In another thread we have been discussing the habit of using peculiar phrases in communication between boats.The phrase; “see you on 1 whistle” was mention, which is something that does not tell a foreigner anything.
I’m involved with a local Maritime School. My God Daughter, who are teaching Maritime English at that school, is preparing a text book in the subject It could be interesting to add a chapter of words and phrases not commonly found in other text books.
Many of the students will probably be serving on ships in US waters from time to time.and come across words and phrases (not just from USA) that they have never heard before. It could help to prepare them for the big world out there that they are entering.
I remember when I joined the Marine Offshore Industry back in 1974, how it was stepping onto Drilling rigs, Construction Barges and OSVs and meeting a world full of words, terms and phrases I had never heard before. That the people spoke in accents I was not used to didn’t help either.
(Not to mention weight in Kips, volume in Bbls and US Gal. and distances in Feet etc.)
So my question is; have you got any other peculiar or particularly American phrases used in communication between ships that may be brought to their attention??