Nautical PDF

Nautical Trivia Booklet
Provided by Harbour Guides - www.harbourguides.com
Contents
#5 - A SHOT ACROSS THE BOWS ORIGIN
#6 - ALL ABOVE BOARD ORIGIN
#7 - ALL AT SEA ORIGIN
#8 - ANCHORS AWEIGH ORIGIN
#9 - ANY PORT IN A STORM - ORIGIN
#10 - AVAST YE VARLET ORIGIN
#11 - BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES ORIGIN
#12 - BILGE - ORIGIN
#13 - BINNACLE LIST ORIGIN
#14 - BLACK BOOK ORIGIN
#15 - BLACK SPOT - ORIGIN
#16 - BOOT CAMP ORIGIN
#17 - BOWSPRIT - DESCRIPTION
#18 - BROAD IN THE BEAM ORIGIN
#19 - BUCCANEER - ORIGIN
#20 - BY AND LARGE ORIGIN
#21 - CARRY ON THE ORIGIN
#22 - CHARLIE NOBLE ORIGIN
#23 - CHOCK A BLOCK ORIGIN
#24 - CLOSE QUARTERS ORIGIN
#25 - COME ABOUT - ORIGIN
#26 - CORSAIR
#27 - COXSWAIN THE ORIGIN
#28 - CRANKY THE ORIGIN
#29 - CROSSING THE LINE ORIGIN
#30 - CUT OF HIS JIB DEFINITION
#31 - DEAD IN THE WATER
#32 - DEAD RECKONING ORIGIN
#33 - DOGWATCH ORIGIN
#34 - DRESSING DOWN ORIGIN
#35 - DRIFTER ORIGIN
#36 - DUFFLE BAG THE ORIGIN
#37 - FATHOM OUT ORIGIN
#38 - FILIBUSTER THE ORIGIN
#39 - FIRST RATE - NAUTICAL SAYING
#40 - FITS THE BILL ORIGIN
#41 - FOGHORN - ORIGIN
#42 - FOULED ANCHOR ORIGIN
#43 - FREEZE THE BALLS OFF A BRASS MONKEY
#44 - GAFFER - ORIGIN
#45 - GARBLED - NAUTICAL SAYINGS
#46 - GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS ORIGIN
#47 - GET CLUED UP ORIGIN
#48 - GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY ORIGIN
Page 1
Contents continued..
#49 - GIVE SOMEONE A WIDE BERTH ORIGIN
#50 - GO BY THE BOARD ORIGIN
#51 - GOING OVERBOARD ORIGIN
#52 - GOOD DEAL ORIGIN
#53 - HAND OVER FIST ORIGIN
#54 - HARBOUR GUIDES NAUTICAL TRIVIA
#55 - HARD AND FAST ORIGIN
#56 - HARD UP DEFINITION
#57 - HIGH AND DRY ORIGIN
#58 - HOLY STONE ORIGIN
#59 - HOOKER ORIGIN
#60 - IN THE DOGHOUSE ORIGIN
#61 - IN THE OFFING ORIGIN
#62 - JERRY BUILT DEFINITION
#63 - JETTY - ORIGIN
#64 - JUMP THE SHARK - ORIGIN
#65 - JURY RIG - ORIGIN
#66 - KEEL OVER - NAUTICAL SAYING
#67 - KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON ORIGIN
#68 - KISS THE GUNNER'S DAUGHTER NAUTICAL SAYING
#69 - KNOW THE ROPES ORIGIN
#70 - LANDLUBBER - ORIGIN
#71 - LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
#72 - LETTER OF MARQUE - ORIGIN
#73 - LONG CLOTHES - ORIGIN
#74 - MIZZEN MAST - ORIGIN
#75 - NAIL ONES COLOURS TO THE MAST ORIGIN
#76 - NAUTICAL MILE - TRIVIA
#77 - NAUTICAL SAYING FLY BY NIGHT
#78 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS (DUTCH COURAGE)
#79 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS (JACK TAR)
#80 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS (TRUE COLOURS)
#81 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS (WHAT A STITCH UP!)
#82 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS - DOGS BODY
#83 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS - NIPPER
#84 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS A CLEAN SLATE
#85 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS A SQUARE MEAL
#86 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS CHEWING THE FAT
#87 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
#88 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS CLEAN SWEEP
#89 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS COPPER BOTTOMED
#90 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS CUT ME SOME SLACK
#91 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS DOWN THE HATCH
#92 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS FALL FOUL OF
Page 2
#93 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS FEELING BLUE
#94 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS FEELING GROGGY?
#95 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS FOOTLOOSE
#96 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS GONE BY THE BOARD
#97 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS HUNKY DORI
#98 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS LOOSE CANNON
#99 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS MONEY FOR OLD ROPE
#100 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS NO GREAT SHAKES
#101 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS PIPING HOT
#102 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS ROUND ROBIN
#103 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS THE DEVIL TO PAY
#104 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS-BROUGHT DOWN A PEG OR TWO
#105 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS-CUT AND RUN
#106 - NAUTICAL SAYINGS-THE WHOLE NINE YARDS
#107 - ON BOARD POSITIONS
#108 - ON THE FIDDLE
#109 - ON YOUR BEAMS END ORIGIN
#110 - OUT FOR A JOLLY - ORIGIN
#111 - OVERBEARING ORIGIN
#112 - OVERHAUL - NAUTICAL SAYING
#113 - PANIC STATIONS ORIGIN
#114 - PARROTS AND MONKEYS ORIGIN
#115 - PLAIN SAILING ORIGIN
#116 - POOPED THE ORIGIN
#117 - PORT AND STARBOARD ORIGIN
#118 - POSH - ORIGIN
#119 - QUARTER - ORIGIN
#120 - SCUTTLEBUTT
#121 - SEA DOG - ORIGIN
#122 - SEA-SALT THE TRUTH. NAUTICAL TRIVIA
#123 - SEVEN SEAS - ORIGIN.
#124 - SHAKE A LEG
#125 - SHIP SHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION ORIGIN
#126 - SHIVER MY TIMBERS ORIGIN
#127 - SKYSCRAPER
#128 - SLUSH FUND ORIGIN
#129 - SPLICE THE MAINBRACE - ORIGIN
#130 - STUCK BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
#131 - SUIT ORIGIN
#132 - SUN OVER THE YARDARM - ORIGIN
#133 - SWING THE LEAD - ORIGIN
#134 - TAKE ON BOARD - ORIGIN
#135 - TAKEN ABACK ORIGIN
#136 - TELL IT TO THE MARINES ORIGIN
Page 3
#137 - THE HEAD SHIPS TOILET ORIGIN
#138 - THE ORIGIN OF MAYDAY
#139 - THE ORIGIN OF RUMMAGE SALE
#140 - THE ORIGIN OF TO HAIL FROM
#141 - THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND ORIGIN
#142 - TIDE OVER ORIGIN
#143 - TO GO ON ACCOUNT - ORIGIN
#144 - TO THE BITTER END
#145 - TOE THE LINE ORIGIN
#146 - TURN A BLIND EYE ORIGIN
#147 - WIND BEFORE RAIN: NAUTICAL SAYING
#148 - WINDFALL - ORIGIN
#149 - YELLOW JACK - ORIGIN
#150 - YOU SCRATCH MY BACK ORIGIN
Page 4
A SHOT ACROSS THE BOWS ORIGIN
A SHOT ACROSS THE BOWS

