: "Echo Golf niner three, Echo Golf niner three, this is Victor Juliet five zero. I read back: five one degrees three seven decimal zero north, zero zero one degrees four niner decimal five west. Over."
EG93: "Victor Juliet five zero, Victor Juliet five zero, this is Echo Golf niner three. Correct. Out."
Distress, urgency and safety prowords (used for maritime and aeronautical VHF)[edit]
Mayday (distress)[edit]
Main article: Mayday (distress signal)
I, my vessel or a person aboard my vessel is in grave and imminent danger, send immediate assistance. This call takes priority over all other calls.

The correct format for a Mayday call is as follows:

[The first part of the signal is known as the call]
"Mayday, mayday, mayday,

This is (vessel name repeated three times, followed by call sign if available)

[The subsequent part of the signal is known as the message]

Mayday (vessel name)

My position is (position as a lat-long position or bearing and distance from a fixed point)

I am (type of distress, e.g. on fire and sinking)

I require immediate assistance

I have (number of people on board and their condition)

(Any other information e.g. "I am abandoning to life rafts")

Over"

VHF instructors, specifically those working for the Royal Yachting Association, often suggest the mnemonic MIPDANIO for learning the message of a mayday signal: mayday, identify, position, distress, assistance, number of crew, information, over.

In aviation a different format is used:

[First part of the message] Mayday, mayday, mayday

[Second part of the message] Callsign is stated at the end, followed by either "heavy" or "super", though this is not always necessary

[Third part of the message] Nature of the emergency

For example: Mayday, mayday, mayday, Earth Air 999, we have lost both of our engines due to a bird strike, we are gliding now.

After that pilot can give, or the controller can ask for, additional information, such as, fuel and number of passengers on board.

Pan pan (urgency)[edit]
Main article: Pan-pan
(pronounced /'p�n 'p�n/)[5]

I, my vessel or a person aboard my vessel requires assistance but is not in distress. This overrides all but a mayday call, and is used, as an example, for calling for medical assistance or if the station has no means of propulsion. The correct call is:

Pan pan, pan pan, pan pan

All stations, all stations, all stations

This is [vessel name repeated three times]

My position is [position as a lat-long position or bearing and distance from a fixed point]

I am [type of urgency, e.g. drifting without power in a shipping lane]

I require [type of assistance required]

[Any other information e.g. size of vessel, which may be important for towing]

Over

Securit� (safety)[edit]
pronounced /se?'kju?r?te?/ say-KEWR-i-tay

I have important meteorological, navigational or safety information to pass on. This call is normally broadcast on a defined channel (channel 16 for maritime VHF) and then moved onto another channel to pass the message. Example:

[On channel 16]

Securit�, securit�, securit�.

All stations, all stations, all stations.

This is Echo Golf niner three, Echo Golf niner three, Echo Golf niner three.

For urgent navigational warning, listen on channel six-seven.

Out.

[Then on channel 67]

Securit�, securit�, securit�.

All stations, all stations, all stations.

This is Echo Golf niner tree (three), Echo Golf niner tree, Echo Golf niner tree.

Floating debris sighted off Calshot Spit.

Considered a danger to surface navigation.

Out.

ACP 125(F) procedure words[edit]
Proword Explanation Prosign/ OPSIG
ACKNOWLEDGE (ACK) An instruction to the addressee that the message must be acknowledged ZEV or QSL
ADDRESS GROUP The group that follows is an address group
ALL AFTER The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that follows����� AA
ALL BEFORE The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that precedes����.. AB
ANSWER AFTER The station called is to answer after call sign��..when answering transmissions. ZGO
ASSUME CONTROL You will assume control of this net until further notice ZKD
AUTHENTICATE The station called is to reply to the challenge which follows INT ZNB
AUTHENTICATION IS The transmission authentication of this message is���.
BREAK I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the message BT
BROADCAST YOUR NET Link the two nets under your control for automatic rebroadcast
CALL SIGN The group that follows is a call sign
CLOSE DOWN Stations are to close down when indicated. Acknowledgments are required ZKJ
CORRECT You are correct, or what you have transmitted is correct. C
CORRECTION An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will continue with the last word correctly transmitted.
An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated). The correct version is��
That which follows is a corrected version in answer to your request for verification" EEEEEEEE
C
C
DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION � OUT This transmission is in error, disregard it. (This proword shall not be used to cancel any message that has been completely transmitted and receipted. EEEEEEEE AR
DO NOT ANSWER Stations called are not to answer this call, receipt for this message, or otherwise transmit in connection with this transmission. When this proword is employed, the transmission shall be ended with the proword OUT. F
EXECUTE Carry out the purport of the message or signal to which this applies. (To be used only with the Executive Method.) IX-----
EXECUTE TO FOLLOW Action on the message or signal which follows is to be carried out upon receipt of the proword EXECUTE. (To be used only with the Delayed Executive Method.) IX
EXEMPT The station(s) immediately following is (are) exempted from the collective call or from collective address XMT
FIGURES Numerals or numbers follow.
FLASH Precedence FLASH. Z
FROM The originator of this message is indicated by the address designator immediately following FM
GRID The portion following is a grid reference
GROUPS This message contains the number of groups indicated by the numeral following. GR
GROUP NO COUNT The groups in this message have not been counted. GRNC
I AM ASSUMING CONTROL I am assuming control of this net until further notice ZKA
I AUTHENTICATE The group that follows is the reply to your challenge to authenticate ZNB
IMMEDIATE Precedence IMMEDIATE O
IMMEDIATE EXECUTE Action on the message or signal following is to be carried out on receipt of the EXECUTE. (To be used only with the Immediate Executive Method.) IX
INFO The addressees immediately following are addressed for information INFO
I READ BACK The following is my response to your instructions to read back IRB
I SAY AGAIN I am repeating transmission or portion indicated. IMI
I SPELL I shall spell the next word phonetically.
I VERIFY That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated. (To be used only as a reply to VERIFY.) C
MESSAGE A message which requires recording is about to follow. (Transmitted immediately after the call. This proword is not used on nets primarily employed for conveying messages. It is intended for use when messages are passed on tactical or reporting nets.) ZBO
MORE TO FOLLOW Transmitting station has additional traffic for the receiving station. B
NEGATIVE (NEGAT) No. Cancel message(s) sent by the Delayed Executive Method. (NEGAT may be used to cancel a single message or a group of messages awaiting execution.) ZUG
NET NOW All stations are to net their radios on the unmodulated carrier wave which I am about to transmit. ZRC2
NO PLAY During exercises the words NO PLAY are used to distinguish real activity from messages concerned with exercise play e.g. a real emergency or real casualty. The first words of any message is to contain the words exercise (nickname e.g.Red Flag) NO PLAY
NOTHING HEARD To be used when no reply is received from a call station. ZGN
NUMBER Station serial number. NR
OUT This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected. AR
OVER This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary. Go ahead, transmit K
PRIORITY Precedence PRIORITY P
READ BACK Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as received G
REBROADCAST YOUR NET Link the two nets under your control for automatic rebroadcast.
RELAY (TO) Transmit this message to all addressees (or addressees immediately following this proword). The address component is mandatory when this proword is used. T or ZOF
RELAY THROUGH Relay your message through call sign��� ZOK
ROGER This is a method of receipt. I have received your last transmission satisfactorily. R
ROUTINE Precedence ROUTINE. R
SAY AGAIN Repeat all of your last transmission. Followed by identification data means �Repeat���� (portion indicated).� IMI
SEND YOUR I am ready to receive your message, report, etc. K
(Used only in reply to the offer of a message, etc., on tactical or reporting nets.)
SERVICE The message that follows is a SERVICE message SVC
SIGNALS The groups which follow are taken from a signal book. (This proword is not used on nets primarily employed for conveying signals. It is intended for use when tactical signals are passed on non-tactical nets.)
SILENCE (Repeated three or more times) Cease transmissions on this net immediately. Silence will be maintained until lifted. (Transmissions must be authenticated by use of a self authenticated system, codeword, etc.) HM HM HM
SILENCE LIFTED Silence is lifted. (Transmissions must be authenticated by means of self authentication system, codeword, etc.) ZUG HM HM HM
SPEAK SLOWER Your transmission is too fast. Reduce speed of transmission. QRS
STOP REBROADCASTING Cut the automatic link between the two nets that are being rebroadcast and revert to normal working.
THIS IS This transmission is from the station whose designator immediately follows. DE
THIS IS A DIRECTED NET From now until further notice this net is directed. ZKB
THIS IS A FREE NET From now until further notice this net is free. ZUG ZKB
THROUGH ME Relay your message through me ZOE
TIME That which immediately follows is the time or datetime group of the message. QTR
TO The addressees immediately following are addressed for action TO
--TO-- The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that which appears between the groups���and���
UNKNOWN STATION The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to establish communication is unknown. AA
USE ABBREVIATED CALL SIGNS Call signs are to be abbreviated until further notice.
USE ABBREVIATED PROCEDURE As conditions are normal, all stations are to use abbreviated procedure until further notice.
USE FULL CALL SIGNS Call signs are to be sent in full until further notice
USE FULL PROCEDURE As conditions are not normal, all stations are to use full procedure until further notice.
VERIFY Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version. (To be used only at the discretion of, or by, the addressee to which the questioned message was directed.) J
WAIT I must pause for a few seconds AS
WAIT � OUT I must pause for longer than a few seconds. AS AR
WILCO I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR SIGNAL, UNDERSTAND IT, AND WILL COMPLY. To be used only by the addressee. Since the meaning of ROGER is included in that of WILCO, the two prowords are never used together.
WORD AFTER The word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows����.. WA
WORD BEFORE The word of the message to which I have reference is that which precedes����.. WB
WORDS TWICE Communication is difficult. Transmit each phrase (or each code group) twice. (This proword may be used as an order, request, or as information.) QSZ
WRONG Your last transmission was incorrect. The correct version is��. ZWF
Out of use[edit]
Charlie charlie (confirmed, correct), still used in Africa by French pilots[citation needed]
NOTE: In British military use, "Charlie Charlie" (CC) indicates a collective call to a pre-arranged group of call-signs (e.g. "CC one" may be all commanders on the net)

See also[edit]

QSK operation (full break-in)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Turning over a communications channel is the change in communications protocol transmission status that occurs when a transmitting station releases transmitting control of a communications channel thus turning it over to allow another station to transmit. QSK or full break-in operation is one of several techniques and protocols for turning over control of a Morse code radiotelegraph communications channel. Usually the transmitter of a radiotelegraph station is manually controlled by an operator using a telegraph key. QSK is a three-letter code group that is one of the numerous Morse code three-letter code groups belonging to the venerable International Q-code established for radiotelegraph operators in the first decade of the 1900s. The three letter code group QSK literally means "I can hear you between my signals; you may break in on my transmission." Because of this, full break-in operation is often referred to as QSK operation. Although radiotelegraphy and Morse code is no longer used for commercial or professional purposes it continues to thrive and grow in the amateur radio community hobby. Today's modern era radio amateurs seem to be as interested in so-called full break-in or QSK operation as professional operators were in the early twentieth century.

Although Morse code preceded modern coded modulation techniques by more than a century, in terms of Claude Shannon's modern Information Theory, Morse code may be regarded essentially as an encoded method of signaling that simultaneously comprises both: a source code (data compression code) and a channel code (modulation code). The Morse code source code was created by Samuel Morse's assistant Alfred Vail when Vail assigned the shortest Morse code symbols to the most often occurring (English language) source symbols (alpha-numeric characters and punctuation marks), in the style of today's modern data compression codes such as the modern Information Theory based: Huffman, Arithmetic, and Lempel-Ziv-Welsh codes. Morse code symbols are variable length sequences of: dot signals, dash signals, and dot duration silent periods. Vail based his Morse code on the English language source with the shortest Morse symbol, a sequence composed of a single Morse code dot followed by a single dot duration silent period, encoding the most often used English letter "E" with corresponding longer sequences used for less common English letters. Besides assigning Morse code symbols to alpha-numeric and punctuation characters of the information source language symbols the early creators of Morse code also assigned additional procedural symbols to the Morse code related to page formatting of documents and to control and turn over of telegraph communication channels.

When developed in the mid-1800s, Morse code telegraphy was first used for signaling over wires and underwater cables. With the introduction of wireless (radio) by Guglielmo Marconi in the early 1900s Morse code was quickly adapted to the new radio technology giving rise to radiotelegraphy. Morse code's channel code, known as on-off keying or OOK modulation, is also known in modern channel code parlance as unipolar encoding. Unipolar encoding is the simplest form of amplitude modulation (AM) composed of only two amplitudes; the two amplitudes known generically as "on" and "off". The "off" state is simply a no-signal silent period the "on" state is simply a full power signal. Signaling using OOK by keying a single frequency radio carrier, as opposed to using damped transient oscillations triggered by spark gaps as originally developed by Marconi, historically then became known as continuous wave or simply CW signaling instead of spark; the nomenclature CW being inappropriate as it happens, since the keyed radio carrier is certainly not continuous because of the ubiquitous silent periods present in the OOK modulation generated by the Morse code! Historically CW has also been known as wireless telegraphy (W/T), or simply as radiotelegraphy. Modern era radio amateurs (hams) usually refer to the use of keyed carrier Morse code simply as "CW". It is the presence of the ubiquitous silent (off) periods in CW that is the most important aspect of the Morse code OOK modulation code that provides the "listen while sending" support for so-called QSK operation.

With QSK or full break-in operation the ubiquitous silent periods of the Morse code, enables Morse operators to listen between their transmitted signals as they send Morse code using the radiotelegraph station telegraph key, and thus enables a fluid conversational style of high speed communications between skilled CW operators that closely approximates the style of normal human voice communications.

Contents [hide]
1 Simplex and duplex channels
1.1 Simplex channels
1.2 Duplex channels
1.3 T/R switches
2 Signals, silent periods and symbols
2.1 Signals and silent periods
2.2 Symbols
2.3 Code groups (words)
2.4 Silent periods between: signals, symbols and code groups
3 QSK transmit/receive (T/R) switch operation
3.1 Full break-in or QSK operation
3.2 Semi break-in operation
3.3 Manual break-in operation
4 QSK protocols
4.1 Opening protocol
4.2 Interrupt protocol
4.3 Turn over protocol
4.4 Ongoing channel control protocol
5 Signal level range considerations
6 Receiver AGC recovery time considerations
7 T/R switches: speeds, reliability, and power handling considerations
7.1 Switching speeds
7.2 Long term reliability
7.3 Power handling
7.4 T/R switch technologies
8 See also
9 References
Simplex and duplex channels[edit]
Radiotelegraph stations generally comprise: a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more antennas. The transmitter is usually controlled manually by a telegraph key. A radiotelegraph channel comprises two stations and a radio wave propagation path between the two stations.

Simplex channels[edit]
A radiotelegraph simplex channel, operates by sending information in one direction only (e.g. a broadcast channel). A simplex channel may comprise only a transmitting station with only a transmitter and a transmit antenna on the sending end coupled with a receiving station comprising only a receive antenna and a receiver on the receiving end. Such simplex channels may be contrasted with duplex channels which have fully equipped stations on both ends and are capable of sending information in both directions.

Duplex channels[edit]
A radiotelegraph duplex channel comprises a transmitter and a receiver combination (transceiver) together with one or two antennas at a station on one end of the channel coupled with a similar complement for the station on the other end; in contrast to a simplex channel, it is possible for both stations on a duplex channel to send information to each other. Duplexing protocols refer to the manner in which a duplex channel is shared by the respective operators; duplex channel operators may employ either full-duplex or half-duplex protocols.

If a duplex channel can be operated only one way at a time it is styled a half-duplex channel and half-duplex protocols must be used. If a duplex channel can be shared and operated in both directions simultaneously it is styled a full-duplex channel and full-duplex protocols may be used.

Full break-in or QSK operation is a technique and protocol used on radiotelegraph half-duplex channels that closely approximates the feeling of operating on a full-duplex channel. e.g. It appears to the QSK operators half-duplex operators that both directions can be used simultaneously.

T/R switches[edit]
On half-duplex channels the radio station: receiver, transmitter, and antenna or antennas are usually interconnected by so-called transmit/receive or (T/R) switches that effectively connect and disconnect the receiver and transmitter from the antenna or antennas as required by the radiotelegraph channel protocol in use. T/R switches may be controlled by a variety of techniques. Typical T/R switch control methods and protocols are: manual operation, automatic semi break-in operation and automatic full break-in operation. T/R switches are analog high power radio frequency or RF switch devices which may take many practical forms ranging all the way from simple mechanical manually operated knife switches to fully automated modern semiconductor devices.

Signals, silent periods and symbols[edit]
Signals and silent periods[edit]
In Morse code the basic signals are dots and dashes often verbalized as "dits" and "dahs". According to the rules of Morse code. The dot duration is the basic unit of time measurement. The dash duration is equal to three dot durations. At a 20 word per minute (wpm) sending rate the dot duration is approximately 50 milliseconds (0.05 seconds); at faster speeds the dot duration is commensurately shorter. The reciprocal of the dot duration is known as the dotting rate. The length of the dash signal is three dot durations. The Morse code dot and dash signals are always separated from each other by a silent period of at least one dot duration.

In terms of on-off keying (OOK) the Morse code consists of either signal or no signal respectively either state of which may persist over time in a variety of epochs measured in terms of the basic dot signal duration. All Morse code (symbols) information is then seen to be composed of unique sequences of these three basic elements, namely: the dot signal, the dash signal, and the silent period; the time extent of each of these three basic elements being measured in terms of the dot duration. The ubiquitous silent periods or off periods that always occur between Morse signals represent the most important characteristic of Morse code utilized opportunistically by QSK or full break-in operation to facilitate fluid Morse code conversations.

Symbols[edit]
In contrast to the short dot and dash signals and their ever-present adjacent dot duration silent periods, Morse code symbols are of longer duration than signals and are composed of unique dot/dash sequences of Morse signals and silent periods. Morse code symbols are separated from each other by at least a three dot duration inter-symbol silent period. Morse code symbols represent alpha-numeric, punctuation and prosign characters. Each such long duration symbol consists of a unique sequence of two or more of the three basic elements (dot, dash, silent period), e.g. the unique sequence for the English letter "C" is (______________). Each unique symbol represents either: (i) a unique alpha-numeric character (e.g. letters A-Z and numerals 0-9), (ii) a unique punctuation character (e.g. ? or @, etc.), or (iii) a unique procedural symbol.

Code groups (words)[edit]
Words or code groups are composed of a sequence of symbols. Each word or code group is then separated from other words or code groups by a silent period of at least five dot durations. Sentences are strings of words or code groups which are also separated from other sentences by a silent period of at least five dot durations.

Silent periods between: signals, symbols and code groups[edit]
Silent periods are the most important Morse code element for supporting full break-in or QSK operation. The Morse code silent periods of approximately: one dot duration between Morse code signals, three dot durations between symbols, and five dot durations between words or code groups and sentences provide operators with: mid-symbol, mid-word and mid-sentence, opportunities to interrupt or break-in on transmitting operators. These silent periods between signals, symbols and words also provide the sending operator with opportunities to listen for interruptions from receiving stations.

The mid-symbol listening and interruption capability provided by the short but ubiquitous Morse code silent periods during QSK or full break-in operation on half-duplex radiotelegraph channels creates the illusion of apparent continuous two-way contact allowing radiotelegraph operators to feel as if they are sharing a full duplex channel.

QSK transmit/receive (T/R) switch operation[edit]
QSK operation is a technique where very fast T/R RF switches are controlled automatically and directly by the actions of the telegraph key upon which the sending operator is creating the Morse code signals. In QSK operation the T/R switches are capable of automatically and rapidly switching the radio antenna or antennas between the transmitter and receiver during the short (dot duration) silent periods between Morse code signals. Such fast robust analog radio frequency T/R switches automatically controlled by the operator's telegraph key generally have stringent (timing, reliability, and power handling) specifications and are quite expensive.

QSK hardware switch equipped sending stations can be interrupted mid-symbol (mid-character) by receiving stations during the dot duration silent periods between the sending station's signals. A properly QSK equipped station can be interrupted in the middle of sending most single Morse code alpha-numeric characters, punctuation symbols and prosign symbols which requires, generally speaking, a shorter time period than a single syllable of spoken language. Receiving operators may thus break-in on QSK operators mid-symbol at any time; the only exceptions being the single signal Morse code symbols namely: single dot, for letter E, and single dash, for letter T. QSK operation enables a fluid conversational style of Morse code communication based upon the ability of a receiving operator to interrupt a QSK equipped sender mid-character creating the illusion of a conversational style similar to normal human voice conversations.

Although simple in concept, the detailed design of the hardware RF T/R switches and the mechanisms to allow automatic control of the T/R switches for QSK operation from the actions of the associated telegraph key is a non-trivial engineering exercise and necessarily involves somewhat more expensive componentry than found in stations without full break-in capability. These design difficulties and stringent requirements are due to factors such as: the vast signal ranges encountered by the switches, switch power handling requirements, switch speed requirements, switch reliability requirements, and receiver gain control recovery speed requirements, all of which are briefly outlined in following paragraphs.

Full break-in or QSK operation[edit]
Full break-in or QSK operation,[1][2][3] is a hardware supported Morse code communications channel turn over communications protocol. Full break-in is a so-called duplexing protocol, that facilitates a style of two-way Morse code communications on traditional half-duplex radiotelegraph channels that closely simulates full-duplex channel operations similar to the way normal human voice communications proceeds.

With full break-in or QSK operation the fast analog radio frequency hardware antenna change over transmit/receive (T/R) switches are controlled automatically in real time directly by the actions of the telegraph key with which the operator is originating the Morse code information. With radiotelegraph communications, so-called QSK operation enables a fluid style of half-duplex channel control based upon the capability, as provided by the QSK hardware T/R switches, for a receiving operator to interrupt a sending operator in mid-character, during any of the ubiquitous silent periods between Morse code signals, in a manner similar to the way in which normal human voice conversations allow mid-syllable interruption of speakers by listeners.[4]

Semi break-in operation[edit]
Semi break-in is a technique used by stations where slow (T/R) antenna switches are controlled indirectly by the telegraph key which lack the faster switching of full break-in stations. Semi break-in hardware T/R switches are not required to switch as fast or to have the same long term reliability as their more expensive full break-in counterparts. Instead of using the telegraph key to directly control antenna switching, semi break-in radio transceiver equipment typically uses the telegraph key to control T/R switches indirectly, but still automatically, by passing the telegraph key information (usually in the form of a keyed audio tone) through a radio transceiver's Voice-operated switch or VOX circuitry.

In this technique, the relatively slow acting VOX circuitry is used to control the T/R switches. Voice-operated switch (VOX) circuitry is designed to be normally activated by human voice audio picked up by the transceiver microphone during voice communications in order to effect antenna change over at a rate no faster than the typical human voice syllabic rate or slower. VOX circuitry usually has a front panel adjustable delay that can be used to control the length of time it takes for T/R switches to operate but generally the delay adjustment range is limited to that of human voice syllables and, although automatic, is generally not fast enough to act in the short periods between Morse code dots and dashes. Receiving stations thus cannot break-in or interrupt semi break-in or VOX controlled Morse code stations in mid-symbol or mid-word, during Morse code operation because the semi break-in sending station simply cannot hear in the short durations between the Morse code signals and words or code groups.

Receiving stations wishing to break-in on semi break-in stations must wait for the longer silent periods between the sending station's words or sentences before attempting to interrupt or break-in. At worst, receiving stations must wait until semi break-in stations explicitly turn over the channel to the receiving station by sending a break prosign. Unlike full break-in operation, semi break-in operation is not fast enough to provide a fluid Morse code conversational capability approximating that of normal human voice conversation.

Although not as fluid and efficient as full break-in, semi break-in or VOX controlled break-in is a better Morse code channel turn over technique than pure manual break-in operation as described in the following paragraph.

Manual break-in operation[edit]
Manual break-in is a technique used in a rudimentary Morse code radio station set up where antenna change over (T/R) switches are not controlled by the telegraph key. Instead antenna change over is accomplished manually by mechanical switches separate from the telegraph key on which the operator sends the Morse code. With such a simple manual turn over system there is no possibility of the sending operator listening between signals or symbols and therefore no possibility for the receiving operator to interrupt the sending operator. Instead the receiving operator must wait until a transmitting operator has indicated the end of transmission by means of a turn over prosign and has manually changed the antenna over from transmitter to receiver. Such manual break-in operation leads to a very slow and stilted style of Morse code conversations.

QSK protocols[edit]
QSK operation comprises a hardware switch technology and protocol wherein participating Morse code stations are equipped with very fast analog radio frequency T/R switches connecting the transmitter, receiver and antenna. This fast analog hardware switching capability enables a receiving station to interrupt or break-in on a transmitting station in mid-symbol (mid-character), a process known as full break-in. The ability to hear between transmitted signals conferred by fast radio frequency hardware switching only requires Morse code operators to make use of simple communications protocols to manage the channel turn over process. The typical QSK protocol technique is quite simple to learn and to master.

Opening protocol[edit]
Since not all Morse code radio stations are equipped for QSK operation, sending stations equipped for QSK operation will often open a Morse conversation by sending the three letter group QSK (e.g. the operator will assert QSK) during an initial (opening) Morse code transmission to alert receiving stations that the sending station has the ability to listen between signals and that the receiving station can interrupt, or break-in, on the sending station at will. Conversely a station may query another Morse code station's QSK capability by sending the QSK signal followed by a question mark. The query QSK? asks if the receiving station has full break-in capability. If a receiving station is equipped for QSK operation the receiving operator will respond to the query QSK? with the assertion QSK indicating that the station has QSK capability. Subsequently, the two stations can then utilize the fluid and efficient Morse code conversational QSK protocols outlined in the following paragraphs.

In practice, many skilled operators do not bother to open a conversation with the preliminary opening QSK assertion or QSK query protocols, instead merely attempting to interrupt a sending station by tapping their telegraph key while listening between the signals (dots and dashes) for what happens next. If the sending station pauses when interrupted each party automatically knows the other is using QSK operation and then the two stations immediately start using the following QSK interrupt and turn over protocol with no further ado.

Interrupt protocol[edit]
Interruptions or break-ins are initiated by receiving stations momentarily depressing their telegraph key while the sending station is actively sending Morse code, thus generating a short interrupting signal which is heard by the sending station between its own signals. In practice usually only a single dot is required to initiate a break-in.

Turn over protocol[edit]
Upon hearing the break-in signal between the dots and dashes being sent, the interrupted station stops sending immediately and either: (a) just pauses momentarily or, (b) sends a single letter K prosign (____________) meaning "go ahead" and pauses momentarily, thus turning over the channel to the interrupter, and subsequently listens for the other station during the momentary pause. Highly skilled fluent telegraphists seldom bother to send the K prosign when interrupted instead simply letting the interrupter take over the channel during the pause.

Ongoing channel control protocol[edit]
The interrupting station recognizing the momentary sending pause by the sender immediately begins sending its own information to the interrupted station. Meanwhile, the interrupting station continues listening between its own transmitted signals in case of interruption in the reverse direction by the original sender.

These simple full break-in channel turn over protocols literally mimic the conversational style in which people interrupt each other mid-syllable during normal voice conversations. Full break-in QSK T/R switch hardware together with use of the simple QSK protocols enables a fast, efficient, fluid conversational style of Morse code communication.

Signal level range considerations[edit]
Enormous signal level ranges must be accommodated by radio transceiver equipment. Transmitter output power for amateur radio stations might typically be 100 Watts (+50dBm) or more, while received power at radio receiver antenna input terminals might typically be as low as -130dBm. This range of signal power that must be handled by various components of the T/R switching hardware encompasses an enormous total power handling range of up to 180dBm (-130 to 50 dBm). This logarithmic measure of range encompasses a signal power ratio of 1 to 1 followed by 18 zeros (1/1,000,000,000,000,000,000)!

Depending upon the Engineering set up, radiotelegraph stations may use either a single antenna for both transmit and receive or, separate transmit and receive antennas. In either case, when receivers are operating on the same or nearby radio frequencies as used by their associated transmitters, while using the same or nearby antennas, the typical radio receiver is thus exposed to extremely large signals from the nearby transmitter. This situation would generally result in the destruction or degradation of the receiver front end circuitry and would be problematic at best and destructive at worst. As of this writing there has yet apparently been no receiver technology developed that can operate with full sensitivity over such a huge range of received signal levels whilst also safely withstanding the high power levels presented by the associated nearby transmitter. And so receiver inputs cannot simply be bridged across transmitting antenna terminals! Receivers must be isolated from the powerful transmitter signals by some means. These means are provided by the so-called T/R switches.

