bubblehead

n. a submariner. Subjects: English, Military, Nautical, Slang

Editorial Note: Jocular, with a clear connection to the more common bubblehead ‘a ditzy, foolish person; an airhead.’

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Citations: 1991 Peter Jensen Baltimore Sun (Maryland) (Aug. 9) “Birth of new USS Maryland stirs hearts of those who served on ‘Fighting Mary’” p. 1B: For those who served on board the storied Maryland, the one that survived Pearl Harbor and distinguished itself at such legendary venues as the Tarawa atoll, Leyte Gulf and Okinawa, no submarine can take the place of their battleship.…"I’m not sure it means that much to me, but I guess we’re proud the name lives on—at least as proud as a Navy sailor can be of a bubble-head.” [1994 Charles D. Melson Marine Recon 1940-90 (Sept. 12) p. 26: The 2d Class Diver badge “bubble head” was authorized for wear in 1974. The recipients of both parachutist and diver insignia are considered “dual-qualified” (or “dual-cool") full-fledged “Reconnaissance Marines.”] 1996 Jason Gertzen Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska) (Feb. 22) “StratCom Chief Passes Torch to General” p. 1: The former submarine commander thanked his Offutt colleagues for honoring him by naming a street at the base for him. The 50-foot ramp leading into the base lake now is called “Bubblehead Drive,” Chiles said as he rubbed his bald head. 1998 Katherine Calos Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia) (July 5) “Harboring Liberty In Pursuit Of Happiness, Visitors Find Bean Town Full Of Revolutionary Ideas” p. J1: Drivers are divided into “incredibly nutty drivers” and “incredibly wacky drivers” with names to match—such as “Commodore Bubblehead,” who “seems to have spent a little too much time bumping his head on the hatchways in the submarine service.” 2006 [Cookie] The Cook Shack—Gab & Grub (New York) (May 12) “The Bouyant Ascent…Submarine Escape Training Tower”: Any old “Bubbleheads” (fer all you land-lubbers that’s slang fer Submariners) who were stationed at New London/Groton during the late 40’s, 50’ and 60’s, I’m sure y’all most certainly remember this landmark.

Posted 23 Jun 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend