The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GROUP SPEECH

THE MARINE CORPS HAS ITS KOWN SPECIAL WORDS FOR MANY THINGS. A PERSON
WHO WEARS GLASSES IS CALLED "FOUR-EYES." A BATHROOM IS A "HEAD." A
RECRUIT WHO DOES ODD JOBS FOR A DRILL INSTRUCTOR IS CALLED A "HOUSE
MOUSE." A RECUIT WHO FAILS TO SHOOT PROFICIENTLY IS A "NON-QUAL."
MANY TERMS ARE DERIVED FROM TERMINOLOGY ON A SHIP. THUS A STAIR-WAY
BECOMES A "LADDER." A DOOR BECOMES A "HATCH." A WALL IS A "BULKHEAD."
A FLOOR OR THE GROUND BECOMES "THE DECK." THERE ARE ALSO CERTAIN
WORDS WHICH ARE TABOO. YOU MUST REFER TO A CERTAIN CLEANING IMPLEMENT
AS A "SWAB" AND NEVER AS A "MOP." YOU SHOOT AT THE TRAGET WITH YOUR
"WEAPON" OR YOUR "RIFLE" BUT WOE TO YOU IF YOU CALL IT YOUR "GUN."

Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

Date learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR