A Question for all you Marines.

[TNRat]

I am watching FMJ for the 50th time. Joker is walking into the head, and the door is prominently labeled as such.

Why has it always been referred as the head in the Marine Corps? Where did that name originate?

Thanks.

BTW, God Bless the Marine Corps.

 

[lizzardfire]

Head is a ship's term (i.e., Navy) for bathroom.

 

[wlynn]

Because the Navy calls it the head. This I believe is because in early sailing ships you went over the bow or through a hole at the bow. I'm going to the head or front of the ship became the expression.

Don't take my word for any of this except that the Navy does call it the head

 

[SNAFU]

Terry, not a Marine but in the USCG. Same maritime terminology/jargon is used.

Two possible explanations for "Head":

1. From Wikipedia: Head: Bathroom (The term comes from the days of sail, because wind would blow from the rear of the ship foreward the bathroom would be located at the front "Head" of the ship to carry the foul smell of excrement away from the crew).

2. From another site: The "head" aboard a Navy ship is the bathroom. The term comes from the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit, the integral part of the hull to which the figurehead was fastened.

If you think about how a sailing vessel is propelled, i.e. wind pushing the vessel from behind, having the head at the bow makes sense.