Often used metaphorically in modern days, to fire a shot across the bows means to give someone
a warning. Original it was common naval practice for a ship to fire a cannon shot across the
bows of an adversarys ship to demonstrate they were ready for battle. The first mention in
print can be found in a piece from the Wisconsin Democrat dated December 1939: 'In a very
brief space we neared our victim, a large merchantman, whose appearance promised at once an
easy conquest and a rich booty. At a signal from Stamar, a shot was fired across her bows to
bring her to. She immediately hoisted a white flag.'
Page 5
ALL ABOVE BOARD ORIGIN
ALL ABOVE BOARD
The phrase used to describe something as being plain to see, with nothing to hide or as
truthful stems from a bit of nautical trickery practiced by warships and pirates alike. With
such large crews on board it was common for ships within view of another vessels telescope to
keep most of the men out of sight. At a distance they could possibly appear to be a peaceful
merchant ship with only a small crew that offered no threat. All but a handful of the crew
would be kept behind the bulwarks, or below the top deck. However a captain with nothing to
hide would have all his crew in plain view above board.
Page 6
ALL AT SEA ORIGIN
ALL AT SEA
Today the commonly used phrase All at Sea, meaning in a state of confusion, appears to make
little sense. However it dates back to the early age of sail, before accurate navigational
instruments were available. Once a ship was out of sight of land it was deemed to be at sea
and basically at risk of becoming lost. It was often used during the 18th when referring to
ships that had not returned to port.
It is unsure exactly when the all was added although the first literary reference comes from
Travel and Adventure in South-East Africa, by Frederick C. Selous 1893: 'I was rather
surprised to find that he seemed all at sea, and had no one ready to go with me.'
Page 7
ANCHORS AWEIGH ORIGIN
ANCHORS AWEIGH
Often misspelt anchors away the term used when setting off on a journey or voyage does not
mean getting away from the anchor. It is derived from the phrase weigh anchor which refers
to placing an anchors weight on the rope of chain. Sailors were fond of adding a to words
afloat, aboard, ashore, aground, adrift etc. The word aweigh was simply a continuation of the
custom.
Page 8
ANY PORT IN A STORM - ORIGIN
ANY PORT IN A STORM ORIGIN
A commonly used phrase adopted by landlubbers, any port in a storm as virtually self
explanatory. If a ship is in danger any port where you can find shelter is preferable to
sinking regardless of what might be waiting. Today it is used more widely to describe a
situation where people with problems go to the easiest place or person for help, often
resulting in things getting worse. Any way out is a good way out.
Page 9
AVAST YE VARLET ORIGIN
AVAST YE VARLET
The definitive cry of legendary ships captains has been used in countless texts, plays and
movies. Avast is a nautical command meaning to stop or desist. It is an Anglicised version of
the Middle Dutch phrase hou vast, which translates as hold fast.
Varlet originates from Old French and is a variant of vaslet or valet meaning attendant or
servant. In medieval times it was used to describe a knights page or knave. It became quite
common in storytelling and folklore for knaves/varlets to be portrayed as rascals and
scoundrels which in turn lead to the words becoming somewhat derogatory.
Avast ye Varlet therefore means Hold fast you scoundrel. Whether anyone actually shouted
it in real life it questionable. It tends to be used more for comic effect.
Page 10
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES ORIGIN
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES
When we are told to batten down the hatches it generally means that we should prepare for
trouble or find whatever means we can to protect ourselves. In the case of bad weather this
often refers to the use of sheeting to protect property or goods.
However the original meaning is far more specific and originated in the early 19th century. A
batten (as most of you will know) is a strip of wood. When a ships crew were expecting bad
weather they would use battens (and caulking) as added protection against water thrown onto
the ships decks. This would prevent it running below deck via the hatches into their quarters.
Early recorded uses of the term in print include:
Domestic Amusements, John Badcock, 1823 - 'The severity of the climate having
Chambers Journal 1883 - 'Batten down the hatches - quick, men.'
Page 11
BILGE - ORIGIN
BILGE - ORIGIN
Bilge is the lowest point of a ships interior. The first place that was going to show signs
of leakage and considered to be the filthiest, dank and musty place aboard. Often the home of
bilge rats the term bilge has become a term used to describe people talking rubbish.
Page 12
BINNACLE LIST ORIGIN
BINNACLE LIST
The stand on which a ships compass was mounted was called the binnacle. During the 18Century
a list of crew members unable to report for duty was given to the officer or mate on watch.
The list was then kept at the binnacle. Hence the sick-list became The Binnacle List.
Page 13
BLACK BOOK ORIGIN
BLACK BOOK
Getting listed in someones Black Book nowadays isnt a patch on what was written in them
during the 1300s. Back then the Black Book of the Admiralty was a list of maritime laws and
conduct, the punishment section of which proves very harsh reading indeed. For instance if you
were caught repeatedly sleeping during a watch you could face drowning, starvation or, at
best, marooning. Other punishments included whipping, clubbing and keel hauling. Blimey!
Page 14
BLACK SPOT - ORIGIN
BLACK SPOT
The original black spot was method by which pirates made death threats. Made famous in Robert
Louis Stevensons classic adventure novel Treasure Island it was simply a small piece of paper
marked on one side with a black smudge, and often a specific threat written on the other side.
Page 15
BOOT CAMP ORIGIN
BOOT CAMP
The name for cadet training schools first came into use during the Spanish-American War.
Sailors leggings were known as boots which quickly became the nickname for a Navy or Marine
recruit. So logically these rookies were trained in boot camps
Page 16
BOWSPRIT - DESCRIPTION
BOWSPRIT
The bowsprit is a pole that extends from the front of a sailing vessel and is used as an
anchor point for smaller navigational sails. Famously Blackbeards head was hung from the
bowsprit as a trophy.
Page 17
BROAD IN THE BEAM ORIGIN
BROAD IN THE BEAM

The somewhat derogatory phrase used to describe someone who has wide hips or buttocks
originates from the nautical term for the widest point of a ship the beam or beame.
Although the phrase dates back at least to the 1620s the figurative use did not come into
play until the 20th Century as in an early citation from Hugh Walpole's Hans Frost, 1929, 'He
stood watching disgustedly Bigges' broad beam.'
Page 18
BUCCANEER - ORIGIN
BUCCANEER
Buccaneers were originally hunters of pigs and cattle on the island of Hispanola but were
driven off by the Spanish. They became privateers and fought against the Spanish in the
Atlantic and Caribbean eventually resorting to piracy and gaining notoriety for hard drinking
and cruelty.
Page 19
BY AND LARGE ORIGIN
BY AND LARGE
The phrase used to mean all things considered has its roots in the days of sail. The word
large is used to describe the wind when it is blowing from a compass point behind the ships
direction of movement. When the wind blows in that direction the largest square sail can be
set and the ship can travel in any downwind direction.
By was a term that sailors used to mean in the general direction of. For instance to be
by the wind would mean the ship was facing into the wind or within six compass points of it.
Sailing into the wind was facilitated by the use of triangular sails.
19th century windjammers like the Cutty Sark were required to be able to sail by and large
even in bad weather. The phrase eventually adopted the figurative meaning to describe a
situation where all possibilities have been considered.
Page 20
CARRY ON THE ORIGIN
CARRY ON
The phrase used to mean continue with what you are doing stems for a nautical term used when
ships were sail driven. The officer of the deck kept a constant eye on the weather so they
could recognise the slightest change in wind conditions. The sails would be reefed or added as
necessary ensuring the quickest headway. If a good breeze came along the crew were ordered to
hoist every bit of sail the yards could carry or too carry on.
Page 21
CHARLIE NOBLE ORIGIN
CHARLIE NOBLE
The nickname for the smoke stack of a ships galley originated around 1850. The story goes that
when a British merchant captain Charles Noble discovered that the smokestack was made of
copper he ordered that it be kept bright. The crew then began to refer to it as Charley
Noble.
Page 22
CHOCK A BLOCK ORIGIN
CHOCK A BLOCK
This has nothing to do with cramming blocks into a chocolate box. The term Chock a Block,
meaning absolutely full to capacity, is derived from nautical term for a position when two
blocks of tackle come together therefore allowing for no further movement.
Page 23
CLOSE QUARTERS ORIGIN
CLOSE QUARTERS
The phrase used to described being in close contact or very close to, usually used when
describing combat of some kind, stems from the term close fight. During the 17th Century
barriers were laid across the decks of ships to provide a safe haven from the enemy these were
called close fights. By the middle of the following century the term had changed to close
quarters which actually meant closed dwellings. However the association with hand to hand
fighting lead to close quarters being used as it still is today.
Page 24
COME ABOUT - ORIGIN
COME ABOUT.
Yet another everyday phrase that has its origins in nautical terminology. Coming about was
often used tactically during naval conflict. It is actually a technical term used when sailing
against the wind but was adopted by sailors in combat when a ship was heading away from the
enemy and turned back to face them. This was a surprise tactic. The phrase eventually became
the norm when describing something that has happened which is unexpected.
Page 25
CORSAIR
CORSAIR
The term corsair was used between the 16th and 19th centuries for Christian and Muslim
privateers in the Mediterranean. The Barbary Corsairs came from North African States and were
often hired by Muslim nations to attack Christian vessels. The Christian Corsairs, also known
as The Maltese Corsairs, took their orders from the Knights of St. John and were mainly
involved in attacks against the Turks.
Page 26
COXSWAIN THE ORIGIN
COXSWAIN
Today a coxswain refers to the helmsman of any boat but this wasnt always the case. The name
dates back to at least 1463 and was originally cockswain. It meant the first swain (servant
boy) in charge of the small cockboat (or cock) that was used to row the captain to and from
toe ship.
Page 27
CRANKY THE ORIGIN
CRANKY
The word used to describe someone as being irritable stems from a mispronunciation of the
Dutch word krengd or crank. A crank was an unstable ship or sailing vessel. Usually the
problem was down to bad design, imbalanced cargo or a lack of ballast. This would cause the
vessel to heel too far to the wind.
Page 28
CROSSING THE LINE ORIGIN
To cross the line or go too far actually has nothing to do with the legendary rut scratched
in the dust with a boot heal during a confrontation. It is in fact based on an ancient
nautical ritual that is still practiced today. When a sailor, crew member or passenger crossed
the equator for the first time it was traditional to hold a ceremony to which King Neptune and
various other mythological characters participated. Today the pagan trimmings have all but
been dispatched and have been replaced by a booze fuelled celebration that inevitably ends
with a very bad hangover indeed.
Page 29
CUT OF HIS JIB DEFINITION
CUT OF HIS JIB
The slang term to describe a persons facial appearance or personality is derived from the
eighteenth century method for determining the nationality of a ship from a distance. This was
done by checking the number and shape of its jib sails. For instance French ships often had
two small jibs whereas Spanish ships had one small jib or none at all.
Jib was also sailors slang for face and therefore someone saying 'I dont like the cut of his
jib' could mean they were suspicious of them.
Page 30
DEAD IN THE WATER
Pretty obvious that this term has nautical origins. The phrase used to describe a project that
is going nowhere or has come to a standstill is derived from the phrase used by mariners to
describe being becalmed. When there was no wind to fill the sails the ship was said (and still
is today) to be dead in the water.
Page 31
DEAD RECKONING ORIGIN
DEAD RECKONING
The phrase to described estimating a course of events or position stems from the sixteenth
century when mariners would plot a course based on the last known position, time, compass
course and present speed. However this method did not allow for unknown variables such as wind
speed and direction, currents and drift. Of course this meant continued use of the process
produced cumulative errors.
Originally the method was called deduced reckoning which became ded, ded, and eventually
dead.
Page 32
DOGWATCH ORIGIN
DOGWATCH
Dogwatch takes place between 4 and 6pm and 6 and 8pm. They are only 2hrs long so the same
crewmen are not on duty at the same time each afternoon. There are several theories about the
origins of the name including: that it is a corruption of dodge watch and that it is
associated with the term dog-sleep used to describe the fitful sleep of sailor as the watch is
a stressful one. What we do know is that the term has been used since at least 1700.
Page 33
DRESSING DOWN ORIGIN
DRESSING DOWN
To give someone a dressing down generally means a reprimand or telling of for inefficiency or
poor behaviour leading to some kind of failure. As always with phrases featured in this
section of the site the term is of nautical origin and refers to the temporary repair of sails
that had worn thin. To increase their efficiency they were treated with wax or, as it was
called in bygone days, dressed down.
Page 34
DRIFTER ORIGIN
DRIFTER
The term used for someone who is essentially homeless and spends his/her life wandering from
place to place comes from the Middle English word drifte meaning to float. Sailors used the
word to describe things that had gone missing overboard or had come undone from its mooring.
The modern version of drifte is, of course, adrift.
Page 35
DUFFLE BAG THE ORIGIN
DUFFLE BAG
The name given to Sailors personal effects is derived from the Flemish town of Duffel, near
Antwerp where they made rough woollen cloth which was used to in the manufacture of sailors
clothing. Hence the bags that sailors used to carry their belongings were named Duffel Bags or
Duffle Bags.
Page 36
FATHOM OUT ORIGIN
FATHOM OUT
The term used to describe working something out from the facts is derived from the use of the
measurement fathom which was the distance from finger tip to finger tip (approx 6ft). To
ascertain the depth of the water below a ship a weighted rope was used with knots tied at six
feet intervals. This simple method of calculation was known as fathoming out.
Page 37
FILIBUSTER THE ORIGIN
Filibuster
The political term to delay or obstruct the passage of legislation by hijacking parliament by
relentless speech making is actually derived from the old English name for Buccaneers. It came
from the Dutch word for freebooter vrybuiter which was then translated into French as
flibustier which in turn was mispronounced by the English as filibuster.
Page 38
FIRST RATE - NAUTICAL SAYING
FIRST RATE - NAUTICAL SAYING
The ultimate term for excellence stems from the sixteenth century right up until there were
steam powered ships of war.
Basically British ships were rated according to the number of heavy guns (cannons) they had on
board. Frigates, that carried between 20 to 48 cannons where rated fifth or sixth... Fourth
rate had 50 to 60 guns... Third rate was 64 to 89 guns (therein another saying). Second rate
90 t0 98 guns (and another saying). First rate meant 100 guns or more and therefore considered
the strongest of the fleet... which, as we all know, wasnt always the case... but is still
used as a term for a standard of excellence.
Page 39
FITS THE BILL ORIGIN
FITS THE BILL
The phrase used to describe something that is just what is required is derived from the Bill
of Lading. This was an inventory of goods received and a promise to deliver in the same
condition signed by the captain of a merchant ship. When the ship reached its destination the
cargo would be confirmed according to the bill.
Page 40
FOGHORN - ORIGIN
FOGHORN - ORIGIN
Fog signalling has been used for hundreds of years. Initially vessels used bells, gongs and
whistles. Some lighthouses actually set of small cannons periodically to warn away ships.
During the mid 19th century the foghorn was developed first by Trinity House using a
gun-cotton charge that had to be replaced every five minutes. Clockwork systems were also
invented for striking bells.
Although Captain James William Newton claimed to be the inventor of fog signalling using loud
and low notes the first automated steam powered foghorn was developed by Robert Foulis. The
Scotsman, who emigrated to Canada said he heard his daughter playing the piano in the distance
on a foggy night and noticed that the low notes were more audible than the high notes. The
first of his foghorns was installed on Partridge Island in 1859.
Subsequent systems include the coal powered Daboll Trumpet, which was used until the mid 20th
century and the Diaphone which utilised an organ stop device.
Page 41
FOULED ANCHOR ORIGIN
FOULED ANCHOR
The subject of a million and more tattoos, the fouled anchor is possibly the most iconic
nautical image in the world. The insignia of a anchor entwined in rope or chain has been used
for over 500years and has its origins in British naval Service traditions.
In the late 16th Century the fouled anchor was adopted as the official seal of Lord Admiral
Charles Lord Howards of Effingham. It had already been used by the Lord High Admiral of
Scotland a hundred years earlier. The anchor itself was used as a heraldic device in ancient
British coats of arms and more recently made famous by 20century cartoon icon Popeye whos
forearms adorned ink impressions of anchors.
Page 42
FREEZE THE BALLS OFF A BRASS MONKEY
Theres absolutely no denying the fact that weve reached that time of year when the mornings
feel cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey. Ouch! It does sound painful doesnt
it? In reality if the balls were frozen off a brass monkey it could have well proved painful.
Thats if you were standing too close to one when the balls fell off and broke your foot.
As with so many old sayings this one doesnt quite translate into modern language. Thats
because the phrase has nothing to with the freeze-dried emasculation of some surreal (or
indeed extinct) alloy species of simian. A brass monkey was in fact a rack used on gun ships
during the Napoleonic wars to store cannon balls. When the temperature dropped to around
freezing the brass would contract thus causing the cannon balls to fall onto the gun deck.
Go tell that to a Viz reader.
Page 43
GAFFER - ORIGIN
GAFFER ORIGIN
A gaff was and is a commonly used word for an important pole, be it for fishing or for
hoisting a mast. Basically a length of timber that was in charge of whatever goal you were
aiming for. Hence the term gaffer, which means boss.
Page 44
GARBLED - NAUTICAL SAYINGS
GARBLED NAUTICAL SAYINGS
We all get garbled messages from time to time and know exactly what the word garbled means -
hard to decipher, mixed up, veering on nonsense. The word actually sounds exactly like its
meaning. Where does that word come from... the sea of course. Garbling was the illegal
practice of mixing up waste and rubbish with a ships cargo. If a vessels cargo was garbled
there would be a hefty fine or, in the case of foodstuffs, the cargo could have been deemed
unfit to land. The term was eventually adopted by radio operators to describe mixed up message
due to distorted signals and then passed down into common language.
Page 45
GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS ORIGIN
GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS

