Naval signals often sacrificed absolute clarity for brevity. This could lead to corrections such as "Re my last. Please insert washer between Admiral's and woman".

Other famous (infamous?) signals included "The confidential book officer is to report to me for destruction."

Ship's names were usually transmitted without specific identification as such. Hence, "SOS Maid of Cork sinking", and "Have just arrested Jesus of Nazareth for using illegally sized nets".

Jack Broome (the escort commander on the notorious PQ17 convoy) wrote several anthologies of humourous RN signals.