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Motor Boat Forum

Everyday saying from nautical terms.

by Ianfs » 22 Mar 2017, 20:25

Most of us know where the popular everyday sayings like "Freeze the balls off a brass monkey" comes from and also "In the offing" and "Three sheets to the wind" and if not, please do ask. However, there are some which are lesser known. Here are a couple which I'm sure some of you will know but some may not.

"Between the Devil and the deep blue sea! My father said, that if a ship was a carvel built wooden hull, the lower planking would swell and any caulking would be watertight, however the upper planking on a wooden ship between the deck and the hull would require more attention and therefore the gap between them was known as "The Devil", hence the saying "Between the Devil and the deep blue sea". This would require more attention because the planks were a tad dryer and therefore anyone being asked to re-caulk would be hung over the side and "Have the Devil to pay"

True or false, interesting just the same.

Anyone else got an interesting saying from Nautical Terms? :)
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by ColinR » 23 Mar 2017, 08:31

More modern one: the origin of Posh from the days when peoples regularly made the trip by sea to places far from home, Africa / India etc. The up market people would book cabins on the port side going out so they got the view of the land and starboard back for the same reason. Hence POSH, Port Out Starboard Home.
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by betty boop » 23 Mar 2017, 20:36

keel hauled - modern day to be dragged up for a dressing down in some way -- old days you were keel hauled dragged underneath port to starboard as punishment .
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