The low level analog front end (AFE) amplifier circuitry of receivers sensitive enough to detect signals at -130dBm levels and below are invariably extremely sensitive to high power levels. Typically, without the protection and isolation provided by T/R switches, the receiver AFE would be overwhelmed or destroyed by the normal transmitter power levels which are in the +50dBm or more range. Consequently, receiver AFE antenna input terminals must be protected. With QSK operation this receiver protection is provided by well designed robust analog hardware T/R switches placed between the receiver AFE circuitry and the radio antenna.

The end result of extreme receiver AFE sensitivity to high power levels is that, for most practical purposes, signal reception is impossible during periods when the associated transmitter is actually transmitting the dot and dash signals. Consequently, radiotelegraph operators cannot hear interruptions from remote receiving stations during normal signal transmission periods when the full transmitter power is applied to the antenna.

To protect receiver circuitry, radiotelegraph channels on nearby frequencies and antennas must operate in so-called half-duplex mode wherein the stations at either end alternate between transmitting and receiving (because e.g. simultaneous transmit and receive is simply not possible). To support two way conversations on half duplex channels, analog radio frequency hardware antenna switches must be provided at each station location to connect and disconnect the transmitters and receivers from their antennas whenever the channel transmission control is turned over from one station to the other.

The aforementioned considerations: (i) prevention of receiver desensitization during transmit periods, (ii) prevention of damage or destruction of receiver AFE input circuitry during transmit periods, (iii) enabling transmitting stations to listen between signals and, (iv) providing efficient, fluid and fluent two way communications on half-duplex radiotelegraph channels, are the four prime motivations and considerations driving the development of radiotelegraph channel full break-in QSK technologies.

Receiver AGC recovery time considerations[edit]
Not all radio receivers are amenable to QSK operation.

Adding fast robust T/R switching externally to a transmitter/receiver combination (transceiver) will not necessarily result in good QSK operation. Adding such fast switching externally to a transceiver may create transients within receiver circuitry that makes signal copy: very noisy at best, and difficult, or impossible at worst.

Apart from the requirement for fast robust T/R switches, the main factor affecting good QSK operation is the ability for the radio receiver to recover its sensitivity quickly whilst operating quietly (without popping noises) during and after the fast transient signals created by the fast T/R switch operation. Many receivers have automatic gain control (AGC) circuits with time constants that take many milliseconds to recover their sensitivity and volume level after a strong transient signal is presented to their antenna input port. Without modifications or AGC circuit re-design such receivers are not suitable for QSK operation. In cases of slow responding AGC circuitry operators may accept the thumping noise and loss of AGC functionality and choose to turn their receiver AGC function off, instead operating their receivers using only manual gain control during QSK operation.

Morse code operators aspiring to the convenience and conversational fluency of Morse code QSK operation who plan to add external QSK T/R switches to their existing or planned radio transceiver setups should ensure that their receiver AGC circuitry has recovery times commensurate with the T/R switching transients to be expected and that the AGC circuits can operate quickly in the sub-millisecond range without creating noisy pops and static at the receiver audio output (speaker or headphones). Of particular note is that many of the modern so-called software defined radio (SDR) transceivers have particularly slow AGC functions because of the latency created by the extensive digital signal processing (A/D conversion, D/A conversion, digital filtering, digital modulation and digital demodulation) used for the SDR implementation. For these reasons, generally most SDR radios will not have the capability to operate QSK at the higher speed Morse code rates.

Expensive high end radio transceiver equipment that has been designed and manufactured with integrated QSK capability will generally meet such fast AGC recovery time requirements. Receiver recovery times may however be a potential issue for QSK operators who plan to add external QSK switching to an existing radio equipment set up.

T/R switches: speeds, reliability, and power handling considerations[edit]
Full break-in hardware capability requires fast, robust, high power, analog, radio frequency (RF) transmit/receive (T/R) switches or RF switches capable of operating in sub-millisecond response times over long periods of continuous operation while handling the high radio frequency power of the transmitter. Some high-end manufactured radio transceiver equipment contains integrated (factory installed) QSK switching hardware while in other cases external QSK switching hardware or commercial switching products may be added to existing non-QSK capable equipment.[5]

Switching speeds[edit]
As an example illustrating switching speeds or timing requirements consider that when sending Morse code at a 20 word per minute rate the typical dot signal duration is a mere 50 milliseconds. To enable good quality QSK operation the switching hardware must switch the radio antenna from receiver to transmitter in much less than one tenth of the dot duration. At 20 word per minute code speed this means that QSK T/R switching times must be in the range of 1 to 1/2 millisecond or below. Even smaller sub-millisecond times are required with higher speed Morse code transmissions.

Long term reliability[edit]
The dotting rate of Morse code is the reciprocal of the dot duration, e.g. at twenty words per minute based upon the standard word PARIS with a dot duration of 50 milliseconds, the dotting rate is twenty times per second (20 = 1.0/0.05). The dotting rate is even faster for higher speed Morse code. For long time reliability QSK T/R switches must be robust enough to open and close at least at a dotting rate of twenty times per second or even higher over thousands of hours of operation.

Power handling[edit]
T/R switches must operate reliably at high dotting rates over many thousands of hours enabling the reception of extremely low level signals between dots and dashes while handling very high radio transmitter power levels of hundreds to thousands of Watts. Such robust high power analog radio frequency high speed switches are not inexpensive.

T/R switch technologies[edit]
Examples of radio frequency analog hardware switch or RF switch technologies are: high voltage vacuum relays[6] or high power semiconductor PIN diode switches. In recent times, as PIN diode power handling capabilities have been improved by the semiconductor industry, PIN diodes have largely supplanted vacuum relays in the QSK switch function because the absence of moving parts in PIN diode semiconductor devices results in: higher speeds, higher reliability and longer lifetimes. [7][8]

Switching hardware technologies that can handle the radio frequency currents of high power transmitters and also switch quietly at these high Morse code rates over long periods of time are difficult to design and quite expensive to manufacture. Mechanical switches or relays are the most problematic and least reliable and must be protected from arcs (sparking) usually by operating in a vacuum enclosure with elaborate timing circuitry. Not all radio transceiver equipment provides the costly high speed analog transmit/receive (T/R) radio frequency switching hardware support necessary for QSK full break-in operation. Generally full break-in is available only on more expensive radio transceivers. Radiotelegraphers who aspire to the fluency of Morse code QSK operation must ensure that their radio equipment includes the hardware capability for radio frequency antenna switching that operates rapidly enough to allow listening between signals at the appropriate Morse code sending speeds with appropriate lifetimes and reliability.

See also[edit]
AGC
Amateur radio
Analog front-end (AFE)
Automatic gain control
Communications channel
Communications protocol
Continuous wave
dBm
Duplex (telecommunications)
full-duplex
half-duplex
Morse code
On-off keying
OOK
PIN diode
Prosigns for Morse code
Q code
QST Magazine
Radiotelegraph
RF switch
Simplex communication
Telegraphists/Telegraphers
Telegraph key
Unipolar encoding
Vacuum relay
Voice operated switch (VOX)
VOX
Wireless telegraphy

RST code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see RST (disambiguation).

Kenwood TS-480HX S-meter
The RST system is used by amateur radio operators, shortwave listeners, and other radio hobbyists to exchange information about the quality of a radio signal being received. The code is a three digit number, with one digit each for conveying an assessment of the signal's readability, strength, and tone.[1] The code was developed in 1934 by Amateur radio operator Arthur W. Braaten, W2BSR.[2][3][4][5]

Contents [hide]
1 Readability
2 Strength
3 Tone
4 Variations
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Readability[edit]
The R stands for "Readability". Readability is a qualitative assessment of how easy or difficult it is to correctly copy the information being sent during the transmission. In a Morse code telegraphy transmission, readability refers to how easy or difficult it is to distinguish each of the characters in the text of the message being sent; in a voice transmission, readability refers to how easy or difficult it is for each spoken word to be understood correctly. Readability is measured on a scale of 1 to 5.[6]

Unreadable
Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable
Readable with considerable difficulty
Readable with practically no difficulty
Perfectly readable
Strength[edit]
The S stands for "Strength". Strength is an assessment of how powerful the received signal is at the receiving location. Although an accurate signal strength meter can determine a quantitative value for signal strength, in practice this portion of the RST code is a qualitative assessment, often made based on the S meter of the radio receiver at the location of signal reception. "Strength" is measured on a scale of 1 to 9.[6]

Faint signal, barely perceptible
Very weak
Weak
Fair
Fairly good
Good
Moderately strong
Strong
Very strong signals
For a quantitative assessment, quality HF receivers are calibrated so that S9 on the S-meter corresponds to a signal of 50 �V at the antenna standard terminal impedance 50 ohms.[7] One "S" difference should correspond to 6 dB at signal strength (2x voltage = 4x power). On VHF and UHF receivers used for weak signal communications, S9 often corresponds to 5 �V at the antenna terminal 50 ohms. Amateur radio (ham) operators may also use a signal strength of "20 to 60 over 9", or "+20 to +60 over 9." This is in reference to a signal that exceeds S9 on a signal meter on a HF receiver.

Tone[edit]
The T stands for "Tone". Tone is only used in Morse code and digital transmissions and is therefore omitted during voice operations. With modern transmitter technology, imperfections in the quality of the transmitter modulation that can be detected by humans are rare. Tone is measured on a scale of 1 to 9.[6]

Sixty cycle a.c or less, very rough and broad
Very rough a.c., very harsh and broad
Rough a.c. tone, rectified but not filtered
Rough note, some trace of filtering
Filtered rectified a.c. but strongly ripple-modulated
Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation
Near pure tone, trace of ripple modulation
Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation
Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind
Variations[edit]
An example RST report for a voice transmission is "59", usually pronounced "five nine" or "five by nine", a report that indicates a perfectly readable and very strong signal. Exceptionally strong signals are designated by the quantitative number of decibels, in excess of "S9", displayed on the receiver's S meter. Example: "Your signal is 30 dB over S9."

Suffixes were historically added to indicate other signal properties, and might be sent as "599K":

A: signal distorted by auroral propagation[8]
C: "chirp" (frequency shift when keying)
K: key clicks
M: signal distorted by multipath propagation
S: signal distorted by scatter propagation
X: stable frequency (crystal control)
Because the N character in Morse code requires less time to send than the 9, during amateur radio contests where the competing amateur radio stations are all using Morse code, the nines in the RST are typically abbreviated to N to read 5NN.[9] In general, this practice is referred to as abbreviated or "cut" numbers.[10]

See also[edit]
Plain Language Radio Checks
SINPO
QSL card
Five by five
Circuit Merit - a measurement process designed to assess the quality of voice, as input for calculating the Mean Opinion Score in wired and wireless telephone circuits.
R-S-M-Q, A Standard Method of Reporting for Telephony, A. M. Braaten, T. & R. Bulletin 1936[11]

Plain language radio checks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Allied Communications Procedure 125(F), Communication Instructions Radiotelephone Procedure,[1] published by the Combined Communication Electronics Board, defines radiotelephone procedures, and contains the original definitions for many common radio communications procedures, including Procedure Words, radio net operations, etc. Section 611 of ACP(F) details how to conduct radio checks using plain language.

Contents [hide]
1 Radio Check Procedure
2 Signal Strength Prowords
3 Readability Prowords
4 Usage
5 References
6 See also
Radio Check Procedure[edit]
The prowords listed below are for use when initiating and answering queries concerning signal strength and readability.

Proword Meaning
RADIO CHECK What is my signal strength and readability; how do you hear me?
ROGER I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
NOTHING HEARD To be used when no reply is received from a called station.
Signal Strength Prowords[edit]
Proword Meaning
LOUD Your signal is very strong.
GOOD Your signal strength is good.
WEAK Your signal strength is weak.
VERY WEAK Your signal strength is very weak.
FADING At times your signal strength fades to such an extent that continuous reception cannot be relied upon.
Readability Prowords[edit]
Proword Meaning
CLEAR The quality of your transmission is excellent.
READABLE The quality of your transmission is satisfactory.
UNREADABLE The quality of your transmission is so bad that I cannot read you.
DISTORTED Having trouble reading you due to interference.
WITH INTERFERENCE Having trouble reading you due to interference.
INTERMITTENT Having trouble reading you because your signal is intermittent.
Usage[edit]
One of these reports, "LOUD AND CLEAR", is commonly used in television shows, movies, literature, and by radio operators, commonly without knowing the source or the rest of the standard reports (hence the much-reduced frequency with which the other combinations are used). For example:

LOUD CLEAR means Excellent copy with no noise

GOOD READABLE means Good copy with slight noise

FAIR READABLE means Fair copy, occasional fills are needed

WEAK READABLE means Weak copy, frequent fills are needed

WEAK UNREADABLE means Unable to copy, a relay is required

Current or former military radio operators may sometimes use ITU phonetics instead of the plain language, as in "I copy Lima Charlie" instead of "LOUD AND CLEAR".

A station is understood to have good signal strength and readability unless otherwise notified. Strength of signals and readability will not be exchanged unless one station cannot clearly hear another station.

A station that wishes to inform another of his signal strength and readability will do so by means of a short and concise report of actual reception such as, WEAK BUT READABLE, LOUD BUT DISTORTED, WEAK WITH INTERFERENCE, etc. Reports such as �five by five,� �four by four,� etc., will not be used to indicate strength and quality of reception.

The omission of comment on signal strength and readability is understood to mean that reception is loud and clear. If reception is other than loud and clear, it must be described with the appropriate prowords.

References[edit]
Jump up ^ "ACP 125 (F) - Comm Instructions - Radio Telephone Procedures".
See also[edit]

ive by five
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Five by Five (disambiguation).
Five by five is the best of 25 possible subjective responses used to describe the quality of communications, specifically the signal-to-noise ratio.[1] As receiving stations move away from an analog radio transmitting site, the signal strength decreases gradually, causing the relative noise level to increase. The signal becomes increasingly difficult to understand until it can no longer be heard as anything other than static.[2]:38

Five-by-five is the best possible Readability and Signal Strength Report previously used by some radio services.

Contents [hide]
1 Details
2 See also
3 References
4 External links
Details[edit]
The term has its origins in the Q code used for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio. The first number is the answer to the question "How do you receive me?" (Q code QRK), typically answered with "I am receiving (1�5)" where 1 is unreadable and 5 is perfect. The second number is the answer to the question "What is the strength of my signals?" (Q code QSA), typically answered with "The strength of your signals is ... (1 to 5).". "5 by 5" was the answer to the QRK/QSA questions to indicate the best quality signal. "5 by 5" being the best quality was applied to other things by analogy.

The U.S. Army Radio Operator's Manual, FM 24-6 (1945 version) defines the report format as follows:

Report Readability Signal Strength
1 Unreadable Scarcely perceptible.
2 Readable now and then Weak.
3 Readable but with difficulty Fairly good.
4 Readable Good.
5 Perfectly readable Very good.
FM 24-6 further states, "Readability and signal strength reports indicate the desired method of transmission and should be used in that sense. Readability and signal strength reports are not exchanged unless "3" or less, lack of any report being assumed to indicate satisfactory communications."

The report example given uses military call signs and the obsolete Q Code of QJS for readability instead of the current QRK:

Station Transmission
MB6 3MY V MB6 QJS 3 K
3MY MB6 V 3MY INT QJS K
MB6 3MY V MB6 QJS 4 AR
MB6 S7P V MB6 INT QJS INT QSA K
S7P MB6 V S7P QJS 3 QSA 3 AR
The modern equivalent of that manual is ACP131(F),[3] which includes these entries:

Signal Question Answer, Advice, or Order
QRK What is the intelligibility of my signals (or those of...)? The intelligibility of your signals (or those of...) is...
bad
poor
fair
good
excellent
QSA What is the strength of my signals (or those of...)? The strength of your signals (or those of...) is...
scarcely perceptible
weak
fairly good
good
very good
In voice procedure (the techniques used to facilitate spoken communication over two-way radios) a transmitting station may request a report on the subjective quality of signal they are broadcasting. In the military of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, and other organizations, the signal quality is reported on two scales: the first is for signal strength, and the second for signal clarity or "readability."[citation needed] Both these scales range from one to five, where one is the worst and five is the best. The listening station reports these numbers separated with the word "by". "Five by five" therefore means a signal that has excellent strength and perfect clarity � the most understandable signal possible.

The term is arguably derived from the signal quality rating systems such as shortwave's SINPO code[dubious � discuss] or amateur radio's RST code. Given that this slang spans not only generations but also a spectrum of communications technologies (spark-gap transmitters, shortwave, radio telephone, citizen's band (CB) radio, cellular among others) and organizations (hobbyist, commercial, military), there are many interpretations in popular misuse.

This reporting system is not appropriate for rating digital signal quality. This is because digital signals have fairly consistent quality as the receiver moves away from the transmitter until reaching a threshold distance. At this threshold point, sometimes called the "digital cliff," the signal quality takes a severe drop and is lost.[2]:38 This difference in reception reduces attempts to ascertain subjective signal quality to simply asking, "Can you hear me now?" or similar. (The only possible response is "yes"; otherwise, there is just dead air.) This sudden signal drop was also one of the primary arguments of analog proponents against moving to digital systems. However, the "five bars" displayed on many cell phones does directly correlate to the signal strength rating.

See also[edit]

QSL card
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A 1925 QSL card from Bill Corsham, G2UV.
A QSL card is a written confirmation of either a two-way radiocommunication between two amateur radio stations or a one-way reception of a signal from an AM radio, FM radio, television or shortwave broadcasting station. It can also confirm the reception of a two-way radiocommunication by a third party listener. A typical QSL card is the same size and made from the same material as a typical postcard, and most are sent through the mail as such.

QSL card derived its name from the Q code "QSL". A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question (when the code is followed by a question mark). In this case, 'QSL?' (note the question mark) means "Do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while 'QSL' (without a question mark) means "I confirm receipt of your transmission.".

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Usage in amateur radio
3 Usage in shortwave listening
4 Usage in CB radio
5 Usage in TV-FM and AM DXing
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
History[edit]
During the early days of radio broadcasting, the ability for a radio set to receive distant signals was a source of pride for many consumers and hobbyists. Listeners would mail "reception reports" to radio broadcasting stations in hopes of getting a written letter to officially verify they had heard a distant station. As the volume of reception reports increased, stations took to sending post cards containing a brief form that acknowledged reception. Collecting these cards became popular with radio listeners in the 1920s and 1930s, and reception reports were often used by early broadcasters to gauge the effectiveness of their transmissions.

The concept of sending a post card to verify reception of a station (and later two-way contact between them) may have been independently invented several times. The earliest reference seems to be a card sent in 1916 from 8VX in Buffalo, New York to 3TQ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (in those days ITU prefixes were not used). The standardized card with callsign, frequency, date, etc. may have been developed in 1919 by C.D. Hoffman, 8UX, in Akron, Ohio. In Europe, W.E.F. "Bill" Corsham, 2UV, first used a QSL when operating from Harlesden, England in 1922.[1]

Usage in amateur radio[edit]

QSL card.

Picture QSL card.
Amateur radio operators exchange QSL cards to confirm two-way radio contact between stations. Each card contains details about one or more contacts, the station and its operator. At a minimum, this includes the call sign of both stations participating in the contact, the time and date when it occurred (usually specified in UTC), the radio frequency or Band used, the mode of transmission used, and a signal report.[2] The International Amateur Radio Union and its member societies recommend a maximum size of 3� by 5� inches (140 mm by 90 mm).[3]

QSL cards are a ham radio operator's calling card and are frequently an expression of individual creativity � from a photo of the operator at his station to original artwork, images of the operator's home town or surrounding countryside, etc. They are frequently created with a good dose of individual pride. Consequently, the collecting of QSL cards of especially interesting designs has become an add-on hobby to the simple gathering of printed documentation of a ham's communications over the course of his or her radio career.

QSL Card
Normally sent using ordinary, international postal systems, QSL cards can be sent either direct to an individual�s address, or via a country's centralized amateur radio association QSL bureau, which collects and distributes cards for that country. This saves postage fees for the sender by sending several cards destined for a single country in one envelope, or large numbers of cards using parcel services. The price for lower postage, however, is a delay in reaching its destination because of the extra handling time involved. [4] In addition to such incoming bureaus, there are also outgoing bureaus in some countries. These bureaus offer a further postage savings by accepting cards destined for many different countries and repackaging them together into bundles that are sent to specific incoming bureaus in other countries.[5] Most QSL bureaus operated by national amateur radio societies are both incoming and outgoing, with the notable exception of the United States of America, and are coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).[5]

For rare countries, that is ones where there are very few amateur radio operators, places with no reliable (or even existing) postal systems, including expeditions to remote areas, a volunteer QSL manager may handle the mailing of cards. For expeditions this may amount to thousands of cards, and payment for at least postage is appreciated, and is required for a direct reply (as opposed to a return via a bureau).

Recently, the Internet has enabled electronic transmission as an alternative to mailing a physical card. These systems use computer databases to store all the same information normally verified by QSL cards in an electronic format. Some sponsors of amateur radio operating awards, which normally accept QSL cards for proof of contacts, may also recognize a specific electronic QSL system in verifying award applications.

One such system, called eQSL,[6] enables electronic exchange of QSLs as jpeg or gif images which can then be printed as cards on the recipient's local inkjet or laser printer, or displayed on the computer monitor. Many logging programs now have direct electronic interfaces to transmit QSO details in real-time into the eQSL.cc database. CQ Amateur Radio magazine began accepting electronic QSLs from eQSL.cc for its four award programs in January 2009. 10-10 has been accepting eQSLs since 2002.
Another system, the ARRL�s Logbook of The World (LoTW), allows confirmations to be submitted electronically for that organization�s DX Century Club and Worked All States awards. Confirmations are in the form of database records, electronically signed with the private key of the sender. This system simply matches database records but does not allow creation of pictorial QSL cards.
Even in the presence of electronic QSLs, physical QSL cards are often fine historical or sentimental keepsakes of a memorable location heard or worked, or a pleasant contact with a new radio friend, and serious hams may have thousands of them. Some cards are plain, while others are multicolored and may be oversized or double paged.

An illustrated history of one amateur radio operator's life and QSL collection was published in 2003.[7]

Usage in shortwave listening[edit]

A Radio Moscow QSL card from 1969.
International shortwave broadcasters have traditionally issued QSL cards to listeners to verify reception of programming, and also as a means of judging the size of their audiences, effective reception distances, and technical performance of their transmitters. QSL cards can also serve as publicity tools for the shortwave broadcaster, and sometimes the cards will include cultural information about the country.[8]

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program has occasionally requested reception information on its shortwave experiments, in return for which it sent back QSL cards.[9] Standard frequency and time stations, such as WWV, will also send QSL cards in response to listeners reports. Other shortwave utility stations, such as marine and aviation weather broadcasters, may QSL, as do some Pirate radio stations, usually through mail drop boxes.

Usage in CB radio[edit]
CB radio enthusiasts often exchanged colorful QSL cards, especially during the height of CB's popularity in the 1970s.[10] CB radio operators who met while on the air would typically swap personalized QSL cards which featured their names ("handles") and CB callsigns.[11] Originally, CB required a purchased license and the use of a callsign; however, when the CB craze was at its peak many people ignored this requirement and invented their own "handles".[12]

A CB radio QSL card
A simple card format might only include the users callsign and/or "handle", home location, and note the date and time of a CB radio contact. More elaborate cards featured caricatures, cartoons, slogans and jokes, sometimes of a ribald nature.[11] As the CB radio fad grew in the U.S. and Canada, a number of artists specializing in artwork for CB QSL cards emerged who were identified by nicknames such as "Alley Cat", "Sundown", "Booking Agent", "Squeaky", "The Viking", "Moonglow", and "Brushstroke".[13] According to artist Jess Anderson, aka "Runnin Bare", in 1976, he returned $100,000 to customers "because he could not keep up with demand".[13]

Usage in TV-FM and AM DXing[edit]
QSL cards are also collected by radio enthusiasts who listen for distant FM radio or TV stations. With the advent of digital broadcasting there is greater difficulty with the reception of weak TV signals due to the cliff effect,[14] however AM broadcasting radio stations will often reply to listener reports, particularly if they report receiving them at a significant distance.[15]

See also[edit]
DXing
Heys Collection, a collection of QSL cards in the British Library Philatelic Collections

Ten-code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ten-codes, officially known as ten signals, are brevity codes used to represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by law enforcement and in Citizens Band (CB) radio transmissions.

The codes, developed in 1937 and expanded in 1974 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), allow brevity and standardization of message traffic. They have historically been widely used by law enforcement officers in North America, but, due to the lack of standardization, in 2006 the U.S. federal government recommended they be discontinued in favor of everyday language.[1]

Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 In popular culture
2 Replacement with plain language
3 Examples of ten-codes
4 Related codes
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
History[edit]
APCO first proposed Morse code brevity codes in the June 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, which were adapted from the procedure symbols of the U.S. Navy.[2]

The development of the APCO Ten Signals began in 1937 to reduce use of speech on the radio at a time when police radio channels were limited. Credit for inventing the codes goes to Charles "Charlie" Hopper, communications director for the Illinois State Police, District 10 in Pesotum, Illinois. Hopper had been involved in radio for years and realized there was a need to abbreviate transmissions on State Police bands.[3] Experienced radio operators knew the first syllable of a transmission was frequently not understood because of quirks in early electronics technology. Radios in the 1930s were based on vacuum tubes powered by a small motor-generator called a dynamotor. The dynamotor took from 1/10 to 1/4 of a second to "spin up" to full power. Police officers were trained to push the microphone button, then pause briefly before speaking; however, sometimes they would forget to wait. Preceding each code with "ten-" gave the radio transmitter time to reach full power. An APCO Bulletin of January 1940 lists codes assigned as part of standardization;[4]

The Ten Signals were included in APCO Project Two (1967), "Public Safety Standard Operating Procedures Manual", published as study cards in APCO Project 4 (1973), "Ten Signal Cards", and then revised in APCO Project 14 (1974).[5][6][7][8]

In popular culture[edit]
Ten-codes, especially "10-4" (meaning "understood") first reached public recognition in the mid- to late-1950s through the popular television series Highway Patrol, with Broderick Crawford. Crawford would reach into his patrol car to use the microphone to answer a call and precede his response with "10-4".

Ten-codes were adapted for use by CB radio enthusiasts. C. W. McCall's hit song "Convoy" (1975), depicting conversation among CB-communicating truckers, put phrases like 10-4 and what's your twenty? (10-20 for "where are you?") into common use in American English.

The movie Convoy (1978), loosely based on McCall's song, further entrenched ten-codes in casual conversation. By 2017, "10-4" as a communication concept, found a way into art. http://10-4.space/

Replacement with plain language[edit]
While ten-codes were intended to be a terse, concise, and standardized system, the proliferation of different meanings can render them useless in situations when officers from different agencies and jurisdictions need to communicate.

In the fall of 2005, responding to inter-organizational communication problems during the rescue operations after Hurricane Katrina, the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) discouraged the use of ten-codes and other codes due to their wide variation in meaning.[9][10] The Department of Homeland Security's SAFECOM program, established in response to communication problems experienced during the September 11 attacks also advises local agencies on how and why to transition to plain language,[11] and their use is expressly forbidden in the nationally standardized Incident Command System, as is the use of other codes.[12]

APCO International's current position states that plain speech communications over public safety radio systems is preferred over the traditional 10-Codes and dispatch signals,[13] As of 2011, ten-codes remain in common use in many areas, but are increasingly being phased out in favor of plain language,[1] with nineteen states planning to change to plain English as of the end of 2009.[14]

Examples of ten-codes[edit]
Some examples of the codes are:[15]

10-1 Bad reception
10-4 I acknowledge/Affirmative/Copy
10-9 Say again
10-20 Advise to location
10-21 Call
10-33 Emergency: all units stand by
10-36 Correct time
Many additional codes have been added by individual local or regional first-response agencies; these are not standard across jurisdictions and may be problematic if multiple organizations must respond to the same incident.