This expression (also edgewise) was first coined in the 19th century and was derived from
the nautical practice of proceeding edge first or making small tacking movements to make
progress. So naturally when someone is hogging a conversation or debate the best way to get
your own point across is to proceed carefully, taking advantage of the smallest of
opportunities to speak.
An early example of its use appears in the one-act play Twelve precisely! or, A night at
Dover, 1821: Curse me, if I can get a word in edgeways!
Page 46
GET CLUED UP ORIGIN
GET CLUED UP
Apparently this oft used phrase has little to do with any cerebral stimulation to gain
insight. The word clue is actually derived from the name for the corner of a sail clew.
There was a brass ring in the clew to which a clew line was fastened to hold the sail in
place. If the clew became damaged then the ship had to remain where it was until the damage
was repaired. Hence get clued up.
Page 47
GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY ORIGIN
GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY
The most accepted origin of the phrase used to describe getting down to the harsh realities or
the bottom of an issue remains disputed and somewhat controversial. Which is understandable as
it is associated with the British slave trade of the 18th century and was first used at the
ports of Liverpool and Bristol. It even became the centre of media debate following a tabloid
report following the 'equality and diversity' course for Bristol Council employees in 2005
which led to a proposal that Penny Lane in Liverpool (named after slave-trader James Penny)
should be renamed.
The term nitty gritty allegedly referred to the unimportant debris left at the bottom of
slave ships after the human cargo had been removed. It has been suggested that the term was
extended to refer to the slaves themselves; in particular those that were left below board
because they were considered worthless to traders, meaning they were sick or dead. It is also
suggested that nitty gritty was a nautical variation of the word nigger used by sailors on
slave ships from different countries.
Page 48
GIVE SOMEONE A WIDE BERTH ORIGIN
GIVE SOMEONE A WIDE BERTH
The phrase for keeping your distance from someone for whatever reason is derived from the
practice of positioning ships at anchor with enough space between them so as to prevent them
colliding if they swung in high winds or strong currents.Hence the saying 'To give someone a
wide Berth'.
Page 49
GO BY THE BOARD ORIGIN
GO BY THE BOARD
Dating back to the 17th century the board referred to here is the decking of a ship. Things
that had fallen by the board had generally crossed the deck to do so rather than simply
fallen, or been thrown, overboard. For example: 'In this fight their Reare-Admirals Maine Mast
was shot by the boord.' John Taylor's Works. 1603.
This appears to be confirmed in The Sailor's Word-book: An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical
Terms, 1865: 'By the board. Over the ship's side. When a mast is carried away near the deck
it is said to go by the board.'
The figurative use of the word meaning finished with originated in the early to mid 19th
century as is confirmed in this citation from The Gettysburg Republican Compiler, November
1837: 'Those banks that do not resume speedily will go by the board.'
Page 50
GOING OVERBOARD ORIGIN
GOING OVERBOARD
Its not entirely clear when the phrase going overboard took on its figurative meaning but
it was first cited in the 1930s buy New York writer Damon Runyon, which makes sense. To
associate extreme enthusiasm for something with abandoning ship fits his world perfectly.
Basically going overboard means risking economic, domestic or social suicide. In the world
of fast living that the author wrote about it was par for the course. But its certainly not
recommended.
Page 51
GOOD DEAL ORIGIN
GOOD DEAL
Todays interpretation of the word deal stems from card playing a good deal is connected with
potential cash rewards. Originally the word deal referred to a length of timber cut for ship
building. Timbers used for this purpose had to be perfect. Any defect rendered a plank a
potential hazard. Planks that were free of knots, cracks or rotten areas were branded good
deals. Hence a good deal means something of quality that will do the job properly rather like
a decent hand in poker.
Page 52
HAND OVER FIST ORIGIN
HAND OVER FIST
Usually used in reference to making money quickly the term hand over fist stems from the
original phrase hand over hand which is clearly associated with pulling or climbing ropes.
The term dates back to at least the start of 18th century and an early citation can be found
in the Royal Societys Philosophical Transactions 1736: A lusty young Man attempted to go
down (hand over hand, as the Workmen call it) by means of a single Rope.
However hand over fist seems to have been used as a more figurative version with allusions
to speed as in William Glascocks The naval sketchbook 1825: The French ... weathered our
wake, coming up with us, hand over fist, in three divisions. Probably the earliest citation
to use the term in reference to making a fast buck can be found in Seba Smiths The Life and
Writings of Major Jack Downing 1833:'They... clawed the money off of his table, hand over
fist.'
Page 53
HARBOUR GUIDES NAUTICAL TRIVIA
OVER THE BARREL

Many moons ago the most common form of punishment aboard a ship was flogging. The Sailor
receiving the punishment would quite often be tied over the barrel of a deck cannon obviously
in an uncompromising position. Hence the phrase youve got me over a barrel
SON OF A GUN
When ships were in port and the crew of sailors was confined to the boat for lengthy periods
of time, wives and ladies of easy virtue were permitted to stay aboard with their fellers.
Occasionally children were born on the ship and one of the most convenient places to give
birth was between the guns on the gun deck. If the father of the child was not known the entry
on the ships log would read Son of a gun
If you have any bits of trivia, funny sailing stories or sailing news that you would like to
send us, please do and we will credit you with them
Page 54
HARD AND FAST ORIGIN
HARD AND FAST

