Swab

Swab may refer to:

  • Cotton swab, comprising a small wad of cotton on the end of a short rod
  • A nautical term for a yarn mop
    • By extension, a low-ranking sailor
  • In computing, the act of reordering data to compensate for Endian incompatibilities

Famous quotes containing the word swab:

    “Look Johnny, Spig just joined the Navy. I’m married to it. I run the mess hall. I swab the deck. I chip the rust. You’re afraid that they’ll kick Spig out of the Navy. I’m afraid that they won’t.”
    —Frank Fenton, William Wister Haines, co-scenarist, and John Ford. Minne Wead (Maureen O’Hara)

    “He’d strangle on his own spit if he didn’t have me around here to swab his throat out for him.”
    —Daniel Taradash (b. 1913)