by Tom Chillemi –
Many modern expressions evolved from nautical terms, like the word “ship.” Today we ship things by mail, truck, plane and occasionally by ship.
Here are just a few of those water words:
• Above board — Meaning honest and open, may have its origins on the seas. The “board” is the side of a ship and its deck. It’s thought pirates would hide below “board” to fool victims. The opposite would be above board and in open view. “Above board” was adapted in gambling circles to denote keeping ones cards “above” the table.
• Aloof — Meaning distant or uninvolved, originally meant to sail into the wind to stay clear of shore or a hazard. In Middle English “loof” meant windward, the opposite of “lee” which is downwind. “Loof” and the sailing term “luff” have similar meanings to steer closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing.
• “As the crow flies” — Refers to the most direct route. Ships carried crows that when released flew to the nearest land, showing sailors the way to shore.
• Bamboozle — Describes the Spanish custom of flying false flags to deceive or “bamboozle” enemies. It still means to fool someone.
• By and large — This now means “in any case.” In nautical terms, “by” means into the wind and “large” means with the wind. So if a ship sailed well into the wind and with the wind it could be said that “by and large” it sailed well in all conditions.
• Clean slate — The watchkeeper would record details of speed, distances, headings, on a piece of slate. At the beginning of a new watch the slate would be wiped clean.
• Fathom — A water depth measurement of six feet, refers to the distance between a man’s outstretched hands. It was defined by Parliament as “the length of a man’s arms around the object of his affections.” Today, “fathom” also describes something difficult to understand or “get your head around.”
• Figurehead — A carved figure on a ship’s bow was ornamental and thought to be protective. Today’s figurehead is a leader with no real power.
• Give a wide berth — Means anchoring a ship far enough from other ships so they do not hit when the tide or wind shifts. Today it means to avoid someone.
• Groggy — Grog is a mix of rum and water rationed daily to British sailors (until 1970). A sailor who drank too much grog was “groggy.” Today it denotes unsteadiness or unfocused.
• Gung Ho — Originated as a Chinese expression to describe ship crews that worked together to make it through a difficult situation. It means “to work together.” The term was adapted by World War II Marine Lieutenant Colonel Carlson as a motto for his division. Today it means enthusiastic.
• Holy Mackerel — Mackerel is a fish that spoils quickly, so it was allowed to be sold on Sundays despite English blue laws. “Holy Mackerel” is still used to show surprise.
• Knot is a unit of speed in water — In olden days, a wooden panel or some type of sea anchor would be thrown off the stern. Attached to it was a rope with knots tied at specific intervals. The knotted line was let out for 30 seconds. When it was hauled in, the number of knots were counted to determine speed. A knot is 1.15 of a statute (land) mile. Technically it’s one minute of geographic latitude, which made it convenient for use in aviation.
• Letting the Cat out of the bag — Naval punishment included being flogged with a “cat o’ nine tails.” The whip was kept in a leather bag and when it was taken out of the bag, it meant bad news. Today it means revealing a secret, perhaps inadvertently.
• Round robin — Comes from the practice of signing names in a circle to conceal the leader, a tactic used by sailors planning a mutiny. Today it means a tournament where all contestants play each other one time.
• Over a barrel — Sailors to be flogged were sometimes tied over a cannon barrel. Now it means a difficult situation from which it’s difficult to escape.
• Scuttlebutt — This was a water barrel and a place where sailors gathered or talked, much like the office water cooler of today.
• Slush fund — This originates from the practice of the ship’s cook saving the fat from the bottom of the food barrel in a “slush fund.” It would be sold to tanneries or candle makers. Today’s slush fund is money not properly accounted for, kept separately from legitimate funds, for questionable use.
• Touch and go — If a ship’s keel touches the bottom briefly and then slips off, she is said to “touch and go,” and is in danger of going aground. Today the expression describes an unsure situation.
• Windfall — A ship near land gets a rush of wind falling from mountains onshore which pushes it away from land. Today it means an unexpected gain or good fortune.
Have you ever wondered where the phrase “under the weather” or “the bitter end” came from? See next month’s Rivah Visitor’s Guide, on stands August 26, for more water words.
