B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 114; Flight Crew Total 8848; Flight Crew Type 7361
Communication Breakdown; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Upon taxi out; Ground Control issued us a clearance to taxi via 'B' and 'D' to Runway 4L. At that time there were multiple aircraft taxiing in the ramp area. Shortly thereafter; Ground then issued a clearance to a 767 on 'B' holding short of 'K' to 'give way to the Guppy; and taxi to 4L.' EWR Ground control's nonstandard phraseology of referring to a 737 colloquially as a 'guppy' has the potential to cause confusion and an increased potential for a deviation or incident due to misunderstanding.
B737 First Officer reported nonstandard clearance terminology use by Newark Ground Control may result in confusion.