General
bubblehead
What does bubblehead mean?
A submariner. Used by the rest of the Navy for anyone who serves on submarines — half affectionate, half ribbing. Bubbleheads wear it themselves with pride; surface-fleet sailors (skimmers) use it as a jab.
"He did twelve years as a bubblehead on fast-attacks before transferring to the surface fleet."
Origin
US Navy slang playing on the air bubbles a sub blows when surfacing — and a gentle dig at the supposed effects of breathing recycled boat air for months.
Frequently asked questions
What does bubblehead mean in the Navy?
It's slang for a submariner — someone who serves aboard submarines.
How do you use bubblehead in a sentence?
"He did three years as a bubblehead before transferring to the surface fleet."
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