The phrase used to describe a rule that is rigidly adhered to or a truth that is beyond doubt
or debate originates from the nautical term used to describe a ship that is firmly beached on
shore. In other words a ship that is essentially immovable. By the early 19th century it had
taken on its figurative meaning and entered into popular use.
Page 55
HARD UP DEFINITION
HARD UP
The term for describing someones financial distress has nothing to do with money whatsoever.
It stems from phrase used to describe the position of a ships helm when turned windward. Thus
immense stress upon the vessel caused by this was referred to as being hard up
Page 56
HIGH AND DRY ORIGIN
HIGH AND DRY
Pretty self explanatory this one and means exactly what it says on the tin. Saying that
someone or something is high and dry, meaning stranded with little hope of help or recovery
originates from the term used to describe ships that were beached. The use of the word dry
suggests they had been out of the water for some time and would probably remain so.
The phrases first reported use in print was in the Ship News column of The Times in August
1796:
The Russian frigate Archipelago, yesterday got around the Nore at high water, which; when the
tide ebbed, left her nearly high and dry.
Page 57
HOLY STONE ORIGIN
HOLY STONE
The name given to soft sandstone is not, as many believe, due to its use in the construction
of primitive places of worship. It is in fact a bit of nautical slang with a double barrel
origin.
Soft sandstone was often used to scrub a ships deck, a much despised task which meant that
sailors were forced to kneel as if in prayer for long periods... they would of course joke
that they were praying that the task would end. The stone was also full of holes a property
that help to enhance the joke and surely caused many a sailor to forget his aching back in
favour of aching sides from laughing.
Page 58
HOOKER ORIGIN
HOOKER
It has nothing to do with predatory ladies of the night. Indeed this term for a female
employed in the oldest trade in the world is derived from an eighteenth century Dutch fishing
boat. These tubby little boats were robust working boats that tended to look somewhat worse
for wear or well used. Hence British sailors adopted the name to describe prostitutes who
although they had been around for a good while was still serviceable. Nice.
Page 59
IN THE DOGHOUSE ORIGIN
IN THE DOGHOUSE
Being in the dog house dates back to the days of slave trading. The holds of ships carrying
human cargo from Africa to the USA were modified to become enormous dormitories. This left
little if any room below deck for crew members to sleep. This was solved by building kennel
style huts (dog houses) on the deck for sailors to use as bunks. Of course sleeping on the
upper deck in these hot humid and somewhat air-free hutches was very unpleasant. Hence getting
into an uncomfortable situation became referred to as being in the dog house.
Page 60
IN THE OFFING ORIGIN
IN THE OFFING
When something is likely to happen soon it is said to be in the offing. The origin for this
phrase is relatively straight forward and, as all things Harbour Guides is a nautical term.
The offing refers to the sea just beyond the shoreline that stretches to the horizon. Look
outs on the shore would first catch sight of approaching ships when they were in the offing.
They were usually expected to reach dock before the next tide hence their arrival was
inevitably going to be very soon.
Page 61
JERRY BUILT DEFINITION
JERRY BUILT
There are a few explanations for this phrase. Mostly stem from a mythological ship builder or
ship building company based on Merseyside during the 19th century. The most probably origin
comes from the term jury which meant temporary or makeshift as in jury-mast. A Jury mast
was constructed as a means to getting back to port when a ships mast was damaged. Maybe it was
down to the French this time mispronouncing and English phrase!
Page 62
JETTY - ORIGIN
JETTY - ORIGIN
Jetty refers to a variety of structures (usually made of timber but can also be built of stone
or concrete depending on purpose) used in rivers, estuaries, lakes, docks and maritime works.
They can be used for directing currents or accommodating vessels. Also known as wharfs they
project out from the shore into deeper waters often to form a pathway at the end of which
boats can be moored to enable easy boarding or transfer of goods and cargo.
The term jetty is derived from the French word jete which means thrown or projected ie;
something that has been thrown out into the water.
Page 63
JUMP THE SHARK - ORIGIN
JUMP THE SHARK ORIGIN
The idiom Jump The Shark, meaning the moment in time when a TV show (and more recently a
brand, design of any creative effort) begins to decline in quality beyond recovery was first
coined by American radio personality and webmaster John Hein.
It is actually a direct reference to the first episode of the fifth season of American TV show
Happy Days called Hollywood Part 3. It was originally aired in the States on September 20
1977 and the central characters were visiting LA. The shows main man Fonzie (played by Henry
Winkler) takes on a challenge to ski jump over a confined shark, which he does successfully
wearing trunks and his trademark leather jacket. The stunt was actually performed by the actor
to show off his real-life water skiing skills.
The sequence was deemed a desperate gimmick by fans and critics alike and the show had
become a caricature of itself and went into creative decline - though it ran for another seven
years with an ever changing cast. Hein published a list of 200 TV shows he believed had
Jumped the Shark and has published to successful Jump the Shark books. The phrase has
since been widely embraced by popular culture.
Page 64
JURY RIG - ORIGIN
JURY MAST/ JURY RIG - ORIGIN
Jury mast or rig refers to a replacement mast of makeshift repairs made to a mast when it has
been damaged. The word jury is thought to have derived from the Old French word ajurie
meaning help or relief. What is certain the term jury rigged has been used at least
since 1788 whilst jury has been used in reference to being makeshift or temporary since at
least 1616 when it appeared in John Smiths A Description of New England.
Page 65
KEEL OVER - NAUTICAL SAYING
KEEL OVER
The phrase to describe a person collapsing either physically or mentally is derived from the
nautical term for a vessel capsizing. Hence the keel would move over and above the water and
the ship, boat or yacht would be upside down, in great peril. If a person keels over he or she
is either sick, drunk, in terrible trouble or, at worst, dead.
Page 66
KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON ORIGIN
KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON

In bygone days shirts were a pretty expensive item of clothing. When a sailor decided to fight
someone he would always take his shirt of prior to the commencement of fisticuffs. Hence a
phrase used by those attempting to calm the situation was keep your shirt on. The phrase has
long since become common-place for meaning to keep calm and under control.
Page 67
KISS THE GUNNER'S DAUGHTER NAUTICAL SAYING
KISS THE GUNNERS DAUGHTER - NAUTICAL SAYING
An old slang term for a form of corporal punishment aboard a ship, where the offender was bent
over the barrel of a gun to be beaten with a cane or cat o nine tails.
Page 68
KNOW THE ROPES ORIGIN
KNOW THE ROPES

A pretty straightforward one this. The phrase commonly used to describe someone as knowing his
job or being skilled at something is derived from seasoned seamen. The first thing that
sailors were taught at sea was how to deal with rigging. They would be shown the various knots
etc. This was called learning the ropes. Hence when a sailor was accustomed to the business of
rigging he was said to know the ropes.
Simples x
Page 69
LANDLUBBER - ORIGIN
LANDLUBBER
The term used, often insultingly, to describe a person more at home on dry land than at sea is
often, and mistakenly, thought to be a distortion of land lover. In truth lubber is an old
slang word that means clumsy or uncoordinated. Hence land lubber really means someone who is
awkward or uncomfortable at sea.
Page 70
LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG

To be truthful I dont get the relevance of this phrase to its modern interpretation. Letting
the cat out of the bag basically means revealing a secret. The cat refers to the cat o nine
tails, which was the ships whip, used to flog unruly sailors. Said cat was kept in a cloth
bag that was brought on deck for the floggings. So it was hardly a secret. Maybe it is all
about sailors who were on the verge of becoming mutinous or the like and began plotting. Went
on to talk to the wrong guy and were subsequently dobbed in. Hence the cat was let out of
the bag That makes sense to me. Nasty though it is.
Page 71
LETTER OF MARQUE - ORIGIN
LETTER OF MARQUE
A Letter of Marque was a document given to a privateer or corsair that gave them amnesty from
piracy laws if the plundered vessels were of an enemy nation. Of course the plunder was then
eligible for tax but, nonetheless, the privateers still earned an awful lot more than any
sailor serving in any Navy. It was a risky business but highly profitable. Today the term is
usually associated with businessmen, politicians, bankers who manage to legitimise dodgy
dealings via wily lawyers and spin.
Page 72
LONG CLOTHES - ORIGIN
LONG CLOTHES
Long clothes was a derogatory term for a landlubber. Sailors clothing had to be reasonably
tight to ensure it didnt get in the way whilst climbing the rigging or hauling ropes and
chains (and especially during battle). Landsmen could quite happily wear baggy trousers, coats
and stockings. Officers also were also quite a liberty to enjoy this luxury but those who did
were not respected by the crew hence the traditional portrayal of bad ships captains and
pirates in flamboyant dress.
Page 73
MIZZEN MAST - ORIGIN
MIZZEN MAST ORIGIN
The mizzen mast is the third mast from the bow on a ship that has three or more masts. It is
also the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch or dandy. The name is derived from several
sources - Middle English mesan, from Old French misaine, Old Spanish mezana or Old Italian
mezzana, all ultimately from Latin medianus meaning of the middle.
Page 74
NAIL ONES COLOURS TO THE MAST ORIGIN
.Commonly used when describing someone who is determined to get what he or she wants make that
intention very clear, nailing ones colours to the mast means exactly what it says on the
page. During battle it was traditional for enemies to attempt to seize flags or colours from
each others ships. Therefore flags were often literally nailed to the mast to make them
difficult to extricate and symbolize the crews resolve never to surrender.
Page 75
NAUTICAL MILE - TRIVIA
NAUTICAL MILE - TRIVIA
A nautical mile is a measurement used internationally. It is based on the 360 degrees around
the equator. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes and each minute of the circumference
equals one nautical mile. Therefore the measurement of speed across a body of water, called
the knot, means nautical miles per hour.
Page 76
NAUTICAL SAYING FLY BY NIGHT
FLY BY NIGHT
Most people think that the term fly by night means someone who will turn up to do something
only to have disappeared by nightfall, usually after being paid for a job half finished. May
be so but a fly-by-night was also a large sail used only in specific wind conditions. The
fly-by-night was employed instead of the usual collection of smaller sails, making it easier
to manage. It could also only be used when sailing downwind and, more or less, the only time
it would be used was during the night when most of the crew were asleep below.
Page 77
NAUTICAL SAYINGS (DUTCH COURAGE)
IT WAS THE DRINK!