Related codes[edit]
The California Highway Patrol uses ten-codes, along with an additional set of eleven- and higher codes.[16]
California Penal Code sections were in use by the Los Angeles Police Department as early as the 1940s, and these Hundred Code numbers are still used today instead of the corresponding ten-code. Generally these are given as two sets of numbers[citation needed]�"One Eighty-Seven" or "Fifty-One Fifty"�with a few exceptions such as "459"�Burglary, which is given as "Four-Five-Nine". The American public was made aware of these California Penal Code references as a result of the TV series Adam-12, which used them habitually in radio communications and in the main title of the show. The best-known include:
"187": Homicide
Further information: 187 (slang)
"211": Robbery
"415": Disturbance
"417": Person with a weapon
"502": Intoxicated Driver
"5150": Mentally disturbed person (actually a reference to the California Welfare and Institutions Code)
The New York Fire Department uses its own ten-code system.[17]
The New Zealand Fire Service uses a system of "K-codes" to pass fire appliance availability statuses as well as operational messages. For example, "K1" means "proceeding to incident", while "K99" means "Structure fire, well involved".[18][19] The New Zealand Police also use some K-codes,[20] with completely unrelated meanings to those used by NZFS; Police code "K1" means "no further police action required".
Telegraph and teletype procedures
Q code and prosigns for Morse code are used in amateur radio, aviation and marine radio. They provide specific abbreviations for concepts related to aviation, shipping, RTTY, radiotelegraph and amateur radio.[21] In radiotelegraph operation, a Q code is often shorter (as ten-codes require transmission of three prefix characters: 1, 0, hyphen) and provides standardization of codes, essential in international and shortwave communications.
Z codes are used by NATO countries in military radio communications.

Law enforcement jargon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Law Enforcement Jargon refers to a large body of acronyms, abbreviations, codes and slang used by law enforcement personnel to provide quick concise descriptions of people, places, property and situations, in both spoken and written communication. These vary between countries and to a lesser extent regionally.[1]

Contents [hide]
1 United Kingdom
1.1 Initialisms
1.2 Acronyms
1.3 Abbreviations
1.4 Other
2 United States
2.1 Numerical and alphanumerical codes
2.2 Subject description initialisms
2.3 Code violations
2.4 Initialisms describing situations
2.5 Slang terms for police misconduct
2.6 Miscellaneous abbreviations and descriptive terms
2.7 Miscellaneous acronyms
2.8 Miscellaneous abbreviations
3 Popular culture
4 External links
5 References
United Kingdom[edit]
Initialisms[edit]
ABH: Actual bodily harm
ARU: Armed Response Unit
ARV: Armed Response Vehicle
B&E: Breaking and entering
BIP: Burglary In Progress
BOP: Breach of the peace
CAD: Computer Aided Dispatch
D&D: Drunk And Disorderly
DIC: Drunk In Charge (of a vehicle)
DUI: Driving Under Influence (Drugs or Alcohol)(of a vehicle)
DIP: Drunk In Public
GBH: Grievous Bodily Harm
IRTC: Injury Road Traffic Collision
NFA: No Further Action or No Fixed Abode
PCSO: Police Community Support Officer; A civilian uniformed non-warranted officer. Alternatively a Police Custody and Security Officer in Scotland.
PNC: Police National Computer
PWITS: (pronounced peewits) Possession With Intent To Supply[2]
RCU: Road Crime Unit
RTC: Road Traffic Collision
TAG: Tactical Aid Group
TDA: Taking and Driving Away
TFU: Tactical Firearms Unit
VDRS: Vehicle Defects Rectification Scheme[3]
VSS: Victim Support Scheme
Acronyms[edit]
ACPO: Association of Chief Police Officers now NPCC
ACRO: ACPO Criminal Records Office
ANPR: Automatic Number-Plate Recognition
CO19: Central Operations Specialist Firearms Command; A unit of the Metropolitan Police Service.
HOCR: Home Office Counting Rules[4]
HOLMES: Home Office Large and Major Enquiry System; a computer system for major incidents
PACE: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; Act of parliament providing a core framework of police powers in England and Wales and safeguards around stop and search, arrest, detention, investigation, identification and interviewing detainees
NSPIS: National Strategy for Police Information Systems; a computer system for the management of police resources
NPCC: National Police Chiefs' Council
SOCO: Scenes Of Crime Officer; a forensic crime scene examiner
TWOC: Taken Without Owner's Consent
Abbreviations[edit]
AIO: All In Order
ATT: At This Time
MISPER: Missing person
MOE: Method Of Entry (battering ram)
WOFF: Write off; a vehicle or other property deemed a total loss for insurance purposes
WINQ: Warrant inquiry
Code 99: Tea break, "99" is a brand of Co-op tea. The Co-op is a popular UK supermarket chain
NOK: Next Of Kin
NRRR: No Reply Repeated Ringing (telephone)
NRRK: No Reply Repeated Knocking (residence)
PAAOTCO: Please Ask An Officer To Call On...
POLSA: Police Search Advisor.
POLSTN: Police Station
POLAC: Police Accident (replaced by POLCOL)
POLCOL: Police Collision
U/K: Unknown
VIW: Victim/Informant/Witness
Other[edit]
Big Red Key: A type of battering ram.[5][6]
Mistaken Harassment: Where a complainant alleging harassment is mistaken about the behaviour of another person because they have read more into that behaviour than was reasonable.[7]
United States[edit]
Numerical and alphanumerical codes[edit]
The ten-codes are used only for voice communications, usually radio transmissions and denote commonly used phrases; for example 10-16 means domestic disturbance for some agencies. Use of ten-codes is intended for the clear, quick, and concise communication between law enforcement officers.

The response codes consist of the word "Code" followed by a number; for example "Code 3" means lights and sirens.

Numbers and alphanumeric combinations referring to offenses and actions covered by legal codes are often used both as nouns and verbs in both spoken and written communication. Since each state has its own system of law, this usage varies widely by state. For example, in California, if a suspect is 849B'd, it means they are released from custody after being arrested (instead of being booked into county jail) and refers to section 849(b) of the California Penal Code.

Subject description initialisms[edit]
Three letter abbreviations are commonly used to describe subjects mentioned in incident reports. The first letter denotes apparent race/ethnicity; the most commonly used letters are: A�Asian, B�Black, H�Hispanic, O�Other, W�White. The letters PI are occasionally used to denote Pacific Islander resulting in a four letter abbreviation [1]. The second letter denotes gender: F�Female, M�Male. The final letter denotes whether the subject is legally an adult: A�Adult, J�Juvenile. Thus the initialism WFJ (or wfj) appearing after a subject's name in a police log would denote a white female juvenile.

Code violations[edit]
*Note: Names for offenses vary by jurisdiction; accordingly, several acronyms may mean the same thing

ADW: Assault with a Deadly Weapon
B&E: Breaking and Entering
BFW: Bond Forfeiture Warrant
DIP: Drunk In Public
DOC: Department of Corrections
DUI: Driving Under the Influence [of alcohol or drugs]
DWI: Driving While Intoxicated
DWS: Driving While Suspended
DWLS / DWLR: Driving While License Suspended / Revoked
DUS: Driving Under Suspension
FTA: Failure to Appear
GTA: Grand Theft Auto
HS: Health and Safety Code
LFA: Larceny from Automobile
MIC/MIP: Minor in Consumption/Possession [of alcohol]
PC: Penal Code
PI: Public Intoxication
UDAA: Unlawfully Driving Away an Automobile[8]
UUMV: Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
VC: Vehicle Code
WI: Welfare & Institutions Code
Fel.: Felony
Misd.: Misdemeanor
Inf.: Infraction
Initialisms describing situations[edit]
ATL: Attempt To Locate
BOLO: Be On Lookout (pronounced as Bo-Low)
DB: Dead Body
DID: Driver in Ditch
DOA: Dead On Arrival
DRT: Dead, Right There
EDP: Emotionally Disturbed Person
GOA: Gone On Arrival
IFO: In Front Of
LKA: Last Known Address
LNU: Last Name Unknown
PNB: Pulseless Non-Breather
QOA: Quiet On Arrival
UTL: Unable To Locate
Slang terms for police misconduct[edit]
Alley court: Unlawfully endeavouring to force a prisoner to make a confession.[9]
Testilying: Police perjury.[10]
Miscellaneous abbreviations and descriptive terms[edit]
Adam Henry (AH, i.e., "Asshole"): Ignorant individual slang [see HUA]
AKA: Also Known As (Person has assumed name, aliases)
APB: All Points Bulletin
APC: All Points County
AVL: Automatic Vehicle Location; allows dispatch to see exactly where a given patrol car is [11]
BOLO: Similar to APB, Be On The Look Out [for]
CDS: Controlled or Dangerous Substance (Narcotics)
CJ: County Jail
Civvies: term describing non-uniform clothing used in undercover operations
CompStat: method of tracking criminal activity and subsequent enforcement
Condition: problem or concern in need of police attention
DA: District Attorney
DL: Driver's License
DOC: Department of Corrections
DOB: Date Of Birth
DOJ: Department of Justice
DV: Domestic Violence
EC: Emergency Contact
ETOH: Intoxicated (Ethyl Alcohol)
FD: Fire Department
FTO: Field Training Officer
GAT: Illegal firearm
GOA: Gone On Arrival
GSW: Gunshot wound
HBO: Handled By Officer
House mouse: A police officer who seldom leaves the police station
HP: Highway Patrol
HUA: Ignorant slang [see AH or "Adam Henry"]
KA: Known Associate
LEDS/LEADS: Law Enforcement (Agencies) Data System
LUDS: Local Usage Details. A detailed record of calls made and received from a particular phone number.
MDT: Mobile Data Terminal, referring to in-car computer systems.
MHO: Mental Health Officer
MUTT: An extremely unsavory character
MVA: Motor Vehicle Accident
NAT: Necessary Action Taken
NORP: Normal, Ordinary, Responsible Person
OLN: Operator's License Number
PA: Prosecuting Attorney
PC: Probable Cause � legal standard of proof that is greater than reasonable suspicion
PD: Police Department or Police Headquarters
PMVA: Pedestrian Motor Vehicle Accident
PR: Person (or Party) Reporting (used by LAPD and various others)
PUKE: A pejorative for an inmate of the county jail or state prison
RDO: Regular Day Off
Responsible (RESP): Alleged perpetrator of a violation
RO: Registered Owner
RP: Reporting Person/Party
SA: State's Attorney
Skell: Unsavory character, particularly in the sense of being unwashed, dirty, or smelly (term often used by NY Police Officers)
SKELL GEL: Anti bacterial lotion used by Officers after contact with skell(s)
SNEU: Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit
SO: Sheriff's Office
SOC: Social Security Number
SOR: Sex Offender Registration/Registrant
SRO: School Resource Officer
UTL: Unable To Locate
WOOD SHAMPOO: Using less than lethal force to gain compliance
Miscellaneous acronyms[edit]
AFIS: Automated fingerprint identification system
CODIS: Combined DNA Index System
UNSUB: Unknown Subject(of an investigation)
IAFIS: Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System
NCIC: National Crime Information Center
SWAT: A police department's special weapons and tactics unit
VIN: Vehicle Identification Number
Miscellaneous abbreviations[edit]
B&R: Booked and released (from county jail)
BKD: Booked (into county jail)
BLK: Street block
BTWN: Between
BUS: Ambulance
COMPL: Complainant
Copy: Affirmative
DESC: Description
JUV: Juvenile
K9: (or K-9), handler-and-canine unit
MOD: Model (of vehicle, for example)
M/N: Model Number (of article, for example)
P&P: Probation and Parole
PROP: Property
PERP: Perpetrator
R&I: Records and Information
REG: Vehicle registration
RELD/RLSD: Released
RPTS: Reports (verb)
SER: Serial number
S/N: Serial number
S/H: Station house
SUSP: Suspect
S/V: Suspect Vehicle
TKN: Taken
TANGO: Thank You
UNK: Unknown
UTL: Unable To Locate
VEH: Vehicle
VIC: Victim
V/C: Victim / Complainant
WARR: Warrant
Popular culture[edit]
Law enforcement jargon is heavily used in police procedurals and similar shows. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a television series about forensic scientists, uses many acronyms such as AFIS, CODIS and DB.

Some shows, like "Adam-12" and CSI will use the criminal code, for where the show is based, to describe a crime. This would be understood by people from that state or others in the know, but would be nonsense for others.

The numeric code 187 from the California Penal Code section dealing with murder has been featured in numerous songs, including the gangsta rap song Deep Cover by Dr. Dre and the alternative hip hop-ska punk song April 29, 1992 (Miami) by Sublime. It also serves as the title of the movie One Eight Seven. A police drama show called "Detroit 1-8-7" aired in the U.S. on the ABC network in 2010 - 2011, which made no sense because 187 does not denote murder under Michigan law.

External links[edit]

External links[edit]
Killeen Police Jargon Page (the local police department in Killeen, Texas)
Menlo Park Police Daily Log Glossary (PDF format) (the local police department in Menlo Park, California)
Staffordshire Police Jargon Buster (the Police Force in Staffordshire, England)[dead link]
UK Police Slang and Acronyms (a large and growing list of police slang submitted by Police forum members)[dead link]
Legal Jargon Glossary (a large list of legal terms and jargon used by Attorneys)
Police Glossary (a large list of police terms and jargon related to arrests)
References[edit]
Jump up ^

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_enforcement_jargon

Emergency service response codes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Code 1", "Code 2", "Code 4", and "Code 5" redirect here. For uses in sailing, see Spinnaker.
"Code 5" redirects here. For the band, see Code 5 (band).

This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. Please help us clarify the article. There might be a discussion about this on the talk page. (January 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The emergency services in various countries use systems of response codes to categorize their responses to reported events. One of the best known is the Code 3 Response, which is used in several countries, particularly the United States, to describe a mode of response for an emergency vehicle responding to a call. It is commonly used to mean "use lights and siren".

Contents [hide]
1 Alternative terminology
2 Other countries
2.1 United Kingdom
2.2 Australia
2.2.1 Victoria
2.2.2 New South Wales
2.2.3 South Australia
2.2.4 Queensland
2.2.5 Northern Territory
2.2.6 Western Australia
3 Possible shift to plain language
4 See also
5 References
Alternative terminology[edit]
In some agencies, Code 3 is also called a Hot Response. Code 1 is also called a Cold Response.[1]

Some slang may be used, such as "Running Hot", or "Running Cold".

Some departments may use the terms "upgrade" and "downgrade" as well. If a unit is responding to a call without lights or sirens (code 1), and the unit later needs to turn on lights and sirens (code 3), the term upgrade may be used. The term downgrade may be used in the opposite situation.

Some Paramedic/EMS agencies use Priority terms, which run in the opposite of code responses.

Priority 1 - Dead On Arrival Trauma/CPR
Priority 2 - Emergency
Priority 3 - Non- Emergency
Priority 4 - Situation Under Control
Priority 5 - Mass Casualty
Other countries[edit]
United Kingdom[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The use of lights and sirens is up to the individual police officer driving to the call. The nature of the call is an aggravating factor when deciding when to use them. Calls are graded by either the control room direct (in the case of emergency calls) or by some sort of first contact centre (nonemergency calls). Grading is effected by such factors as the use or threat of violence at the incident being reported. Even though the grading is done by the control room, officers can request an incident be upgraded if they feel in their judgement they are needed immediately. They can also request to downgrade an incident if they feel they cannot justify using emergency equipment like blue lights and sirens.

There is no nationally agreed call grading system with a number of different systems being used across the UK and attendance times given the grade varies between forces, depending on how rural the county is. For example, Suffolk Constabulary break down Grade A emergencies into further sub-categories of Grade A Urban and Rural, with Urban attendance times attracting a 15-minute arrival time and Grade A Rural attendance would attract a 20-minute arrival time. Some of these are listed below but is not exhaustive.[2]

Grade Meaning Audible and visible emergency equipment Target time
A Immediate response call Use advisable 8 minutes
B Significant call, routine call Can be used if driver thinks police are needed immediately 20 minutes
C extended call, Scheduled appointments Not to be used No time limit
D Non-attendance Not to be used Non-attendance
Resolved Non-attendance Not to be used Call is resolved at point of contact.
Another variant in use within the UK.

Grade Meaning Audible and visible emergency equipment
IM Immediate Priority Normally used, examples of incidents graded as an immediate priority include incidents in which life is at risk, there is serious injury (or risk of), serious road traffic collisions, and where serious crime is in-progress or has just taken place.
H High Priority Normally used - incidents graded high are of serious nature and have the potential to develop into immediate priority incidents
N Normal Priority Not used - incidents are graded as normal that do not depend upon a timely police response.
L Low Priority Not used - incidents graded as low that do not depend upon a timely police response and may be resolved by phone or pre-arranged appointment.
NA Non-attendance Not used, no police attendance required.
A numerical grading system is used in some forces.[3]

Grade Meaning Audible and visible emergency equipment
1 Emergency response Road traffic exemptions usually utilised as is audible and visual warning equipment.
2 Urgent response Road traffic exemptions may be utilised along with audible and visual warning equipment.
3 Non-urgent response Audible and visual warning equipment is not used.
4 Appointments Audible and visual warning equipment is not used.
5 For information only Calls not usually requiring police attendance that may be logged for information only.
Ambulance responses in the UK are as follows. Some ambulance services allow driver discretion for 'Green' calls; this may be dependent on the type of call or how long it has been waiting for a response for.

Grade Meaning Audible and visible emergency equipment Type of call Initial response target
Red1 Immediate Life Threat Always used Cardiac arrests or potential cardiac arrests (unconscious with abnormal or noisy breathing) 8 min
Red2 Life Threat Always used Cardiac chest pain. Severe breathing difficulties. Catastrophic bleeding 8 min
Green1 Emergency Transfer (HCP) Usually used (service policy dependent) Emergency GP admissions to hospital. Emergency interhospital transfers. 20 min
Green2 Emergency Response Usually used (service policy dependent) Non-cardiac chest pain with breathing problems. Severe abdominal pain. Severe fractures. 30 min
Green3 Assistance at home Dependent on service policy Non-injury falls requiring assistance 30-60 min (service dependent)
Green4 Urgent response Dependent on service policy Minor limb injuries. Minor illness. 60 min
GP Urgent Urgent response Not usually used GP urgent admissions to hospital. Urgent interhospital transfers 1�4 hours or scheduled timeframe, decided by admitting HCP
The use of flashing lights and sirens is colloquially known as blues and twos which refers to the blue lights and the two-tone siren once commonplace (although most sirens now use a range of tones). In the UK, only blue lights are used to denote emergency vehicles (although other colours may also be used as sidelights, stop indicators, etc.). A call-out requiring the use of lights and sirens is often colloquially known as a blue light run.

Australia[edit]
Victoria[edit]
Ambulance Victoria The information provided to Ambulance Victoria at the time of the triple zero call generates a case type and ambulance response code depending on the severity of the emergency.

There are three types of ambulance response:

Code 1: A time critical case with a lights and sirens ambulance response. An example is a cardiac arrest or serious traffic accident.

Code 2: An acute but non-time critical response. The ambulance does not use lights and sirens to respond. An example of this response code is a broken leg.

Code 3: A non-urgent routine case. These include cases such as a person with ongoing back pain but no recent injury.

Source: http://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/About-Us/How-we-work/In-a-Medical-Emergency/Response-Codes.html

Please note additional codes are used, but these are for internal purposes.

Country Fire Authority There are two types of response for the Country Fire Authority which cover the outer Melbourne Area. These are similar to those used by Ambulance Victoria, minus the use of Code 2.

Code 1: A time critical event with response requiring lights and siren. This usually is a known and going fire or a rescue incident.

Code 2: Unused within the Country Fire Authority

Code 3: Non-urgent event, such as a previously extinguished fire or community service cases (such as animal rescue or changing of smoke alarm batteries for the elderly).

New South Wales[edit]
Marine Rescue NSW

Code 1 Urgent Response - Use warning devices

Code 2 Semi Urgent Response - Use of Warning devices at skippers discretion

Code 3 Non Urgent Response - Warning Devices not needed

Code 4 Training - No Warning devices to be used unless specifically needed for training

'N.S.W. AMBULANCE CODES'

ZERO 1 Clear the air, Urgent Message.

CODE 1 Officer in trouble requires Police.

CODE 2 Cardiac arrest.

CODE 3 Advise Hosp. of patients condition.

CODE 4 Patient Deceased.

CODE 5 Arriving at Hospital, DOA for Cert.

CODE 6 Departing Hospital for Morgue.

CODE 7 Arriving at Morgue.

CODE 8 Patient with a Terminal condition.

CODE 9 Rescue required, Person trapped.

CODE 10 Fire Brigade required.

CODE 11 Live Wires Down contact Power Auth.

CODE 12 Poisonous Gas.

CODE 13 Danger of Explosion.

CODE 14 Ambulance involved in Collision.

CODE 15 Patients or Officer Injured.

CODE 16 Tow Truck required.

CODE 17 Overdose.

CODE 18 Airport Alert.

CODE 19 Disaster Alert.

CODE 20 Meal Break.

CODE 21 Paramedics required.

CODE 22 Morphine administered.

CODE 23 Infectious disease.

CODE 24 Approach with caution, await Police.

CODE 25 Suicide / Suspicious death call Police.

CODE 26 Sexual Assault

Fire and Rescue NSW use the following radio codes:

Code 1: Responding to Incident
Code 2: Called Off Incident (No Longer Required to Respond)
Code 3: On Scene at Incident
Code 4: Available for Response
Code 5: Returned to Station
Code 6: Entered Rural Fire Service Area
Code 7: Unavailable to Respond (Reason Required)
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service uses two levels of response, depending on what the call-out is and what has been directed of the crew attending the incident by orders of the duty officer:

Proceed: To drive to an incident, without displaying lights and/or sirens and to obey all road rules.
Respond: To drive to an incident, urgently but safely, whilst displaying lights and/or sirens. Some exemptions exist for emergency drivers (for example: proceeding through a red light after stopping and when safe) though all road rules still must be obeyed. The siren can be switched off at the discretion of the driver when it is not needed (for example, when the road ahead is clear of traffic and easily visible) and reactivated at possible traffic hazards.
The New South Wales Police Force uses two distinct classifications for responding to incidents. In order to respond 'code red' a driver must be suitably trained and have qualified in appropriate police driver training courses.[4]

Code Red: Vehicle responding with lights and sirens activated.
Code Blue: Vehicle responding without lights or sirens activated.
South Australia[edit]
SA Ambulance Service use a Priority system.

Priority Case Type Lights & Sirens Used Crew Type
1 Emergency Yes Emergency (Paramedic or Intensive Care Paramedic)
2 Emergency Yes Emergency (Paramedic or Intensive Care Paramedic)
4 Urgent No Emergency (Paramedic or Intensive Care Paramedic)
5 Urgent No Emergency Support Service (Ambulance Officer)
6 Routine No Emergency (Paramedic or Intensive Care Paramedic)
7 Routine No Emergency Support Service (Ambulance Officer)
8 Routine No Patient Transport Service (Ambulance Officer)
Note: Priorities 0 and 3 have been reserved for future use. Priority 9 is used for administration taskings.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service, Country Fire Service and South Australian State Emergency Service use a Priority System which has been recently updated.

Priority Type Local Event Triage Lights & Sirens Used Response
1 Emergency Can't wait Yes Multiple Units Sent, Life-Threat
2 Urgent Can Wait No Single Unit Responded, Potential for Life-Threat
3 Routine Will Wait No Used Primarily by SES, No risk of Life Threat
All calls are routed through the Metropolitan Fire Service (Call Sign "Adelaide Fire") including State Emergency Service 132 500 calls.

During significant weather events the State Communication Centre (SCC) unit of the SES take over call taking responsibly. This operations centre is manned by volunteers routing calls for assistance to the closest unit who will dispatch the events to individual teams.

Queensland[edit]
Queensland Police uses the priority system;
Code 1 - Immediate risk of death to a person. Proceed lights and sirens. Permission granted to disobey road rules.
Code 2 - Immediate risk of serious injury to a person or damage to property. Proceed lights and sirens. Permission granted to disobey road rules.
Code 3 - Routine job. Proceed without lights or siren. Road rules must be obeyed.
Code 4 - Negotiated response time. Proceed without lights or siren. Road rules must be obeyed.

For Queensland Police code 1 and code 2 are exactly the same response time. Rarely will a job be given a priority code 1, instead officers will be told to respond code 2.

Northern Territory[edit]
St John Ambulance Northern Territory uses terms to determine the response.[5]

Emergency or Non-Emergency. Emergency can be broken down into Life-threatening or Non-life-threatening.
Emergency: Life-threatening - Respond lights and sirens
Emergency:Non-life-threatening - Respond without lights and sirens
Non Emergency: Respond without lights and sirens

Western Australia[edit]
St John Ambulance Western Australia uses the following codes to determine a response.[6]

Priority 1 represents an Emergency call. (Response time target is to attend to 90% of emergency calls within 15 minutes)
Priority 2 represents an Urgent call. Use of lights authorised and siren allowed only when passing through heavy traffic and clearing intersections. (Response time target is to attend to 90% of urgent calls within 25 minutes)
Priority 3 represents a Non-urgent call. (response time target is to attend to 90% of non-urgent calls within 60 minutes) ..

The Western Australian Police uses the following codes from 1 to 7 to determine response actions.

Priority 1 is an emergency call. Lights and siren authorised. An example of a Priority 1 call would be an armed holdup call, or an officer down.
Priority 2 is a less urgent emergency call. Lights and siren authorised, but follow basic traffic rules. An example of a Priority 2 call is a serious shots fired or officer in trouble/officer requires urgent assistance
Priority 3 is an urgent call, lights and siren authorised, but follow basic traffic and road rules.
Priority 4 is a less urgent call. Lights and siren authorised but follow more advanced traffic rules and the speed limit.
Priority 5, 6, and 7 is a standard call. No lights or siren authorised and follow all traffic rules.

Possible shift to plain language[edit]
In the U.S. the National Incident Management System (NIMS) states "it is required that plain language be used for multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction and multi-discipline events, such as major disasters and exercises" and federal grants became contingent on this beginning fiscal year 2006.[7] NIMS also strongly encourages the use of plain language for internal use within a single agency.

See also[edit]

Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Question book-new.svg
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. (July 2008)

Star of Life
The Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS) is an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system developed and marketed by Priority Dispatch Corporation. AMPDS is primarily used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is medically approved. The developer has similar products for police and fire.

AMPDS provides a unified system used to dispatch appropriate aid to medical emergencies, It includes systematized caller interrogation and pre-arrival instructions. The caller responses are used as inputs to gain a main response output category - A (Immediately Life Threatening), B (Urgent Call), or C (Routine Call). This can link to a performance targeting system such as ORCON to match call metrics to their targets, such as category response time. For example, in the United Kingdom, calls rated as 'A' on AMPDS have an 8-minute responder-on-scene target.

Each call is also assigned a sub-category or code, often used as a means of gathering further statistics about performance. It also helps when analysing the calls for how the call was described by the informant, compared to the injury or illness found when the crew attend. This can then be used to help improve the questioning system which gives the AMPDS classification. Each category is numbered from 1 (abdominal pain) through 32 (unknown). This is usually used for brevity and privacy over the radio. In some areas instead of the A, B, C categories, A (alpha) through E (echo) are used.

See also[edit]
Medical Priority Dispatch System
Emergency service response codes
Ten-code
References[edit]
United Kingdom Department of Health - AMPDS Call Categorisation Version 11. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. April 2005
Categories: Emergency medicineRating systems

Medical Priority Dispatch System
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Star of Life
The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is a unified system used to dispatch appropriate aid to medical emergencies including systematized caller interrogation and pre-arrival instructions. Priority Dispatch Corporation is licensed to design and publish MPDS and its various products.

MPDS was developed by Jeff Clawson from 1976 to 1979 when he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and dispatcher prior to medical school. He designed a set of standardized protocols to triage patients via the telephone and thus improve the emergency response system. Cards were first alphabetized by chief complaint that included key questions to ask the caller, pre-arrival instructions, and dispatch priorities. After many revisions, these simple cards have evolved into MPDS.

MPDS today still starts with the dispatcher asking the caller key questions. These questions allow the dispatchers to categorize the call by chief complaint and set a determinant level ranging from A (Minor) to E (Immediately Life Threatening) relating to the severity of the patient's condition. Some systems also use the determinant O which may be a referral to another service or obvious death. Another sub-category code is used to further categorize the patient. For instance, a suspected cardiac or respiratory arrest where the patient is not breathing is given the MPDS code 9-E-1, whereas a superficial animal bite has the code 3-A-3. The MPDS codes allow emergency medical systems to determine the appropriate response mode (i.e. routine or "lights and sirens") and resources to be assigned to the event.

