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Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:20 am
by cpt_Venomous
Discussing Battle of Coral Sea with my fellow Russian history buffs. We ended up mired in the origins of the term "flattop". Some say before the term was coined by LCDR Robert E. Dixon radio message "scratch one flattop", "flattop" was only used in reference for the flattop crew haircut favored by American serviceman. I know there are ton of American English native speakers here, who love their Naval history, be real nice if you fellows shed some light on it.
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:05 am
by spence
To be honest I am not sure but I think the term derives from the way aircraft carriers looked: very little superstructure with a big long flat deck to land on. The crew-cut haircut only became popular as a big part of a generation of American males got their heads shaved when they were "invited" to join the Army/Navy/USMC during WW2.
I think the flat-top haircut is a more modern thing.
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:33 am
by Bullwinkle58
ORIGINAL: spence
I think the flat-top haircut is a more modern thing.
Agree. The flat-top, with front wax, was a 1950s thing. In the 40s it was waves and hair oil for civvies.
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:03 am
by Trugrit
In fact the Haircut is much older than the carrier..
Von Hindenburg in 1914
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:05 am
by LargeSlowTarget
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:40 am
by BBfanboy
ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget
This is a flattop.
Nothing wrong with bite-sized goodies, LST.
But to answer the OP, this picture of HMS Argus in 1917 should leave no doubt:
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 4:49 pm
by LargeSlowTarget
ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Nothing wrong with bite-sized goodies, LST.
Of course not. Although personnally I'm more of a black shoe admiral.
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:27 pm
by Mobeer
ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget
This is a flattop.
Nothing wrong with bite-sized goodies, LST.
But to answer the OP, this picture of HMS Argus in 1917 should leave no doubt....
But Argus was a Flat Iron, not flattop
Literally:
http://www.objectlessons.org/houses-and ... /s59/a946/
or as an older ship:
http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collection ... 66058.html
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 1:36 pm
by cpt_Venomous
Good to know. Thank you for your replies guys. Appreciate it.
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 3:06 pm
by Zorch
Chuck Berry used 'Flattop' in a song, and sued John Lennon for using the word in Come Together. He probably wasn't thinking of WWII. [:D]
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:55 am
by Revthought
ORIGINAL: spence
To be honest I am not sure but I think the term derives from the way aircraft carriers looked: very little superstructure with a big long flat deck to land on. The crew-cut haircut only became popular as a big part of a generation of American males got their heads shaved when they were "invited" to join the Army/Navy/USMC during WW2.
I think the flat-top haircut is a more modern thing.
This is correct, as carriers had very little superstructure. I would guess that the name of the haircut came after the term was used to describe aircraft carriers.
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:57 am
by Revthought
ORIGINAL: cpt_Venomous
Discussing Battle of Coral Sea with my fellow Russian history buffs. We ended up mired in the origins of the term "flattop". Some say before the term was coined by LCDR Robert E. Dixon radio message "scratch one flattop", "flattop" was only used in reference for the flattop crew haircut favored by American serviceman. I know there are ton of American English native speakers here, who love their Naval history, be real nice if you fellows shed some light on it.
Quote, this is a curious thing for Russian history buffs to discuss. Unless you are Russian and saying, "my fellow Russians who also like history." Ah, the peculiarity of the English language. [:D]
RE: Historical term "flattop" question.
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:52 pm
by geofflambert
I am a flat bottom because I either spend too much time sitting on my butt in front of a PC playing this game or talking about it in this forum. At least I can say flat bottoms make good sea boats.