Every profession uses words and phrases that have special meaning or application. Marines, in garrison or in the field, in peace or war, have a wide and colorful vocabulary. The following words and phrases are some that should be familiar to all Marines.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T W
ADRIFT Loose from mornings, or out of place.
AFT in, near, or toward the stern of a vessel
AFTERNOON WATCH the 1200-1600 watch
AIREDALE Army pilot (during the days of the Army Air Corps)
ALONGSIDE by the side of a ship or pier
ALL HANDS entire ship's company, both officers and enlisted.
ALOFT aboard the ship's uppermost solid structure; overhead or high above
AMID SHIPS middle portion of ship, along the line of the keel
ASHORE Off station. Where you go on leave or liberty.
ASTERN toward the stern; an object or vessel that is abaft another vessel or object
AVAST a command to cease or desist from whatever is being done
AYE AYE, SIR Official acknowledgment of an order.
BARRACKS Building where Marines live.
BATTEN DOWN to cover and fasten down; to close off a hatch or water tight door.
BEAR A HAND speed up the action; lend a helping hand
BELAY to cancel an order; a line to stop; to firmly secure
BELOW Downstairs
BILGE lower part of vessel where waste water and seepage collect.
BIVOUAC An area where you pitch tents in the field to stay overniqht
BLOUSE Coat
BLUEJACKET a Navy enlisted man below the qrade of CPO; "white hat"
BOONDOCKS Woods or wilds; training area
BOONDOCKERS Combat boots
BOW foward section of a vessel
BRIGHTWORK Brass or shiny metal; ( for example doorknobs, buckles).
BULKHEAD Wall
BUNK Bed
CARRY ON an order to resume work or duties
CHIT A small piece of paper; a receipt or authorization.
CLOSE ABOARD nearby
CMC Commandant of the Marine Corps
C.O. Commander, Commanding Officer
COLORS A national flag
COVER Hat
CRUISE Period of enlistment / shipboard duty
CUT OFF THE JIB General apperance of a vessel or person.
DAVY JONE'S LOCKER the bottom of the sea
DAY'S DUTY tour of duty on shipboard lasting 24 hours
DEAD AHEAD directly ahead of the ships bow, bearing 000 degree relative
DEAD IN THE WATER sald of an underway ship that is making neither headway or stern way.
DECK Floor
DEEP SIX a term Meaning to dispose of by throuing out or over the side.
DOGGIE / DOG FACE Army soldier
DOG WATCH one of the tvo hour watches between 1600 and 2000
DILL Marching / Executing a routine
ESPRIT de CORPS Spirit of camaraderie
FIELD Boondocks where you train
FIELD DAY clean up area
FIELD MEET Athletic competition
FIRST WATCH the 2000-2400 watch
FLATTOP slang for aircraft carrier.
FLIGHT DECK deck on aircraft carrier
FORENOON the 800-1200 vatch
FORWARD Toward the bow: opposite the aft.
FOUL jammed; not clear for running.
GALLEY Kitchen
GANGWAY Move out of the way or make room / roped-off passagevay on a ship
GEAR LOCKER storage room or locker for cleaning
GENERAL ALARM sound signals used for general quarters and other emergencies
GENERAL QUARTERS battle station for all hands.
GUNG-HO Working together, in the spirit
HATCH Door
HEAD Bathroom
HOLIDAY ROUTINE routine followed aboard ship on authorized
IRISH PENNANT unseamanlike, dangling loose end of line, string or piece of bunting.
ISLAND superstructure on a air craft carrier; contains conning tower, navigation bridge, ect.
JUMP SHIP leave the ship without authority
JURY RIG makeshift rig of mast and sail or of other gear, as jury anchpr, jury redder; any makeshift device.
KEELHAUL to reprimand severely.
KNOCK OFF to cease What is being done; to stop work
LADDER Stairs
LADDERWAY Stairwell / area underneath stairs
LANDING PARTY improvised force of infantry from ship's crew detailed for emergency, riot, or parade duty ashore.
LAMDLUBBER seaman's term for one who has never been to sea.
LASH to tie or secure by turns of Line
LEAVE Authorized vacation
LIBERTY Authorized free time, but not leave
MAGAZINE compartment used for stowage of ammunition and explosives
MAIN BATTERY the largest caliber guns carried by a warship
MAN-OF-WAR fighting ship; warship.
MIDSHIPMAN A cadet in traininq at the U.S. Naval Academy or a Naval ROTC Unit; a Naval or Marine officer aspirant.
MORNING WATCH 0400-0800 watch
MOS Military occupational specialty
NAUTICAL MILE 6,080.2 feet or about sixth longer than a land mile
NCO Noncommissioned officer
NCOIC Noncommissioned officer charge
OFFICER OF THE DECK the officer on watch in charge of a ship, equivalent to the Officer of the Day ashore
OVERHEAD Ceiling
PASSAGEWAY Corridor or hallway
PASS THE WORD to repeat an order or information to all hands.
PIPE DOWN an order to keep silent; also used to dismiss the crew fom an evolution
PLAN OF THE DAY schedule of day's routine and events order by executive officer; published daily on board ship or at a shore activity.
PORTHOLE Window
POLLYWOG person who has never crossed the Line (equator)
POOP DECK partial deck at the stern over the main deck
PORT left side of the ship facing forward: a harbor; an opening in the ship's side, such as cargo port. The usual opening in the ship's side for light and air is also a port. The glass set in a brass frame that fits against it is called a port light.
PFT Physical fitness test
PX Post exchange, comparable to a civilian department store
QUARTERS A place to live; i. e., house barracks, etc.
REVEILLE Time to get up
RACK Bed / Place to hold things
SCUTTLEBUTT container of drinking water, or a drinking fountain. Also, a rumor, usually of local importance.
SEALAWYER enlisted man who likes to argue; ussuallu one who thinks he can twist regulations and standing orders around to favor his personal inclinations.
SEAWORTHY capable of being put to sea and meeting usual sea contions
SECURE Stop work, put away close or lock
SKIVIES Underwear
SMART snappy, seamanlike
SNAPPING IN Practicing getting into firing position / Learning your job
SQUADBAY Large room in barracks where Marines live
SQUARE AWAY Straighten up, make neat
SQUARED AWAY A person who is neat and looking sharp / proficient and knowledgeable
STAND BY preparatory order meaning "Get REady," or "Prepare to."
STARBOARD right side of the ship looking forward
STERN after part of a ship
SURVEY Turn in unservicable items
SWAB Mop / to mop
SWABBIE Navy sailor
TAPS Time to sleep / bugle tune
TOPSIDE Upstairs
TOUR Length of time
TURN TO an order to begin work.
WATCH a period of duty, ussually of four hours' duration
WM Woman Marine
WING WIPER Any pilot ( i. e. Navy pilot, Maxine pilot)