Iliff-King phrasebook Iliff-King phrasebook

subscribe
×

Enter your email address to receive an email notification of new entries to the phrasebook

You will receive no more than one a day. We will not use your email for any other purpose. Each email will include an unsubscribe link.

Note: You’ll receive a validation link, by email, soon after submitting. The subscription won’t begin until you click it. Please don’t try a spoof email address. It’s your own time you’ll be wasting.

Search resultsClose

definition

if I wasn’t a gunner I wouldn’t be here expression or saying

Timing phrase used by the gunner during a gun salute to ensure the bangs are evenly spaced

Origin

From one of the naval fiction books we read together, probably Patrick O’Brian’s

Collector

M & N – 1980s
Mark & Naomi

Submitted: 30/06/2022 by Mark

comments

 If I remember correctly, there were four lines to this. The next line is "Left home and wife and everything dear."

—John Hobson, 24 Jul 2026

 @John Hobson: Hadn't heard that before. Thank you! µ

—Mark Iliff, Caversham, 24 Jul 2026

 If I wasn’t a gunner I wouldn’t be here. Ready, starboard, fire…. Boom Away from my home and family dear. Ready, port, fire… Boom Left home and wife and everything dear Ready, starboard, fire… Boom Etc, etc, etc.

—EJL, 29 Oct 2026

 @EJL: Thanks. That's three of the supposed four lines now! µ

—Mark Iliff, Caversham, 29 Oct 2026

any thoughts?

Comments are reviewed before publication for taste and relevance. Spam is not published







To be notified when your comment is published, enter your email. It will not be published or used for any other purpose without your permission:



/phrase/word.php 656
657 655