Answers I've gotten in the past have usually had some sort of Naval connection, but have ranged from bastard children in foreign ports of call, to wives literally giving birth beneath the guns aboard British Naval ships.
132839
Son of a gun \nMeaning\n\nA rogue or scamp - "you are naughty, you old son of a gun". Also used, although this is uncommon outside the USA, as a euphemism for 'son of a bitch'. Some say that the origin is 'son of a military man'. This explanation is disputed (see below) but, correct or not, the phrase is no longer used to convey that meaning. \n\nOrigin\n\nThere is dispute amongst etymologists about the origin of this phrase. As always, disputes only occur where there is no definitive evidence so, as you might guess, there is conflicting circumstantial evidence. I'll put the sources here and let you decide for yourself.\n\nThe two points of view are primarily these:\n\nThe phrase originated as 'son of a military man' (i.e. a gun). The most commonly repeated version in this strand is that the British Navy used to allow women to live on naval ships. Any child born on board who had uncertain paternity would be listed in the ship's log as 'son of a gun'. While it is attestable fact that, although the Royal navy had rules against it, they did turn a blind eye to women (wives or prostitutes) joining sailors on voyages, so this version has plausibility on its side. The sources for this point of view are:\n\n- The Royal Navy Museum, who confirm that women sometimes travelled on their vessels during the age of sail.\n\n- The Sailor's Workbook; William Henry Smyth, 1867. [son of a gun is] "An epithet conveying contempt in a slight degree, and originally applied to boys born afloat, when women were permitted to accompany their husbands at sea; one admiral declared he literally was thus cradled, under the breast of a gun-carriage”. \n\n- Fighting Words, Christine Ammer, 1999- "A baby conceived during wartime. In World War I the term denoted the illegitimate offspring of servicemen."\n\n- Jon Bee, a Dictionary of the Turf, 1823, ... means 'a soldier's bastard'. \n\nThe first known printed source is The British Apollo No. 43, 1708 - "You'r a Son of a Gun". That source doesn't mention the military and Smyth's version comes 150 years later, but he was himself a Royal Navy admiral and in a better position than most to know what went on aboard naval ships. Whether or not the military/naval version is the origin it is clear that, in 1823 at least, the term was used with that meaning. \n\nCounter to that you might think it unusual that military men didn't appear to have daughters, or you may just put that down to the prevailing sexism of the time. There are several phrases including the word son, some of them quite recent: \n\nEvery mother's son \nGo on my son \nLike father, like son \nMy son the doctor \nNumber one son \nOn me 'ead, son \n\nwhereas it's difficult to think of anything other than 'don't put your daughter on the stage' for daughters. \n\n\nThe term is euphemisitic and derived as a conveniently rhyming alternative to 'son of a bitch/whore'. That term has been part of the language for centuries, certainly long enough for people to some up with a euphemism for it. Shakespeare used something like it in King Lear (1605) - "One that art nothing but the composition of a Knave, Begger, Coward, Pandar, and the Sonne and Heire of a Mungrill Bitch." \n\nAlso, other sources in print in the 19th century point to the meaning at least of the phrase as indicating contempt: \n\nBarnam Ingol. Legends, Cynotaph, 1840, "We heard the rough voice of a son of a gun Of a watchman, ‘One o'clock!’ bawling."
597164
Yes, I do see the connection, friend.  Let me explain.\n\nI will say my opinions.  Be aware that this may frighten others so be considerate.\n\nIf anyone knows about the 150,000 troops, please state what will happen.  I didn't look into this one.\n\nFor the Palestinians and Israel going head-to-head on talks over the West Bank attacks, there's also the implication of recognition for Israel and the Beast who will deceive the world.\n\nYou may wonder who is the "woman that rides the beast".  The woman who rides the beast is the great harlot, the RCC (Roman Catholic Church), and the beast is the person that resides in the Vatican.  That person will come out of the Vatican to decieve the world, speaking blasphemies against God.\n\nFor Iran's nuclear situation, think of this.  I warn you, this is much bigger than you might think and may not be accurate due to newspapers changing every now and then.  With Iran, they deny they are building nuclear weapons but are looking at ways to negotiate than following a pre-conditional trigger.  Iran has nations on the talks, hoping to negotiate.  They are Germany, UK, France, US, Russia, and China.  The six-nation talks as you would have it.  Look at the bigger picture than this.  Russia (which is known as Megog), China (known as Gog, ally of Megog), are actually Iran's allies.  Think of the books that always provide heart-throbbing suspense.  China and Russia are pulling both strings, playing both as mediators and alliies.  Russia and China may say they want to negotiate but they actually want Iran to continue to build nuclear weapons.  Remember that Russia is nostalgic of the USSR and its heydays of bloodshed, repression, communism thanks to the democratic drawbacks.  For China, they see the alliance with Iran as a way to boost the imperial power of China's military.  On a side note, Russia is secretly building their military, expanding their force.  China, on the other hand, visits US bases to see exercises being conducted.  Why?  Because our US politicans want to see what China has in their arsenal.  Would China a.k.a. Gog do it?  No.  All it comes down to this is Megog and Gog are becoming ready for their attacks.\n\nSo, keep reading the Bible and checking with news.  The prophecies will be fulfilled as said in the KJV and I believe every ounce of it even if they have not come to pass yet.\n\nIf you are not saved, do so now.  Because once this all starts, and the national ID card comes out, Satan will come out like an angel of light, trumpeting.  Everyone will take the ID card and accept him as a god.  Then afterwards, there will be mass beheadings of people who resist the card that is required to buy or sell.  