In Royal Navy usage, a leading seaman is commonly called a killick. Sailors often use the nickname more readily than the formal rank title. The explanation connects the word to a knot on an anchor, giving the term a specifically naval origin. Killick therefore names the same rank as leading seaman in informal service speech.
Notable Point · 26:12-27:12
Why leading seamen are called killicks
A brief terminology aside explains why Royal Navy leading seamen are commonly known as killicks.