Loose lips sink ships
Encyclopedia
Loose lips sink ships is an American English idiom meaning "beware of unguarded talk".
The phrase originated on propaganda posters during World War II
. The phrase was created by the War Advertising Council and used on posters by the United States Office of War Information
.
The posters were part of the general campaign of American propaganda during World War II
and were part of a campaign to advise servicemen and other citizens to avoid careless talk concerning secure information that might be of use to the enemy. The British equivalent
used variations on the phrase "Keep mum".
The gist of this particular slogan was that one should avoid speaking of ship movements, as this talk (if directed at or overheard by covert enemy agents) might allow the enemy to intercept and destroy the ships.
There were many similar such slogans, but "Loose lips sink ships" remained in the American idiom for the remainder of the century and into the next, usually as an admonition to avoid careless talk in general.
Some examples of use the phrase outside the World War II propaganda context are:
The phrase originated on propaganda posters during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The phrase was created by the War Advertising Council and used on posters by the United States Office of War Information
United States Office of War Information
The United States Office of War Information was a U.S. government agency created during World War II to consolidate government information services. It operated from June 1942 until September 1945...
.
The posters were part of the general campaign of American propaganda during World War II
American propaganda during World War II
During World War II, American propaganda was used to increase support for the war and commitment to an Allied victory. Using a wide variety of media, propagandists fomented hatred for the enemy and support for America's allies, urged greater public effort for war production and victory gardens,...
and were part of a campaign to advise servicemen and other citizens to avoid careless talk concerning secure information that might be of use to the enemy. The British equivalent
British propaganda during World War II
British propaganda during World War II took various forms. Using a wide variety of media, it called for actions needed for the war, such as production and proper behavior in the blackout, painted a dark picture of the Axis powers, and praised the Allies....
used variations on the phrase "Keep mum".
The gist of this particular slogan was that one should avoid speaking of ship movements, as this talk (if directed at or overheard by covert enemy agents) might allow the enemy to intercept and destroy the ships.
There were many similar such slogans, but "Loose lips sink ships" remained in the American idiom for the remainder of the century and into the next, usually as an admonition to avoid careless talk in general.
Some examples of use the phrase outside the World War II propaganda context are:
- Loose Lips Sink Ships is the name of a pop band, a pop album (by Des Ark), and pop songs by various artists, including Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van Beethoven is a 2000 rarities compilation album by Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent Records. This album stands as the first product of the members of CVB beginning to collaborate again...
, A Change of PaceAn Offer You Can't RefuseAn Offer You Can't Refuse is the debut full-length album released by A Change of Pace on March 22, 2005. The album was recorded while the members of the band were still in high school. There was only one single released from this album, "Loose Lips Sink Ships". A few of the tracks that appear on...
, Hit the LightsUntil We Get CaughtUntil We Get Caught is an EP from Lima, Ohio pop punk band Hit the Lights, released on March 15, 2005 on Silent Movie Records and rereleased on November 22, 2005 through Triple Crown Records....
, and others. - Loose Lips Sink Ships is a musical play produced by the American Folklore TheatreAmerican Folklore TheatreThe American Folklore Theatre is a professional theater company that creates, develops, and produces musicals and plays based on the populist culture and heritage of the United States. Located in Door County, Wisconsin, the company began in 1970 as The Heritage Ensemble, performing on the stage of...
. - Loose Lips Sink Ships is the title an episode of the American television program Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, and a variation, Loose Lips Sink Relationships, is the title of an episode of the American television program Will & GraceWill & GraceWill & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
. - "Loose Lips" is the title of a song written by Kimya Dawson heard in the soundtrack of the feature film, Juno.
- "Loose lips sink ships" occurs multiple times throughout the song Cherry Tree by The NationalThe National (band)The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
. - "Loose lips sink ships" is also the title of a paper exploring labiaplastyLabiaplastyLabiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora and the labia majora, the paired tissue structures bounding the vestibule of the vulva. The indications for the correction of labial hypertrophy are two-fold: the correction of defect and deformity, and the cosmetic...
by Simone Weil Davis of the University of Toronto.