The phrase Dutch courage, which as we all know means alcohol induced bravery, was originally
considered rather insulting. It came into use in the 17th Century during the Anglo-Dutch wars
along with other similar phrases such as go Dutch, Dutch uncle and double Dutch. Based
on British propaganda circulated at the time it was claimed that Dutch sailors and troops were
cowards and could only be coaxed into fighting through the administration of large amounts of
schnapps. Of course history has shown that many famous battles have been fought and won by
armies and navies fired up on strong liquor quite a few of them by the British actually!
Page 78
NAUTICAL SAYINGS (JACK TAR)
I bet you have asked yourself this question countless times. Why on earth are sailors
referred to as Jack Tar? The answer is. There is no straight answer although it does seem to
have something to do with tar. During the years of the British Empire the name Jack Tar was
widely used by landlubbers and seamen alike. It was certainly not derogatory.
The easy bits Jack because like the name John, Jack has been used down the years as a name
for someone of unknown identity. Basically something you can call anyone. Obviously it isnt
done as much today as we call everyone mate (but thats another nautical story)
As for the tar part. Well its true that tar was used extensively aboard wooden ships as a
sealant and general waterproofing material. So there we have a connection. Seamen often used
tar to waterproof their clothes prior to setting sail. They also used to soak rigging rope in
tar as it was made from hemp and tended to rot in damp conditions. They would end their days
with their hands covered in the stuff. Both these explanations sound plausible. But by far the
most common is that, in the absence of a ships barber, sailors would plait their hair and
smear it with high grade tar to prevent it getting caught in a ships equipment. This practice
was still carried on during the early 20th century.
Nowadays they just make seamen get their hair cut.
Page 79
NAUTICAL SAYINGS (TRUE COLOURS)
THE TRUTH ABOUT COLOURS

According to Cyndi Lauper true colours are beautiful like a rainbow. As we all know the
phrase is rarely used in the context of something beautiful. Indeed it usually refers to the
discovery of something unsavoury or dark about an individual. And the alleged origins of the
saying be more in accordance with the latter.
Ships of old, in particular warships often had on board flags of many nations as a means of
deception. However the rules of engagement called for all vessels to fly their true national
emblem before they were permitted to open fire on an enemy. More underhand captains would
sometimes have the flag of their enemy flying whilst entering a war zone and as soon as they
were within firing range they would swap the flag for their true national colours. Hardly a
beautiful thing to do.
Cyndi you live in a fantasy world!
Page 80
NAUTICAL SAYINGS (WHAT A STITCH UP!)
We all love to put a complicated job to bed. There is something distinctly satisfying about
getting something well and truly finished or all sewn up as we like to say. But to be honest
Im not sure any of us would actually like to have to finish the job that that seemingly
straightforward phrase 'All Sewn Up' is derived from. You guessed it we are not talking
tailors!
All sewn up. harks back to the days when it was distinctly unhealthy to keep the dead bodies
aboard a ship, especially in warmer climates. Burial at sea was the norm more for health and
safety reasons than anything our latter day rituals would suggest. It was far more gruesome.
The bodies of sailors unfortunate enough to die from disease or get killed on the high seas
were invariably sewn into a length of sail canvas. The canvas was stitched from toe to head
with the final stitch piercing the deceaseds nose. They were then unceremoniously dispatched
to the briny with cannonballs attached to the makeshift shroud to make sure they sank thus
replicating a decent burial.
Nice!
Page 81
NAUTICAL SAYINGS - DOGS BODY
ITS A DOGS LIFE SORT OF!

With the world recession and the credit crunch putting thousands out of work, for many the
unfortunate victims even a job as a general dogsbody may start to seem appealing. But hang on
a minute. What actually is a dogsbody? We all know it refers to someone who works menially
so why would they be called a dogs body?
Apparently in bygone days aboard passenger carrying ships, leftovers from meals were often
mixed with ships biscuits to feed the lowliest staff. The mixture was nicknamed dogsbody. The
knock on effect was that not only were these poor wretches underpaid and undernourished they
were also nicknamed dogsbodies after the slop they were fed.
Page 82
NAUTICAL SAYINGS - NIPPER
The slang term for a young lad has nothing to do with the fact he may move about annoyingly
quickly or bite and pinch when he gets into a fight. Nipper was a name used aboard ships for
young boys who were employed to weave together anchor cables. Basically on larger vessels the
cables were too thick to bend around a capstan. To solve the problem a thinner, messenger line
would be attached. The process of fastening the cables together was called nipping and the
lads who did it subsequently became known a nippers.
Page 83
NAUTICAL SAYINGS A CLEAN SLATE
CLEAN SLATE
Often thought to stem from early school practices when children were issued with slate to
write on in class the phrases clean slate and wipe the slate clean, meaning a fresh start,
actually stem from nautical practice. During each watch aboard a ship a record of relevant
details would be made by the watch keeper courses, distances, speeds, tacks and any problems.
These would be written on slate tablets with chalk. If, at the end of his watch, there were no
problems to report the tablets would be wiped clean ready for the next watch
Page 84
NAUTICAL SAYINGS A SQUARE MEAL
SQUARE MEAL
To be honest the dietary needs of a sailor a couple of hundred years back was not afforded
much concern. Food aboard ship was sparse throughout the day with only the main meal in the
evening being substantial. This was served on a square tray /plate as round plates were
impractical at sea. Hence the phrase used to describe a hearty and nutritious repast is a
square meal.
Page 85
NAUTICAL SAYINGS CHEWING THE FAT
CHEWING THE FAT

It sounds like a metaphor for friendly analysis of problems or things discussed at length. And
it is. Or is it? Its a bit of a baffler this one. The origins of chewing the fat are based
in the days of pre-refrigeration, when meat was preserved by salting it. A staple of a sailors
ration was salted beef and pork and, as we all know, curing with salt means that the moisture
is drawn out of the flesh. Most food contaminations rely on water to flourish. As efficient as
salting was, it actually rendered the meat virtually inedible unless it was chewed over a long
period of time. What this has to do with todays interpretation of the phrase chewing the
fat is a bit of a puzzle to me, unless talking with your mouth full for a couple of hours was
not only acceptable back then but almost expected.
Page 86
NAUTICAL SAYINGS CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

Although there is a connection, this is not actually a piece of doctors advice saying that
someone is fit and well. It was in fact a method damage control by which ships tried to
prevent the spread for infections and diseases from port to port. Before setting sail the
captain would be issued with a certificate giving details of infections etc in that port. This
was then handed over at the next destination before the ship was allowed to dock. A clean bill
of health stated there were no infections
Page 87
NAUTICAL SAYINGS CLEAN SWEEP
CLEAN SWEEP
No it has nothing to do with brooms! The phrase often used to describe a complete change and
in more recent years an overwhelming victory is derived from a term used following rough
weather at sea. Sometimes waves swept over the decks of a ship, washing things overboard and
basically shifting about anything that was not secured. This was referred to as a clean
sweep! Geddit?
Page 88
NAUTICAL SAYINGS COPPER BOTTOMED
A TRUSTY SOLUTION TO A BORING PROBLEM

Today you could quite expect one of the UKs increasingly young subculture known as chavs to
think that referring to someone as being copper bottomed meant they were a hard ass. Hence
it is probably a phrase one should only use in more mature and literate company when
describing a fellow, lady or item that is solid and trustworthy.
As nearly always in these cases the term has a nautical history that dates back to timber
built ships and a problem with wood boring molluscs. To prevent this potentially very damaging
and dangerous nuisance in the mid eighteenth century they came up with the idea of sheathing
the hulls of ships with copper thus protecting the vessels and all who sailed on them.
Page 89
NAUTICAL SAYINGS CUT ME SOME SLACK
GIVE ME SOME SLACK

Still very much in use today and probably thought by most people as being relatively modern in
origin, the phrase give me some slack or cut me some slack (meaning make allowances to
complete something) is actually hundreds of years old. Tying a ship to a pier was no easy feat
and took two teams of men armed with mooring lines. As one line was pulled to haul the ship
closer the other line was released or given slack. The process would go on until the ship
was properly aligned.
Page 90
NAUTICAL SAYINGS DOWN THE HATCH
DOWN THE HATCH

A traditional form of toasting with an alcoholic drink, down the hatch, first came into use
during the eighteenth century. Cargoes and more specifically rum barrels were stored below
deck aboard ships and were lowered by cranes through hatches on the deck giving the impression
that the ship was actually consuming them.
Page 91
NAUTICAL SAYINGS FALL FOUL OF
FALL FOUL OF
Again, this has nothing to do with the game of football in any form. Foul was an oft used
nautical term to describe things that were considered awry. It began as a word to describe two
ships colliding, something likely to cause damage to the vessels. A foul anchor meant that
the cable was tangled and a foul bottom described a seabed where there was little if any
provision for an anchor to grip. If a vessels hull was over run in barnacles it was described
as a fouled ship. Eventually the term stretched to foul up which meant to make a mistake
through bad judgment and, logically, to to fall foul of meaning to clash with another or
fall out of favour with someone.
Page 92
NAUTICAL SAYINGS FEELING BLUE
FEELING BLUE
Popular belief would have us believe that feeling blue had something to do with a form of
early to mid 20th century African American popular music. Not so. The blues as a metaphor for
feeling down or sad actually is derived from a obsolete navy tradition. Ships returning to
home-port that had lost any officers during the voyage would do so flying blue flags and have
a blue line painted around the hull a as a mark of respect to the deceased
Page 93
NAUTICAL SAYINGS FEELING GROGGY?
Its virtually a tradition that I start the week feeling slightly groggy. But hang on a minute
what does that actually mean? The word groggy came into use during the mid 18th century.
Admiral Edward Vernon became concerned about his crews state of persistent drunkenness so in
1740 he began to dilute their daily rum ration. Soon the entire navy was doing likewise.
Vernons favourite coat was made of grogram, a course weave of wool, mohair and silk stiffened
with gum Arabic and his, understandably disgruntled crew nicknamed the admiral as Old Grog.
Eventually the name was transferred to the diluted rum itself. A sailor who had drunk too much
grog was said to be groggy.
Page 94
NAUTICAL SAYINGS FOOTLOOSE
FOOTLOOSE
No it has nothing to do with a certain 1984 Hollywood coming together of actor Kevin Bacon,
musician Kenny Loggins and movie director Herbert Ross, although it is annoyingly difficult to
get that damn song out of your head once you hear the word. And boy howdy Kev could move back
then.
The well used phrase for being free-spirited derives from a ships sail. Or more specifically,
the bottom of a ships sail, which was called the foot. I bet you can tell where this ones
going. The foot was attached to lines called foot lines. When the foot lines came loose
the sail began to flap freely and was said to be footloose.
Page 95
NAUTICAL SAYINGS GONE BY THE BOARD
GONE BY THE BOARD

