Sailors have a long history of unique greetings and salutations when encountering fellow seafarers. This is likely due to the close brotherhood forged through the shared experiences and dangers of life at sea. Even in modern times, these traditional sailor greetings persist as a way for mariners to acknowledge their shared identity and experiences.
Some common questions about sailor greetings include:
How did traditional sailor greetings originate?
Sailor greetings and salutes have their roots in the harsh realities of maritime life centuries ago. Long months away from home and in close quarters bred a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among sailors. Shipboard duties required discipline and order. Greetings and salutes helped reinforce the hierarchy and social order necessary to survive at sea.
Over time, these greetings took on almost ritualistic significance. They were a way for sailors to demonstrate their membership in an exclusive maritime fraternity. Shipboard etiquette dictated proper greetings to acknowledge rank, status and experience. Rules for hailing other vessels also developed. The traditional allure of the seafaring life meant sailor slang and greetings were adopted more broadly in popular culture.
What are some famous sailor greetings?
Here are some of the best-known traditional sailor greetings:
– Ahoy! – The most famous traditional greeting to hail an incoming vessel or another sailor.
– Avast! – Literally means “stop” or “hold still.” Used to get someone’s attention.
– Aye Aye! – Traditional response meaning “I understand and will comply.”
– Anchors Aweigh! – Song title and sailor shout when raising anchor.
– Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – Referring to the precarious position ships occupy.
– Three Sheets to the Wind – Idiom for being drunk, unsteady on one’s figurative feet.
How do sailors address superior officers?
Proper greetings and forms of address were an important way for sailors to show respect to officers and higher ranks on a ship. Some common greetings include:
– Captain – Hailed with “aye aye, sir!” Not addressed directly, but referred to as “the captain.”
– First mate – Addressed as “sir” by ordinary seamen.
– Petty officers – Addressed by title and last name (i.e. Bosun Johnson).
What is an admiral’s salute?
When onboard a ship, an admiral is saluted by the crew with a shout of “Spice Island!” This hearkens back to the age of exploration when spices from the Molucca Islands were highly prized. The crew shouts to honor the admiral with something similarly precious.
When coming aboard a ship, the admiral calls out “Are there any men here?” to which the crew responds “Yes sir!” The purpose is to formally acknowledge the admiral’s presence and command.
History and Origins of Sailor Greetings
The unique language of sailors begins with early seafaring history spanning the globe.
European Maritime Nations
In the age of exploration, ships from seafaring empires like England, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands set out on long voyages around the world. Months or years away from home created a unique maritime culture. Stern discipline was required aboard crowded ships in harsh conditions. Greetings and commands took on ritual meaning.
For example, the word “Ahoy” is thought to come from old Dutch phrase “hoi!” meaning “hello.” The typical Spanish sailor greeting “adios” meant “to God,” reflecting the risks of travel. These terms quickly spread across languages and cultures.
Influence of Naval Military Traditions
The naval military also influenced sailor vocabulary. “Aye Aye” comes from British navy tradition. It was originally “I, I” meaning “I will do it.” The word “avast” is derived from Portuguese or Italian naval command meaning “stand still.”
Rigid naval hierarchy required clear ways of acknowledging ranks. Special greetings for officers, captains and admirals persist even in casual civilian sailing today. They reflect the maritime roots of the language.
Melding of Global Influences Over Time
Like most slang and vernacular, sailor speak borrows freely from whatever sources are at hand. Once in common usage, phrases are adapted across languages and cultures. The shared experiences of life at sea meant slang terms were a lingua franca adopted internationally.
Some examples are:
– “Three sheets to the wind” – Originated from the effect of loose sails flapping in the wind but came to mean drunk.
– “Between the Devil and the deep blue sea” – Came from the difficulty of hauling up heavy gear from the sea floor. Now means being in a tight spot.
– “Take a caulk” (nap) – From caulking timber seams on ships.
Nautical Superstitions and Rituals
Sailors are known to be a superstitious lot. Various elaborate rituals and taboos evolved over centuries to control their fate on the high seas.
Many greetings and exclamations reference these beliefs. “Knock on wood” comes from rapping knuckles on a ship’s wooden parts to avoid bad luck. “Here’s looking at you” references offering a toast to honor fellow sailors.
Even generic terms like “hello” were considered bad luck since they implied an innocuous voyage ahead. “Ahoy” was preferable since it didn’t tempt fate.
This rich maritime history shaped the unique language, terms, greetings, and slang used by today’s sailors. Their continued use celebrates the origins and traditions of seafaring life.
Common Sailor Greetings and Purpose
Beyond the famous terms already mentioned, sailors employ a wide vocabulary of greetings for every occasion. Here are some common phrases and their various uses.
Ship Arrival Greetings
– Ahoy! – Hailing a boat coming into view.
– What ship? – Querying a newly seen vessel to identify it.
– Where bound? – Asking their destination port.
– Permission to come aboard? – Polite request when approaching a ship.
– Come about! – Directing a ship to tack into the wind.
