The term
gun deck originally referred to a
deck aboard a
ship that was primarily used for the mounting of
cannon to be fired in
broadsides. However, on many smaller vessels such as
frigates and
unrated vessels the
upper deck,
forecastle and
quarterdeck bore all of the cannons but were not referred to as the gun deck. The completely covered level under the upper deck was, however, still called the gun deck although it had no guns at all.
Slang
The term "gun deck" is also navy slang for fabricating or falsifying something. The origin of the term dates to the practice of painting the image of cannon ports on the side of one's ship in order to present the appearance of having more guns than a ship actually does, and thereby convincing any adversary that they were outgunned, forgoing engagement.
This term is presently used to indicate the falsification of documentation in order to avoid actually doing the work or make present conditions seem otherwise acceptable.
See also
Category:Ship compartmentsde:Batteriedeckpl:Pokład działowyru:Батарейная палубаsv:Batteridäck