The system is often used in the form of a software system called ProQA, which is also produced by Priority Dispatch.

Contents [hide]
1 Dispatch Determinants
1.1 Cards
1.1.1 Card 36
1.2 Response Determinant
1.3 Response Determinant NHS England Clinical Response Model[citation needed]
1.4 Response Determinant NHS Wales Pilot Clinical Response Model[citation needed]
2 See also
3 References
Dispatch Determinants[edit]
Each dispatch determinant is made up of three pieces of information, which builds the determinant in a Number-Letter-Number format. The first component, a number from 1 to 36, indicates a broad category or specific "Card" from the MPDS: the selection of this card is based on the initial questions asked by the emergency dispatcher. The second component, a letter A through E (including the Greek character O), is the response determinant indicating the potential severity of injury or illness based on information provided by the caller. The third and final component, a number, is the sub-determinant and provides more specific information about the patient's specific condition.

Cards[edit]
Card Category Card Category
1 Abdominal Pain/Problems 20 Heat/Cold Exposure
2 Allergies (Reactions)/ Envenomations (Stings, Bites) 21 Hemorrhage/Lacerations
3 Animal Bites/Attacks 22 Inaccessible Incident/Entrapments
4 Assault/Sexual 23 Overdose/Poisoning (Ingestion)
5 Back Pain (Non-Traumatic/Non-Recent) 24 Pregnancy/Childbirth/Miscarriage
6 Breathing Problems 25 Psychiatric/Suicide Attempt
7 Burns (Scalds) /Explosions 26 Sick Person
8 Carbon Monoxide/Inhalation/HAZMAT/CBRN 27 Stab/Gunshot/Penetrating Trauma
9 Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest/Death 28 Stroke (CVA)/Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
10 Chest Pain 29 Traffic/Transportation Incidents
11 Choking 30 Traumatic Injuries
12 Convulsions/Seizures 31 Unconscious/Fainting(Near)
13 Diabetic Problems 32 Unknown Problem (Man Down)
14 Drowning/Diving/SCUBA Accident 33 Inter-Facility Transfer/Palliative Care
15 Electrocution/Lightning 34 Automatic Crash Notification (A.C.N.)
16 Eye Problems/Injuries 35 HCP (Health-Care Practitioner) Referral (United Kingdom only)
17 Falls 36 Flu-Like Symptoms (Possible H1N1)
18 Headache 37 Inter-Facility Transfer specific to medically trained callers
19 Heart Problems/A.I.C.D.
Card 36[edit]
This card was created to handle the influx of emergency calls during the H1N1 pandemic: it directed that Standard EMS Resources be delayed until patients could be assessed by a Flu Response Unit (FRU), a single provider that could attend a patient and determine what additional resources were required for patient care to reduce the risk of pandemic exposure to EMS Personnel.

Response Determinant[edit]
Type Capability Response Time
Alpha Basic Life Support Cold (single unit)
Bravo Basic Life Support Hot (multiple units)
Charlie Advanced Life Support Cold (single unit)
Delta Advanced Life Support Hot (multiple units)
Echo Advanced Life Support and special units Hot (Multiple units) plus nontraditional responders
[1]

Response Determinant NHS England Clinical Response Model[citation needed][edit]
Letter Severity Resources Response
RED 1 Immediately Life Threatening Emergency Community Responder, Community Defibrillation, Nearest & Quickest Advanced Life Support Emergency
RED 2 Possibly Life-Threatening Community Responder, Nearest & Quickest Advanced Life Support Emergency
Green 1 Serious but NOT Life-Threatening Face to Face Clinical Assessment within 20 minutes Emergency
Green 2 Serious but NOT Life-Threatening Face to Face Clinical Assessment within 30 minutes (Urgent) Emergency
Green 3 Planned Clinical Telephone Assessment Planned clinical telephone assessment call back within 10 minutes Non-Emergency
Green 4 Face to Face Clinical Assessment within 60 minutes Transport to Emergency Department within 60 minutes, Urgent Admission (HCP) within 1, 2 or 4 Hours Non-Emergency
Response Determinant NHS Wales Pilot Clinical Response Model[citation needed][edit]
Letter Severity Details Response
RED Immediately Life Threatening Multiple Vehicle Dispatch - Lights and Siren Emergency Response
AMBER 1 and 2 Life-Threatening / Serious Calls Lights and Siren Emergency Response
GREEN 2 and 3 All other calls Face-to-face response - Clinical telephone assessment Non-Emergency Response

List of CB slang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (January 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
CB slang is the distinctive anti-language, argot or cant which developed among users of Citizens Band radio (CB), especially truck drivers in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s.[1]

The slang itself is not only cyclical, but also geographical. Through time, certain terms are added or dropped as attitudes toward it change. For example, in the early days of the CB radio, the term "Good Buddy" was widely used.[2]

Nicknames given or adopted by CB radio users are known as 'Handles'.[2][3] Although this practice is all but dead, many truck drivers will call each other 'Hand',[4] or by the name of the company they are driving for.[citation needed]

CB and its distinctive language started in the USA but was then exported to other countries including Mexico, Germany and Canada.

Contents [hide]
1 Popular terms
1.1 Law enforcement officers and their equipment
1.2 Trucks and other non-police vehicles
1.3 Destinations
1.4 Other popular terms
2 See also
3 Notes
4 External links
Popular terms[edit]
Law enforcement officers and their equipment[edit]
Term Description
Checkpoint Charlie Police checkpoint placed to look for intoxicated drivers, drivers with valid licenses, etc. (alludes to the former border crossing between East and West Berlin).
Evel Knievel Police officer on a motorcycle. (Refers to the popular motorcycle stuntman.)
Gum ball machine/Bubble gum machine Police vehicle, especially one with the older-style, dome-shaped red rotating/strobe light commonly mounted on the roof of police cars, which resembles a traditional "penny" gumball machine.
Miss Piggy A female police officer. (Refers to the Muppet character, derived from the pejorative term "pig" for police officers.)
Mama bear A less derogatory term for a female police officer.
Papa Bear A male Police Supervisor, usually a Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Captain
Baby bear A rookie police officer.
Bear in the air A police aircraft in flight.
Bear A police officer.
Bear trap Police officer running radar.
Bear bite/Invitation A traffic ticket/citation.
Bear's den/Bear cave A police station.
Bear rolling discos A speeding police car with its lights flashing.
Blue Light Special A police vehicle with its blue strobe lights flashing. (Refers to the popular Kmart sale gimmick.)
City kitty A local city police officer.
County mounty A county sheriff or deputy.
Fox in the hen House unmarked police vehicle.
Kojak With a Kodak Police Officer running radar.
Bear with ears A police officer monitoring the CB airwaves.
Flying donut A police helicopter.
Chicken coop A scale house (truck scale).
Full grown Bear A state police officer.
Smokey A police officer (refers to Smokey Bear, known for wearing a campaign hat very similar to that included in many highway patrol uniforms in the United States).
Wall-to-wall bears A large number of police vehicles, especially when on a chase.
Taco Stand Border patrol check stations on Southern routes.
Trucks and other non-police vehicles[edit]
Term Description
Aircraft carrier A tractor-trailer truck carrying disassembled aircraft.
Blinkin winkin/Kiddie car A school bus.
Bulldog A Mack road tractor, noted for its trademark bulldog hood ornament.
Bullfrog An ABF truck.
Bobtail rig A road tractor without a trailer attached.
Buster Brown A UPS truck.
Cornbinder/Thirteen Letter Shit Spreader A Navistar International Truck
Dung Beetle A Volkswagen Beetle with a male driver.
Freightshaker A Freightliner truck.
Jimmy A GMC truck.
K-Whopper A Kenworth truck.
Louisville A Ford L-Series truck.
Meat Wagon An ambulance.
Pete/Peter Car A Peterbilt truck.
Piggy back A truck towing another truck.
Portable parking lot/Rolling parking lot A tractor-trailer truck loaded with automobiles.
Pregnant rollerskate A Volkswagen Beetle.
Pumpkin/Pumpkin roller A Schneider National truck.
Reefer A refrigerated trailer or flatbed trailer hauling a refrigerated container.
Rolling refinery A tanker truck, typically carrying fuel.
Salt Shaker A Snow Plow
Scanny A Scania truck. There are around 500 in the United States [clarification needed]. It's very rare, so it's used only in social media (truck pages in Facebook, YouTube, etc.).
Skateboard A straight, flatbed trailer.
Super Chicken A Yellow Freight truck.
Thermos bottle A road tractor with a chemical trailer.
Wiggle Wagon A truck with more than one trailer.
Yard dog, yard goat, or mule Terminal tractor used to move trailers in a shipping/freight yard.
Destinations[edit]
Term Meaning
Beantown Boston, Massachusetts
Big Apple New York City, New York
Bingo or Bingotown Binghamton, New York
Big D Dallas, Texas
Cow Town Okeechobee, Florida
Derby City Louisville, Kentucky
Disney Town Anaheim, California and the surrounding areas (a reference to the Disneyland Resort).
Fort God Memphis, Tennessee (a reference to a large church outside the city).
Guitar Town Nashville, Tennessee
Gunspoint Greenspoint suburb of Houston, Texas.
Hotlanta Atlanta, Georgia
Idiot Island California
Job Town Clinton, New Jersey
Lost Wages Las Vegas, Nevada
Mardi Gras New Orleans, Louisiana
Mickey Mouse Orlando, Florida (a reference to Walt Disney World resort).
Monkey Town Montgomery, Alabama
Motor City Detroit, Michigan
Queen City Cincinnati, Ohio; Buffalo, New York
Pizza and Murder Chicago, Illinois
Rhymes With Fun Regina, Saskatchewan
Rock City Little Rock, Arkansas
Shakey City or Shakeytown Los Angeles, California (a reference to earthquakes).
Stack of Bricks A house or home. ("I'm heading back to my stack of bricks.")
Steam town Scranton, Pennsylvania
The Sticker Patch Phoenix, Arizona (a reference to cacti in the area).
T Town Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tonto Toronto, Ontario
Taco Town San Antonio, Texas
Windy City Chicago, Illinois
Other popular terms[edit]
"01"
The first pick-up or delivery stop on a run.
"02, 03, 04, etc."
Subsequent pick-up or delivery stops on a run.
"4-10"
A reversal of the ten code "10-4," when asking if someone agrees with something said or if one's transmission was received. ("That was a nasty wreck. Four-ten?")
"5 by 5"
5 by 5 indicates that another CB user can be heard clearly. An exceptionally clear/strong transmission is described as "wall-to-wall and treetop tall."
"10-4" (sometimes simply "4")
Acknowledged; can also be used to denote or emphasize an agreement ("That's a big 10-4.").
"10-6"
Busy; stand by.[5]
"10-7"
Out of commission.
"10-8"
In service; taking calls.
"10-9"
Repeat, usually requested.
"10-10"
CB user will cease broadcasting but will continue to listen. ("I'm 10-10 on the side.")
"10-20" (more often simply "20")
Denotes location, as in identifying one's location ("My 20 is on Main Street and First"), asking the receiver what their current location or destination is ("What's your 20?"), or inquiring about the location of a third person ("Ok, people, I need a 20 on Little Timmy and fast").
"10-33"
An emergency situation ("You got a 10-33 at yardstick (milepost) 136, they got 4-wheelers (autos) all piled up"). Also used for radio checks (as singer C.W. McCall noted in "Round the World with Rubber Duck": "'Breaker 1-9er for a 10-33,' what we got was the cotton-pickin' BBC.").
"3s and 8s"
Love and kisses.
"10-36"
The time of day. ("Can I get a 10-36?")
"10-51"
"I'm headed your way." ("I'm 51 to you.")
"10-100" (polite)
Taking a bathroom break, especially on the side of the road. Refers to showing one finger to denote the need to urinate.
"10-200"
Police needed at a certain location.
"10 in the wind"
Listening to the CB while driving (also known as "10-10 in the wind").
"99"
The final pick-up or delivery stop on a run.
"Affirmative"
Yes.[6]
"Angry kangaroo"
A truck with one (or both) of its headlights out.
"Back door"
The rear of a vehicle.
"Back row"
An area of a truck stop, generally located in the back of the property, where prostitutes congregate.
"Bear bait"
An erratic or speeding driver.[7]
"Boop Boop/Cluck Cluck Chicken Truck"
Ways chicken haulers greet each other;
"Break/Breaker"
Informing other CB users that you'd like to start a transmission on a channel. May be followed by either the channel number, indicating that anyone may acknowledge (e.g. "Breaker One-niner" refers to channel 19, the most widely used among truck drivers), or by a specific "handle", which is requesting a particular individual to respond.[6]
"Bucket Mouth" or "Linear lungs"
Someone who won't shut up.
"Choke and puke"
A truck stop restaurant, especially one known for its less-than-quality food.
"Copy that" or "Copy"
Acknowledgement; "I heard you" or "I understand."
"Cotton-pickin'"
A polite way of showing disgust.
"Double-nickels"
Refers to a speed limit of 55 mph.
"Eat 'em up"
A restaurant.
"Four, Foe"
Refers to 10-4, dropping the 10; also "Yeah, Four," "Foe," or "Yeah, foe" (slang for "four").
"Flag in five-mile wind"
A 45-mph speed zone.
"Green stamps"
Cash money (refers to S&H Green Stamps).
"Go-go juice"
Gasoline or diesel fuel.
"Groceries"
A meal.
"Turtle race"
A speed zone slower than 45 mph.
"Starsky and Hutch"
Two drivers together as a team.
"Fingerprint"
To load or unload one's own cargo.
"Three Sisters"
Three big hills on I-80E between SLC, Utah and Fort Bridger, Wyoming.
"Good buddy"
In the 1970s, this was the stereotypical term for a friend or acquaintance on the CB airwaves.[1][2][6]
"Good numbers/3s and 8s"
Well wishes to a fellow driver.
"Handle"
The nickname a CB user uses in CB transmissions. Other CB users will refer to the user by this nickname. To say "What's your handle?" is to ask another user for their CB nickname.[6]
"Hundred-mile coffee"
Very strong coffee.
"Jabber/Jabbering idiot/Babble/Babbling idiot"
A CB user transmitting in a foreign language.
"Kojak with a Kodak"
A police officer with a radar gun.
"Lot lizard"
A prostitute in a rest area or who works the parking area of a truck stop.
"Credit card machine"
A narrow two-lane bridge.
"Fighter pilot"
A driver who constantly changes lanes.
"Pickle park"
A rest area.
"Cash box"
A toll booth.
"Turkey hearse"
A truck with a load of turkeys headed for slaughter.
"Rubbernecking"
Looking at something on the side of the road, causing a backup.
"Four-wheeler"
Any vehicle with four wheels.
"Seat cover"
An attractive woman in a vehicle, especially one who is scantily-clad.
"Semi-pro"
Pickup truck drivers congregating with truckers.
"On one's donkey"
Following one too close; tailgating. ("You have a sports car 'on your donkey'.")
"Outdoor TV"
A drive-in theatre.
"Suicide Jockey"
A driver who is hauling dangerous goods, such as explosives.
"Sandbagging"
Listening to CB conversation without participating, despite having the capability of speaking. This is not the same as listening in using a simple receiver, as the person sandbagging can transmit using the two-way radio, but chooses not to.[8][9] It is for the purpose of monitoring CB users for entertainment or for gathering information about the actions of a particular user. Often, CB users "sandbag" to listen to others' responses to their previous input to a conversation, sometimes referred to a "reading the mail."[10]
"Wall to wall, treetop tall"
A very clear, strong signal.
See also[edit]

SINPO code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Sinpo (disambiguation).
SINPO, acronym for signal, interference, noise, propagation, and overall, is a Signal Reporting Codes used to describe the quality of radio transmissions, especially in reception reports written by shortwave listeners. Each letter of the code stands for a specific factor of the signal, and each item is graded on a 1 to 5 scale (where 1 stands for nearly undetectable/severe/unusable and 5 for excellent/nil/extremely strong).

The code originated with the CCIR (a predecessor to the ITU-R) in 1951, and was widely used by BBC shortwave listeners to submit signal reports, with many going so far as to mail audio recordings to the BBC's offices.[1] It has been expanded in some places to a SINPFEMO code which includes rating the station's modulation and other audio qualities, but the expanded code is rarely used in practice.

Both SINPO and SINPFEMO are the official signal reporting codes for international civil aviation.[2]

The use of the SINPO code can be subjective and may vary from person to person. Not all shortwave listeners are conversant with the SINPO code and prefer using plain language instead.

Contents [hide]
1 Code explained
2 Examples of SINPO code applied
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
Code explained[edit]
S (Signal strength)
The relative strength of the transmission.
I (Interference)
Interference from other stations on the same or adjacent frequencies (man-made noise).
N (Noise)
The amount of atmospheric noise.
P (Propagation)
Whether the signal is steady or fades from time to time.
O (Overall merit)
An overall score for the listening experience under these conditions.
Each category is rated from 1 to 5 with 1 being 'unusable' or 'severe' and 5 being 'perfect' or 'nil'. MANY raters misunderstand the code and will rate everything either 55555 or 11111 when in reality both extremes are unusual in the extreme. '55555' essentially means 'perfect reception akin to a local station' while that is occasionally possible, when talking about long-distance short-wave reception, it is almost never the case.

Another common mistake in rating is presenting an 'O' higher than any previously rated element. By definition, a station cannot present 'perfect' reception if there is any Noise or Interference or Fading present. In other words, it is NOT 'perfect local quality' reception if any of those things are present.

S I N P O
Signal Interference Noise Propagation conditions Overall merit
5-Excellent 5-None 5-None 5-Excellent 5-Excellent
4-Good 4-Slight 4-Slight 4-Slight disturbance 4-Good
3-Fair 3-Moderate 3-Moderate 3-Moderately disturbed 3-Fair
2-Poor 2-Severe 2-Severe 2-Severe disturbance 2-Poor
1-Barely Audible 1-Extremely strong 1-Extremely strong 1-Very poor propagation 1-Useless
Examples of SINPO code applied[edit]
In responding to a shortwave reception, the SINPO indicates to the transmitting station the overall quality of the reception.

The SINPO code in normal use consists of the 5 rating numbers listed without the letters, as in the examples below:

54554 - This indicates a relatively clear reception, with only slight interference; however, nothing that would significantly degrade the listening experience.

33433 - This indicates a signal which is moderately strong, but has more interference, and therefore deterioration of the received signal.

Generally, a SINPO with a code number starting with a 2 or lower would not be worth reporting, unless there is no noise, interference or loss of propagation, since it would be likely the signal would be unintelligible.

Although the original SINPO code established technical specifications for each number (i.e., a number 3 in the P column meant a fixed number of fades per minute), these are rarely adhered to by reporters. The 'S' meter displays the relative strength of the received RF signal in decibels; however, this should not be used as the sole indication of signal strength, as no two S meters are calibrated exactly alike, and many lower-priced receivers omit the S meter altogether. References to a "SINFO" code may also be found in some literature. In this case, the 'F' stands for Fading, instead of 'P' for Propagation, but the two codes are interchangeable. It was presumed that the average listener would be more familiar with the meaning of "fading" than "propagation". A simple way to insure the rating applied is useful is to rate the "O" column first based on the intelligibility of the station. If you can understand everything easily, the station will rate a 4 or higher. If you have to work hard, but can understand everything '3' is the appropriate rating. If you cannot understand everything although you put great effort into it, a '2' is appropriate, and if you cannot understand the programming at all '1' is the appropriate rating.

Some listeners may not know how to distinguish between the 'I' which indicates interference from adjacent stations, and the 'N' which describes natural atmospheric or man-made noise; also for some listeners, the rating for 'Propagation' may not be completely understood. As a result of this confusion, many stations suggest the SIO code -- a simpler code which makes the limitations noted above not relevant. Despite this, some books and periodicals maintain the SINPO code is the best for DX reporters.[3]

See also[edit]

International Phonetic Alphabet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"IPA" redirects here. For other uses, see IPA (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with NATO phonetic alphabet or Americanist phonetic notation.
For usage of IPA in Wikipedia, see Help:IPA, Help:IPA/Introduction or Help:IPA/English
International Phonetic Alphabet
IPA in IPA.svg
Type
Alphabet, partially featural
Languages Used for phonetic and phonemic transcription of any language
Time period
since 1888
Parent systems
Romic alphabet
Phonotypic alphabet
International Phonetic Alphabet
Direction Left-to-right
ISO 15924 Latn, 215
Unicode alias
Latin
This article contains phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of phonetic symbols.
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is an alphabetic system of phonetic notation based primarily on the Latin alphabet. It was devised by the International Phonetic Association in the late 19th century as a standardized representation of the sounds of spoken language.[1] The IPA is used by lexicographers, foreign language students and teachers, linguists, speech-language pathologists, singers, actors, constructed language creators and translators.[2][3]

The IPA is designed to represent only those qualities of speech that are part of oral language: phones, phonemes, intonation and the separation of words and syllables.[1] To represent additional qualities of speech, such as tooth gnashing, lisping, and sounds made with a cleft lip and cleft palate, an extended set of symbols, the extensions to the International Phonetic Alphabet, may be used.[2]

IPA symbols are composed of one or more elements of two basic types, letters and diacritics. For example, the sound of the English letter ?t? may be transcribed in IPA with a single letter, [t], or with a letter plus diacritics, [t??], depending on how precise one wishes to be.[note 1] Often, slashes are used to signal broad or phonemic transcription; thus, /t/ is less specific than, and could refer to, either [t??] or [t], depending on the context and language.

Occasionally letters or diacritics are added, removed or modified by the International Phonetic Association. As of the most recent change in 2005,[4] there are 107 letters, 52 diacritics and four prosodic marks in the IPA. These are shown in the current IPA chart, posted below in this article and at the website of the IPA.[5]

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Description
2.1 Letter forms
2.1.1 Capital letters
2.2 Typography and iconicity
2.3 Types of transcription
2.4 Handwritten forms
2.5 Letter g
3 Modifying the IPA chart
4 Usage
4.1 Linguists
4.2 Language study
4.3 Dictionaries
4.3.1 English
4.3.2 Other languages
4.4 Standard orthographies and case variants
4.5 Classical singing
5 Letters
5.1 IPA number
5.2 Consonants
5.2.1 Pulmonic consonants
5.2.2 Affricates and co-articulated consonants
5.2.3 Non-pulmonic consonants
5.3 Vowels
5.3.1 Diphthongs
6 Diacritics and prosodic notation
6.1 Suprasegmentals
6.2 Comparative degree
7 Obsolete and nonstandard symbols
8 Extensions
9 Segments without letters
9.1 Consonants
9.2 Vowels
10 Symbol names
11 Typefaces
12 ASCII and keyboard transliterations
13 Computer input using on-screen keyboard
14 See also
15 Notes
16 References
17 Further reading
18 External links
History[edit]
Main article: History of the International Phonetic Alphabet
In 1886, a group of French and British language teachers, led by the French linguist Paul Passy, formed what would come to be known from 1897 onwards as the International Phonetic Association (in French, l�Association phon�tique internationale).[6] Their original alphabet was based on a spelling reform for English known as the Romic alphabet, but in order to make it usable for other languages, the values of the symbols were allowed to vary from language to language.[7] For example, the sound [?] (the sh in shoe) was originally represented with the letter ?c? in English, but with the digraph ?ch? in French.[6] However, in 1888, the alphabet was revised so as to be uniform across languages, thus providing the base for all future revisions.[6][8] The idea of making the IPA was first suggested by Otto Jespersen in a letter to Paul Passy. It was developed by Alexander John Ellis, Henry Sweet, Daniel Jones, and Passy.[9]

Since its creation, the IPA has undergone a number of revisions. After major revisions and expansions in 1900 and 1932, the IPA remained unchanged until the International Phonetic Association Kiel Convention in 1989. A minor revision took place in 1993 with the addition of four letters for mid central vowels[2] and the removal of letters for voiceless implosives.[10] The alphabet was last revised in May 2005 with the addition of a letter for a labiodental flap.[11] Apart from the addition and removal of symbols, changes to the IPA have consisted largely of renaming symbols and categories and in modifying typefaces.[2]

Extensions to the International Phonetic Alphabet for speech pathology were created in 1990 and officially adopted by the International Clinical Phonetics and Linguistics Association in 1994.[12]

Description[edit]

The official chart of the IPA as of 2015.
For a guide to pronouncing IPA transcriptions of English words, see International Phonetic Alphabet chart for English dialects.
The general principle of the IPA is to provide one letter for each distinctive sound (speech segment), although this practice is not followed if the sound itself is complex.[13] This means that:

It does not normally use combinations of letters to represent single sounds, the way English does with ?sh?, ?th? and ?ng?, or single letters to represent multiple sounds the way ?x? represents /ks/ or /gz/ in English.
There are no letters that have context-dependent sound values, as do "hard" and "soft" ?c? or ?g? in several European languages.
Finally, the IPA does not usually have separate letters for two sounds if no known language makes a distinction between them, a property known as "selectiveness".[2][note 2]
Among the symbols of the IPA, 107 letters represent consonants and vowels, 31 diacritics are used to modify these, and 19 additional signs indicate suprasegmental qualities such as length, tone, stress, and intonation.[note 3] These are organized into a chart; the chart displayed here is the official chart as posted at the website of the IPA.

Letter forms[edit]
The letters chosen for the IPA are meant to harmonize with the Latin alphabet.[note 4] For this reason, most letters are either Latin or Greek, or modifications thereof. Some letters are neither: for example, the letter denoting the glottal stop, ???, has the form of a dotless question mark, and derives originally from an apostrophe. A few letters, such as that of the voiced pharyngeal fricative, ???, were inspired by other writing systems (in this case, the Arabic letter ?? �ain).[10]

Despite its preference for harmonizing with the Latin script, the International Phonetic Association has occasionally admitted other letters. For example, before 1989, the IPA letters for click consonants were ???, ???, ???, and ???, all of which were derived either from existing IPA letters, or from Latin and Greek letters. However, except for ???, none of these letters were widely used among Khoisanists or Bantuists, and as a result they were replaced by the more widespread symbols ???, ?|?, ?!?, ???, and ??? at the IPA Kiel Convention in 1989.[14]

Although the IPA diacritics are fully featural, there is little systemicity in the letter forms. A retroflex articulation is consistently indicated with a right-swinging tail, as in ?? ? ??, and implosion by a top hook, ?? ? ??, but other pseudo-featural elements are due to haphazard derivation and coincidence. For example, all nasal consonants but uvular ??? are based on the form ?n?: ?m ? n ? ? ??. However, the similarity between ?m? and ?n? is a historical accident; ??? and ??? are derived from ligatures of gn and ng, and ??? is an ad hoc imitation of ???.

Some of the new letters were ordinary Latin letters turned 180 degrees, such as ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (turned a c e f h m r t v w y). This was easily done in the era of mechanical typesetting, and had the advantage of not requiring the casting of special type for IPA symbols.

Capital letters[edit]
Full capital letters are not used as IPA symbols. They are, however, often used for archiphonemes and for natural classes of phonemes (that is, as wildcards). Such usage is not part of the IPA or even standardized, and may be ambiguous between authors, but it is commonly used in conjunction with the IPA. (The extIPA chart, for example, uses one or two wildcards in its illustrations.) Capital letters are also basic to the Voice Quality Symbols sometimes used in conjunction with the IPA.

As wildcards, C for{consonant} and V for {vowel} are ubiquitous. Other common capital-letter symbols are T for {tone}, N for {nasal}, F for {fricative} (also S for {voiceless fricative} and Z for {voiced fricative}), G for {glide} or for {semivowel/liquid}, P for {plosive} (stop) (also T for {voiceless stop} and D for {voiced stop}), S for {sibilant}, L for {liquid} (or R for {rhotic} and L for {lateral}), # or ? for {click}, A for {open vowel}, U for {rounded vowel} and B, D, J or ?, K, Q, F, H for {labial}, {alveolar}, {post-alveolar} or {palatal}, {velar}, {uvular}, {pharyngeal} and {glottal}, respectively, and X for anything. For example, the possible syllable shapes of Mandarin can be abstracted as ranging from V (atonic vowel) to CVN? (consonant-vowel-nasal syllable with tone). The letters can be modified with IPA diacritics, for e.g. C' for {ejective}, ? for {implosive}, N?C or ?C for {prenasalized consonant}, ? for {nasal vowel}, S? for {voiced sibilant}, N? for {voiceless nasal}, P?F or PF for {affricate} and D? for {dental consonant}. In speech pathology, they may represent indeterminate sounds, and superscripted when weakly articulated: ? a weak indeterminate alveolar, ? a weak indeterminate velar, etc.[15]

Typical examples of archiphonemic use of capital letters are I for the Turkish harmonic vowel set {i y ? u} and D for the conflated flapped middle consonant of American English writer and rider.

