Old Naval Saying

Mon Jan 24 00:27:52 UTC 2011

Too good to lose:

1908 _N.Y. Tribune_ (June 7) C3 [Proquest]: Jack [the typical U.S. sailor]
says he is "First in war, first in peace, /First in the hands of the Frisco
police."

The article includes several navy slang terms including "doughbelly" for
"doughboy" and "garby" for "gobbie > gob," which is not listed. Also
"rookie" (but not "boot"). "Gad git" [sic: gadget] still requires
explanation, as does "leatherneck" and "chow."

"Bull" does not (HDAS has exx. back to '02).

JL

--
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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