B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 188; Flight Crew Total 1443; Flight Crew Type 1443
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Procedure
During pushback from gate the tug operator stated that we had a problem. He then stated that we were loose. Suspecting that we might have a breakaway I asked him if we had a breakaway. He never responded with the term 'breakaway.' His communication was confusing and non-standard. I noticed that the tug was separating away from the aircraft and then the tug operator appeared to chase the aircraft in an attempt to catch up with it. As the aircraft came to a stop the tug continued to approach the aircraft until contact was made between the tug and the aircraft. Maintenance and operations were notified and a maintenance entry was made.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737 flight crew reported they were unsure if their aircraft broke away from the towbar because the tug driver was using nonstandard verbiage.