V, F and C have different meanings as Voice Quality Symbols, where they stand for 'voice', 'falsetto' and 'creak'. They may take diacritics that indicate what kind of voice quality an utterance has, and may be used to extract a suprasegmental feature that occurs on all susceptible segments in a stretch of IPA. For instance, the transcription of Scottish Gaelic [k??u??t??s??] 'cat' and [k?????t???] 'cats' (Islay dialect) can be made more economical by extracting the suprasegmental labialization of the words: V?[k?u?t?s?] and V?[k???t??].[16]

Typography and iconicity[edit]
The International Phonetic Alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet, using as few non-Latin forms as possible.[6] The Association created the IPA so that the sound values of most consonant letters taken from the Latin alphabet would correspond to "international usage".[6] Hence, the letters ?b?, ?d?, ?f?, (hard) ?g?, (non-silent) ?h?, (unaspirated) ?k?, ?l?, ?m?, ?n?, (unaspirated) ?p?, (voiceless) ?s?, (unaspirated) ?t?, ?v?, ?w?, and ?z? have the values used in English; and the vowel letters from the Latin alphabet (?a?, ?e?, ?i?, ?o?, ?u?) correspond to the (long) sound values of Latin: [i] is like the vowel in machine, [u] is as in rule, etc. Other letters may differ from English, but are used with these values in other European languages, such as ?j?, ?r?, and ?y?.

This inventory was extended by using small-capital and cursive forms, diacritics and rotation. There are also several symbols derived or taken from the Greek alphabet, though the sound values may differ. For example, ??? is a vowel in Greek, but an only indirectly related consonant in the IPA. For most of these, subtly different glyph shapes have been devised for the IPA, namely ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, and ???, which are encoded in Unicode separately from their parent Greek letters, though one of them � ??? � is not, while Greek ?�? and ??? are generally used for ??? and ???.[17]

The sound values of modified Latin letters can often be derived from those of the original letters.[18] For example, letters with a rightward-facing hook at the bottom represent retroflex consonants; and small capital letters usually represent uvular consonants. Apart from the fact that certain kinds of modification to the shape of a letter generally correspond to certain kinds of modification to the sound represented, there is no way to deduce the sound represented by a symbol from its shape (as for example in Visible Speech) nor even any systematic relation between signs and the sounds they represent (as in Hangul).

Beyond the letters themselves, there are a variety of secondary symbols which aid in transcription. Diacritic marks can be combined with IPA letters to transcribe modified phonetic values or secondary articulations. There are also special symbols for suprasegmental features such as stress and tone that are often employed.

Types of transcription[edit]
There are two principal types of brackets used to set off IPA transcriptions:

[square brackets] are used with phonetic notations, possibly including details of the pronunciation that may not be used for distinguishing words in the language being transcribed, but which the author nonetheless wishes to document.
/slashes/ are used for phonemic notations, which note only features that are distinctive in the language, without any extraneous detail.
For example, while the /p/ sounds of pin and spin are pronounced slightly differently in English (and this difference would be meaningful in some languages), the difference is not meaningful in English. Thus phonemically the words are /p?n/ and /sp?n/, with the same /p/ phoneme. However, to capture the difference between them (the allophones of /p/), they can be transcribed phonetically as [p??n] and [sp?n].

Other conventions are less commonly seen:

Double slashes //...//, pipes |...|, double pipes ||...||, or braces {...} may be used around a word to denote its underlying structure, more abstract even than that of phonemes. See morphophonology for examples.
Double square brackets ?...? are used for extra-precise transcription. They indicate that a letter has its cardinal IPA value. For example, ?a? is a open front vowel, rather than the perhaps slightly different value (such as open central) that "[a]" may be used to transcribe in a particular language. Thus two vowels transcribed for easy legibility as ?[e]? and ?[?]? may be clarified as actually being ?e?? and ?e?; ?[�]? may be more precisely ?�????.[19]
Angle brackets are used to clarify that the letters represent the original orthography of the language, or sometimes an exact transliteration of a non-Latin script, not the IPA; or, within the IPA, that the letters themselves are indicated, not the sound values that they carry. For example, ?pin? and ?spin? would be seen for those words, which do not contain the ee sound [i] of the IPA letter ?i?. Italics are perhaps more commonly used for this purpose when full words are being written (as pin, spin above), but may not be sufficiently clear for individual letters and digraphs.[20]
{Braces} are used for prosodic notation. See Extensions to the International Phonetic Alphabet for examples in that system.
(Parentheses) are used for indistinguishable utterances. They are also seen for silent articulation (mouthing), where the expected phonetic transcription is derived from lip-reading, and with periods to indicate silent pauses, for example (...).
Double parentheses indicate obscured or unintelligible sound, as in ((2 syll.)) or ?2 syll.?, two audible but unidentifiable syllables.
Handwritten forms[edit]

An example of a printed text with IPA letters filled in by hand. The two words at the beginning of line 1 are s?k and s?�k. The ? has a cursive form that looks somewhat like a 2 or a small-capital Q in some cursive hands.
Main article: Handwritten IPA
IPA letters have handwritten forms designed for use in manuscripts and when taking field notes; they are occasionally seen in publications when the printer did not have fonts that supported IPA, and the IPA was therefore filled in by hand.

Letter g[edit]

Typographic variants include a double-story and single-story g.
The 1949 Principles of the International Phonetic Association recommends using Opentail g.svg (open tail g) for advanced voiced velar plosives (denoted by Latin small letter script G) and Looptail g.svg (loop tail g) for regular ones where the two are contrasted, but this suggestion was never accepted by phoneticians in general,[21] and today 'Opentail g.svg' is the symbol used in the International Phonetic Alphabet, with 'Looptail g.svg' acknowledged as an acceptable variant and more often used in printed materials.[21]

Modifying the IPA chart[edit]

The authors of textbooks or similar publications often create revised versions of the IPA chart to express their own preferences or needs. The image displays one such version. Only the black symbols are part of the IPA; common additional symbols are in grey.
The International Phonetic Alphabet is occasionally modified by the Association. After each modification, the Association provides an updated simplified presentation of the alphabet in the form of a chart. (See History of the IPA.) Not all aspects of the alphabet can be accommodated in a chart of the size published by the IPA. The alveolo-palatal and epiglottal consonants, for example, are not included in the consonant chart for reasons of space rather than of theory (two additional columns would be required, one between the retroflex and palatal columns and the other between the pharyngeal and glottal columns), and the lateral flap would require an additional row for that single consonant, so they are listed instead under the catchall block of "other symbols".[22] The indefinitely large number of tone letters would make a full accounting impractical even on a larger page, and only a few examples are shown.

The procedure for modifying the alphabet or the chart is to propose the change in the Journal of the IPA. (See, for example, August 2008 on a open central vowel and August 2011 on central approximants.)[23] Reactions to the proposal may be published in the same or subsequent issues of the Journal (as in August 2009 on the open central vowel).[24] A formal proposal is then put to the Council of the IPA[25] � which is elected by the membership[26] � for further discussion and a formal vote.[27][28]

Only changes to the alphabet or chart that have been approved by the Council can be considered part of the official IPA. Nonetheless, many users of the alphabet, including the leadership of the Association itself, make personal changes or additions in their own practice, either for convenience in working on a particular language (see "Illustrations of the IPA" for individual languages in the Handbook, which for example may use ?c? for [t?]),[29] or because they object to some aspect of the official version.

Usage[edit]
Further information: Phonetic transcription
Although the IPA offers over 160 symbols for transcribing speech, only a relatively small subset of these will be used to transcribe any one language. It is possible to transcribe speech with various levels of precision. A precise phonetic transcription, in which sounds are described in a great deal of detail, is known as a narrow transcription. A coarser transcription which ignores some of this detail is called a broad transcription. Both are relative terms, and both are generally enclosed in square brackets.[1] Broad phonetic transcriptions may restrict themselves to easily heard details, or only to details that are relevant to the discussion at hand, and may differ little if at all from phonemic transcriptions, but they make no theoretical claim that all the distinctions transcribed are necessarily meaningful in the language.

Phonetic transcriptions of the word international in two English dialects
For example, the English word little may be transcribed broadly using the IPA as ['l?t?l], and this broad (imprecise) transcription is a more or less accurate description of many pronunciations. A narrower transcription may focus on individual or dialectical details: ['????] in General American, ['l??o] in Cockney, or ['????] in Southern US English.

It is customary to use simpler letters, without many diacritics, in phonemic transcriptions. The choice of IPA letters may reflect the theoretical claims of the author, or merely be a convenience for typesetting. For instance, in English, either the vowel of pick or the vowel of peak may be transcribed as /i/ (for the pairs /pik, pi?k/ or /p?k, pik/), and neither is identical to the vowel of the French word pique which is also generally transcribed /i/. That is, letters between slashes do not have absolute values, something true of broader phonetic approximations as well. A narrow transcription may, however, be used to distinguish them: [p??k], [p?i?k], [pik?].

Linguists[edit]
Although IPA is popular for transcription by linguists, American linguists often alternate use of the IPA with Americanist phonetic notation or use the IPA together with some nonstandard symbols, for reasons including reducing the error rate on reading handwritten transcriptions or avoiding perceived awkwardness of IPA in some situations. The exact practice may vary somewhat between languages and even individual researchers, so authors are generally encouraged to include a chart or other explanation of their choices.[30]

Language study[edit]
[icon] This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2009)

A page from an English language textbook used in Russia. The IPA is used to teach the different pronunciations of the digraph ?th? (/?/, /�/) and to show the pronunciation of newly introduced words polite, everything, always, forget.
Some language study programs use the IPA to teach pronunciation. For example, in Russia (and earlier in the Soviet Union) and mainland China, textbooks for children[31] and adults[32] for studying English and French consistently use the IPA. English teachers and textbooks in Taiwan tend to use the Kenyon and Knott system, a slight typographical variant of the IPA.

Dictionaries[edit]
English[edit]
Many British dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary and some learner's dictionaries such as the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary and the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, now use the International Phonetic Alphabet to represent the pronunciation of words.[33] However, most American (and some British) volumes use one of a variety of pronunciation respelling systems, intended to be more comfortable for readers of English. For example, the respelling systems in many American dictionaries (such as Merriam-Webster) use ?y? for IPA [j] and ?sh? for IPA [?], reflecting common representations of those sounds in written English,[34] using only letters of the English Roman alphabet and variations of them. (In IPA, [y] represents the sound of the French ?u? (as in tu), and [sh] represents the pair of sounds in grasshopper.)

Other languages[edit]
The IPA is also not universal among dictionaries in languages other than English. Monolingual dictionaries of languages with generally phonemic orthographies generally do not bother with indicating the pronunciation of most words, and tend to use respelling systems for words with unexpected pronunciations. Dictionaries produced in Israel use the IPA rarely and sometimes use the Hebrew alphabet for transcription of foreign words. Monolingual Hebrew dictionaries use pronunciation respelling for words with unusual spelling; for example, the Even-Shoshan Dictionary respells ?????????? as ??????????? because this word uses kamatz katan. Bilingual dictionaries that translate from foreign languages into Russian usually employ the IPA, but monolingual Russian dictionaries occasionally use pronunciation respelling for foreign words; for example, Sergey Ozhegov's dictionary adds ??� in brackets for the French word ?????? (pince-nez) to indicate that the final ? does not iotate the preceding ?.

The IPA is more common in bilingual dictionaries, but there are exceptions here too. Mass-market bilingual Czech dictionaries, for instance, tend to use the IPA only for sounds not found in the Czech language.[35]

Standard orthographies and case variants[edit]
Main article: Case variants of IPA letters
IPA letters have been incorporated into the alphabets of various languages, notably via the Africa Alphabet in many sub-Saharan languages such as Hausa, Fula, Akan, Gbe languages, Manding languages, Lingala, etc. This has created the need for capital variants. For example, Kabiy� of northern Togo has � ?, ? ?, ? ?, ? ?, ? ?, ? ?. These, and others, are supported by Unicode, but appear in Latin ranges other than the IPA extensions.

In the IPA itself, however, only lower-case letters are used. The 1949 edition of the IPA handbook indicated that an asterisk ?*? may be prefixed to indicate that a word is a proper name,[36] but this convention has not been included in recent editions.

Classical singing[edit]
IPA has widespread use among classical singers for preparation, especially among English-speaking singers who are expected to sing in a variety of foreign languages. Opera librettos are authoritatively transcribed in IPA, such as Nico Castel's volumes[37] and Timothy Cheek's book Singing in Czech.[38] Opera singers' ability to read IPA was used by the site Visual Thesaurus, which employed several opera singers "to make recordings for the 150,000 words and phrases in VT's lexical database. ...for their vocal stamina, attention to the details of enunciation, and most of all, knowledge of IPA."[39]

Letters[edit]
The International Phonetic Association organizes the letters of the IPA into three categories: pulmonic consonants, non-pulmonic consonants, and vowels.[40][41]

Pulmonic consonant letters are arranged singly or in pairs of voiceless (tenuis) and voiced sounds, with these then grouped in columns from front (labial) sounds on the left to back (glottal) sounds on the right. In official publications by the IPA,[42] two columns are omitted to save space, with the letters listed among 'other symbols',[43] and with the remaining consonants arranged in rows from full closure (occlusives: stops and nasals), to brief closure (vibrants: trills and taps), to partial closure (fricatives) and minimal closure (approximants), again with a row left out to save space. In the table below, a slightly different arrangement is made: All pulmonic consonants are included in the pulmonic-consonant table, and the vibrants and laterals are separated out so that the rows reflect the common lenition pathway of stop ? fricative ? approximant, as well as the fact that several letters pull double duty as both fricative and approximant; affricates may be created by joining stops and fricatives from adjacent cells. Shaded cells are judged to be implausible.

Vowel letters are also grouped in pairs�of unrounded and rounded vowel sounds�with these pairs also arranged from front on the left to back on the right, and from maximal closure at top to minimal closure at bottom. No vowel letters are omitted from the chart, though in the past some of the mid central vowels were listed among the 'other symbols'.

IPA number[edit]
Each character is assigned a number, to prevent confusion between similar characters (such as ? and ?, ? and ?, or ? and ?) in such situations as the printing of manuscripts. The categories of sounds are assigned different ranges of numbers.[44]

The numbers are assigned to sounds and to symbols, e.g. 304 is the open front unrounded vowel, 415 is the centralization diacritic. Together, they form a symbol that represents the open central unrounded vowel. There is no three digit number for the open central unrounded vowel.

Consonants[edit]
Main article: Consonant
Pulmonic consonants[edit]
A pulmonic consonant is a consonant made by obstructing the glottis (the space between the vocal cords) or oral cavity (the mouth) and either simultaneously or subsequently letting out air from the lungs. Pulmonic consonants make up the majority of consonants in the IPA, as well as in human language. All consonants in the English language fall into this category.[45]

The pulmonic consonant table, which includes most consonants, is arranged in rows that designate manner of articulation, meaning how the consonant is produced, and columns that designate place of articulation, meaning where in the vocal tract the consonant is produced. The main chart includes only consonants with a single place of articulation.

v t e IPA pulmonic consonantschart image � Loudspeaker.svg audio
Place ? Labial Coronal Dorsal Laryngeal
? Manner Bilabial Labio�dental Linguo�labial Dental Alveolar Palato-
alveolar Retroflex Alveolo-
palatal Palatal Velar Uvular Pharyngeal
/ Epiglottal Glottal
Nasal m? m ? n?� n? n? n ?� ? ?� ? ?� ? ?? ? ? ??
Stop p b p? b? t? d? t d ? ? c ? k g q ? ? ?
Sibilant affricate ts dz t? d? ?? ?? t? d?
Non-sibilant affricate p? b� p?f b?v t? d� t?? d�? t???�? d???? c� ?? kx g? q? ?? ?h ?? ?h
Sibilant fricative s z ? ? ? ? ? ?
Non-sibilant fricative ? � f v ?? �? ? � ?_ �? ??�? ??? � ? x ? ? ? h ? h ? ??
Approximant ?? ? ?? ? ?� ? j� j ?� ?
Flap or tap ?? ? ?? ?? ? ?� ? ?? ??
Trill ? ?? r? r? r ?r? ?r ?? ? ? ?
Lateral affricate t? d? ??�? c??? k??� g??
Lateral fricative ? ? ?�? ?? ??? ?? ??� ??
Lateral approximant l? l? l ?� ? ?? ? ?? ? ??
Lateral flap ?? ? ?? ?? ??
Non-pulmonic consonants
Simple clicks ? ?? ?~ | |? |~ ! !? !~
? ?? ?~ ? ?? ?~ !? !?? !~?
Other clicks ?~? ?? ??~ ??q ??q? ??q' ??q?' � ?
Implosives ? ? ? ? ? ?
?? ?? ?? ?� ?� ???
Ejectives p' t' ?' c' k' q' ?'
?' f' ?' s' ?' ?' ?' ?' �' x' ?'
t?' ts' t?' t?' ??' t?' c�' c???' kx' k??�' q?'
Co-articulated consonants
Continuants ? w ?� ? ?
Occlusives k?p g?b ??m ?
t?p d?b n?m q??
� These tables contain phonetic symbols, which may not display correctly in some browsers. [Help]
� Where symbols appear in pairs, left�right represent the voiceless�voiced consonants.
� Shaded areas denote pulmonic articulations judged to be impossible or not distinctive.
Notes
In rows where some letters appear in pairs (the obstruents), the letter to the right represents a voiced consonant (except breathy-voiced [?]). However, [?] cannot be voiced, and the voicing of [?] is ambiguous.[46] In the other rows (the sonorants), the single letter represents a voiced consonant.
Although there is a single letter for the coronal places of articulation for all consonants but fricatives, when dealing with a particular language, the letters may be treated as specifically dental, alveolar, or post-alveolar, as appropriate for that language, without diacritics.
Shaded areas indicate articulations judged to be impossible.
The letters [?, ?, ?] represent either voiced fricatives or approximants.
In many languages, such as English, [h] and [?] are not actually glottal, fricatives, or approximants. Rather, they are bare phonation.[47]
It is primarily the shape of the tongue rather than its position that distinguishes the fricatives [? ?], [? ?], and [? ?].
Some listed phones are not known to exist as phonemes in any language.
Affricates and co-articulated consonants[edit]
Co-articulated consonants are sounds that involve two simultaneous places of articulation (are pronounced using two parts of the vocal tract). In English, the [w] in "went" is a coarticulated consonant, being pronounced by rounding the lips and raising the back of the tongue. Similar sounds are [?] and [?].

Affricates and doubly articulated stops are represented by two letters joined by a tie bar, either above or below the letters.[48] The six most common affricates are optionally represented by ligatures, though this is no longer official IPA usage,[1] because a great number of ligatures would be required to represent all affricates this way. Alternatively, a superscript notation for a consonant release is sometimes used to transcribe affricates, for example t? for t?s, paralleling k? ~ k?x. The letters for the palatal plosives c and ? are often used as a convenience for t?? and d?? or similar affricates, even in official IPA publications, so they must be interpreted with care.

View this table as an image
Tie bar Ligature Description
t?s ? voiceless alveolar affricate
d?z ? voiced alveolar affricate
t?? ? voiceless postalveolar affricate
d?? ? voiced postalveolar affricate
t?? ? voiceless alveolo-palatal affricate
d?? ? voiced alveolo-palatal affricate
t?? � voiceless alveolar lateral affricate
k?p � voiceless labial-velar plosive
g?b � voiced labial-velar plosive
??m � labial-velar nasal stop
Note
On browsers that use Arial Unicode MS to display IPA characters, the following incorrectly formed sequences may look better due to a bug in that font: ts?, t??, t??, dz?, d??, d??, t??, kp?, gb?, ?m?.
[?] is described as a "simultaneous [?] and [x]".[49] However, this analysis is disputed. (See voiceless palatal-velar fricative for discussion.)
Multiple tie bars can be used: ?a?b?c? or ?a?b?c?. For instance, if a prenasalized stop is transcribed ?m?b?, and a doubly articulated stop ?g?b?, then a prenasalized doubly articulated stop would be ???m?g?b?
Non-pulmonic consonants[edit]
Non-pulmonic consonants are sounds whose airflow is not dependent on the lungs. These include clicks (found in the Khoisan languages of Africa), implosives (found in languages such as Sindhi, Saraiki, Swahili and Vietnamese), and ejectives (found in many Amerindian and Caucasian languages).

View this table as an image
Clicks Implosives Ejectives
? Bilabial ? Bilabial ' For example:
| Laminal alveolar ("dental") ? Alveolar p' Bilabial
! Apical (post-)alveolar ("retroflex") ? Palatal t' Alveolar
? Laminal postalveolar ("palatal") ? Velar k' Velar
? Lateral coronal ("lateral") ? Uvular s' Alveolar fricative
Notes
Clicks have traditionally been described as double articulation of a forward 'release' and a rear 'accompaniment', with the click letters representing only the release. Therefore, all clicks require two letters for proper notation: ?k??, g??, ???, q??, ???, ???? etc., or ???k, ??g, ???, ??q, ???, ????. When the dorsal articulation is omitted, a [k] may usually be assumed. However, recent research disputes the concept of 'accompaniment' and the idea that clicks are doubly articulated, with the rear occlusion instead simply being part of the airstream mechanisms.[50] In these approaches, the click letter represents both articulations, with the different letters representing different click 'types', there is no velar-uvular distinction, and the accompanying letter represents the manner, phonation, or airstream contour of the click: ??, ??, ??? etc.
Letters for the voiceless implosives ??, ?, ?, ?, ??? are no longer supported by the IPA, though they remain in Unicode. Instead, the IPA typically uses the voiced equivalent with a voiceless diacritic: ???, ????, etc..
Although not confirmed as contrastive in any language, and therefore not explicitly recognized by the IPA, a letter for the retroflex implosive, ????, has been assigned an IPA number.
The ejective diacritic often stands in for a superscript glottal stop in glottalized but pulmonic sonorants, such as [m?], [l?], [w?], [a?]. These may also be transcribed as creaky [m?], [l?], [w?], [a?].
Vowels[edit]
Main article: Vowel
IPA vowel chart
Front Near-?front Central Near-?back Back
Close
Blank vowel trapezoid.svg
i � y? � ?? � u? � ??� � ?�?? � ?e � �? � ?? � oe? � �?? � ???? � o?? � �? � ?? � ?� � ? � ??a � ?� � ?�? � ?
Near-close
Close-mid
Mid
Open-mid
Near-open
Open
Paired vowels are: unrounded � rounded
This table contains phonetic symbols, which may not display correctly in some browsers. [Help]
IPA help � IPA key � chart � Loudspeaker.svg chart with audio � view

Tongue positions of cardinal front vowels, with highest point indicated. The position of the highest point is used to determine vowel height and backness.

X-ray photos show the sounds [i, u, a, ?]
The IPA defines a vowel as a sound which occurs at a syllable center.[51] Below is a chart depicting the vowels of the IPA. The IPA maps the vowels according to the position of the tongue.

The vertical axis of the chart is mapped by vowel height. Vowels pronounced with the tongue lowered are at the bottom, and vowels pronounced with the tongue raised are at the top. For example, [?] (the first vowel in father) is at the bottom because the tongue is lowered in this position. However, [i] (the vowel in "meet") is at the top because the sound is said with the tongue raised to the roof of the mouth.

In a similar fashion, the horizontal axis of the chart is determined by vowel backness. Vowels with the tongue moved towards the front of the mouth (such as [?], the vowel in "met") are to the left in the chart, while those in which it is moved to the back (such as [?], the vowel in "but") are placed to the right in the chart.

In places where vowels are paired, the right represents a rounded vowel (in which the lips are rounded) while the left is its unrounded counterpart.

Diphthongs[edit]
Diphthongs are typically specified with a non-syllabic diacritic, as in ?u??? or ?u???, or with a superscript for the on- or off-glide, as in ?u?? or ????. Sometimes a tie bar is used, especially if it is difficult to tell if the diphthong is characterized by an on-glide, an off-glide or is variable: ?u???.

Notes
?a? officially represents a front vowel, but there is little distinction between front and central open vowels, and ?a? is frequently used for an open central vowel.[30] However, if disambiguation is required, the retraction diacritic or the centralized diacritic may be added to indicate an open central vowel, as in ?a?? or ?�?.
Diacritics and prosodic notation [edit]
Diacritics are used for phonetic detail. They are added to IPA letters to indicate a modification or specification of that letter's normal pronunciation.[52]

By being made superscript, any IPA letter may function as a diacritic, conferring elements of its articulation to the base letter. (See secondary articulation for a list of superscript IPA letters supported by Unicode.) Those superscript letters listed below are specifically provided for by the IPA; others include ?t?? ([t] with fricative release), ??s? ([s] with affricate onset), ?nd? (prenasalized [d]), ?b?? ([b] with breathy voice), ?m?? (glottalized [m]), ?s?? ([s] with a flavor of [?]), ?o?? ([o] with diphthongization), ???? (compressed [?]). Superscript diacritics placed after a letter are ambiguous between simultaneous modification of the sound and phonetic detail at the end of the sound. For example, labialized ?k?? may mean either simultaneous [k] and [w] or else [k] with a labialized release. Superscript diacritics placed before a letter, on the other hand, normally indicate a modification of the onset of the sound (?m?? glottalized [m], ??m? [m] with a glottal onset).

View the diacritic table as an image
Syllabicity diacritics
?? ?? n? Syllabic ?? ?? ?? Non-syllabic
?? ?? ?? ?? y?
Consonant-release diacritics
?? t? Aspirated[a] ?? p? No audible release
?n dn Nasal release ?? d? Lateral release
?? t? Voiceless dental fricative release ?? t? Voiceless velar fricative release
?? d? Mid central vowel release
Phonation diacritics
?? n? d? Voiceless ?? s? t? Voiced
?� ?� ?�
?? b? a? Breathy voiced[a] ?? b? a? Creaky voiced
Articulation diacritics
?? t? d? Dental ?? t? d? Linguolabial
?? t? d? Apical ?? t? d? Laminal
?? u? t? Advanced ?? i? t? Retracted
?? g? ?? y? ??
?� � � Centralized ?? e? ?? Mid-centralized
?? e? r? Raised
(r? is a voiced alveolar
fricative trill) ?? e? �? Lowered
([�?] is a bilabial
approximant)
?? ?? ?? ??
Co-articulation diacritics
?? ?? x? More rounded ?? ?? x?? Less rounded
?? t? d? Labialized or labio-velarized ?? t? d? Palatalized
?? t? d? Labio-palatalized ?? t? Labialized without protrusion of the lips or velarization
?? t? d? Velarized ?? t? a? Pharyngealized
?? ? ? Velarized, uvularized
or pharyngealized[b]
?? e? o? Advanced tongue root ?? e? o? Retracted tongue root
?~ ? z~ Nasalized ?? ? ? Rhotacized
Notes
^a With aspirated voiced consonants, the aspiration is usually also voiced (voiced aspirated � but see aspirated voiced). Many linguists prefer one of the diacritics dedicated to breathy voice over simple aspiration, such as ?b??. Some linguists restrict this diacritic to sonorants, and transcribe obstruents as ?b??.
^b The overstruck tilde is not recommended where it would be typographically unclear. It is also deprecated in Unicode, with precomposed letters preferred. (See pharyngealization for available combinations.)
Subdiacritics (diacritics normally placed below a letter) may be moved above a letter to avoid conflict with a descender, as in voiceless ??�?.[52] The raising and lowering diacritics have optional forms ???, ??? that avoid descenders.

The state of the glottis can be finely transcribed with diacritics. A series of alveolar plosives ranging from an open to a closed glottis phonation are:

Open glottis [t] voiceless
[d?] breathy voice, also called murmured
[d?] slack voice
Sweet spot [d] modal voice
[d?] stiff voice
[d?] creaky voice
Closed glottis [??t] glottal closure
Additional diacritics are provided by the Extensions to the IPA for speech pathology.