It may sound like it but it has nothing to do with been sacked off by those attending a
high-powered business meeting. The phrase gone by the board is an old sea term referring to
the then traditional method of waste disposal and, on occasion, accidental loss at sea. The
board is the side of a ship. There for anything that went by it (i.e. overboard) was either
unwanted or lost.
Page 96
NAUTICAL SAYINGS HUNKY DORI
TRIVA HUNKY DORY

No the phrase for describing something as more than satisfactory does not derive from a large
masculine looking female. All though if thats what floats your boat it could probably have a
connection. Hunky Dory is actually a mispronunciation of a street frequented by sailors
visiting the port in Yokohama, Japan. Honki-Dori was a virtual cornucopia of forbidden
pleasures of the mind and body. I bet they didnt feel particularly hunky dory the next
morning.
Page 97
NAUTICAL SAYINGS LOOSE CANNON
LOOSE CANNON
We all know someone like this. But many people think that the term loose cannon, meaning
someone who is unpredictable, has something to do with men who carry guns. This is because the
phrase is used so often in westerns and crime movies etc. The phrase actually has nautical
roots. Cannons aboard a ship were very heavy and dangerous. They had to be properly secured or
else they could either become thrown around the deck during rough weather or cause injury due
to the massive recoil action during firing.
Page 98
NAUTICAL SAYINGS MONEY FOR OLD ROPE
MONEY FOR OLD ROPE

At last one of the few sayings with its basis in nautical history that is a quite literal
translation. The phrase used to describe financial gain for doing very little, actually
derives from a fact that. In old times, if a sailor landed in port short of cash he would sell
lengths of old rope that would otherwise have been discarded.
Page 99
NAUTICAL SAYINGS NO GREAT SHAKES
NO GREAT SHAKES
Another bizarre and baffling phrase. It really doesnt make sense. Unless you know that
shakes were the staves and hoops of a barrel, which on their own are worthless. With storage
space so limited aboard old ships, once a barrel was empty it was shaken, meaning dismantled
so it took up less room. The pile of staves and hoops that built up during a voyage were
referred to as the great shakes.
Page 100
NAUTICAL SAYINGS PIPING HOT
PIPING HOT
When something is served piping hot it basically means it has come more or less straight from
the hob or oven. So why piping? It is basically a reference to an old fashioned ships form
of dinner bell or gong. Rather than ring a bell or banging a gong the boatswain would pipe a
signal to announce that meals were being served.
Page 101
NAUTICAL SAYINGS ROUND ROBIN
ROUND ROBIN
The origin of the name given to a tournament where every competitor plays each other in turn
comes from seventeenth century France. If a petition was raised and it was preferred that the
first signee was not identifiable they would use a ruban rond (round ribbon) that the
petitioners would sign and attach to the document. British sailors adopted a similar method
when petitioning about grievances. The document would be signed in a way that resembled the
spokes of a wheel radiating from the hub. That way any ringleaders would be anonymous.
Page 102
NAUTICAL SAYINGS THE DEVIL TO PAY
DEVIL TO PAY
As always, Old Nick has nothing to do with this well known phrase meaning to bring about
seriously bad consequences. The original saying was the devil to pay and no pitch hot. Pay
was an old nautical term that meant to seal a ships seams with tar. As regular readers will
already know the devil was the name of the longest seam of a ship, which ran from stem to
stern and supported the gun deck. It was also the most difficult seam to reach and when
repairing a ship in dry dock sailors had to squat in the bilges to pay the devil.
Page 103
NAUTICAL SAYINGS-BROUGHT DOWN A PEG OR TWO
The phrase to take somebody down a peg or two is one of those baffling, almost surreal
sounding sayings that everyone understands but never thinks about what it actually means. If
you do it doesnt seem to make any sense. But the Harbour Guides crew refuse to let anything
lie and welcome any puzzle with great enthusiasm.
To be honest the explanation for this one is pretty straightforward.
An admirals standard was always flown at the highest point on a ships mast. It was hauled up
by a rope that was tied to one of a series of pegs. If a more senior admiral was to come
aboard then his flag would be flown in its place and the original flag would be taken down a
peg or two, which was often prone to hurt the resident admirals pride.
Page 104
NAUTICAL SAYINGS-CUT AND RUN
CUT AND RUN NO LEGS INVOLVED

As so many of these nuggets of trivia that Harbour Guides bring you, the phrase Cut and Run
is often thought to have some relationship to the escape of livestock, working animals or even
prisoners. In so much, people wrongly interpret it as meaning the cutting or snapping of some
kind of tether or restraining device that allows the animal or prisoner to leg it quickly.
In fact it is a phrase that refers to ships necessitating a hasty exit or retreat from some
kind of ocean hotbed. Be it overpowering odds during attack, a visit by marauding pirates or a
fast approaching storm. In circumstances such as these the captain would have no alternative
but to order the anchor cable to be cut to enable a hasty getaway. Later uses include the
cutting of ropes around furled sails for much the same purpose.
Page 105
NAUTICAL SAYINGS-THE WHOLE NINE YARDS
THE WHOLE NINE YARDS

No nothing to do with football played on either side of the Atlantic. Nor indeed any form of
sport whatsoever. The phrase used to describe giving it your everything is derived from square
sailed ships. The sails were supported at the top, centre and bottom by wooden yards that
were attached at right angles to the masts. When a three-masted ship sailed with all three
sails unfurled it was described at going the whole nine yards
Page 106
ON BOARD POSITIONS
ON BOARD POSITIONS
Chief Officer/Chief Mate

Second Officer /Second Mate
Third Officer / Third Mate
Cadet/Officer Cadet
Boatswain
Able seamen
Ordinary seamen
Chief Engineer
Second Engineer / First Assistant Engineer
Third Engineer / Second Assistant Engineer
Fourth Engineer / Third Assistant Engineer
Fifth Engineer / Junior Engineer
QMED (unlicensed qualified rating: Qualified member Engine Dept.)
Oiler (unlicensed qualified rating)
Greaser/s (unlicensed qualified rating)
Wipery
Utilityman
Machinist
Electrician
Refridgeratinon Engineer
Tankerman
Motorman
Chief Steward
Chief Cook
Stewards Assistant
Purser
Junior Assistant Purser
Senior Assistant Purser
Chief Purser
Medical Doctor
Professional Nurse
Marine Physycian
Hospital Corpsman
Page 107
ON THE FIDDLE
ONCE AGAIN THE DEVILS NOT TO BLAME

Many people mistakenly assume that the phrase on the fiddle has musical connotations. They
associate it with the favourite instrument of Old Nick himself the violin or fiddle. Hence
being on the fiddle means gaining by corrupt means or quite literally dancing to the devils
music. But its a load of rubbish.
The fiddle was actually the name given to a rim around the square wooden plate used by
sailors. It was designed to help prevent slopping over in rough seas and has been used on
round porcelain plates to varying degree since. But the sailors fiddle didnt just prevent
spillage it was also a means of portion control. It marked the limit of how much each
crewmember was entitled to. Anyone found with food that crossed the boundary was said to be
fiddling or on the fiddle translated as depriving fellow crew of food. With the strict
rationing necessary in the glory days of oceanic discovery it was considered a crime
punishable by flogging. Ill bet no one ever winked at the chef as he dished up the slop, no
matter how hungry they were.
Page 108
ON YOUR BEAMS END ORIGIN
ON YOUR BEAMS END

When you are either hard-up or in a bad situation you are said to be on your beams end a
nautical phrase that dates back to the 18th century. The beams referred to are the horizontal
transverse timers of a ship. Subsequently if a ship is said to be on its beams end the beams
will be touching the water and it is in imminent danger of capsizing.
One of the earliest recorded citation comes from a 1773 issue of The Gentlemans Magazine 'The
gust laid her upon her beam-ends.'
By the early 19th century the phrase was being used figuratively for instance in The Kings
Own Captain Marrytat 1830: 'Our first-lieutenant was..on his beam-ends, with the rheumatiz.'
Page 109
OUT FOR A JOLLY - ORIGIN
OUT FOR A JOLLY - ORIGIN
A jolly boat was a light boat carried at the stern of large sailing ships. It is thought that
the name is derived from the Danish Yawl or Dutch Jolle which means a small bark boat. They
were generally between 16 and 18 feet long and had four or six oars. They were used to ferry
the captain and ships officers ashore for some r and r. Hence the term going for a jolly as
in a night out on the town.
Page 110
OVERBEARING ORIGIN
OVERBEARING NAUTICAL SAYING
The phrase used to describe someone being bullish or uncomfortably pushy is derived from the
nautical tactical practice of sailing downwind directly towards another vessel thus stealing
or diverting wind from an adversaries sails.
Page 111
OVERHAUL - NAUTICAL SAYING
OVERHAUL NAUTICAL SAYING
Overhauling is by far the sensible persons way of preventing damage to a piece of machinery.
Sometimes it is the little things that cause the big things to go wrong.
The term originates from the practice aboard sailing ships, when crew were sent aloft to haul
the buntline ropes over the sails to prevent them from chaffing. Unfortunately today the term
has slipped and is used to describe a piece of kit that is close to breaking down because of
lack of maintenance rather than a regular bit of necessary attention.
Page 112
PANIC STATIONS ORIGIN
PANIC STATIONS
Although it sounds like a phrase used merely for dramatic, often comic, effect panic
stations dates back to the early 20th Century and was an actual command in the vein of
action stations. It was usually used as a precursor for the command to abandon ship.
This can be backed up by a report published in the Times, November 1918 and entitles Behind
the Veil: Alarm gongs had already sent the guns' crews to their invisible guns and
immediately after the explosion 'Panic stations' was ordered, followed in due course by
'Abandon ship'.
Page 113
PARROTS AND MONKEYS ORIGIN
PARROTS AND MONKEYS