There will continue other seals.  But, anyone who asks to be saved by God, God will laugh in derision because you disobeyed Him and did not listen before He wreaked all His great wrath.  I'll list the websites in my source list so you can take a look at the seven seals and the End Times Prophecies.\n\nAll of this is not good for anyone who is not saved right now.  How to get saved?\n\nLet me enclose a piece of email that will help you.\n\n----------indiebaptist email-------------\n\nThe Way Of Salvation\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAccording to God's Holy Bible, there is a place called HEAVEN and a place called HELL. The Bible tells us that every person will spend eternity in one of these places. God wants everyone to know the way to HEAVEN. The following verses from the Bible point the way . . .\n\n\nThe Reality of Sin\n\nThe Bible tells us that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). This means that ALL have fallen short of God's standard, and missed the goal. My friend, this means, "There is none righteous, no not one . . . They are all gone out of the way . . . there is none that doeth good; no not one" (Rom. 3:10,12). The good deeds
595527
i live in England,Bolton,but I come from Scotland.The last place I lived was Edinburgh.I was brought up about 10 miles from there in a little fishing village called port seton,although I have lived in prestonpans,mussleburgh,fife,tranent.If you wish to send me an e-mail Im at crystalwaterssunrise@yahoo.co.uk .   If not, thats cool,and thanks for the points.take care
583929
I got pregnant by a guy who thought was a night in shining armor (turned out to be a jerk in tin foil).  When I miscarried at 12 weeks I was devastated!  I had serious depression after that.  I stopped living in a way and was just there.  One day it dawned on me that I needed to leave if I was ever going to move on.  3 weeks later I was at Naval boot camp in Chicago.  That led to meeting my wonderful hubby and having a beautiful son.  I'm even pregnant again!  I'm no longer in the Navy because I wanted to stay at home to care for my son myself but I know that if I hadn't of joined the Navy that day, I wouldn't have the wonderful life I have now.
207163
You will find there are, but the assumption is that it's something less nice, that the man is only doing it to get immediate immigration rights and not because you are offering them a long term relationship. Even in the 1800's there were mail-order brides on the East Coast of the USA to go West.
486413
I suppose it's how extreme a form of their religion they follow. Look at the number of so called honour killings happening, where people have relationships outiside their social or religious background. It's rather worrying- i was watching it on crime watch the other night.
226148
Yes, this has happened to me several times. I have even felt things like about my family. I once had my younger sister on my mind real heavy and could not figure out why I just knew it had to do with her. Later she stopped by my house and told me that she just got married. I was floored! I knew something was up but did not know exactly what till she came to my house.
361970
Even as recently as the 19th century in Britain my wife to be would have had to have obeyed me, and done everything i told her. I could have beaten her if she disobeyed. I guess this all stems from religion. Thank goodness we have moved on.
252423
Yes, I read about it.\n\nHere's the Navy's official version:\nhttp://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq21-1.htm
515337
One such veteran, a friend of mine, has been cloned, reported mercilessly, and been deluged with derogatory remarks.\n\nI presume from people who are still being supported by mommy and daddy.
658297
The most fathererd would have to be the story not long ago about the guy who worked at the sperm bank and was making regular deposits and trading out other peoples stuff for his. Not sure on the total number's but I think it happened in the north east part of the country. I know he had so many and was found out when 2 of his kids almost got married to each other, thank god for the blood test I guess.
185517
Well, since I'm a single parent, and have no intention of ever getting married (and for the record, I have been asked twice),I have 3 tattoos,I like beer and have been known to drink wine and Scotch, I guess that's where I'm going according to some people.According to me, I'm a good person and that's all that counts.And according to Welsh superstions, a bastard child is considered lucky.
643933
I have read that it is a natural tendency to make sure that the man that is the provider to her and the children IS the biological father to those children.  It is a survival means.  A child that is known not to be the mans is not his responsibility to provide for that child and it puts the mother and the children that are his in Jeopardy  Women just couldn't go to a store and buy food.  Men were the hunters.  I hate to say it but there is also an instinct that men need to procreate many children and that's why there were more wives to give those children.  Now that times are different, we still have some of our old born instincts but we are more apt to control them because of what society deems right.
114905
Our dirt is our dirt. I'd be suprised to find anything revealing hereby a military member..past or present. I dig to vibe too...but it's too close, you know? Like someone asking about your crazy Aunt Bea.
481855
I think that you may be British, so pardon my colonial experience. Perhaps some of the civilian nurses that went into captivity when the Japanese overran everything.\nThe civilian workforce that helps out in the day to day operation of any branch is indispensable.
464147
+ I think that "nonalcoho" has it pretty well summed up, However on a much simpler scale, I once asked a young lady in Baghdad who was wearing a burka why she was walking 10 steps behind a guy who seemed to be her husband. (this was in year 2002) she turned to me and answered me in English, which surprised me, that it was because of "LANDMINES" Go figure.
489331
Most if not all of those extra men are related to them. I know sexual abuse within the family happens, but there is no reason to assume it happens among all illegal aliens.