Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Jane
W hat is Bosun's Punch? Navy Grog?
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You'll have to join the U.S. Navy to find out.
Bosun's Punch is a tool that you send a new sailor to go fetch. "Go see the Bosun and get a Bosun's Punch ASAP!" The new sailor finds a Bosun and makes the request, gets a painful punch to the arm and is now wiser.
Now, I'm willing to be corrected on Navy grog, but grog came to the U.S. Navy from the Royal Navy. Grog = Watered-down rum ration issued daily to the crew. The U.S. Navy went to "dry" ships in the early 20th century (with much grumbling, of course) but grog was discontinued long before.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_ration
A bit off-topic, but I think the RN and perhaps other Commonwealth navy officer's messes may still maintain spirits for officer's discreet consumption. Visiting USN officers are frequently startled at being offered a whiskey before dinner.
I can personally attest to the fact that USN submariners turn a blind eye to a wee bit of alcohol consumption now and again -- or at least they did in the Diesel boat days.