The phrase to describe the kit of servicemen is believed to have originated in India during
British rule there. Parrots and monkeys were often brought home as pets when soldiers finished
their service. The final command an old sweat would hear on a quayside before boarding a
homeward bound troopship was, 'Pick up your parrots and monkeys and fall in facing the boat'.
Today it has fallen into wider use and is often said before setting off on any journey when
you have to take either belongings, sports kit, tools etc. as in Grab your parrots and
monkeys, were off!
Page 114
PLAIN SAILING ORIGIN
PLAIN SAILING
The term used to describe things running smoothly stems from a simplified method of navigation
where the earths surface is assumed to be flat as opposed to Mercators sailing when the
curvature of the earths surface is taken into account. The mathematical name for a flat
surface is plane surface... hence the term plane or plain sailing.
Page 115
POOPED THE ORIGIN
POOPED
The word poop meaning the rearmost and highest deck of a ship is derived from the latin word
puppis. It is part of a large constellation called Argo Navis an represents the largest part
of the Argo from when Jasons legendary ship was split into three parts. When the rear of a
ship was overcome by a large wave it would often cause the vessel to slew around and present
her broadside to the wind, thus becoming overwhelmed by the sea. The ship was said to have
been pooped. Hence the modern use of the word to mean exhausted.
Page 116
PORT AND STARBOARD ORIGIN
STARBOARD AND PORT

The name for the right hand side of a ship or boat has its origins in Viking times. They
referred to the side of a ship as a board and the steering oar was called the star. The
star was placed on the right hand side of the ship, hence starboard. It was because of the
practice of steering from the right that the left hand side became port side. Originally it
was called larboard but was deemed to similar in sound to starboard. Because of the steering
oar ships were tied to port by the left hand side hence port-side.
Page 117
POSH - ORIGIN
POSH - origin
According to legend the word posh is derived from a phrase printed the on tickets of P&O
passengers during the days of the Raj Port Out Starboard Home. Berths on the portside in
the northern hemisphere were mostly shaded on the journey out and on the starboard side on the
way in. Therefore the most expensive berths were deemed POSH. There is no evidence to confirm
this. What is more it would actually have made little, if any, difference to the cabin
temperature.
Page 118
QUARTER - ORIGIN
QUARTER - ORIGIN
In nautical terminology quarter basically means shelter or mercy. To give no quarter meant
that no one should be spared during battle. To give quarter was a show of respect to
honourable losers.
Page 119
SCUTTLEBUTT
The term scuttlebutt, meaning rumour stems from nautical origins. To scuttle is the act of
putting a hole in a ships hull to cause it to sink. A butt is a barrel used in the days of
wooden ships to store drinking water. The barrel would obviously have a hole in the side and
therefore became known as a scuttlebutt. The area around the scuttlebutt became a place where
sailors would congregate and chat and often the seeds of rumours about the ship or voyage
would be sewn there. Hence they were referred to as talk from the scuttlebutt and eventually
just as scuttlebutt.
Page 120
SEA DOG - ORIGIN
SEA DOG ORIGIN
During the time of Elizabeth I of England the name Sea Dogs was allotted to various buccaneers
and adventurers. They were active during the mid 16th century to the early 17th century and
were also involved in slave trading.
Captain John Hawkins was one of the most prominent of all Sea Dogs and regularly attacked
Spanish ships in the Caribbean. Francis Drake was also an acclaimed Sea Dog as were Walter
Raleigh, Thomas Cavendish, Humphrey Gilbert and Martin Frobisher.
Many Sea Dogs continued their piracy in the Barbary States after peace was made with Spain in
1604 and became rich and infamous, much to the embarrassment of the English Royalty.
Page 121
SEA-SALT THE TRUTH. NAUTICAL TRIVIA
SEA-SALT THE TRUTH. NAUTICAL TRIVIA
If it was possible to extract all the salt content of the oceans and seas of the world and
dump it on top of the continents it would reach a height of 500 feet!
Page 122
SEVEN SEAS - ORIGIN.
SEVEN SEAS ORIGIN.
According to the International Hydrographic Organization there are in fact over 100 bodies of
water that can be classed as seas. The phrase is Seven Seas or Sail the Seven Seas has
been used traditionally since 2300BC when it appeared in a Mesopotamian hymn.
Ancient seven seas were Sea of Fars, Larwi, Harkand, Kalah, Salahit, Kardjani and The Sea of
Sanji.
Arabian seven seas are The Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Red Sea,
Mediterranean Sea and Adriatic Sea.
Other seas include The North Sea, Irish Sea, Aegean Sea, Dead Sea, Java Sea, Pacific Ocean,
Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean, China Sea, Gulf of Mexico, The Caribbean, The
Timor Sea and The Sargasso.
It would appear that every religion or mythology chooses its own particular seven seas, which
then become part of traditional lore.
Page 123
SHAKE A LEG
SHAKE A LEG
The traditional wake up call used by armed forces was first used on board ships in port. The
idea was to distinguish which hammocks were occupied by crew members and which were being used
by lady guests or both. Basically everyone was told to show or shake a leg. Those that were
hairy were obviously sailors the smoother variety belonged to females, who were promptly
rounded up and sent back ashore. Makes you wonder how many sailors might have taken to shaving
their legs to get some extra shore leave.
Page 124
SHIP SHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION ORIGIN
SHIP SHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION

And important British port for over a thousand years, Bristol is actually located several
miles from the sea on the estuary of the River Avon. Bristols harbour had amongst the most
variable tide flow in the UK with depth differing up to 30feet. This presented a problem with
ships becoming beached. If they were not robust and in good condition (or ship shape) they
could easily be damaged at low tide. In 1803 the problem was resolved by the construction of
the Floating Harbour. The two phrases Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion are thought to have been
merged soon after this and eventually became a standard phrase in the English language meaning
in excellent order.
Page 125
SHIVER MY TIMBERS ORIGIN
SHIVER ME TIMBERS
The phrase made famous by Robert Louis Stevensons iconic Long John Silver has a somewhat
muddied history. Used as an oath or an expression of annoyance or surprise shiver my timbers
has nonetheless been accepted into modern language despite making little sense.
Shiver was often used of old as meaning to break into pieces, particularly in nautical
circles, so this is by far the most acceptable origin. Certainly a ships timbers falling apart
would be the cause of much annoyance and surprise therefore the phrase may well have therefore
been used as part of a oath as in (or) shiver my timbers. Regardless of whether it is a
literary invention or a bona fide piece of slang we think it should be revived.
Page 126
SKYSCRAPER
Long before architects and building engineers came up with a solution to the lack available
real estate in urban centres, sky scrapers were already doing pretty much what it says on the
tin. The name skyscraper was the traditional term used to refer to the topsail of a ship.
Whether the architects or whoever coined the phrase to describe tower blocks knew this is open
to debate
Page 127
SLUSH FUND ORIGIN
SLUSH FUND
The phrase to describe money put to one side to be used at a later date quite often to
influence or bribe stems from the practice by 18th Century ships cooks of saving the fat from
boiled pork and salt beef in barrels to sell when they reached port. The money was eventually
used to buy books etc for the crew thus keep them content. Hence the phrase became synonymous
with savings.
By the late 19th century slush fund acquired a much more underhand meaning and such savings
became commonly associated with moneys to aside to buy influence. In January 1894 the
Congressional Record printed this: [Cleveland] was not elected in 1888 because of pious John
Wanamaker and his $400,000 of campaign slush funds.
Page 128
SPLICE THE MAINBRACE - ORIGIN
SPLICE THE MAINBRACE
The order to issue a ships crew with a drink stems from one of the hardest emergency repair
jobs in the history of sailing. Braces are the ropes that are used control the angle of the
yards and are essential for steering a vessel.
During battle gunners would target an enemy ships rigging to disable it. If the mainbrace was
hit it was often necessary to repair it during the conflict. This was left to the most
experienced able seamen because it was the largest section of running rigging and could not be
fixed with knots as it had run through blocks. If it wasnt repaired the ship could not be
manoeuvred. Splicing the thick hemp was strenuous work at the best of times and once the job
was done the crew members involved were repaid with an extra ration of rum (around a third of
a pint).
Inevitably the phrase Splice the Mainbrace! became a euphemism for having a drink.
Page 129
STUCK BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
Do I give up drinking completely or do I just not bother buying any Christmas presents this
year? Its a seasonal dilemma that the credit crunch has thrust upon even more of us this
year. We find ourselves in the unfortunate position of being stuck between the devil and the
deep blue sea.
But hold your horses. Before you get all religious and start praying for some kind of
financial salvation youd be well advised to read on.
Yes youve got it. We arent actually talking about Old Nick here. Its another one of those
damn nautical sayings.
The devil was in fact the name given to the longest seam of a ship. It ran from stem to
stern along the beam that supports the gun deck. The seams were sealed by packing rope and tar
into the gaps. You can imagine how it must have felt doing that job from a suspended plank.
Precarious positioning indeed and literally what the phrase originally meant.
Stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea
Page 130
SUIT ORIGIN
Suit
Often mis-spelt as Suite this is a nautical term from the early 17th century meaning the
outfit of a ships sails. Following WWII the term was revived to describe the compliment of a
Navy ships electronic equipment as in electronics suit and its total armament or weapons
suit.
Page 131
SUN OVER THE YARDARM - ORIGIN
THE SUN'S OVER THE YARDARM
The expression is believed to have originated in the north Atlantic where the sun would rise
above the upper mast spars (yards) of square sailed ships around 11am. This coincided with the
forenoon stand easy when officers would go below and enjoy their first rum tot of the day.
Eventually the phrase was adopted universally as meaning it is a suitable time to have an
alcoholic beverage.
Page 132
SWING THE LEAD - ORIGIN
SWING THE LEAD.
When sailing close to shore it is important to keep an eye on the depth of the water. In the
age of sailing ships this was done by dropping a line over the side of the ship with a lead
weight fastened to the end. To swing the lead was considered an easy job and eventually became
a term meaning one who is either avoiding hard work or taking and easy option. Hence in modern
terms if you swing the lead you are slacking off.
Page 133
TAKE ON BOARD - ORIGIN
TO TAKE ON BOARD
One of the many common phrases with obvious nautical origins to take on board an idea stems
from the age old practice of checking cargo, belongings, luggage and livestock as it is loaded
onto a ship. After it is checked and approved whoever is responsible is told to take it on
board. Officers and sailors adapted the phrase whilst advancing nautical technology and
theory essentially bringing their ideas on board ships to be discussed, understood, tried and
tested. It was inevitably picked up by landlubbers.
Page 134
TAKEN ABACK ORIGIN
TAKEN ABACK
When one is startled or surprised by a sudden turn of events we are said to be taken aback. It
is probably the only use of the work aback there is today. Sailors had a habit of joining
words during the 15th century hence we ended up with around and a part etc. Originally
aback referred to when a ships sails were blown flat against the masts and spars. Thus when
the wind changed suddenly and a ship was facing unexpectedly into it, the vessels was said to
be taken aback.
The figurative meaning first emerged in the early to mid 19th century, for instance, in this
article from The Times printed in March 1831: 'Whigs, Tories, and Radicals, were all taken
aback with astonishment, that the Ministers had not come forward with some moderate plan of
reform.'
Page 135
TELL IT TO THE MARINES ORIGIN
TELL IT TO THE MARINES

