1 definition by Charlie Rippin
Nautical. Requesting permission to blow hot steam on the tubes in a naval superheated boiler. Often thought to refer to a sailor by the name of Tubes, but this is not correct. The permission is needed because there will be a release of some smoke when tubes are blown.
Engineering Officer: Request permission to blow tubes, sir.
Officer of the Deck: Permission granted.
Officer of the Deck: Permission granted.
by Charlie Rippin July 11, 2005