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Navy Jargon Trivia Quiz

Each branch of the military has its own language and the Navy is the most colorful. (OK, so I'm biased!)

A multiple-choice quiz by fireman44. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
fireman44

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
165,728

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
11 / 15

Plays
4457

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: moonraker2 (10/15), Taltarzac (11/15), YesImPhoenix (13/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What does a boot pusher do? Hint

One who shines other's boots.

Packs up new footwear.

Trains new recruits.

Shoves old boots around base with their nose.

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Question 2 of 15

2. What is bug juice? Hint

Floor cleaning solution

Kool-Aid

Ship paint remover

An insecticide

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Question 3 of 15

3. The port side is on your left and the starboard side is on your right as you face the stern, or rear, of a ship.

True

False

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Question 4 of 15

4. What is the "jack o' the dust"? Hint

Baker

Compartment cleaner

Person in charge of food storage

Person in charge of brooms

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Question 5 of 15

5. What type of ship is a "boomer"? Hint

Aircraft carrier

Supply ship

Ballistic missile submarine

Oiler

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Question 6 of 15

6. What is a "flattop"? Hint

Guided missile cruiser

Destroyer

Aircraft carrier

Ship's barber

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Question 7 of 15

7. What is a "shellback"? Hint

Any sailor who has survived being thrown overboard.

A large crab.

A person initiated into the "Ancient Order of the Deep".

An seasoned sailor who has been to at least 25 ports.

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Question 8 of 15

8. What is a "snipe"? Hint

A radio operator.

The ship's mascot.

The helmsman.

Anyone in engineering.

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Question 9 of 15

9. What is "Captain's mast"? Hint

The mast on a sailing ship bearing the captain's name.

Non-judicial punishment

The captain's private dining room.

There is no such thing.

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Question 10 of 15

10. What happens when you "deep-six" something?
Hint

Throw it overboard.

Give it to six other people.

Store it away six decks down.

Hide it for six days.

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Question 11 of 15

11. What are you eating if you are served "SOS"? Hint

C- Rations

Some old spaghetti

Chipped beef on toast

Bologna sandwiches

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Question 12 of 15

12. Samuel Clemens took his pen name from a phrase on a river boat.

True

False

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Question 13 of 15

13. What is another name for battle stations? Hint

All hands attack!

Fight, fight, fight!

Run, Forrest, run!

General Quarters

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Question 14 of 15

14. A favorite trick to pull on new sailors was what? Hint

Mail buoy watch.

Finding a jar of relative bearing grease.

Getting the key to the steam chest.

All of these.

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Question 15 of 15

15. The last time anyone "walked the plank" was in 1935.

True

False

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 23 2024 : moonraker2: 10/15
Apr 17 2024 : Taltarzac: 11/15
Apr 06 2024 : YesImPhoenix: 13/15
Apr 02 2024 : Guest 118: 7/15
Apr 01 2024 : Guest 24: 7/15
Apr 01 2024 : JsFrench1958: 13/15
Mar 18 2024 : ranjanbest: 14/15
Mar 18 2024 : Asaint1949: 12/15
Mar 18 2024 : bobby82: 10/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What does a boot pusher do?

Answer: Trains new recruits.

These are senior enlisted personnel who returns to boot camp to instruct and train new recruits.

2. What is bug juice?

Answer: Kool-Aid

Bug juice is available for every meal, usually in two flavors. So named due to its attraction of flying creatures.

3. The port side is on your left and the starboard side is on your right as you face the stern, or rear, of a ship.

Answer: False

Correct when you face the bow, or front, of a ship. Remember "port" and "left" both have four letters.

4. What is the "jack o' the dust"?

Answer: Person in charge of food storage

This person issues provisions to the cooks as needed.

5. What type of ship is a "boomer"?

Answer: Ballistic missile submarine

The name comes from the loud sounds of launching missiles.

6. What is a "flattop"?

Answer: Aircraft carrier

The name comes from the large, flat flight deck necessary for plane launchings.

7. What is a "shellback"?

Answer: A person initiated into the "Ancient Order of the Deep".

When a ship crosses the equator, an elaborate initiation ceremony is held for all "pollywogs" (one who has never crossed) by all shellbacks. The proceedings are presided over by King Neptune (senior shellback), Davy Jones and the Royal Court.

8. What is a "snipe"?

Answer: Anyone in engineering.

Engineers make the ship go and provide heat, lights, and water.

9. What is "Captain's mast"?

Answer: Non-judicial punishment

Minor infractions by enlisted sailors are heard at Captain's mast, such as AWOL, insubordination, etc. Usually held in a large meeting area, it originally was held on the main deck of a sailing ship in front of the main mast. More serious infractions go to courts-martial.

10. What happens when you "deep-six" something?

Answer: Throw it overboard.

Any unwanted, useless or broken items are thrown away, always in at least six fathoms of water or where it is very deep.

11. What are you eating if you are served "SOS"?

Answer: Chipped beef on toast

While the PG-rated answer is Same Old Slop, it actually means "S--- on a Shingle".

12. Samuel Clemens took his pen name from a phrase on a river boat.

Answer: True

The term "By the mark, twain" comes from river boats navigating the Mississippi River, used to denote the depth of the water.

13. What is another name for battle stations?

Answer: General Quarters

"General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations." You always hoped it was preceded by "This is a drill."

14. A favorite trick to pull on new sailors was what?

Answer: All of these.

Pulling pranks on new guys at sea was great fun. You knew once you had been had, it was your turn to pull some tricks.

15. The last time anyone "walked the plank" was in 1935.

Answer: False

As best can be determined, this is an urban legend. There is no known instances of anyone ever walking the plank.

Source: Author fireman44

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Stillman before going online.
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