General
sea story
What does sea story mean?
A tale or yarn calculated to impress listeners, usually stretched well past the truth — the naval cousin of a tall tale.
"Half his sea stories can't possibly be true."
Origin
US Navy and Marine Corps slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sea story?
It's an embellished tale — usually a war or service story — told to impress listeners, stretched well beyond the actual truth.
How is a sea story different from a fairy tale?
A common joke says a fairy tale begins 'Once upon a time' while a sea story begins 'This is no shit' — both signal the tale that follows isn't fully believable.
Who tells sea stories?
The term comes from US Navy and Marine Corps slang, where sailors and Marines swap embellished yarns about their experiences.
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