![]() ![]() ![]() Took the wind out of his sails: Today this expression is used to describe getting the upper hand in an argument. Today the expression is used to talk about someone who’s drunk, and doesn’t have control of themselves. ![]() Three sheets to the wind: This expression refers to not having control of a boat because the sheets or lines connected to sails had been let go or lost. Square meal: Now a somewhat confusing way of describing a wholesome, filling meal, this term comes from the square plates that the Royal Navy served sailors’ meals on. Captains often cut small holes or “ scuttles” in it to reduce the chatter and wasted time at the water barrel, encouraging the sailors to drink fast before the water ran out. Scuttlebutt: Now a slang term for gossip, this term is thought to have referred to the drinking ladle on boats. Posh: Now meaning exclusive, expensive, or fancy, this word comes from travel between Boston and England, where the trunks of the wealthy passengers would have the label "POSH," which stood for "Portside Out Starboard Home" instructing on where to place the luggage to avoid harsh sun. This now means “exhausted,” as a sailor assigned to bailing the pooped deck might have been. Pooped: This term refers to waves breaking over an aft deck when a vessel is sailing downwind in high seas. Now, this is used to refer to someone passing a test or task with great success. Passed with flying colors: If sailing ships wanted to be identified while passing other ships, they would “fly their colors”-put up their flags and burgies. Today the word represents being overcome, inundated or defeated. Overwhelm: This word is from the Middle English word meaning "to capsize" or “to turn upside down”-like a boat overtaken by a large wave. The knotted line was allowed to pay out for a specific amount of time after which sailors pulled it back in, counting the knots between the ship and the log to measure distance over time. The other end of the line would be thrown off the stern, with a log or other floating object fastened on. The term comes from the method of using a rope or line marked with even intervals of knots. One nautical mile is equal to one minute of latitude or 1.15 land-based miles. Knot: Now a measure of speed over water, meaning one nautical mile per hour. Holy Mackerel: Though markets weren’t normally open on Sundays in 17th century England, fishmongers were allowed to sell mackerel on the day of rest because it spoils quickly. Now this term seems to represent being enthusiastic or ready for action. Colonel Carlson used the term for a motto for his division. The term was brought into the English vocabulary when American WWII Lt. Gung Ho: This phrase is an anglicized version of a Chinese term meaning “come together,” and used when ships’ crew would work towards a common goal. When the temperature dropped below a certain point, the brass ring would contract faster than the iron cannon balls, making the pyramid unstable and causing cannon balls to go rolling around. On Navy (or pirate) boats, cannon balls were piled on deck in a pyramid shape and held in place by a “brass monkey” or ring. ![]() The ship would have a blue band painted along her hull and would fly a blue flag when she returned to port. Now, the term refers to being sad or down.įreeze the balls off a brass monkey: Commonly used nowadays to convey that it’s very cold. Today the phrase is used to describe a person who is very elaborately dressed.įeeling Blue: This term refers to a custom to mark when a ship had lost her captain at sea. This term was used to refer to throwing something overboard, and it has come to mean getting rid of something.ĭressed to the nines: When a maritime victory was celebrated, a ship would return to her home port "dressed" in bunting and flags. The crew would also be dressed in their best and out on the nine yards of a tall ship to greet their country. This phrase is now used to mean that a secret is out.ĭeep Six: The unit to measure depth of the sea is called a fathom, which is 6 feet-about the height of a sailor. Now this term is commonly used describe a painful or final conclusion.Ĭat’s out of the bag- The cat o’ nine tails whip was used to punish sailors, so if it was out of the bag in which it was stored, that meant that the secret of someone’s wrongdoing was known. Bitter End: The loose, unattached end of a line, as opposed to the "working end," which may be attached to an anchor, other vessel, or cleat. ![]()
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