Jack Tar's definitions

skivvy waver

n. From skivvies, slang for underpants

1. In US Navy, a signalman. Derived from the supposed resemblance of semaphore flags to garments.

2. One who stirs up trouble. Derived from the belief that Signalmen delivered bad news for sailors. See "blaming the messenger."

Line from Daryl Ponicsan's novel, "The Last Detail." A character addresses Signalman 1st Class (SM1) Buddusky: Butt out, skivvy waver!

by Jack Tar October 14, 2013