Your OED word for today is: nozzer, n. nozzer, n. [‘ A new recruit, a novice sailor.’] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈnɒzə/, U.S. /ˈnɑzər/ Etymology:Origin uncertain; apparently < the nickname of a naval instructor, Chief Petty Officer ‘Nosey’ Parker (see quot. 1962 and compare nosy parker n.) + -er suffix1: 1962 W. Granville Dict. Sailors Slang 82/2 Nozzer, new entry boy at the training establishment, HMS Ganges... These boys have been called nozzers..since the establishment opened [in c1903], because the petty officer in charge was nicknamed ‘Nosey’. Brit. Navy slang. A new recruit, a novice sailor. 1912 Shotley Mag. Sept. 7 [Royal Navy Training Establishment, Shotley]N stands for Nozzer, one just newly joined, The clothes that he comes in are quickly purloined. 1943 ‘Taffrail’ White Ensigns ii. 32 To make matters worse the ‘nozzers’, or novices, usually had their soap and water purloined by those who had been longer on board and knew the ropes. 1966 D. L. Summers H.M.S. Ganges 1866–1966 viii. 79 When a boy arrived at H.M.S. Ganges during the years between the two wars he was immediately placed in a ‘Nozzers’ Mess in the main establishment. 1978 J. Douglas H.M.S. Ganges vi. 49 His voice thundered..in their Nozzer earholes. 2002 Newslet. H.M.S. Ganges Assoc. (N.Z. Division) (Electronic ed.) 20 May, Regret to report the passing of the following members in recent months:... Lest we forget. They too were Nozzers. We wish them safe moorings
Posted on: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 16:23:17 +0000
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