How to Talk Like a Sailor, Without Swearing!

Are you fascinated with the adventurous lifestyle of sailors? Or do you have a costume party coming up and want to be more believable in your sailor uniform? studying a bit of sailor slang is a great way to learn more about life at sea while helping you advance your sea worthy vocabulary, without just adding a whole bunch of swear words to your repertoire. Here are a few terms that can help you get started in your quest to be more like a sailor.

Belay - Tells someone to stop doing something. Such as, "Belay that awful singing!" It also refers to having someone disregard an order.

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Flotsam - Refers to the debris that remains floating on the outside of the water following a shipwreck.

Gangway - This is the corporeal opening used to board a ship. It is also a warning for others to get out of the way. Gangway, I think this guy is going to be sick!

Geedunk - Snacks, candy, soda and ice cream from the vending machines or ship's store. Junk food.

Landlubber - Refers to someone who does not sail or a someone who is unfamiliar with the sea. A land lover.

Mail Buoy Watch - This refers to a practical joke played on an fresh seaman. The victim is told that mail is delivered at sea by being dropped off at a buoy and is instructed to keep watch for the buoy and alert the others when he spots the buoy. (Of course, there is no mail buoy.)

Scuttle-butt - Originally the contribute of fresh water used for drinking by the crew. Today it refers to any drinking fountain found on a ship. It also is a term that refers to rumors or gossip aboard the ship.

Sea Legs - When a new sailor gets accustomed to the rocking motion of a ship at sea, he is said to have gotten his sea legs.

Weigh Anchor - To pull up the anchor to get ready to set sail.

Zero Dark Thirty - A vague reference to a time very early in the morning or very late at night, when it's dark. As in, "Why do we have to get started at zero dark thirty?"

Now you have the words, so it's time to frame out how to use them in conversation. Belay the urge to overuse these words because it will get annoying. And don't stay up until zero dark thirty trying to memorize these words; you are bound to sound just like a landlubber no matter how much slang you are able to remember. When you are ready to weigh anchor and head off to your next party, just enjoy some geedunk and relax until you get your sea legs.

How to Talk Like a Sailor, Without Swearing!