Jackspeak Discussed On Radio 4's iPM Programme This Morning

[soleil]

On iPM on Radio 4 this morning, a couple of ex-matelots were interviewed briefly about the concept of Jackspeak and tested by the interviewer to see if they recognised a few expressions which she had read about.

The programme is 15 minutes long and the interview lasts about ten minutes.

BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - iPM, 12/03/2011

 

[Topstop]

Have to admit, I didn't know that a growler was a pork pie.

Thought it was Dink for meat pie, first time Ive heard it for pork pie.

 

[Topstop]

She did. as I said a first for me.

 

[soleil]

I'm pretty certain that she says "A pork pie" as well.

I think that they say that they have a copy of "The Pusser's Rum Guide to Jackspeak" with them in the studio and I think that what she does is flick through the book and pick out a few words. That book is an early copy of Rick Jolly's "Jackspeak"; I have a copy of the most recent version on my bookshelf so looked up the word "growler".

Rick Jolly says:

"Growler (RM)

1 A large chunk of ice which is just awash and difficult to see.
2 A pork pie; NAAFI landmine is a variant.
3 In the Merchant Navy a growler is a towel.
4 At Dartmouth, growler is also the name given to a long and heavy length of rope that the young officers must carry, as a syndicate, from stance to stance in their leadership exercises. The name comes from the cursing and muttering that this item inspires!"

 

[Joe_Crow]

A 'Growler' is slightly smaller than a 'Bergy Bit'. These are the officially recognised terms for bits of ice that are too small to be referred to as a small iceberg, and I don't think they are Jackspeak per se, but are terms that seafarers are more likely to recognise than landlubbers.

 

[Asst_Ed]

Bergy bit - size of a bus
Growler - size of a car

I wrote that, so it must be true ;-)

HMS York - at world's end

 

[janner]

I was wrong in thinking I knew what a Growler is :safe:

 

[janner]

Close I've seen some that snap

 

[Naval_Gazer]

BBC: The joy of 'Jackspeak'

 

[sgtpepperband]

Type of car, innit..? :wink:

"Jaguar 'Growler' E-Type Concept Car"

 

[wal]

I Have just listened to it and a couple of points.

Barrack stantion = old hand as I remember it was someone who had not been to sea for a long time.

I know that I was a Clankie but would the SO and father famine have discussed the menus?


Their pronunciation of Pusser is somewhat questionable.