Middle watch is a naval term that refers to a specific period of time during overnight shifts. It's the period between midnight and 4 a.m. on a ship. Interestingly, there are several other ways to describe this time period. For instance, it's sometimes called the "dog watch," "graveyard watch," "midnight watch," or the "second watch." Each of these synonyms serves to describe the same time period, but they may be used in different naval contexts or by different individuals based on personal preference. Regardless of the wording used, the middle watch is an essential part of overnight ship navigation.