Often thought to be of US origin, the phrase often used in response to an incredible story is
in fact British. Tell it to the marines dates back to at least the 1830s and refers to the
Royal Marines. Marines were recruited from regular soldiers to serve on-board ships and were
not considered to be on a par with hardened sailors. This led to the implication that they
were also likely to be naive and believe far-fetched or patently untruthful stories. Hence
when a sailor was told such a tale he would say scornfully Tell it to the marines. Also if a
sailor complained about a hardship to a senior officer he was likely to get the same response.
Page 136
THE HEAD SHIPS TOILET ORIGIN
HEAD (ships toilet)
The use of the word head as a name for a ships toilet dates back to the early eighteenth
century. However its origins go back as far as 1485 when the term referred to the bow of a
ship. Toilets were usually positioned at the head towards the base of the bowsprit as the
splashing water would clean the toilet area naturally.
Page 137
THE ORIGIN OF MAYDAY
MAYDAY
It has nothing to do with poles and ribbons, the rights of spring or bank holidays. The
international voice radio signal for ships and persons in serious trouble at sea was actually
made official in 1948. Mayday is an anglicized version of the French phrase maidez which
means help me.
Page 138
THE ORIGIN OF RUMMAGE SALE
RUMMAGE SALE
Yet another anglicized French term, rummage is derived from the word arrimage which means
the loading of cargo. In a precursor to the car boot sale occasionally damaged cargo would be
sold off in special warehouse sales, run presumably by drunken British sailors who spoke
French very badly.
Page 139
THE ORIGIN OF TO HAIL FROM
HAIL FROM
Hail was almost exclusively a nautical term until the mid 18th century. It was customary for
passing ships to hail each other. The information swapped usually included the name of the
ports from which the ships were sailing. They were said to hail from there. Eventually the
term passed into everyday language to mean where a person was born or grew up.
Page 140
THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND ORIGIN
No its not got anything to do with losing bed linen in a gale. The phrase three sheets to
the wind, meaning drunk as a lord, hammered, legless, rendered etc. has its historical roots
in sailing. A sheet was in fact a rope used to trim a sails angle to the wind. There were
usually four to each sail. If one broke and the corner of a sail was left to flap about the
sheet was said to be to the wind. Of course the more sheets that got damaged or broken the
harder it became to control the billowing sail. The term one sheet to the wind two sheets
and so on were used mockingly to describe various states of drunkenness amongst seamen. Three
sheets meant a mariner was pretty much out of control!
Page 141
TIDE OVER ORIGIN
TIDE OVER
The phrase meaning do with whatever money or food you have left is one of those that is often
misspelt (as in tied over) and therefore isnt immediately recognisable as having nautical
roots. Originally it referred to the practice of floating with the tide in the absence of wind
to fill a ships sails. Making slow headway was better than none. Hence to tide over. The
adoption of the phrase to mean coping with what you have is pretty logical when you think
about it.
Page 142
TO GO ON ACCOUNT - ORIGIN
TO GO ON ACCOUNT - ORIGIN
A term used by Privateers to describe the act of becoming a pirate. The idea being that
pirates considered themselves more freelance and therefore were going into business for
themselves.It was eventually adopted by anyone who worked for themselves or shopped at a
regular store that could buy stock or goods and pay later... which the pirates never did of
course.
Page 143
TO THE BITTER END
NOT NECESSARILY A MATTER OF TASTE

Times like they are it makes one think that our economy is reaching the bitter end and as such
we will all be left with a nasty taste in our mouths. Well that may or may not be true. We
really dont know. Neither would it seem do the experts, either financial or etymological.
Let me explain. As true as it may be that the word bitter, meaning acrid or sour has been in
use since around 8th Century it may well have little baring of the phrase the bitter end.
According to Captain Smiths 17th century publication Seamans Grammar - 'A Bitter is but
the turne of a Cable about the Bits, and veare it out by little and little. And the Bitters
end is that part of the Cable doth stay within boord.'
If that is the case it would seem that the bitter end actually refers to a length of ships
rope or cable that has been run out to its end, at which point it would be tied to one of the
many bitts (meaning posts) on a ships deck. In which case the phrase would mean that there
was nothing left to use. Which it basically does as well.
Page 144
TOE THE LINE ORIGIN
TOE THE LINE
The space between the planks of a ships deck were packed with a material called oakum and
sealed with tar creating long, straight lines roughly six inches apart. When the crew was
asked to fall in they used the gaps as a marker with their toes touching the line. Also young
crew members (ships boys or young officers) who were deemed in need of punishing for minor
offences were made to stand with their toes touching the line, without talking or moving, for
hours at a time in all weathers. Hence the term toe the line, meaning to do as one is told
or behave as expected.
Page 145
TURN A BLIND EYE ORIGIN
TURN A BLIND EYE

The term used to mean ignore something intentionally has important historic significance.
When Admiral Nelson was pounding the Spanish at the Battle of Copenhagen on 1801, the
commander raised a flag signalling the bombardment to cease. Nelson held his telescope to his
blind eye so he couldnt see the command and subsequently won the battle.
Page 146
WIND BEFORE RAIN: NAUTICAL SAYING
WIND BEFORE RAIN
Readers will probably be familiar with the well used nautical saying, Wind before rain, let
your topsail fill again. Rain before wind, sheets and topsails mind,
But what does it actually mean?
Simply put if there is a squall on the way and the wind picks up before it starts to rain
then the squall will be short and not too severe.
But if the rain comes first it means that the precipitation is being cast out of the storm
more violently and its likely youre in for a bit of a rough ride. If thats the case the
sails need shortening.
Page 147
WINDFALL - ORIGIN
WINDFALL - ORIGIN
During the golden age of wooden ship building many English landowners were forbidden to fell
and sell timber as it was reserved for building ships for the Royal Navy. However there was a
loophole. If a tree was blown down the landowner could use or sell the timber to whoever he
wished. Hence the term windfall meaning a financial bonus.
Page 148
YELLOW JACK - ORIGIN
YELLOW JACK.
As any seafarer will know a jack is a flag and used to indicate a particular disposition of
a vessel. In the case of the Yellow Jack it was used to signify yellow fever. Basically it
meant that the crew were sick and it was not advisable to board the ship. It was often used as
a way of duping pirates into plundering prospective targets.
Page 149
YOU SCRATCH MY BACK ORIGIN
YOU SCRATCH MY BACK AND ILL SCRATCH YOURS

Originally this meant nothing like the benevolent offer it now represents. The back scratching
in question was delivered via the Cat o Nine Tails. Basically it was said by whoever was about
to be whipped to the guy who had been given the job of doing the whipping. It basically meant
that if the roles were reversed at any time in the future he would be guaranteed the same
level of damage.
Page 150
About This Booklet
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Remember to check www.harbourguides.com/booklets.php for booklet updates.
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Nautical Trivia Booklet

Provided by Harbour Guides - www.harbourguides.com

A SHOT ACROSS THE BOWS

ALL ABOVE BOARD

ANY PORT IN A STORM ORIGIN

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

BROAD IN THE BEAM

CUT OF HIS JIB

FIRST RATE - NAUTICAL SAYING

FITS THE BILL

Go tell that to a Viz reader.

GARBLED NAUTICAL SAYINGS

GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS

GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY

GIVE SOMEONE A WIDE BERTH

HAND OVER FIST

OVER THE BARREL

HARD AND FAST

HIGH AND DRY

JUMP THE SHARK ORIGIN

JURY MAST/ JURY RIG - ORIGIN

KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON

KISS THE GUNNERS DAUGHTER - NAUTICAL SAYING

KNOW THE ROPES

LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG

MIZZEN MAST ORIGIN

NAUTICAL MILE - TRIVIA

IT WAS THE DRINK!

Nowadays they just make seamen get their hair cut.

THE TRUTH ABOUT COLOURS

ITS A DOGS LIFE SORT OF!

CHEWING THE FAT

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

A TRUSTY SOLUTION TO A BORING PROBLEM

GIVE ME SOME SLACK

DOWN THE HATCH

GONE BY THE BOARD

TRIVA HUNKY DORY

MONEY FOR OLD ROPE

To be honest the explanation for this one is pretty straightforward.

CUT AND RUN NO LEGS INVOLVED

THE WHOLE NINE YARDS

Chief Officer/Chief Mate

ONCE AGAIN THE DEVILS NOT TO BLAME

ON YOUR BEAMS END

OUT FOR A JOLLY - ORIGIN

OVERBEARING NAUTICAL SAYING

OVERHAUL NAUTICAL SAYING

PARROTS AND MONKEYS

STARBOARD AND PORT

SEA DOG ORIGIN

SEA-SALT THE TRUTH. NAUTICAL TRIVIA

SEVEN SEAS ORIGIN.

SHIP SHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION

SPLICE THE MAINBRACE

THE SUN'S OVER THE YARDARM

SWING THE LEAD.

TELL IT TO THE MARINES

HEAD (ships toilet)