Can You Crush This U.S. Navy Lingo Quiz in 7 Minutes?

Navy personnel who have gone A.W.O.L. have left their post or unit without permission and are said to be absent without leave. This is a very serious offense.

A chit is thought to come from the word 'citthi,' which were pieces of paper used by Hindu traders for money. It can refer to any type of paper, including dollar bills, navy orders or a form that needs to be filled out.

If the captain calls for the ship to turn to starboard, it will turn right. Normally, the command would be 'Starboard, 40 degrees,' which would result in a change of direction to the right by 40 degrees.

One of the greatest ever naval fighters, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat entered service in 1974 until 2006. It featured prominently in the Hollywood blockbuster, 'Top Gun.' This swept-wing designed aircraft was a formidable opponent.

That's an interesting name, you would have to agree, right. Naples gets this nickname thanks to its general uncleanliness.

That's a fairly unique name, I am sure you will agree. And yes, it can only refer to a helicopter carrier. These small carriers are purpose built to transport a fleet of helicopters.

Sounds logical, right? Ordinance navy personnel have special areas where bombs, missiles and other ordinance are stored. This is known as the bomb farm.

Even though aircraft brakes help keep them in place on deck, the ship can roll in many directions in rough sea. For this reason, aircraft and helicopters are secured by hooking them into the 'pad eyes' found all over the deck.

The forecastle is the front section of the ship. It is actually pronounced 'foc-sull'.

Yes, aircraft need to be cleaned and the cleaning fluid used is commonly called 'turco' by navy crew.

Yes, when U.S. Navy troops muster, it is for a roll call (the most likely use of the word) or perhaps for a meeting.

Yes, there are a number of enduring terms for that the different units in the U.S. Navy call each other. Bubblehead has got to do with the fact that submarine crew are under the water more often than not.

And why is the lower section of a watertight door called a knee-knocker? Well, that's the part of the leg that feels the pain if you are drunk or not paying attention while passing through them.

Flight crew will put on their 'bags' before talking off for any mission. Wow, they really do have a name for everything.

A term that has been used since World War I in aviation, this is not a U.S. Navy only word but is the primary way to describe an enemy aircraft.

Yes, it's a battleship. Not difficult to see how they came to calling battleships battlewagons but they really could have stuck with the original name, don't you think?

'All hands on deck' for instance means all navy personnel assigned to the deck must report to their stations.

Yes, crafty navy personnel use water, sugar and yeast along with a little fermentation to make illegal alcoholic beverages. It can't taste good though, can it?

If the captain calls for the ship to turn to port, it will turn left. Normally, the command would be 'Port, 20 degrees,' which would result in a change of direction to the left by 20 degrees.

Yes, all aircraft are 'birds' in U.S. Navy lingo.

Marines spend a lot of time on Navy ships. This was especially true during World War II as they moved through the Pacific. Of course, when they got to the field of conflict, the Marines had to do their job. They were called bullet sponges by the Navy crews.

Yes, fighting gear will be found in the mess and refers to cutlery.

The 'aft' of the ship is the rear end. A good joke when you get there is to say to a fellow sailor, 'do you come here 'aft'en.' Ok, it's not a good joke!

Yes, the flightdeck is where it all happens. Here aircraft are launched on their various missions, and it is also where they land on completion of those missions.

Not only a Navy phrase, but if someone 'has your six' they are going to back you up in any situation. Useful for those drunken nights in ports around the world!

That's right, nothing to do with a cheap drink special. Happy hour happens each and every day and during this time, the ship is cleaned from top to bottom.

The S-3B Viking is a turbofan engine anti-submarine aircraft. It is called the 'hoover' because of the sound its engines make.

The U.S.S. Lexington was an aircraft carrier that served during World War II. She was lost during the Battle of the Coral Sea.

A noodle winger! Really? Now that's one strange name for a helicopter pilot.

Crew members that have served in the U.S. Navy for a long period are known as 'old salts.'

In the navy, sailors sleep in very close proximity on bunks. These are often called 'racks'.

The screws are the propellers driven by the engine. Their constant turning in the water at incredible speeds pushes the boat forward through the water, giving it motion.

The name giving to civilian shipyard workers is yardbirds, mostly because they never get to move out of the yard (their work area).

Ships can capsize for a number of reasons including enemy action or heavy seas for example. A capsized ship will in all likelihood sink.

Many navy personnel call the United States Navy the canoe club. Well, luckily, all their ships are far more advanced than a canoe!