Suprasegmentals[edit]
These symbols describe the features of a language above the level of individual consonants and vowels, such as prosody, tone, length, and stress, which often operate on syllables, words, or phrases: that is, elements such as the intensity, pitch, and gemination of the sounds of a language, as well as the rhythm and intonation of speech.[53] Although most of these symbols indicate distinctions that are phonemic at the word level, symbols also exist for intonation on a level greater than that of the word.[53] Various ligatures of tone letters are used in the IPA Handbook despite not being found on the simplified official IPA chart.

View this table as an image
Length, stress, and rhythm
'a Primary stress (symbol goes
before stressed element) ?a Secondary stress (symbol goes
before stressed element)
a? k? Long (long vowel or
geminate consonant) a? Half-long
?? Extra-short (may be placed under
the letter to avoid an ascender, as in ??.)
a.a Syllable break s?a Linking (absence of a break)
Intonation
| Minor (foot) break ? Major (intonation) break
? [54] Global rise ? [54] Global fall
Tone diacritics and tone letters
?? e? e? Extra high / top ?ke Upstep
?� � e? High ?? e Rising (generic)
?� e e? Mid
?` � e? Low ?^ � Falling (generic)
?? ? e? Extra low / bottom ?ke Downstep
Finer distinctions of tone may be indicated by combining the tone diacritics and tone letters shown above, though not all IPA fonts support this. The four additional rising and falling tones supported by diacritics are high/mid rising ??, ???, low rising ??, ???, high falling ??, ???, and low/mid falling ??, ???. That is, tone diacritics only support contour tones across three levels (high, mid, low), despite supporting five levels for register tones. For other contour tones, tone letters must be used: ???, ???, etc. For more complex (peaking and dipping) tones, though it is theoretically possible to combine the three tone diacritics in any permutation, in practice only generic peaking ?? and dipping ?? combinations are used. For finer detail, tone letters are again required (????, ????, ????, ????, etc.) The correspondence between tone diacritics and tone letters is therefore only approximate.

A work-around for diacritics sometimes seen when a language has more than one rising or falling tone, and the author wishes to avoid the poorly legible diacritics ??, ??, ??, ?? but does not wish to completely abandon the IPA, is to restrict generic rising ?? and falling ?^ to the higher-pitched of the rising and falling tones, say ??? and ???, and to use the old (retired) IPA subscript diacritics ?? and ?? for the lower-pitched rising and falling tones, say ??? and ???. When a language has four or six level tones, the two mid tones are sometimes transcribed as high-mid ?? (non-standard) and low-mid ?�.

A stress mark typically appears before the stressed syllable, and thus marks the syllable break as well as stress. Where the syllable onset is a geminate consonant, e.g. in Italian, the consonant is commonly split by the stress mark, which means that the length sign is not used for gemination. (Thus ?av'v?lse? not *?a'vv?lse?, *?a'v??lse?, or *?av'??lse?.) However, occasionally the stress mark is placed immediately before the stressed vowel, after any syllable onset (?avv'?lse? or ?av?'?lse?).[55] In such transcriptions, the stress mark does not function as a mark of the syllable boundary.

Tone letters generally appear after each syllable, for a language with syllable tone (?a?v????), or after the phonological word, for a language with word tone (?av?????). However, in older versions of the IPA, ad hoc tone marks were placed before the syllable, the same position as used to mark stress, and this convention is still sometimes seen (??a??v??, ????av??).

Comparative degree[edit]
IPA diacritics may be doubled to indicate an extra degree of the feature indicated. This is a productive process, but apart from extra-high and extra-low tones ???, ??? being marked by doubled high- and low-tone diacritics, and the major prosodic break ??? being marked as a double minor break ?|?, it is not specifically regulated by the IPA. (Note that transcription marks are similar: double slashes indicate extra (morpho)-phonemic, double square brackets especially precise, and double parentheses especially unintelligible.)[citation needed]

For example, the stress mark may be doubled to indicate an extra degree of stress, such as prosodic stress in English.[56] An example in French, with a single stress mark for normal prosodic stress at the end of each prosodic unit (marked as a minor prosodic break), and a double stress mark for contrastive/emphatic stress:
[''?~?'tre | m?'sj� ? ''vwala ma'dam ?] Entrez monsieur, voil� madame. [57] Similarly, a doubled secondary stress mark ???? is commonly used for tertiary stress.

Length is commonly extended by repeating the length mark, as in English shhh! [????], or for "overlong" segments in Estonian:

vere /vere/ 'blood [gen.sg.]', veere /ve?re/ 'edge [gen.sg.]', veere /ve??re/ 'roll [imp. 2nd sg.]'
lina /lin?/ 'sheet', linna /lin??/ 'town [gen. sg.]', linna /lin???/ 'town [ine. sg.]'
(Normally additional degrees of length are handled by the extra-short or half-long diacritics, but in the Estonian examples, the first two cases are analyzed as simply short and long.)

Occasionally other diacritics are doubled:[citation needed]

Rhoticity in Badaga /be/ "mouth", /be?/ "bangle", and /be??/ "crop".[58]
Aspiration, for example contrasting Korean mild aspiration [k?] with strong aspiration [k??].[59]
Nasalization, as in Palantla Chinantec /?/ vs /e?/.[60]
Weak vs strong ejectives, [k'], [k�].[61]
Especially lowered, e.g. [t??] (or [t??], if the former symbol does not display properly) for /t/ as a weak fricative in some pronunciations of register.[62]
Especially retracted (at least on a vowel), e.g. [�??],[63] though, depending on the font, on a consonant this could be confused with alveolar or alveolarized notation from the extIPA, though such an issue can be easily avoided by placing the second diacritic to the right of the letter ([�??]), rather than below the first diacritic.
The transcription of strident and harsh voice as extra-creaky /a?/ may be motivated by the similarities of these phonations.
Obsolete and nonstandard symbols[edit]
Main articles: Obsolete and nonstandard symbols in the International Phonetic Alphabet and Click letter
The IPA once had parallel symbols from alternative proposals, but in most cases eventually settled on one for each sound. The rejected symbols are now considered obsolete. An example is the vowel letter ???, rejected in favor of ???. Letters for affricates and sounds with inherent secondary articulation have also been mostly rejected, with the idea that such features should be indicated with tie bars or diacritics: ??? for [z?] is one. In addition, the rare voiceless implosives, ?? ? ? ? ??, have been dropped and are now usually written ??? ?? ?� ?� ???. A retired set of click letters, ??, ?, ??, is still sometimes seen, as the official pipe letters ?|, !, ?? may cause problems with legibility, especially when used with brackets ([ ] or / /), the letter ?l?, or the prosodic marks ?|, ?? (for this reason, some publications which use the current IPA pipe letters disallow IPA brackets).[64]

Individual non-IPA letters may find their way into publications that otherwise use the standard IPA. This is especially common with:

Affricates, such as the Americanist barred lambda ??? for [t??] or ?c? for [t??]. Some authors find the tie bars displeasing but the lack of tie bars confusing (i.e. ?c? for /t??/ as distinct from /t?/), while others simply prefer to have one letter for each segmental phoneme in a language.
Digits for tonal phonemes that have conventional numbers in a local tradition, such as the four tones of Standard Chinese. This may be more convenient for comparison between languages and dialects than a phonetic transcription because tones often vary more than segmental phonemes do.
Digits for tone levels, though the lack of standardization can cause confusion (with e.g. "1" for high tone in some languages but for low tone in others).
Iconic extensions of standard IPA letters that can be readily understood, such as retroflex ???? and ???.
In addition, there are typewriter substitutions for when IPA support is not available, such as capital ?I, E, U, O, A? for [?, ?, ?, ?, ?].

Extensions[edit]
Main article: Extensions to the International Phonetic Alphabet
The "Extensions to the IPA", often abbreviated as "extIPA" and sometimes called "Extended IPA", are symbols whose original purpose was to accurately transcribe disordered speech. At the International Phonetic Association Kiel Convention in 1989, a group of linguists drew up the initial extensions,[65] which were based on the previous work of the PRDS (Phonetic Representation of Disordered Speech) Group in the early 1980s.[66] The extensions were first published in 1990, then modified, and published again in 1994 in the Journal of the International Phonetic Association, when they were officially adopted by the ICPLA.[67] While the original purpose was to transcribe disordered speech, linguists have used the extensions to designate a number of unique sounds within standard communication, such as hushing, gnashing teeth, and smacking lips. The extensions have also been used to record certain peculiarities in an individual's voice, such as nasalized voicing.[2]

The Extensions to the IPA do not include symbols used for voice quality (Voice Quality Symbols), such as whispering.

Segments without letters[edit]
The remaining blank cells on the IPA chart can be filled without too much difficulty if the need arises. Some ad hoc letters have appeared in the literature for the retroflex lateral flap, the voiceless lateral fricatives, the epiglottal trill, and the labiodental plosives. (See the grey letters in the PDF chart.) Diacritics can supply much of the remainder.[68] If a sound cannot be transcribed, an asterisk ?*? may be used, either as a letter or as a diacritic (as in ?k*? sometimes seen for the Korean 'fortis' velar).

Consonants[edit]
Representations of consonant sounds outside of the core set are created by adding diacritics to letters with similar sound values. The Spanish bilabial and dental approximants are commonly written as lowered fricatives, [�?] and [�?] respectively. Similarly, voiced lateral fricatives would be written as raised lateral approximants, [?? ?? ??]. A few languages such as Banda have a bilabial flap as the preferred allophone of what is elsewhere a labiodental flap. It has been suggested that this be written with the labiodental flap letter and the advanced diacritic, [??].[69]

Similarly, a labiodental trill would be written [??] (bilabial trill and the dental sign), and labiodental stops [p? b?] rather than with the ad hoc letters sometimes found in the literature. Other taps can be written as extra-short plosives or laterals, e.g. [?? ??/?? ??], though in some cases the diacritic would need to be written below the letter. A retroflex trill can be written as a retracted [r?], just as retroflex fricatives sometimes are. The remaining consonants, the uvular laterals (?? etc.) and the palatal trill, while not strictly impossible, are very difficult to pronounce and are unlikely to occur even as allophones in the world's languages.

Vowels[edit]
The vowels are similarly manageable by using diacritics for raising, lowering, fronting, backing, centering, and mid-centering.[70] For example, the unrounded equivalent of [?] can be transcribed as mid-centered [??], and the rounded equivalent of [�] as raised [??] or lowered [�?]. True mid vowels are lowered [e? �? ?? ?? ?? o?] or raised [?? �? ?? ?? ?? ??], while centered [?� ?�] and [�] (or, less commonly, [?�]) are near-close and open central vowels, respectively. The only known vowels that cannot be represented in this scheme are vowels with unexpected roundedness, which would require a dedicated diacritic, such as ???? and ?u?? (or ???? and ????).

Symbol names[edit]
Main article: Naming conventions of the International Phonetic Alphabet
An IPA symbol is often distinguished from the sound it is intended to represent, since there is not necessarily a one-to-one correspondence between letter and sound in broad transcription, making articulatory descriptions such as 'mid front rounded vowel' or 'voiced velar stop' unreliable. While the Handbook of the International Phonetic Association states that no official names exist for its symbols, it admits the presence of one or two common names for each.[71] The symbols also have nonce names in the Unicode standard. In some cases, the Unicode names and the IPA names do not agree. For example, IPA calls ? "epsilon", but Unicode calls it "small letter open E".

The traditional names of the Latin and Greek letters are usually used for unmodified letters.[note 5] Letters which are not directly derived from these alphabets, such as [?], may have a variety of names, sometimes based on the appearance of the symbol or on the sound that it represents. In Unicode, some of the letters of Greek origin have Latin forms for use in IPA; the others use the letters from the Greek section.

For diacritics, there are two methods of naming. For traditional diacritics, the IPA notes the name in a well known language; for example, � is acute, based on the name of the diacritic in English and French. Non-traditional diacritics are often named after objects they resemble, so d? is called bridge.

Geoffrey Pullum and William Ladusaw list a variety of names in use for IPA symbols, both current and retired, in addition to names of many other non-IPA phonetic symbols.[10] Their collection is extensive enough that the Unicode Consortium used it in the development of Unicode.

Typefaces[edit]
IPA typeface support is increasing, and is now included in several typefaces such as the Times New Roman versions that come with various recent computer operating systems. Diacritics are not always properly rendered, however. IPA typefaces that are freely available online include Gentium, several from the SIL (such as Charis SIL, and Doulos SIL), Dehuti, DejaVu Sans, and TITUS Cyberbit, which are all freely available; as well as commercial typefaces such as Brill, available from Brill Publishers, and Lucida Sans Unicode and Arial Unicode MS, shipping with various Microsoft products. These all include several ranges of characters in addition to the IPA. Modern Web browsers generally do not need any configuration to display these symbols, provided that a typeface capable of doing so is available to the operating system.

ASCII and keyboard transliterations[edit]
Several systems have been developed that map the IPA symbols to ASCII characters. Notable systems include Kirshenbaum, Arpabet, SAMPA, and X-SAMPA. The usage of mapping systems in on-line text has to some extent been adopted in the context input methods, allowing convenient keying of IPA characters that would be otherwise unavailable on standard keyboard layouts.

Computer input using on-screen keyboard[edit]
Online IPA keyboard utilities[72] are available and they cover the (complete) range of IPA symbols and diacritics.

See also[edit]
Americanist phonetic notation
Arabic International Phonetic Alphabet
Articulatory phonetics
Index of phonetics articles
International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration
International Phonetic Alphabet chart for English dialects
List of international common standards
Luciano Canepari
NATO phonetic alphabet
Phonetic symbols in Unicode
Phonetic transcription
Pronunciation respelling for English
Semyon Novgorodov � inventor of the IPA-based Yakut scripts
TIPA provides IPA support for LaTeX
Notes[edit]
Jump up ^ The inverted bridge under the ?t? specifies it as apical (pronounced with the tip of the tongue), and the superscript h shows that it is aspirated (breathy). Both these qualities cause the English [t] to sound different from the French or Spanish [t], which is a laminal (pronounced with the blade of the tongue) and unaspirated [t?]. ?t??? and ?t?? are thus two different IPA symbols for two different, though similar, sounds.
Jump up ^ For instance, flaps and taps are two different kinds of articulation, but since no language has (yet) been found to make a distinction between, say, an alveolar flap and an alveolar tap, the IPA does not provide such sounds with dedicated letters. Instead, it provides a single letter (in this case, [?]) for both. Strictly speaking, this makes the IPA a partially phonemic alphabet, not a purely phonetic one.
Jump up ^ There are five basic tone diacritics and five basic tone letters, both sets of which are compounded for contour tones.
Jump up ^ "The non-roman letters of the International Phonetic Alphabet have been designed as far as possible to harmonize well with the roman letters. The Association does not recognize makeshift letters; It recognizes only letters which have been carefully cut so as to be in harmony with the other letters." (IPA 1949)
Jump up ^ For example, [p] is called "Lower-case P" and [?] is "Chi." (International Phonetic Association, Handbook, p. 171)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Code_of_Signals

Musical notation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a notation for music. For the "musical" notation in mathematics, see Musical isomorphism.
"Music markup" redirects here. For the XML application, see Music Markup Language.

Hand-written musical notation by J. S. Bach (1685�1750). This is the beginning of the Prelude from the Suite for Lute in G minor BWV 995 (transcription of Cello Suite No. 5, BWV 1011).
Music notation or musical notation is any system used to visually represent aurally perceived music played with instruments or sung by the human voice through the use of written, printed, or otherwise-produced symbols, including ancient symbols or modern musical symbols and including ancient symbols cut into stone, made in clay tablets or made using a pen on papyrus, parchment or manuscript paper; printed using a printing press (ca. 1400s), a computer printer (ca. 1980s) or other printing or modern copying technology. Types and methods of notation have varied between cultures and throughout history, and much information about ancient music notation is fragmentary. Even in the same time period, such as in the 2010s, different styles of music and different cultures use different music notation methods; for example, for professional classical music performers, sheet music using staves and note heads is the most common way of notating music, but for professional country music session musicians, the Nashville Number System is the main method.

Although many ancient cultures used symbols to represent melodies and rhythms, none of them were particularly comprehensive, and this has limited today's understanding of their music. The seeds of what would eventually become modern western notation were sown in medieval Europe, starting with the Catholic church's goal for ecclesiastical uniformity. The church began notating plainchant melodies so that the same chants could be used throughout the church. Music notation developed in the Renaissance and Baroque music eras. The introduction of figured bass (or "throughbass") notation in the Baroque era marked the beginning of the first compositions based around chord progressions (a key method for popular music songwriters in the 20th and 21st century).[citation needed] In the classical period (1750�1820) and the Romantic music era (1820�1900), notation continued to develop as new musical instrument technologies were developed. In the contemporary classical music of the 20th and 21st century, music notation has continued to develop, with the introduction of graphical notation by some modern composers and the use, since the 1980s, of computer-based scorewriter programs for notating music. Music notation has been adapted to many kinds of music, including classical music, popular music, and traditional music.

Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 Ancient Near East
1.2 Ancient Greece
1.3 Byzantine Empire
1.4 13th-century Near East
1.5 Early Europe
2 Modern staff notation
2.1 Specialized notation conventions
3 In various countries
3.1 Korea
3.2 India
3.3 Russia
3.4 China
3.5 Japan
3.6 Indonesia
4 Other systems and practices
4.1 Cipher notation
4.2 Solf�ge
4.3 Letter notation
4.4 Tablature
4.5 Klavar notation
4.6 Piano-roll-based notations
4.7 Chromatic staff notations
4.8 Graphic notation
4.9 Simplified music notation
4.10 Modified stave notation
4.11 Parsons code
4.12 Braille music
4.13 Integer notation
4.14 Rap notation
5 Music notation on computer
6 Perspectives of musical notation in composition and musical performance
7 Patents
8 See also
9 Notes
10 References
11 Further reading
12 External links
History[edit]
Ancient Near East[edit]
Further information: Music of Mesopotamia and Hurrian songs

A drawing of one side of the tablet on which the Hymn to Nikkal is inscribed[1]
The earliest form of musical notation can be found in a cuneiform tablet that was created at Nippur, in Sumer (today's Iraq), in about 2000 BC. The tablet represents fragmentary instructions for performing music, that the music was composed in harmonies of thirds, and that it was written using a diatonic scale.[2] A tablet from about 1250 BC shows a more developed form of notation.[3] Although the interpretation of the notation system is still controversial, it is clear that the notation indicates the names of strings on a lyre, the tuning of which is described in other tablets.[4] Although they are fragmentary, these tablets represent the earliest notated melodies found anywhere in the world.[5]

A photograph of the original stone at Delphi containing the second of the two Delphic Hymns to Apollo. The music notation is the line of occasional symbols above the main, uninterrupted line of Greek lettering.
Ancient Greece[edit]
Further information: Musical system of ancient Greece
Ancient Greek musical notation was in use from at least the 6th century BC until approximately the 4th century AD; several complete compositions and fragments of compositions using this notation survive. The notation consists of symbols placed above text syllables. An example of a complete composition is the Seikilos epitaph, which has been variously dated between the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD.

Three hymns by Mesomedes of Crete exist in manuscript. The Delphic Hymns, dated to the 2nd century BC, also use this notation, but they are not completely preserved. Ancient Greek notation appears to have fallen out of use around the time of the Decline of the Roman Empire.

Byzantine Empire[edit]
Further information: Byzantine music

Byzantine music notation style in a Romanian anastasimatarion, a "Book of Hymns at the Lord's Resurrection", 1823
Byzantine music has mainly survived as music for court ceremonies, including vocal religious music. It is not known if it is based on the monodic modal singing and instrumental music of Ancient Greece. Greek theoretical categories played a key role to understand and transmit Byzantine music, especially the tradition of Damascus had a strong impact on the pre-Islamic Near East comparable to Persian music and its music theoretical transfer in Sanskrit.

Unlike Western notation Byzantine neumes always indicate modal steps in relation to a clef or modal key (modal signatures which had been in use since papyrus fragments dating back to the 6th century). Originally this key or the incipit of a common melody was enough to indicate a certain melodic model given within the echos, despite ekphonetic notation further early melodic notation developed not earlier than between the 9th and the 10th century.[6] Like the Greek alphabet notational signs are ordered left to right (though the direction could be adapted like in certain Syriac manuscripts), the question of rhythm was entirely based on cheironomia, well-known melodical phrases given by gestures of the choirleaders which existed once as part of an oral tradition.

Today the main difference between Western and Eastern neumes is that Eastern notation symbols are differential rather than absolute, i.e. they indicate pitch steps (rising, falling or at the same step), and the musicians know to deduce correctly, from the score and the note they are singing presently, which correct interval is meant. These step symbols themselves, or better "phonic neumes", resemble brush strokes and are colloquially called g�ntzoi ("hooks") in Modern Greek.

Notes as pitch classes or modal keys (usually memorised by modal signatures) are represented in written form only between these neumes (in manuscripts usually written in red ink). In modern notation they simply serve as an optional reminder and modal and tempo directions have been added, if necessary. In Papadic notation medial signatures usually meant a temporary change into another echos.

The so-called "great signs" were once related to cheironomic signs, according to modern interpretations they are understood as embellishments and microtonal attractions (pitch changes smaller than a semitone), both essential in Byzantine chant.[7]

Chrysanthos' Kanonion with a comparison between Ancient Greek tetraphonia (column 1), Western Solfeggio, the Papadic Parallage (ascending: column 3 and 4; descending: column 5 and 6) according to the trochos system, and his heptaphonic parallage according to the New Method (syllables in the fore-last and martyriai in the last column) (1832, p. 33)
Since Chrysanthos of Madytos there are seven standard note names used for "solf�ge" (parallage) p�, v�, gh�, dhe, k�, zo, ne, while the older practice still used the four enechemata or intonation formulas of the four echoi given by the modal signatures, the authentic or "kyrioi" in ascending direction, and the plagal or "plagioi" in descending direction (Papadic Octoechos).[8] With exception of v� and zo they do roughly correspond to Western solmization syllables as re, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do. Byzantine music uses the eight natural, non-tempered scales whose elements were identified by Ekhoi, "sounds", exclusively, and therefore the absolute pitch of each note may slightly vary each time, depending on the particular Ekhos used. Byzantine notation is still used in many Orthodox Churches. Sometimes cantors also use transcriptions into Western or Kievan staff notation while adding non-notatable embellishment material from memory and "sliding" into the natural scales from experience, but even concerning modern neume editions since the reform of Chrysanthos a lot of details are only known from an oral tradition related to traditional masters and their experience.

13th-century Near East[edit]
In 1252, Safi al-Din al-Urmawi developed a form of musical notation, where rhythms were represented by geometric representation. Many subsequent scholars of rhythm have sought to develop graphical geometrical notations. For example, a similar geometric system was published in 1987 by Kjell Gustafson, whose method represents a rhythm as a two-dimensional graph.[9]

Early Europe[edit]
Main article: Neume

Music notation from an early 14th-century English Missal
Scholar and music theorist Isidore of Seville, writing in the early 7th century, considered that "unless sounds are held by the memory of man, they perish, because they cannot be written down."[10] By the middle of the 9th century, however, a form of neumatic notation began to develop in monasteries in Europe as a mnemonic device for Gregorian chant, using symbols known as neumes; the earliest surviving musical notation of this type is in the Musica disciplina of Aurelian of R��me, from about 850. There are scattered survivals from the Iberian Peninsula before this time, of a type of notation known as Visigothic neumes, but its few surviving fragments have not yet been deciphered.[11] The problem with this notation was that it only showed melodic contours and consequently the music could not be read by someone who did not know the music already.

Early music notation
Notation had developed far enough to notate melody, but there was still no system for notating rhythm. A mid-13th-century treatise, De Mensurabili Musica, explains a set of six rhythmic modes that were in use at the time,[12] although it is not clear how they were formed. These rhythmic modes were all in triple time and rather limited rhythm in chant to six different repeating patterns. This was a flaw seen by German music theorist Franco of Cologne and summarised as part of his treatise Ars cantus mensurabilis (the art of measured chant, or mensural notation). He suggested that individual notes could have their own rhythms represented by the shape of the note. Not until the 14th century did something like the present system of fixed note lengths arise.[citation needed] The use of regular measures (bars) became commonplace by the end of the 17th century.[citation needed]

The founder of what is now considered the standard music stave was Guido d'Arezzo,[13] an Italian Benedictine monk who lived from about 991 until after 1033. He taught the use of solmization syllables based on a hymn to Saint John the Baptist, which begins Ut Queant Laxis and was written by the Lombard historian Paul the Deacon. The first stanza is:

Ut queant laxis
resonare fibris,
Mira gestorum
famuli tuorum,
Solve polluti
labii reatum,
Sancte Iohannes.
Guido used the first syllable of each line, Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, and Si, to read notated music in terms of hexachords; they were not note names, and each could, depending on context, be applied to any note. In the 17th century, Ut was changed in most countries except France to the easily singable, "open" syllable Do, said to have been taken from the name of the Italian theorist Giovanni Battista Doni, but rather Do have been taken from the word "Dominus" in Latin with the meaning " the Lord" [14]

Modern staff notation[edit]
Main article: List of musical symbols

An example of modern musical notation: Prelude, Op. 28, No. 7, by Fr�d�ric Chopin About this sound Play (help�info)
Catholic monks developed the first forms of modern Western musical notation in order to standardize liturgy throughout the worldwide Church,[15] and an enormous body of religious music has been composed for it through the ages. This led directly to the emergence and development of European classical music, and its many derivatives. The Baroque style, which encompassed music, art, and architecture, was particularly encouraged by the post-Reformation Catholic Church as such forms offered a means of religious expression that was stirring and emotional, intended to stimulate religious fervor.[16] Modern music notation is now used by musicians of many different genres throughout the world. The staff acts as a framework upon which pitches are indicated by placing round notes on the staff lines or between the lines. The pitch of the round musical notes can be modified by accidentals. The duration (note length) is shown with different note values, which can be indicated by the note being just a circle (a whole note) or using stems to indicate quarter notes and other subdivisions, and additional symbols such as dots and ties which lengthen the duration of a note. Notation is read from left to right, which makes setting music for right-to-left scripts difficult.

A staff (or stave, in British English) of written music generally begins with a clef, which indicates the position of one particular note on the staff. The treble clef or G clef was originally a letter G and it identifies the second line up on the five line staff as the note G above middle C. The bass clef or F clef shows the position of the note F below middle C. While the treble and bass clef are the most widely used clefs, other clefs are used, such as the alto clef (used for viola music) and the tenor clef (used for some cello and double bass music). Notes representing a pitch outside of the scope of the five line staff can be represented using ledger lines, which provide a single note with additional lines and spaces. Some instruments use mainly one clef, such as violin and flute, which use treble clef and double bass and tuba, which use bass clef. Some instruments regularly use both clefs, such as piano and pipe organ.

Following the clef, the key signature on a staff indicates the key of the piece or song by specifying that certain notes are flat or sharp throughout the piece, unless otherwise indicated with accidentals added before certain notes. When a sharp is placed before a note, this makes that note one semitone higher. When a flat is placed before a note, this makes that note one semitone lower. Double sharps and double flats are less common, but they are used. A double sharp is placed before a note to make it two semitones higher. A double flat is placed before a note to make it two semitones lower. A natural sign placed before a note renders that note in its "natural" form, which means that any sharps or flats applying to that note from the key signature or from accidentals are cancelled. Sometimes a courtesy accidental is used in music where it is not technically required, to remind the musician of what pitch the key signature requires.

Following the key signature is the time signature. The time signature typically consists of two numbers, with one of the most common being "4/4". The top "4" indicates that there are four beats per measure (also called bar). The bottom "4" indicates that each of those beats are quarter notes. Measures divide the piece into groups of beats, and the time signatures specify those groupings. "4/4" is used so often that it is also called "common time", and it may be indicated with a "C" rather than numbers. Other common time signatures are "3/4" (three beats per bar, with each beat being a quarter note); "2/4" (two beats per bar, with each beat being a quarter note); "6/8" (six beats per bar, with each beat being an eighth note) and "12/8" (twelve beats per bar, with each beat being an eighth note; in practice, the eighth notes are typically put into four groups of three eighth notes. "12/8" is a compound time type of time signature). Many other time signatures exist, such as "3/8", "5/8", "5/4", "7/4", "9/8", and so on.

