men-of-war's-men

Updated: June 15, 2025

But it must not be imagined that to all men-of-war's-men this summons conveys such poignant emotions; but it is hard to decide whether one should be glad or sad that this is not the case; whether it is grateful to know that so much pain is avoided, or whether it is far sadder to think that, either from constitutional hard-heartedness or the multiplied searings of habit, hundreds of men-of-war's-men have been made proof against the sense of degradation, pity, and shame.

Herman Melville - White Jacket: or, the World on a Man-of-War

Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war's-men on board their craft in harbour. One of my principal antidotes against ennui in Rio, was reading. There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.

Herman Melville - White Jacket: or, the World on a Man-of-War

Hence the various sea-rolls, made dishes, and Mediterranean pies, well known by men-of-war's-men Scouse, Lob-scouse, Soft-Tack, Soft-Tommy, Skillagalee, Burgoo, Dough-boys, Lob-Dominion, Dog's-Body, and lastly, and least known, Dunderfunk; all of which come under the general denomination of Manavalins.

Herman Melville - White Jacket: or, the World on a Man-of-War

The abhorrence which men-of-war's-men have for this protracted holy-stoning in cold, comfortless weather with their bare feet exposed to the splashing inundations is shown in a strange story, rife among them, curiously tinctured with their proverbial superstitions.

Herman Melville - White Jacket: or, the World on a Man-of-War