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 was released. The 2018 edition featured expanded and revised definitions, many more example sentences, and over 400 new terms.

Jackspeak Index:
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

"Q" Terms

Q-Ship
Heavily armed merchant ships with concealed weaponry, designed to lure submarines into making surface attacks. Used largely during WWI.
QL
Qualification Level. A certain level of a course, which gives naval tradesmen more knowledge, responsibilities and eventual promotion. eg. QL1, QL2, QL3 etc.
QM
See Quartermaster.
QR&O's
Queen's Regulations and Orders. The standing orders governing the RCN, and issued under the title of the figure-head of the navy.
Quarter
The after part of a ship's side. Made up of the Starboard Quarter and the Port Quarter.
Quarter-inch admiral
A less-than-complimentary term for an officer cadet. The term comes from the rank insignia of an Officer Cadet, which is a narrow 1/4 inch bar.
Quarterdeck
The quarter deck is the upper deck aft of the superstructure or, on ships with flightdecks, aft of the flight deck area. The name derives from the great men o' war; the quarterdeck was a raised section of the upper deck at the after end, where the helm position was. A service member always salutes the quarterdeck when coming aboard or proceeding ashore, as a mark of respect. The origin of this custom is somewhat obscure, but is thought to come from the location of the tabernacle, which is where the ship's chaplain kept the consecrated bread, which in the Christian faith is considered to be the body of Christ; thus, the salute was a mark of respect to the visible presence of God onboard. Another theory is that, as this is where the ship's master would be in battle, the authority of command was in that particular place.
Quartermaster
At sea, the quartermaster is the Seaman who is in charge of the helmsman. In harbour, the quartermaster is the senior member of the gangway staff and is responsible for supervising the Bosn's Mate and the security of the brow.
Quay
A stone or concrete structure used for loading and unloading vessels, generally synonymous with a wharf.
Queens Harbour Master
The Officer responsible for the safety, navigation and general organization of an HMC Dockyard. Abbreviated QHM.

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