Q&A · 3:26:48-3:27:11

Are submarines called 'she' like ships?

Yes. Submarines share the English convention of calling vessels 'she'; carrying life is the explanation offered here.

Question

Does the English-language tradition of calling ships 'she' also apply to submarines?

Short answer

Yes. Submarines share the English convention of calling vessels 'she'; carrying life is the explanation offered here.

Notes

Submarines are included in the familiar English convention of calling a ship 'she'. The explanation offered is that vessels carry life. The exchange does not establish this as the historical origin of the usage.