General
crank
What does crank mean?
A sailor assigned temporarily to work in the ship's galley, akin to KP.
"He's cranking in the mess this month."
Origin
U.S. Navy shipboard slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'crank' mean in the Navy?
A sailor assigned to temporary duty in the ship's galley, doing food-service and kitchen work similar to KP in the Army.
Is being a crank a permanent job?
No. It's a temporary assignment — sailors from other ratings rotate through galley duty for a set period, then return to their regular jobs.
Can 'crank' be a verb?
Yes. Sailors say they are 'cranking' when they're serving that galley-duty rotation, as in 'he's cranking in the mess this month.'
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