Answering a Hail
– Ahoy yourself! – Reply to an “Ahoy” hail.
– Hello, the [ship name]! – Identifying your vessel.
– We’re sailing from [port] to [port]! – Stating origin and destination.
Anchoring and Mooring
– Avast heaving! or Avast! – Order to stop the anchor line.
– That’ll do! – Call that enough anchor has been dropped to set.
– Make fast! – Tie off a mooring line.
Acknowledging Commands
– Aye Captain! Aye Sir! – Respectful reply affirming an order.
– Right away sir! – Reply showing task will commence immediately.
– Consider it done! – Response confirming the request will be executed.
Leave Taking
– Ship ohoy! – Parting hail to a sailing vessel.
– Good sailing! – Bid bon voyage or safe travels.
– Following winds! – Wish for favorable winds ahead.
– Come about for a visit! – Invitation to meet again in port.
Celebration and Camaraderie
– Huzzah! – Traditional exuberant sailors cheer.
– Splice the mainbrace! – Call for an alcoholic drink, from naval tradition.
– Here’s looking at you! – Toast to share a drink together.
– Anchors aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh! – Lyrics from the famous naval song to cheer departure.
Military and Ceremonial Sailor Greetings
Naval tradition influences many formal and ceremonial greetings still used today:
Attention on Deck!
This warning call alerts everyone on board to take formal posture and salute in preparation for greeting dignitaries coming aboard like the captain or an admiral.
Officer’s Salute
Junior officers salute superiors first. The senior officer returns salute. Both state rank and name. For example: “Ensign Robert Jones saluting Captain Smith!” Captain returns: “Captain John Smith returning salute. Carry on.”
Side Boy Salute
When dignitaries arrive by boat, sailors or marines will line the rails and salute on cue. The Side Boy Salute demonstrates respect and welcomes VIPs aboard with ceremony.
Admiral’s Salute
As described earlier, the crew shouts the special greetings “Spice Island!” and “ayesir” to honor and acknowledge an admiral on deck.
Addressing Officers
– Sir! – Generic respectful address for superiors.
– Captain [surname]! – Address for a ship’s captain.
– Admiral [surname]! – Address for admirals by surname only.
– Mister/Miss [surname]! – Direct address for lower ranks by officers.
Everyday Shipboard Greetings and Pleasantries
Within a ship’s company, sailors use casual greetings:
Morning Greetings
– Morning! – Traditional start of day greeting.
– Did you turn in and stow your hammock yet? – Inquiring if shipmate has stowed bedding.
– Chow’s on at seven bells! – Mess hall meal notifications.
Leavetaking
– See you on the midwatch! – Signing off to sleep before overnight shift.
– Got the duty today. Have one for me! – Managing ship operations while crew relaxes.
Camaraderie and Bonding
– Everything shipshape? – Asking if duties are done.
– Shipmate! – Jovial greeting to a fellow sailor.
– Cookie says coffee’s on. Want a mug? – Offer of refreshment.
– Lend a hand here? – Request for aid with a task.
Good Natured Teasing
– C’mon, you old sea dog! – Rousing a tired or grumpy sailor.
– That scar looks like you lost a fight with a squid! – Joking about old injury.
– Are you two lovebirds swabbing the deck today or just making goo-goo eyes? – Suggesting budding romance between shipmates.
Greeting Traditions Among Modern Recreational Boaters
Even in today’s casual, recreational boating world, traditional maritime greetings endure. Whether under sail, power, or paddling a canoe, ahoy remains the most familiar and ubiquitous boat-to-boat greeting.
Other common hails include:
– Permission to come aboard! – Hail requesting welcome onto a fellow skipper’s vessel.
– What port are you visiting from? – Inquiry about another boat’s home marina.
– Where are you headed? – Asking about destination.
– Great day for a sail! – Pleasant weather small talk.
– That’s a fine looking yacht! – Compliment on a handsome vessel.
– Safe travels home! – Parting bon voyage wish.
– Following seas! – Hope for smooth sailing on return voyage.
Rafting Up
When recreational boats congregate loosely together at anchor, it’s called rafting up. Skippers visit across the decks. Traditional greetings include:
– Come aboard! – Welcoming another skipper onto your boat.
– Permission to raft up? – Request to join the anchored raft.
– Want a line? – Offering a mooring line to tie alongside.
– Have a cold one! – Offering a chilled beverage.
Ceremonial Events
At events like commissioning, launching or decommissioning a vessel, these greetings add spirit:
– Let’s commission this beauty! – Marking a new vessel’s completion.
– May God bless her and all who sail in her! – Launching day prayer.
– Here’s to her final cruise! – Decommissioning a ship.
– Three cheers for the [ship name]!
Conclusion
From traditional cries like “avast!” and “ahoy” to formal naval salutes, sailor greetings reflect centuries of seafaring history and culture. They demonstrate the universal fraternity among those who go down to the sea in ships. Even in the modern, high-tech maritime world, these phrases preserve important traditions. Their continued use honors the shared heritage of all who live, work and play their days upon the ocean wave.