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Loading... - Jack Tar. Jack Tar is a slang term used to refer to a sailor. It is derived from the use of tar to waterproof the seams of wooden sailing ships. The term is often used to evoke a sense of nostalgia or romanticism about the life of a sailor.
- Salt. Salt is a term used to describe an experienced sailor. It is derived from the idea that sailors spend a lot of time at sea, where they are exposed to the salt spray of the ocean.
- Old Salt. Old Salt is a term used to describe a sailor who has a wealth of experience and knowledge. It is often used to convey a sense of respect for someone who has spent many years at sea.
- Boatswain. Boatswain is a term used to describe a ship’s officer who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the ship. The term is often used in a naval context and is derived from the Old English word “batswegen,” which means “boat servant.”
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- 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. Now this term is commonly used describe a painful or final conclusion.
- Cat’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.
- Deep Six: The unit to measure depth of the sea is called a fathom, which is 6 feet—about the height of a sailor. This term was used to refer to throwing something overboard, and it has come to mean getting rid of something.
- Dressed 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.
- On Board
- Go by The Board
- Give A Wide Berth
- Batten Down The Hatches
- Caught Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea
- Down in The Doldrums
- In Deep Water
- All at Sea
- Sailing Close to The Wind
- Sink Or Swim
Meaning:Part of a crew or team. Example Sentence:"We should invite Anita to join us on the project. Do you think she would be on board?"
Meaning:Finish with, to be rid of something. Example Sentence:"There was a time when we could always rely on the bus timetable, but nowadays, it has gone completely by the board."
Meaning: Leave space for or veer around. Origin:At sea, a berth is where a ship drops its anchor. In harbors, a berth is allocated to each boat within it. However, any boat, ship, or yacht will still move with the tide when anchored to the degree that its anchor rope's length limits its movement. Hence, giving other ships a wide berth (or plenty of...
Meaning:Prepare for trouble, take precautionary measures. Origin:This idiom is understood to have its roots in the sailing practice of securing a ship's hatchways to prepare for bad weather. These hatchways were usually covered by a grill or left open to allow fresh air circulation. However, when bad weather threatened, the crew would cover these o...
Meaning:Trapped/caught between significant difficulties. Origin:This phrase means saying someone is in a predicament or a dangerous place with no easy way out. An expression believed to have its source in the historical nautical practice of sealing the seams between a ship's wooden planks with hot tar. In this context, the devil is the name given t...
Meaning: Describes being stuck in a rut, not making progress. Origin:This idiom was used by sailors to describe a situation in which no wind was present—sometimes for weeks at a time. Originates from a time when sailors relied solely on wind power. This meant their ship would be stuck at sea, going nowhere. Example Sentence:"I am feeling down in th...
Meaning:In trouble, out of one's comfort zone. Example Sentence:"Joey needs to be very careful who he hangs out with; he is getting himself into deep water with that rowdy gang of lads."
Meaning: In a state of confusion. Example Sentence:"I am all at sea today—I can't seem to make my mind up on anything at the minute."
Meaning:Taking risks that may be unreasonable, being close to breaking the law. Example Sentence:"Jack is pushing his luck driving that car to the local garage on his own. The authorities suspended his license six months ago, and if you ask me, he is sailing close to the wind with that idea."
Meaning:Either fail (sink) or succeed (swim) in an endeavor or task. Example Sentence:"He is thinking about staking his entire week's salary on the turn of a card. It certainly looks like he will sink or swim if he goes ahead."
Searches related to what does sailor mean in slang language
- Flotsam and Jetsam. Often used together, flotsam and jetsam mean two different things. The root of flotsam is “float” and describes something that fell overboard.
- Landlubber. Landlubber, or land lover, describes a person who struggles with being at sea, on a boat, or experiences seasickness. For example: I apologize, but I’m afraid I’m something of a landlubber when it comes to boat travel; I prefer to take land transportation.
- Scuttlebutt. The barrel containing the fresh drinking water was called a scuttlebutt and became a place for sailors to gather, talk, and pass on information.
- Shanghai. Shanghai is a city in China and was often an area where people were kidnapped and pressed into service on ships. To be Shanghaied is to be taken or betrayed.
- Batten Down the Hatches – a phrase used to prepare for a storm, or in everyday language, prepare for a difficult upcoming situation.
- Aye Aye, Captain – a form of ”aye aye, sir”. It literally means “yes, yes” and is used in the military to show that the person who says it will follow an order that has been given and will follow it before doing anything else.
- Fair Winds and Following Seas – a phrase derived from two original sources that has become a nautical blessing used to wish someone good luck on their journey.
- Sheet Happens – a humorous phrase used when something goes wrong on a sailing trip. Sheets are the lines that trim sails.
Beyond greetings and practical expressions, sailors had a language of their own to communicate effectively on the vast expanse of the ocean. We'll delve into the lesser-known but equally intriguing nautical phrases that were used for signaling, navigation, and coordination.
Sep 17, 2021 · Many common phrases in the English language come from sailors, including “chock-a-block,” “Dutch courage,” a “clean bill of health” and many others. Here are some of our favorites…
