Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Jackspeak: Certain words or terminology that are commonly used in the Canadian Navy.

The Canadian Navy has it's own terminology and slang that is still evolving to this day. Much of the language used is still derived from the Royal Navy, although as Canadians many local customs and slang have come about.

This list was compiled over the years and was finally published in 2014 as "Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy (2015 edition)" In 2018, a completely revised 2nd edition will be released. The 2018 edition features expanded and revised definitions, many more example sentences, and over 400 new terms.


"Y" Terms

A recreational boat or ship. The term includes sailing yachts, motor yachts, and steam yachts.
1. The horizontal spar from which a square sail is suspended.
2. A dockyard or shipyard.
The very end of a yard. Often mistaken for the actual "yard", which refers to the entire spar. As in "hang from the yardarm" and the sun being "over the yardarm".
Traditionally, it means the acknowledgement of an order, or an agreeable response to anything. Today, the term is better known as "pirate talk", likely through the public's exposure to popular films.
To swing off course, as when in a following sea.
A fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel with two masts.
Yawl Boat
A rowboat that rests on davits at the stern of a ship.
Yellow Jack
A quarantine flag. Flag Quebec, the quartantine signal, is all yellow.
Yellow List
An old Admiralty list of those officers for whom no further employment is planned.
In late medieval to early modern England a Yeoman was a social class. Today, it refers to a seaman that has mastered an area of expertise. ie. Navigator's Yeoman.
Yeoman of Signals
The Senior Naval Communicator (Signalman) in the ship.
You Have the Ship
A formal expression of handover from an Officer of the Watch to his relief. The normal response is "I have the ship".
Slang term for the Americans. eg. "Did you see the size of that 'Youall' aircraft carrier?" Also prounounced as "U-Haul(s)". Derived from the penchant for American folks to say "You all?"
Acronym for "You're On Your Own".

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Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy
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