Many short classical music pieces from the classical era and songs from traditional music and popular music are in one time signature for much or all of the piece. Music from the Romantic music era and later, particularly contemporary classical music and rock music genres such as progressive rock and the hardcore punk subgenre mathcore are among the genres which use mixed meter; that is, songs or pieces change from one meter to another (e.g., a song could alternate between bars of "5/4" and "7/8").

Directions to the player regarding matters such as tempo (e.g., Allegro, Andante, Largo, etc.), dynamics (loudness and softness) appear above or below the staff. Terms indicating the musical expression or "feel" to a song or piece are indicated at the beginning of the piece and at any points where the mood changes (e.g., "Slow March", "Fast Swing", "Medium Blues", etc.) For vocal music, lyrics are written near the pitches of the melody. For short pauses (breaths), retakes (retakes are indicated with a ' mark) are added.

In music for ensembles, a "score" shows music for all players together, with the staves for the different instruments and/or voices stacked vertically. The conductor uses the score while she leads an orchestra, concert band, choir or other large ensemble. Individual performers in an ensemble play from "parts" which contain only the music played by an individual musician. A score can be constructed from a complete set of parts and vice versa. The process was laborious and time consuming when parts were hand-copied from the score, but since the development of scorewriter computer software in the 1980s, a score stored electronically can have parts automatically prepared by the program and quickly and inexpensively printed out using a computer printer.

Specialized notation conventions[edit]

A lead sheet

A chord chart. About this sound Play (help�info)
Percussion notation conventions are varied because of the wide range of percussion instruments. Percussion instruments are generally grouped into two categories: pitched (e.g., glockenspiel or tubular bells) and non-pitched (e.g., bass drum and snare drum). The notation of non-pitched percussion instruments is less standardized. Pitched instruments use standard Western classical notation for the pitches and rhythms. In general, notation for unpitched percussion uses the five line staff, with different lines and spaces representing different drum kit instruments. Standard Western rhythmic notation is used to indicate the rhythm.
Figured bass notation originated in Baroque basso continuo parts. It is also used extensively in accordion notation. The bass notes of the music are conventionally notated, along with numbers and other signs that determine which chords the harpsichordist, organist or lutenist should improvise. It does not, however, specify the exact pitches of the harmony, leaving that for the performer to improvise.
A lead sheet specifies only the melody, lyrics and harmony, using one staff with chord symbols placed above and lyrics below. It is used to capture the essential elements of a popular song without specifying how the song should be arranged or performed.
A chord chart or "chart" contains little or no melodic information at all but provides detailed harmonic information about the chord progression. Some chord charts also contain rhythmic information, indicated using slash notation for full beats and rhythmic notation for rhythms. This is the most common kind of written music used by professional session musicians playing jazz or other forms of popular music and is intended primarily for the rhythm section (usually containing piano, guitar, bass and drums).
Simpler chord charts for songs may contain only the chord changes, placed above the lyrics where they occur. Such charts depend on prior knowledge of the melody, and are used as reminders in performance or informal group singing. Some chord charts intended for rhythm section accompanists contain only the chord progression.
The shape note system is found in some church hymnals, sheet music, and song books, especially in the Southern United States. Instead of the customary elliptical note head, note heads of various shapes are used to show the position of the note on the major scale. Sacred Harp is one of the most popular tune books using shape notes.
In various countries[edit]
Korea[edit]

Jeongganbo musical notation system
Jeongganbo is a unique traditional musical notation system created during the time of Sejong the Great that was the first East Asian system to represent rhythm, pitch, and time.[17][18] Among various kinds of Korean traditional music, Jeong-gan-bo targets a particular genre, Jeong-ak (??, ??).

Jeong-gan-bo tells the pitch by writing the pitch's name down in a box called 'jeong-gan' (this is where the name comes from). One jeong-gan is one beat each, and it can be split into two, three or more to hold half beats and quarter beats, and more. This makes it easy for the reader to figure out the beat.

Also, there are lots of markings indicating things such as ornaments. Most of these were later created by Ki-su Kim.

India[edit]
Main article: Swaralipi

Indian music, early 20th century.
The Indian scholar and musical theorist Pingala (c. 200 BC), in his Chanda Sutra, used marks indicating long and short syllables to indicate meters in Sanskrit poetry.

In the notation of Indian raga, a solfege-like system called sargam is used. As in Western solfege, there are names for the seven basic pitches of a major scale (Shadja, Rishabh, Gandhar, Madhyam, Pancham, Dhaivat and Nishad, usually shortened Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni). The tonic of any scale is named Sa, and the dominant Pa. Sa is fixed in any scale, and Pa is fixed at a fifth above it (a Pythagorean fifth rather than an equal-tempered fifth). These two notes are known as achala swar ('fixed notes').

Each of the other five notes, Re, Ga, Ma, Dha and Ni, can take a 'regular' (shuddha) pitch, which is equivalent to its pitch in a standard major scale (thus, shuddha Re, the second degree of the scale, is a whole-step higher than Sa), or an altered pitch, either a half-step above or half-step below the shuddha pitch. Re, Ga, Dha and Ni all have altered partners that are a half-step lower (Komal-"flat") (thus, komal Re is a half-step higher than Sa).

Ma has an altered partner that is a half-step higher (teevra-"sharp") (thus, tivra Ma is an augmented fourth above Sa). Re, Ga, Ma, Dha and Ni are called vikrut swar ('movable notes'). In the written system of Indian notation devised by Ravi Shankar, the pitches are represented by Western letters. Capital letters are used for the achala swar, and for the higher variety of all the vikrut swar. Lowercase letters are used for the lower variety of the vikrut swar.

Other systems exist for non-twelve-tone equal temperament and non-Western music, such as the Indian Swaralipi.

Russia[edit]
Further information: Znamenny chant

An example of Znamenny notation with so-called "red marks", Russia, 1884. "Thy Cross we honour, oh Lord, and Thy holy Resurrection we praise."

A hand-drawn lubok featuring 'hook and banner notation'.
Znamenny Chant is a singing tradition used in the Russian Orthodox Church which uses a "hook and banner" notation. Znamenny Chant is unison, melismatic liturgical singing that has its own specific notation, called the stolp notation. The symbols used in the stolp notation are called kryuki (Russian: ?????, 'hooks') or znamena (Russian: ???????, 'signs'). Often the names of the signs are used to refer to the stolp notation. Znamenny melodies are part of a system, consisting of Eight Modes (intonation structures; called glasy); the melodies are characterized by fluency and well-balancedness.(Kholopov 2003, 192) There exist several types of Znamenny Chant: the so-called Stolpovoy, Malyj (Little) and Bolshoy (Great) Znamenny Chant. Ruthenian Chant (Prostopinije) is sometimes considered a sub-division of the Znamenny Chant tradition, with the Muscovite Chant (Znamenny Chant proper) being the second branch of the same musical continuum.

Znamenny Chants are not written with notes (the so-called linear notation), but with special signs, called Znam�na (Russian for "marks", "banners") or Kryuki ("hooks"), as some shapes of these signs resemble hooks. Each sign may include the following components: a large black hook or a black stroke, several smaller black 'points' and 'commas' and lines near the hook or crossing the hook. Some signs may mean only one note, some 2 to 4 notes, and some a whole melody of more than 10 notes with a complicated rhythmic structure. The stolp notation was developed in Kievan Rus' as an East Slavic refinement of the Byzantine neumatic musical notation.

The most notable feature of this notation system is that it records transitions of the melody, rather than notes. The signs also represent a mood and a gradation of how this part of melody is to be sung (tempo, strength, devotion, meekness, etc.) Every sign has its own name and also features as a spiritual symbol. For example, there is a specific sign, called "little dove" (Russian: ???????? (golubchik)), which represents two rising sounds, but which is also a symbol of the Holy Ghost. Gradually the system became more and more complicated. This system was also ambiguous, so that almost no one, except the most trained and educated singers, could sing an unknown melody at sight. The signs only helped to reproduce the melody, not coding it in an unambiguous way. (See Byzantine Empire)

China[edit]
Main article: Chinese musical notation

Chinese Guqin notation, 1425
The earliest known examples of text referring to music in China are inscriptions on musical instruments found in the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng (d. 433 B.C.). Sets of 41 chimestones and 65 bells bore lengthy inscriptions concerning pitches, scales, and transposition. The bells still sound the pitches that their inscriptions refer to. Although no notated musical compositions were found, the inscriptions indicate that the system was sufficiently advanced to allow for musical notation. Two systems of pitch nomenclature existed, one for relative pitch and one for absolute pitch. For relative pitch, a solmization system was used.[19]

Gongche notation used Chinese characters for the names of the scale.

Japan[edit]
Further information: Shakuhachi musical notation and Kunkunshi

Tempyo Biwa Fu ????? (circa 738 AD), musical notation for Biwa. (Shosoin, at Nara, Japan)
Japanese music is highly diversified, and therefore requires various systems of notation. In Japanese shakuhachi music, for example, glissandos and timbres are often more significant than distinct pitches, whereas taiko notation focuses on discrete strokes.

Ryukyuan sanshin music uses kunkunshi, a notation system of kanji with each character corresponding to a finger position on a particular string.

Indonesia[edit]
Main article: Gamelan notation
Notation plays a relatively minor role in the oral traditions of Indonesia. However, in Java and Bali, several systems were devised beginning at the end of the 19th century, initially for archival purposes. Today the most widespread are cipher notations ("not angka" in the broadest sense) in which the pitches are represented with some subset of the numbers 1 to 7, with 1 corresponding to either highest note of a particular octave, as in Sundanese gamelan, or lowest, as in the kepatihan notation of Javanese gamelan.

Notes in the ranges outside the central octave are represented with one or more dots above or below the each number. For the most part, these cipher notations are mainly used to notate the skeletal melody (the balungan) and vocal parts (gerongan), although transcriptions of the elaborating instrument variations are sometimes used for analysis and teaching. Drum parts are notated with a system of symbols largely based on letters representing the vocables used to learn and remember drumming patterns; these symbols are typically laid out in a grid underneath the skeletal melody for a specific or generic piece.

The symbols used for drum notation (as well as the vocables represented) are highly variable from place to place and performer to performer. In addition to these current systems, two older notations used a kind of staff: the Solonese script could capture the flexible rhythms of the pesinden with a squiggle on a horizontal staff, while in Yogyakarta a ladder-like vertical staff allowed notation of the balungan by dots and also included important drum strokes. In Bali, there are a few books published of Gamelan gender wayang pieces, employing alphabetical notation in the old Balinese script.

Composers and scholars both Indonesian and foreign have also mapped the slendro and pelog tuning systems of gamelan onto the western staff, with and without various symbols for microtones. The Dutch composer Ton de Leeuw also invented a three line staff for his composition Gending. However, these systems do not enjoy widespread use.

In the second half of the twentieth century, Indonesian musicians and scholars extended cipher notation to other oral traditions, and a diatonic scale cipher notation has become common for notating western-related genres (church hymns, popular songs, and so forth). Unlike the cipher notation for gamelan music, which uses a "fixed Do" (that is, 1 always corresponds to the same pitch, within the natural variability of gamelan tuning), Indonesian diatonic cipher notation is "moveable-Do" notation, so scores must indicate which pitch corresponds to the number 1 (for example, "1=C").

A short melody in slendro notated using the Surakarta method.[20]

The same notated using the Yogyakarta method or 'chequered notation'.[20]

The same notated using Kepatihan notation.[20]

The same approximated using Western notation.[20] About this sound Play (help�info)
Other systems and practices[edit]
Cipher notation[edit]
Main article: Numbered musical notation
Cipher notation systems assigning Arabic numerals to the major scale degrees have been used at least since the Iberian organ tablatures of the 16th-century and include such exotic adaptations as Siffernotskrift. The one most widely in use today is the Chinese Jianpu, discussed in the main article. Numerals can of course also be assigned to different scale systems, as in the Javanese kepatihan notation described above.

Solf�ge[edit]
Main article: Solf�ge
Solf�ge is a way of assigning syllables to names of the musical scale. In order, they are today: Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do' (for the octave). The classic variation is: Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si Do'. The first Western system of functional names for the musical notes was introduced by Guido of Arezzo (c. 991 � after 1033), using the beginning syllables of the first six musical lines of the Latin hymn Ut queant laxis. The original sequence was Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La, where each verse started a scale note higher. "Ut" later became "Do". The equivalent syllables used in Indian music are: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni. See also: solf�ge, sargam, Kod�ly hand signs.

Tonic sol-fa is a type of notation using the initial letters of solf�ge.

Letter notation[edit]
Main article: Letter notation
The notes of the 12-tone scale can be written by their letter names A�G, possibly with a trailing sharp or flat symbol, such as A? or B?.

Tablature[edit]
Main article: Tablature
Tablature was first used in the Middle Ages for organ music and later in the Renaissance for lute music.[21] In most lute tablatures, a staff is used, but instead of pitch values, the lines of the staff represent the strings of the instrument. The frets to finger are written on each line, indicated by letters or numbers. Rhythm is written separately with one or another variation of standard note values indicating the duration of the fastest moving part. Few seem to have remarked on the fact that tablature combines in one notation system both the physical and technical requirements of play (the lines and symbols on them and in relation to each other representing the actual performance actions) with the unfolding of the music itself (the lines of tablature taken horizontally represent the actual temporal unfolding of the music). In later periods, lute and guitar music was written with standard notation. Tablature caught interest again in the late 20th century for popular guitar music and other fretted instruments, being easy to transcribe and share over the internet in ASCII format. Websites like OLGA[22] have archives of text-based popular music tablature.

Klavar notation[edit]
Main article: Klavarskribo
Klavarskribo (sometimes shortened to klavar) is a music notation system that was introduced in 1931 by the Dutchman Cornelis Pot. The name means "keyboard writing" in Esperanto. It differs from conventional music notation in a number of ways and is intended to be easily readable. Many klavar readers are from the Netherlands.

Piano-roll-based notations[edit]
Some chromatic systems have been created taking advantage of the layout of black and white keys of the standard piano keyboard. The "staff" is most widely referred to as "piano roll", created by extending the black and white piano keys.

Chromatic staff notations[edit]
Over the past three centuries, hundreds of music notation systems have been proposed as alternatives to traditional western music notation. Many of these systems seek to improve upon traditional notation by using a "chromatic staff" in which each of the 12 pitch classes has its own unique place on the staff. Examples are the Ailler-Brennink notation, Jacques-Daniel Rochat's Dodeka[23] system, Tom Reed's Twinline notation, Russell Ambrose's Ambrose Piano Tabs,[24] Paul Morris' Clairnote,[25] John Keller's Express Stave, and Jos� A. Sotorrio's Bilinear Music Notation. These notation systems do not require the use of standard key signatures, accidentals, or clef signs. They also represent interval relationships more consistently and accurately than traditional notation. The Music Notation Project (formerly known as the Music Notation Modernization Association) has a website with information on many of these notation systems.[26]

Graphic notation[edit]
Main article: Graphic notation (music)
The term 'graphic notation' refers to the contemporary use of non-traditional symbols and text to convey information about the performance of a piece of music. Practitioners include Christian Wolff, Earle Brown, Anthony Braxton, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Krzysztof Penderecki, Cornelius Cardew, and Roger Reynolds. See Notations, edited by John Cage and Alison Knowles, ISBN 0-685-14864-5.

Simplified music notation[edit]
Main article: Simplified music notation
Simplified Music Notation is an alternative form of musical notation designed to make sight-reading easier. It is based on classical staff notation, but incorporates sharps and flats into the shape of the note heads. Notes such as double sharps and double flats are written at the pitch they are actually played at, but preceded by symbols called history signs that show they have been transposed.

Modified stave notation[edit]
Main article: Modified Stave Notation
Modified Stave Notation (MSN) is an alternative way of notating music for people who cannot easily read ordinary musical notation even if it is enlarged.

Parsons code[edit]
Main article: Parsons code
Parsons code is used to encode music so that it can be easily searched.

Braille music[edit]
Main article: Braille music
Braille music is a complete, well developed, and internationally accepted musical notation system that has symbols and notational conventions quite independent of print music notation. It is linear in nature, similar to a printed language and different from the two-dimensional nature of standard printed music notation. To a degree Braille music resembles musical markup languages[27] such as MusicXML[28] or NIFF.

Integer notation[edit]
In integer notation, or the integer model of pitch, all pitch classes and intervals between pitch classes are designated using the numbers 0 through 11.

Rap notation[edit]
The standard form of rap notation is the "flow diagram", where rappers line up their lyrics underneath "beat numbers".[29] Hip-hop scholars also make use of the same flow diagrams that rappers use: the books How to Rap and How to Rap 2 extensively use the diagrams to explain rap's triplets, flams, rests, rhyme schemes, runs of rhyme, and breaking rhyme patterns, among other techniques.[30] Similar systems are used by musicologists Adam Krims in his book Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity[31] and Kyle Adams in his work on rap's flow.[32] As rap revolves around a strong 4/4 beat,[33] with certain syllables aligned to the beat, all the notational systems have a similar structure: they all have four beat numbers at the top of the diagram, so that syllables can be written in-line with the beat.[33]

Music notation on computer[edit]
Main article: Scorewriter
Many computer programs have been developed for creating music notation (called scorewriters or music notation software). Music may also be stored in various digital file formats for purposes other than graphic notation output.

Perspectives of musical notation in composition and musical performance[edit]
According to Philip Tagg and Richard Middleton, musicology and to a degree European-influenced musical practice suffer from a 'notational centricity', a methodology slanted by the characteristics of notation.[34]

Patents[edit]

Recent US 6987220 on a new color based musical notation scheme
In some countries, new musical notations can be patented. In the United States, for example, about 90 patents have been issued for new notation systems. The earliest patent, U.S. Patent 1,383 was published in 1839.

See also[edit]
List of musical symbols of modern notation.
Jewish Torah Trope Cantillation
Colored music notation
Eye movement in music reading
Guido of Arezzo, inventor of modern musical notation
History of music publishing
List of scorewriters
Mensural notation
Modal notation
Music engraving, drawing music notation for the purpose of mechanical reproduction
Music OCR, the application of optical character recognition to interpret sheet music
Neume (plainchant notation)
Pitch class
Rastrum, a five-pointed writing implement used to draw parallel staff lines across a blank piece of sheet music
Scorewriter
Semasiography
Sheet music
Time unit box system, a notation system useful for polyrhythms
Tongan music notation, a subset of standard music notation
Tonnetz
Znamenny chant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_notation

Morse code
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chart of the Morse code letters and numerals.[1]
Morse code is a method of transmitting text information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. It is named for Samuel F. B. Morse, an inventor of the telegraph. The International Morse Code[1] encodes the ISO basic Latin alphabet, some extra Latin letters, the Arabic numerals and a small set of punctuation and procedural signals (prosigns) as standardized sequences of short and long signals called "dots" and "dashes",[1] or "dits" and "dahs", as in amateur radio practice. Because many non-English natural languages use more than the 26 Roman letters, extensions to the Morse alphabet exist for those languages.

Each Morse code symbol represents either a text character (letter or numeral) or a prosign and is represented by a unique sequence of dots and dashes. The duration of a dash is three times the duration of a dot. Each dot or dash is followed by a short silence, equal to the dot duration. The letters of a word are separated by a space equal to three dots (one dash), and the words are separated by a space equal to seven dots. The dot duration is the basic unit of time measurement in code transmission.[1] To increase the speed of the communication, the code was designed so that the length of each character in Morse varies approximately inversely to its frequency of occurrence in English. Thus the most common letter in English, the letter "E", has the shortest code, a single dot.

Morse code is used by some amateur radio operators, although knowledge of and proficiency with it is no longer required for licensing in most countries. Pilots and air traffic controllers usually need only a cursory understanding. Aeronautical navigational aids, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly identify in Morse code. Compared to voice, Morse code is less sensitive to poor signal conditions, yet still comprehensible to humans without a decoding device. Morse is, therefore, a useful alternative to synthesized speech for sending automated data to skilled listeners on voice channels. Many amateur radio repeaters, for example, identify with Morse, even though they are used for voice communications.

SOS, the standard emergency signal, is a Morse code prosign
In an emergency, Morse code can be sent by improvised methods that can be easily "keyed" on and off, making it one of the simplest and most versatile methods of telecommunication. The most common distress signal is SOS or three dots, three dashes, and three dots, internationally recognized by treaty.

Contents [hide]
1 Development and history
2 User proficiency
3 International Morse Code
3.1 Aviation
3.2 Amateur radio
3.3 Other uses
3.4 Applications for the general public
3.5 Morse code as an assistive technology
4 Representation, timing, and speeds
4.1 Transmission
4.2 Cable code
4.3 Timing
4.4 Spoken representation
4.5 Speed in words per minute
4.6 Farnsworth speed
4.7 Alternative display of common characters in International Morse code
4.8 Link budget issues
5 Learning methods
5.1 Mnemonics
6 Letters, numbers, punctuation, prosigns for Morse code and non-English variants
6.1 Prosigns
6.2 Symbol representations
6.3 Non-Latin extensions
6.4 Unusual variants
7 Decoding software
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
Development and history

Typical "straight key". This U.S. model J-38, was manufactured in huge quantities during World War II. The signal is "on" when the knob is pressed, and "off" when it is released. Length and timing of the dots and dashes are entirely controlled by the telegraphist.

Morse code receiver, recording on paper tape
Beginning in 1836, the American artist Samuel F. B. Morse, the American physicist Joseph Henry, and Alfred Vail developed an electrical telegraph system. This system sent pulses of electric current along wires which controlled an electromagnet that was located at the receiving end of the telegraph system. A code was needed to transmit natural language using only these pulses, and the silence between them. Around 1837, Morse, therefore, developed an early forerunner to the modern International Morse code. Around the same time, Carl Friedrich Gauss and Wilhelm Eduard Weber (1833) as well as Carl August von Steinheil (1837) had already used codes with varying word lengths for their telegraphs.

In 1837, William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone in England began using an electrical telegraph that also used electromagnets in its receivers. However, in contrast with any system of making sounds of clicks, their system used pointing needles that rotated above alphabetical charts to indicate the letters that were being sent. In 1841, Cooke and Wheatstone built a telegraph that printed the letters from a wheel of typefaces struck by a hammer. This machine was based on their 1840 telegraph and worked well; however, they failed to find customers for this system and only two examples were ever built.[2]

On the other hand, the three Americans' system for telegraphy, which was first used in about 1844, was designed to make indentations on a paper tape when electric currents were received. Morse's original telegraph receiver used a mechanical clockwork to move a paper tape. When an electrical current was received, an electromagnet engaged an armature that pushed a stylus onto the moving paper tape, making an indentation on the tape. When the current was interrupted, a spring retracted the stylus, and that portion of the moving tape remained unmarked.

The Morse code was developed so that operators could translate the indentations marked on the paper tape into text messages. In his earliest code, Morse had planned to transmit only numerals, and to use a codebook to look up each word according to the number which had been sent. However, the code was soon expanded by Alfred Vail in 1840 to include letters and special characters, so it could be used more generally. Vail estimated the frequency of use of letters in the English language by counting the movable type he found in the type-cases of a local newspaper in Morristown.[3] The shorter marks were called "dots", and the longer ones "dashes", and the letters most commonly used were assigned the shorter sequences of dots and dashes. This code was used since 1844 and became known as Morse landline code or American Morse code.

Comparison of historical versions of Morse code with the current standard. 1. American Morse code as originally defined. 2. The modified and rationalized version used by Gerke on German railways. 3. The current ITU standard.
In the original Morse telegraphs, the receiver's armature made a clicking noise as it moved in and out of position to mark the paper tape. The telegraph operators soon learned that they could translate the clicks directly into dots and dashes, and write these down by hand, thus making the paper tape unnecessary. When Morse code was adapted to radio communication, the dots and dashes were sent as short and long tone pulses. It was later found that people become more proficient at receiving Morse code when it is taught as a language that is heard, instead of one read from a page.[4]

To reflect the sounds of Morse code receivers, the operators began to vocalize a dot as "dit", and a dash as "dah". Dots which are not the final element of a character became vocalized as "di". For example, the letter "c" was then vocalized as "dah-di-dah-dit".[5][6] Morse code was sometimes facetiously known as "iddy-umpty", and a dash as "umpty", leading to the word "umpteen".[7]

The Morse code, as it is used internationally today, was derived from a much refined proposal which became known as "Hamburg alphabet" by Friedrich Clemens Gerke in 1848. It was adopted by the Deutsch-�sterreichischer Telegraphenverein (German-Austrian Telegraph Society) in 1851. This finally led to the International Morse code in 1865.

In the 1890s, Morse code began to be used extensively for early radio communication, before it was possible to transmit voice. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most high-speed international communication used Morse code on telegraph lines, undersea cables and radio circuits. In aviation, Morse code in radio systems started to be used on a regular basis in the 1920s. Although previous transmitters were bulky and the spark gap system of transmission was difficult to use, there had been some earlier attempts. In 1910, the US Navy experimented with sending Morse from an airplane.[8] That same year, a radio on the airship America had been instrumental in coordinating the rescue of its crew.[9] Zeppelin airships equipped with radio were used for bombing and naval scouting during World War I,[10] and ground-based radio direction finders were used for airship navigation.[10] Allied airships and military aircraft also made some use of radiotelegraphy. However, there was little aeronautical radio in general use during World War I, and in the 1920s, there was no radio system used by such important flights as that of Charles Lindbergh from New York to Paris in 1927. Once he and the Spirit of St. Louis were off the ground, Lindbergh was truly alone and incommunicado. On the other hand, when the first airplane flight was made from California to Australia in 1928 on the Southern Cross, one of its four crewmen was its radio operator who communicated with ground stations via radio telegraph.

Beginning in the 1930s, both civilian and military pilots were required to be able to use Morse code, both for use with early communications systems and for identification of navigational beacons which transmitted continuous two- or three-letter identifiers in Morse code. Aeronautical charts show the identifier of each navigational aid next to its location on the map.

Radiotelegraphy using Morse code was vital during World War II, especially in carrying messages between the warships and the naval bases of the belligerents. Long-range ship-to-ship communication was by radio telegraphy, using encrypted messages because the voice radio systems on ships then were quite limited in both their range and their security. Radiotelegraphy was also extensively used by warplanes, especially by long-range patrol planes that were sent out by those navies to scout for enemy warships, cargo ships, and troop ships.

In addition, rapidly moving armies in the field could not have fought effectively without radiotelegraphy because they moved more rapidly than telegraph and telephone lines could be erected. This was seen especially in the blitzkrieg offensives of the Nazi German Wehrmacht in Poland, Belgium, France (in 1940), the Soviet Union, and in North Africa; by the British Army in North Africa, Italy, and the Netherlands; and by the U.S. Army in France and Belgium (in 1944), and in southern Germany in 1945.

A U.S. Navy Morse Code training class in 2015. The sailors will use their new skills to collect signals intelligence.
Morse code was used as an international standard for maritime distress until 1999 when it was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. When the French Navy ceased using Morse code on January 31, 1997, the final message transmitted was "Calling all. This is our last cry before our eternal silence."[11] In the United States the final commercial Morse code transmission was on July 12, 1999, signing off with Samuel Morse's original 1844 message, "What hath God wrought", and the prosign "SK".[12]

As of 2015, the United States Air Force still trains ten people a year in Morse.[13] The United States Coast Guard has ceased all use of Morse code on the radio, and no longer monitors any radio frequencies for Morse code transmissions, including the international medium frequency (MF) distress frequency of 500 kHz.[14] However, the Federal Communications Commission still grants commercial radiotelegraph operator licenses to applicants who pass its code and written tests.[15] Licensees have reactivated the old California coastal Morse station KPH and regularly transmit from the site under either this Call sign or as KSM. Similarly, a few US Museum ship stations are operated by Morse enthusiasts.[16]

User proficiency

A commercially manufactured iambic paddle used in conjunction with an electronic keyer to generate high-speed Morse code, the timing of which is controlled by the electronic keyer. Manipulation of dual-lever paddles is similar to the Vibroplex, but pressing the right paddle generates a series of dahs, and squeezing the paddles produces dit-dah-dit-dah sequence. The actions are reversed for left-handed operators.
Morse code speed is measured in words per minute (wpm) or characters per minute (cpm). Characters have differing lengths because they contain differing numbers of dots and dashes. Consequently, words also have different lengths in terms of dot duration, even when they contain the same number of characters. For this reason, a standard word is helpful to measure operator transmission speed. "PARIS" and "CODEX" are two such standard words.[17] Operators skilled in Morse code can often understand ("copy") code in their heads at rates in excess of 40 wpm.

