Flying Baker

flying baker (a) a u. s. navy signal meaning “keep off” – read more but according to a former navy sailor, the flag was red and – well, i’ll let him explain: “hi, harry! i was referred to your site by an article in the current (sept. 2003) issue of the british magazine prospect. the article is by shereen el feki, healthcare correspondent for the economist, and is t-tled ‘a quarterly curse?’ just for curiosity, i looked for one of the terms i was familiar with, ‘flying baker’ and thought i’d give you a little extra information. when i was in the u.s. navy during world war ii, the spoken names for the first four letters of the alphabet were able, baker, charlie, dog. (they’re now alfa, bravo, charlie, delta). the signal flag for the letter ‘b’ was, and still is, all red.

flying bravo the wife of a retired coast guard member writes, “the word “bravo” is used when refueling or loading ammunition, and they fly a big red flag when doing so . . . .” (may 2001)
when a sailor returned from visiting his wife or girl friend on liberty or sh-r- leave, and was asked whether he got laid had s-xual intercourse, he might have replied, ‘no, she was “flying baker”.’ he wasn’t referring to the signal ‘keep off’ (i’m not familiar with the flag being used in that context), but to the color of menstrual blood, the same color as the ‘b’ signal flag. i wonder whether u.s. navy sailors nowadays reply to the same question, ‘no, she was “flying bravo”.’ sincerely, —-, ex-chief petty officer, u.s. navy” (august 2003)