Historical term "flattop" question.

[cpt_Venomous]

Discussing Battle of Coral Sea with my fellow Russian history buffs. We ended up mired in the origins of the term "flattop". Some say before the term was coined by LCDR Robert E. Dixon radio message "scratch one flattop", "flattop" was only used in reference for the flattop crew haircut favored by American serviceman. I know there are ton of American English native speakers here, who love their Naval history, be real nice if you fellows shed some light on it.

[spence]

To be honest I am not sure but I think the term derives from the way aircraft carriers looked: very little superstructure with a big long flat deck to land on. The crew-cut haircut only became popular as a big part of a generation of American males got their heads shaved when they were "invited" to join the Army/Navy/USMC during WW2.
I think the flat-top haircut is a more modern thing.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: spence

I think the flat-top haircut is a more modern thing.

Agree. The flat-top, with front wax, was a 1950s thing. In the 40s it was waves and hair oil for civvies.

[Trugrit]

In fact the Haircut is much older than the carrier..

Von Hindenburg in 1914

[LargeSlowTarget]

This is a flattop.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

This is a flattop.

Nothing wrong with bite-sized goodies, LST.

But to answer the OP, this picture of HMS Argus in 1917 should leave no doubt:

[LargeSlowTarget]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Nothing wrong with bite-sized goodies, LST.

Of course not. Although personnally I'm more of a black shoe admiral.

[Mobeer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget
This is a flattop.

Nothing wrong with bite-sized goodies, LST.

But to answer the OP, this picture of HMS Argus in 1917 should leave no doubt....

But Argus was a Flat Iron, not flattop

Literally:
http://www.objectlessons.org/houses-and ... /s59/a946/

or as an older ship:
http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collection ... 66058.html

[cpt_Venomous]

Good to know. Thank you for your replies guys. Appreciate it.

[Zorch]

Chuck Berry used 'Flattop' in a song, and sued John Lennon for using the word in Come Together. He probably wasn't thinking of WWII. [:D]

[Revthought]

ORIGINAL: spence

To be honest I am not sure but I think the term derives from the way aircraft carriers looked: very little superstructure with a big long flat deck to land on. The crew-cut haircut only became popular as a big part of a generation of American males got their heads shaved when they were "invited" to join the Army/Navy/USMC during WW2.
I think the flat-top haircut is a more modern thing.

This is correct, as carriers had very little superstructure. I would guess that the name of the haircut came after the term was used to describe aircraft carriers.

[Revthought]

ORIGINAL: cpt_Venomous

Discussing Battle of Coral Sea with my fellow Russian history buffs. We ended up mired in the origins of the term "flattop". Some say before the term was coined by LCDR Robert E. Dixon radio message "scratch one flattop", "flattop" was only used in reference for the flattop crew haircut favored by American serviceman. I know there are ton of American English native speakers here, who love their Naval history, be real nice if you fellows shed some light on it.

Quote, this is a curious thing for Russian history buffs to discuss. Unless you are Russian and saying, "my fellow Russians who also like history." Ah, the peculiarity of the English language. [:D]

[geofflambert]

I am a flat bottom because I either spend too much time sitting on my butt in front of a PC playing this game or talking about it in this forum. At least I can say flat bottoms make good sea boats.