As a tribute to America’s Marines on this Memorial Day, we examined some possible origins of the proudly held title of “Leatherneck” in the Corp’s traditions So That We Should Know and Remember.   <Hit Me  for the link>   

          

But no one can hold a candle to the U. S. Navy for traditions, eh swabby?  You might say the Navy is submerged in tradition.  So as a tribute to our oldest service and all its Gobs past and present, here is some food for thought that kinda complements the Leatherneck article.

         

Ever wonder about the collar flap on the enlisted sailor’s uniform? 

        

In American colonial days, a sailor would grow his hair long and braid it with tar.  This would prove useful in keeping his head, literally, when an enemy took a whack at his neck from the side with a cutlass.  The thick braid of tarred hair would keep the blade from getting to his neck.  (Yup, the swabbys wielded cutlasses right alongside of the Marines in those days).

         

Well, as you might have guessed, the tarred braid could leave a ring around the collar, and down the back of his tunic.  So the sailors of the day would put a reverse bib on, a canvass flap (visualize a very small superman cape) for the tarred braid to rest on.  This protected the back of his uniform from getting tarred. 

  

Of course the bib had to be tied on with something.  That would be represented today by the ornamental square knot neck tie.  Of course neither the bib nor the neck tie serve a functional purpose today - they are as are so many things in this elder service a relic retained out of tradition.

        

Incidentally, ever hear a sailor referred to as a “tar”?  Guess where that came from. 

       

Well, now you know.  Or maybe you don’t. 

         

It is an archaic term not much used today.  Of course it could refer to the tar in the braid of that sailor of yore.  Or … it could refer to tarpaulin, which is made of canvas, and which was often the source from which a ship’s crew would get their reverse bibs.  What do you do with an old sail when it is tattered and full of holes?  Make tar bibs. 

  

Well bli'me myte!  Oh, sorry - that's British.

   

Reference:Why does tar mean sailor?  <Hit Me