adrift - loose from moorings and out of control (applied to anything lost, out of hand or left lying about
aft-end - near or toward the stern of the vessel
all hands - the entire ship's company, both officer and enlisted
allotment - an amount of money a member has designated to be withheld from pay and sent directly to another person or organization (i.e., bank or credit union)
aye-aye - reply to an order or command meaning "I understand and will comply"
barracks - building where Sailors live
below - downstairs
brightwork - brass or shiny metal kept polished rather than painted
bulkhead - wall
bunk or rack - bed
buoy - an anchored float used as an aid to navigation or to mark the location of an object
carry on - an order to resume work or duties
cast off - to throw off; to let go; to unfurl
chain locker - compartment in which anchor chain is stowed
chit, chit book - coupon or receipt book
chow hall (mess deck) - place to eat
colors - raising or lowering of a national flag, ceremonies held at 0800 and sunset for hoisting and hauling down the national ensign
deck - horizontal planking or plating that divides a ship into layers (floor)
deep six - to dispose of by throwing over the side
ensign - national flag; commissioned officer between the rank of chief warrant officer and lieutenant junior grade
fast - snugly secured
fathom - a unit of length equal to 6 feet used for measuring the depth of water
field day - general cleaning day, usually the day before an inspection
first lieutenant - officer responsible to the XO for the deck department/division aboard ship, or the command maintenance supervisor ashore
flag officer - any commissioned officer in pay grade O-7 or above
galley - kitchen
gangway - the opening in a bulwark or lifeline that provides access to a brow or accommodation ladder; an order meaning to clear the way
gear locker - storage room
geedunk - candy, gum or cafeteria
general quarters - battle stations
ground tackle - all the equipment used in mooring or anchoring a ship
head - bathroom
jack box - access box to sound powered phone circuitry
ladder - a device to allow movement of personnel from one level to another; stairs
leave - authorized vacation
liberty - permission to leave the base, usually for not more than 48 hours
life line - lines erected around the weather decks of a ship to prevent personnel from falling or being washed over the side
overhead - ceiling
passageway - hall
quarters - assembling of all hands for muster, instruction and inspection
rating - a job specialty title
reveille - wake up, start a new day
scullery - place to wash dishes
scuttlebutt - drinking fountain or a rumor
secure - lock, put away or stop work
sickbay - hospital or clinic
swab - mop
taps - time to sleep, end of day
tattoo - five minutes before taps
topside - upstairs
turn to - to begin work
working aloft - working above the highest deck; generally performing maintenance on the ship's mast