submarine_terms epitome of incomprehensibility There's an article in Saturday's Montreal Gazette about the problems with Canada's current navy submarines. What drew my attention: the quirky terminology. A "clockwork mouse" is a sub that's acting as a target for above-ground ships to track as part of a training exercise, while a "harbour queen" is one that stays put while it's partly disassembled for spare parts. ...Unless this Paul Mitchell person is trolling civilian readers and he really calls them Mario Mushrooms and Junkobulators - I would not be any the wiser. 260713 ... raze there are so many good ones. a sonar operator is called a "ping jockey". "bubblehead" is a term of endearment. "ganomies" are imaginary gremlin-like creatures blamed for mechanical problems. a "crazy ivan" is an underwater u-turn. and the navy submarine force itself is known as "the silent service". i kind of love that. 260713 ... ovenbird I'm pleased to find that there's bird related submarine jargon, for example: BIRD BATH Using a half-sink of water to wash only the essentials whenever water restrictions are in effect. Experienced submariners brush their teeth first. 260713 what's it to you? who go blather from