In addition to knowing, understanding, and being able to copy the standard written alpha-numeric and punctuation characters or symbols at high speeds, skilled high speed operators must also be fully knowledgeable of all of the special unwritten Morse code symbols for the standard Prosigns for Morse code and the meanings of these special procedural signals in standard Morse code communications protocol.

International contests in code copying are still occasionally held. In July 1939 at a contest in Asheville, North Carolina in the United States Ted R. McElroy set a still-standing record for Morse copying, 75.2 wpm.[18] William Pierpont N0HFF also notes that some operators may have passed 100 wpm.[18] By this time, they are "hearing" phrases and sentences rather than words. The fastest speed ever sent by a straight key was achieved in 1942 by Harry Turner W9YZE (d. 1992) who reached 35 wpm in a demonstration at a U.S. Army base. To accurately compare code copying speed records of different eras it is useful to keep in mind that different standard words (50 dot durations versus 60 dot durations) and different interword gaps (5 dot durations versus 7 dot durations) may have been used when determining such speed records. For example, speeds run with the CODEX standard word and the PARIS standard may differ by up to 20%.

Today among amateur operators there are several organizations that recognize high-speed code ability, one group consisting of those who can copy Morse at 60 wpm.[19] Also, Certificates of Code Proficiency are issued by several amateur radio societies, including the American Radio Relay League. Their basic award starts at 10 wpm with endorsements as high as 40 wpm, and are available to anyone who can copy the transmitted text. Members of the Boy Scouts of America may put a Morse interpreter's strip on their uniforms if they meet the standards for translating code at 5 wpm.

International Morse Code
Morse code has been in use for more than 160 years�longer than any other electrical coding system. What is called Morse code today is actually somewhat different from what was originally developed by Vail and Morse. The Modern International Morse code, or continental code, was created by Friedrich Clemens Gerke in 1848 and initially used for telegraphy between Hamburg and Cuxhaven in Germany. Gerke changed nearly half of the alphabet and all of the numerals, providing the foundation for the modern form of the code. After some minor changes, International Morse Code was standardized at the International Telegraphy Congress in 1865 in Paris and was later made the standard by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Morse's original code specification, largely limited to use in the United States and Canada, became known as American Morse code or railroad code. American Morse code is now seldom used except in historical re-enactments.

Aviation
In aviation, instrument pilots use radio navigation aids. To ensure that the stations the pilots are using are serviceable, the stations all transmit a short set of identification letters (usually a two-to-five-letter version of the station name) in Morse code. Station identification letters are shown on air navigation charts. For example, the VOR based at Manchester Airport in England is abbreviated as "MCT", and MCT in Morse code is transmitted on its radio frequency. In some countries, during periods of maintenance, the facility may radiate a T-E-S-T code (________________________) or the code may be removed which tells pilots and navigators that the station is unreliable. In Canada, the identification is removed entirely to signify the navigation aid is not to be used.[20][21] In the aviation service, Morse is typically sent at a very slow speed of about 5 words per minute. In the U.S., pilots do not actually have to know Morse to identify the transmitter because the dot/dash sequence is written out next to the transmitter's symbol on aeronautical charts. Some modern navigation receivers automatically translate the code into displayed letters.

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The sound of non directional beacon WG, on 248 kHz, located at 49.8992 North, 97.349197 West[22], near Winnipeg's main airport
Amateur radio

Vibroplex brand semiautomatic key (generically called a "bug"). The paddle, when pressed to the right by the thumb, generates a series of dits, the length and timing of which are controlled by a sliding weight toward the rear of the unit. When pressed to the left by the knuckle of the index finger, the paddle generates a single dah, the length of which is controlled by the operator. Multiple dahs require multiple presses. Left-handed operators use a key built as a mirror image of this one.
International Morse code today is most popular among amateur radio operators, in the mode commonly referred to as "continuous wave" or "CW". (This name was chosen to distinguish it from the damped wave emissions from spark transmitters, not because the transmission is continuous.) Other keying methods are available in radio telegraphy, such as frequency shift keying.

The original amateur radio operators used Morse code exclusively since voice-capable radio transmitters did not become commonly available until around 1920. Until 2003, the International Telecommunication Union mandated Morse code proficiency as part of the amateur radio licensing procedure worldwide. However, the World Radiocommunication Conference of 2003 made the Morse code requirement for amateur radio licensing optional.[23] Many countries subsequently removed the Morse requirement from their licence requirements.[24]

Until 1991, a demonstration of the ability to send and receive Morse code at a minimum of five words per minute (wpm) was required to receive an amateur radio license for use in the United States from the Federal Communications Commission. Demonstration of this ability was still required for the privilege to use the HF bands. Until 2000, proficiency at the 20 wpm level was required to receive the highest level of amateur license (Amateur Extra Class); effective April 15, 2000, the FCC reduced the Extra Class requirement to five wpm.[25] Finally, effective on February 23, 2007, the FCC eliminated the Morse code proficiency requirements from all amateur radio licenses.

While voice and data transmissions are limited to specific amateur radio bands under U.S. rules, Morse code is permitted on all amateur bands�LF, MF, HF, VHF, and UHF. In some countries, certain portions of the amateur radio bands are reserved for transmission of Morse code signals only.

The relatively limited speed at which Morse code can be sent led to the development of an extensive number of abbreviations to speed communication. These include prosigns, Q codes, and a set of Morse code abbreviations for typical message components. For example, CQ is broadcast to be interpreted as "seek you" (I'd like to converse with anyone who can hear my signal). OM (old man), YL (young lady) and XYL ("ex-YL" � wife) are common abbreviations. YL or OM is used by an operator when referring to the other operator, XYL or OM is used by an operator when referring to his or her spouse. QTH is "location" ("My QTH" is "My location"). The use of abbreviations for common terms permits conversation even when the operators speak different languages.

Although the traditional telegraph key (straight key) is still used by some amateurs, the use of mechanical semi-automatic keyers (known as "bugs") and of fully automatic electronic keyers is prevalent today. Software is also frequently employed to produce and decode Morse code radio signals.

Other uses

A U.S. Navy signalman sends Morse code signals in 2005.
Through May 2013, the First, Second, and Third Class (commercial) Radiotelegraph Licenses using code tests based upon the CODEX standard word were still being issued in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission. The First Class license required 20 WPM code group and 25 WPM text code proficiency, the others 16 WPM code group test (five letter blocks sent as simulation of receiving encrypted text) and 20 WPM code text (plain language) test. It was also necessary to pass written tests on operating practice and electronics theory. A unique additional demand for the First Class was a requirement of a year of experience for operators of shipboard and coast stations using Morse. This allowed the holder to be chief operator on board a passenger ship. However, since 1999 the use of satellite and very high-frequency maritime communications systems (GMDSS) has made them obsolete. (By that point meeting experience requirement for the First was very difficult.) Currently, only one class of license, the Radiotelegraph Operator License, is issued. This is granted either when the tests are passed or as the Second and First are renewed and become this lifetime license. For new applicants, it requires passing a written examination on electronic theory and radiotelegraphy practices, as well as 16 WPM codegroup and 20 WPM text tests. However, the code exams are currently waived for holders of Amateur Extra Class licenses who obtained their operating privileges under the old 20 WPM test requirement.

Radio navigation aids such as VORs and NDBs for aeronautical use broadcast identifying information in the form of Morse Code, though many VOR stations now also provide voice identification.[26] Warships, including those of the U.S. Navy, have long used signal lamps to exchange messages in Morse code. Modern use continues, in part, as a way to communicate while maintaining radio silence.

ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification System) uses Morse code to identify uplink sources of analog satellite transmissions.

Applications for the general public

Representation of SOS-Morse code.
An important application is signalling for help through SOS, "__________________________". This can be sent many ways: keying a radio on and off, flashing a mirror, toggling a flashlight, and similar methods. SOS is not three separate characters, rather, it is a prosign SOS, and is keyed without gaps between characters.[27]

Some Nokia mobile phones offer an option[citation needed] to alert the user of an incoming text message with the Morse tone "______________________" (representing SMS or Short Message Service). In addition, applications are now available for mobile phones that enable short messages to be input in Morse Code.[28]

Morse code as an assistive technology
Morse code has been employed as an assistive technology, helping people with a variety of disabilities to communicate. Morse can be sent by persons with severe motion disabilities, as long as they have some minimal motor control. An original solution to the problem that caretakers have to learn to decode has been an electronic typewriter with the codes written on the keys. Codes were sung by users; see the voice typewriter employing morse or votem, Newell and Nabarro, 1968.

Morse code can also be translated by computer and used in a speaking communication aid. In some cases, this means alternately blowing into and sucking on a plastic tube ("sip-and-puff" interface). An important advantage of Morse code over row column scanning is that once learned, it does not require looking at a display. Also, it appears faster than scanning.

People with severe motion disabilities in addition to sensory disabilities (e.g. people who are also deaf or blind) can receive Morse through a skin buzzer.[citation needed].

In one case reported in the radio amateur magazine QST,[29] an old shipboard radio operator who had a stroke and lost the ability to speak or write could communicate with his physician (a radio amateur) by blinking his eyes in Morse. Another example occurred in 1966 when prisoner of war Jeremiah Denton, brought on television by his North Vietnamese captors, Morse-blinked the word TORTURE. In these two cases, interpreters were available to understand those series of eye-blinks.

Representation, timing, and speeds

A sample Morse code transmission
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The text "Welcome to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit." sent as Morse code at 5 wpm.
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Morse code A through Z
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"A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z" in Morse code at 8 wpm
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International Morse code is composed of five elements:[1]

short mark, dot or "dit" (____): "dot duration" is one time unit long
longer mark, dash or "dah" (______): three time units long
inter-element gap between the dots and dashes within a character: one dot duration or one unit long
short gap (between letters): three time units long
medium gap (between words): seven time units long
Transmission
Morse code can be transmitted in a number of ways: originally as electrical pulses along a telegraph wire, but also as an audio tone, a radio signal with short and long tones, or as a mechanical, audible, or visual signal (e.g. a flashing light) using devices like an Aldis lamp or a heliograph, a common flashlight, or even a car horn. Some mine rescues have used pulling on a rope - a short pull for a dot and a long pull for a dash.

Morse code is transmitted using just two states (on and off). Historians have called it the first digital code. Morse code may be represented as a binary code, and that is what telegraph operators do when transmitting messages. Working from the above ITU definition and further defining a bit as a dot time, a Morse code sequence may be made from a combination of the following five-bit strings:

short mark, dot or "dit" (____): 1
longer mark, dash or "dah" (______): 111
intra-character gap (between the dots and dashes within a character): 0
short gap (between letters): 000
medium gap (between words): 0000000
Note that the marks and gaps alternate: dots and dashes are always separated by one of the gaps, and that the gaps are always separated by a dot or a dash.

Morse messages are generally transmitted by a hand-operated device such as a telegraph key, so there are variations introduced by the skill of the sender and receiver � more experienced operators can send and receive at faster speeds. In addition, individual operators differ slightly, for example, using slightly longer or shorter dashes or gaps, perhaps only for particular characters. This is called their "fist", and experienced operators can recognize specific individuals by it alone. A good operator who sends clearly and is easy to copy is said to have a "good fist". A "poor fist" is a characteristic of sloppy or hard to copy Morse code.

Cable code
The very long time constants of 19th and early 20th century submarine communications cables required a different form of Morse signalling. Instead of keying a voltage on and off for varying times, the dits and dahs were represented by two polarities of voltage impressed on the cable, for a uniform time. [30]

Timing
Below is an illustration of timing conventions. The phrase "MORSE CODE", in Morse code format, would normally be written something like this, where � represents dahs and � represents dits:

-- --- �-� ��� � -�-� --- -�� �
M O R S E C O D E
Next is the exact conventional timing for this phrase, with = representing "signal on", and . representing "signal off", each for the time length of exactly one dit:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789

M------ O---------- R------ S---- E C---------- O---------- D------ E

===.===...===.===.===...=.===.=...=.=.=...=.......===.=.===.=...===.===.===...===.=.=...=
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
| dah dit | |
symbol space letter space word space
Spoken representation
Morse code is often spoken or written with "dah" for dashes, "dit" for dots located at the end of a character, and "di" for dots located at the beginning or internally within the character. Thus, the following Morse code sequence:

M O R S E C O D E
-- --- �-� ��� � (space) -�-� --- -�� �
is orally:

Dah-dah dah-dah-dah di-dah-dit di-di-dit dit, Dah-di-dah-dit dah-dah-dah dah-di-dit dit.

There is little point in learning to read written Morse as above; rather, the sounds of all of the letters and symbols need to be learned, for both sending and receiving.

Speed in words per minute
All Morse code elements depend on the dot length. A dash is the length of 3 dots, and spacings are specified in number of dot lengths. An unambiguous method of specifying the transmission speed is to specify the dot duration as, for example, 50 milliseconds.

Specifying the dot duration is, however, not the common practice. Usually, speeds are stated in words per minute. That introduces ambiguity because words have different numbers of characters, and characters have different dot lengths. It is not immediately clear how a specific word rate determines the dot duration in milliseconds.

Some method to standardize the transformation of a word rate to a dot duration is useful. A simple way to do this is to choose a dot duration that would send a typical word the desired number of times in one minute. If, for example, the operator wanted a character speed of 13 words per minute, the operator would choose a dot rate that would send the typical word 13 times in exactly one minute.

The typical word thus determines the dot length. It is common to assume that a word is 5 characters long. There are two common typical words: "PARIS" and "CODEX". PARIS mimics a word rate that is typical of natural language words and reflects the benefits of Morse code's shorter code durations for common characters such as "e" and "t". CODEX offers a word rate that is typical of 5-letter code groups (sequences of random letters). Using the word PARIS as a standard, the number of dot units is 50 and a simple calculation shows that the dot length at 20 words per minute is 60 milliseconds. Using the word CODEX with 60 dot units, the dot length at 20 words per minute is 50 milliseconds.

Because Morse code is usually sent by hand, it is unlikely that an operator could be that precise with the dot length, and the individual characteristics and preferences of the operators usually override the standards.

For commercial radiotelegraph licenses in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission specifies tests for Morse code proficiency in words per minute and in code groups per minute.[31] The Commission specifies that a word is 5-characters long. The Commission specifies Morse code test elements at 16 code groups per minute, 20 words per minute, 20 code groups per minute, and 25 words per minute.[32] The word per minute rate would be close to the PARIS standard, and the code groups per minute would be close to the CODEX standard.

While the Federal Communications Commission no longer requires Morse code for amateur radio licenses, the old requirements were similar to the requirements for commercial radiotelegraph licenses.[33]

A difference between amateur radio licenses and commercial radiotelegraph licenses is that commercial operators must be able to receive code groups of random characters along with plain language text. For each class of license, the code group speed requirement is slower than the plain language text requirement. For example, for the Radiotelegraph Operator License, the examinee must pass a 20 word per minute plain text test and a 16 word per minute code group test.[15]

Based upon a 50 dot duration standard word such as PARIS, the time for one dot duration or one unit can be computed by the formula:

T = 1200 / W
Where: T is the unit time, or dot duration in milliseconds, and W is the speed in wpm.

High-speed telegraphy contests are held; according to the Guinness Book of Records in June 2005 at the International Amateur Radio Union's 6th World Championship in High Speed Telegraphy in Primorsko, Bulgaria, Andrei Bindasov of Belarus transmitted 230 morse code marks of mixed text in one minute.[34]

Farnsworth speed
Sometimes, especially while teaching Morse code, the timing rules above are changed so two different speeds are used: a character speed and a text speed. The character speed is how fast each individual letter is sent. The text speed is how fast the entire message is sent. For example, individual characters may be sent at a 13 words-per-minute rate, but the intercharacter and interword gaps may be lengthened so the word rate is only 5 words per minute.

Using different character and text speeds is, in fact, a common practice, and is used in the Farnsworth method of learning Morse code.

Alternative display of common characters in International Morse code
See also: Huffman coding
Some methods of teaching Morse code use a dichotomic search table.

Graphical representation of the dichotomic search table. The graph branches left for each dot and right for each dash until the character representation is exhausted.
Link budget issues
Morse Code cannot be treated as a classical radioteletype (RTTY) signal when it comes to calculating a link margin or a link budget for the simple reason of it possessing variable length dots and dashes as well as variant timing between letters and words. For the purposes of Information Theory and Channel Coding comparisons, the word PARIS is used to determine Morse Code's properties because it has an even number of dots and dashes.

Morse Code, when transmitted essentially, creates an AM signal (even in on/off keying mode), assumptions about signal can be made with respect to similarly timed RTTY signalling. Because Morse code transmissions employ an on-off keyed radio signal, it requires less complex transmission equipment than other forms of radio communication.

Morse code also requires less signal bandwidth than voice communication, typically 100�150 Hz, compared to the roughly 2400 Hz used by single-sideband voice, although at a lower data rate.

Morse code is usually heard at the receiver as a medium-pitched on/off audio tone (600�1000 Hz), so transmissions are easier to copy than voice through the noise on congested frequencies, and it can be used in very high noise / low signal environments. The transmitted power is concentrated into a limited bandwidth so narrow receiver filters can be used to suppress interference from adjacent frequencies. The audio tone is usually created by use of a beat frequency oscillator.

The narrow signal bandwidth also takes advantage of the natural aural selectivity of the human brain, further enhancing weak signal readability. This efficiency makes CW extremely useful for DX (distance) transmissions, as well as for low-power transmissions (commonly called "QRP operation", from the Q-code for "reduce power").

The ARRL has a readability standard for robot encoders called ARRL Farnsworth Spacing [35] that is supposed to have higher readability for both robot and human decoders. Some programs like WinMorse [36] have implemented the standard.

Learning methods
People learning Morse code using the Farnsworth method are taught to send and receive letters and other symbols at their full target speed, that is with normal relative timing of the dots, dashes, and spaces within each symbol for that speed. The Farnsworth method is named for Donald R. "Russ" Farnsworth, also known by his call sign, W6TTB. However, initially exaggerated spaces between symbols and words are used, to give "thinking time" to make the sound "shape" of the letters and symbols easier to learn. The spacing can then be reduced with practice and familiarity.

Another popular teaching method is the Koch method, named after German psychologist Ludwig Koch, which uses the full target speed from the outset but begins with just two characters. Once strings containing those two characters can be copied with 90% accuracy, an additional character is added, and so on until the full character set is mastered.

In North America, many thousands of individuals have increased their code recognition speed (after initial memorization of the characters) by listening to the regularly scheduled code practice transmissions broadcast by W1AW, the American Radio Relay League's headquarters station.[citation needed]

Mnemonics
Main article: Morse code mnemonics

Scout movement founder Baden-Powell's mnemonic chart from 1918
Visual mnemonic charts have been devised over the ages. Baden-Powell included one in the Girl Guides handbook[37] in 1918.

In the United Kingdom, many people learned the Morse code by means of a series of words or phrases that have the same rhythm as a Morse character. For instance, "Q" in Morse is dah-dah-di-dah, which can be memorized by the phrase "God save the Queen", and the Morse for "F" is di-di-dah-dit, which can be memorized as "Did she like it."

A well-known Morse code rhythm from the Second World War period derives from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the opening phrase of which was regularly played at the beginning of BBC broadcasts. The timing of the notes corresponds to the Morse for "V"; di-di-di-dah and stood for "V for Victory" (as well as the Roman numeral for the number five).[38][39]

Letters, numbers, punctuation, prosigns for Morse code and non-English variants
Category Character Code
Letters A, a
�?-
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Letters B, b
-?�?�?�
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Letters C, c
-?�?-?�?
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Letters D, d
-?�?�?
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Letters E, e
�?
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Letters F, f
�?�?-?�?
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Letters G, g
-?-?�?
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Letters H, h
�?�?�?�?
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Letters I, i
�?�?
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Letters J, j
�?-?-?-?
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Letters K, k

Prosign for "Invitation to transmit"
-?�?-?
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Letters L, l
�?-?�?�?
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Letters M, m
-?-?
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Letters N, n
-?�?
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Letters O, o
-?-?-?
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Letters P, p
�?-?-?�?
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Letters Q, q
-?-?�?-?
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Letters R, r
�?-?�?
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Letters S, s
�?�?�?
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Letters T, t
-?
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Letters U, u
�?�?-?
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Letters V, v
�?�?�?-?
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Letters W, w
�?-?-?
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Letters X, x
-?�?�?-?
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Letters Y, y
-?�?-?-?
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Letters Z, z
-?-?�?�?
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Numbers 0
-?-?-?-?-?
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Numbers 1
�?-?-?-?-?
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Numbers 2
�?�?-?-?-?
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Numbers 3
�?�?�?-?-?
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Numbers 4
�?�?�?�?-?
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Numbers 5
�?�?�?�?�?
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Numbers 6
-?�?�?�?�?
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Numbers 7
-?-?�?�?�?
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Numbers 8
-?-?-?�?�?
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Numbers 9
-?-?-?-?�?
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Punctuation Period [.]
�?-?�?-?�?-?
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Punctuation Comma [,]
-?-?�?�?-?-?
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Punctuation Question Mark [?]
�?�?-?-?�?�?
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Punctuation Apostrophe [']
�?-?-?-?-?�?
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Punctuation Exclamation Point [!]

KW digraph
-?�?-?�?-?-?
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Punctuation Slash/Fraction Bar [/]
-?�?�?-?�?
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Punctuation Parenthesis (Open)
-?�?-?-?�?
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Punctuation Parenthesis (Close)
-?�?-?-?�?-?
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Punctuation Ampersand (or "Wait") [&]

AS digraph
Prosign for "Wait"
Not in ITU-R recommendation
�?-?�?�?�?
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Punctuation Colon [:]
-?-?-?�?�?�?
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Punctuation Semicolon [;]
-?�?-?�?-?�?
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Punctuation Double Dash [=]
-?�?�?�?-?
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Punctuation Plus sign [+]
�?-?�?-?�?
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Punctuation Hyphen, Minus Sign [-]
-?�?�?�?�?-?
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Punctuation Underscore [_]

Not in ITU-R recommendation
�?�?-?-?�?-?
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Punctuation Quotation mark ["]
�?-?�?�?-?�?
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Punctuation Dollar sign [$]

SX digraph
Not in ITU-R recommendation
�?�?�?-?�?�?-?
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Punctuation At Sign [@]

AC digraph
�?-?-?�?-?�?
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Prosigns End of work
�?�?�?-?�?-?
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Prosigns Error
�?�?�?�?�?�?�?�?
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Prosigns Invitation to Transmit

Also used for K
-?�?-?
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Prosigns Starting Signal
-?�?-?�?-?
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Prosigns New Page Signal

AR digraph
Message separator
Single-line display may use printed "+"
�?-?�?-?�?
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Prosigns Understood

Also used for S
�?�?�?-?�?
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Prosigns Wait

also used for Ampersand [&]
�?-?�?�?�?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �
�?-?-?�?-?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �, A
�?-?�?-?
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Non-English Extensions �, �

Shared by �, �
�?-?-?�?-?
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Non-English extensions A, a

Shared by �, �, A
�?-?�?-?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �, A
�?-?�?-?
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Non-English extensions C, c

Shared by C, C, �
-?�?-?�?�
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Non-English extensions C, c

Shared by C, C, �
-?�?-?�?�?
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Non-English Extensions �, �

Shared by C, C, �
-?�?-?�?�?
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Non-English extensions CH, ch

Shared by CH, H, �
-?-?-?-?
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Non-English extensions �, d

Shared by �, �, E
Not to be confused with Eth (�, �)
�?�?-?�?�?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Not to be confused with D with stroke (�, d)
�?�?-?-?�?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �, E
�?�?-?�?�?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, L
�?-?�?�?-?
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Non-English extensions E, e

Shared by �, �, E
�?�?-?�?�?
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Non-English extensions G, g
-?-?�?-?�?
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Non-English extensions H, h

Shared by CH, H, �
-?-?-?-?
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Non-English extensions J, j
�?-?-?-?�?
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Non-English extensions L, l

Shared by �, L
�?-?�?�?-?
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Non-English extensions N, n

Shared by N, �
-?-?�?-?-?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �, �
-?-?-?�?
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �, �
-?-?-?�
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, �, �
-?-?-?�
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Non-English extensions S, s
�?�?�?-?�?�?�
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Non-English extensions S, s

Prosign for "Understood"
�?�?�?-?�
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by CH, H, �
-?-?-?-
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Non-English extensions �, �
�?-?-?�?�
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Non-English extensions �, �

Shared by �, U
�?�?-?-
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Non-English extensions U, u

Shared by �, U
�?�?-?-
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Non-English extensions Z, z
-?-?�?�?-?�
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Non-English extensions Z, z
-?-?�?�?-
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Prosigns
Main article: Prosigns for Morse code
Prosigns for Morse code are special (usually) unwritten procedural signals or symbols that are used to indicate changes in communications protocol status or white space text formatting actions.

Symbol representations
The symbols !, $ and & are not defined inside the ITU recommendation on Morse code, but conventions for them exist. The @ symbol was formally added in 2004.

Exclamation mark
There is no standard representation for the exclamation mark (!), although the KW digraph (____________________) was proposed in the 1980s by the Heathkit Company (a vendor of assembly kits for amateur radio equipment).

While Morse code translation software prefers the Heathkit version, on-air use is not yet universal as some amateur radio operators in North America and the Caribbean continue to prefer the older MN digraph (________________) carried over from American landline telegraphy code.

Currency symbols
The ITU has never codified formal Morse Code representations for currencies as the ISO 4217 Currency Codes are preferred for transmission.
The $ sign code was represented in the Phillips Code, a huge collection of abbreviations used on land line telegraphy, as SX.
Ampersand
The representation of the & sign given above, often shown as AS, is also the Morse prosign for wait. In addition, the American landline representation of an ampersand was similar to "ES" (____________) and hams have carried over this usage as a synonym for "and" (WX HR COLD ES RAINY, "the weather here is cold & rainy").
Keyboard AT @
On May 24, 2004 � the 160th anniversary of the first public Morse telegraph transmission � the Radiocommunication Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) formally added the @ ("commercial at" or "commat") character to the official Morse character set, using the sequence denoted by the AC digraph (____________________).
This sequence was reportedly chosen to represent "A[T] C[OMMERCIAL]" or a letter "a" inside a swirl represented by a "C".[40] The new character facilitates sending email addresses by Morse code and is notable since it is the first official addition to the Morse set of characters since World War I.
Non-Latin extensions
Main article: Other alphabets in Morse code
For Chinese, Chinese telegraph code is used to map Chinese characters to four-digit codes and send these digits out using standard Morse code. Korean Morse code uses the SKATS mapping, originally developed to allow Korean to be typed on western typewriters. SKATS maps hangul characters to arbitrary letters of the Latin script and has no relationship to pronunciation in Korean. For Russian and Bulgarian, Russian Morse code is used to map the Cyrillic characters to four-element codes. Many of the characters are encoded the same way (A, O, E, I, T, M, N, R, K, etc.). Bulgarian alphabet contains 30 characters, which exactly match all possible combinations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 dots and dashes. Russian requires 1 extra character, "?" which is encoded with 5 elements.

Unusual variants
During early World War I (1914�1916), Germany briefly experimented with 'dotty' and 'dashy' Morse, in essence adding a dot or a dash at the end of each Morse symbol. Each one was quickly broken by Allied SIGINT, and standard Morse was restored by Spring 1916. Only a small percentage of Western Front (North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea) traffic was in 'dotty' or 'dashy' Morse during the entire war. In popular culture, this is mostly remembered in the book The Codebreakers by Kahn and in the national archives of the UK and Australia (whose SIGINT operators copied most of this Morse variant). Kahn's cited sources come from the popular press and wireless magazines of the time.[41]

Other forms of 'Fractional Morse' or 'Fractionated Morse' have emerged.[42]

Decoding software
Decoding software for Morse code ranges from software-defined wide-band radio receivers coupled to the Reverse Beacon Network,[43] which decodes signals and detects CQ messages on ham bands, to smartphone applications.[44]

See also
ACP-131
CW Operators' Club
Guglielmo Marconi
High-speed telegraphy
Hog morse
Instructograph
Morse code abbreviations
Morse code mnemonics
NATO phonetic alphabet
Tap code
Wabun code
Wireless telegraphy
Theodore Roosevelt McElroy
References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code