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Limey
- A limey is slang for sailor and originated with the practice of issuing limes as a means to prevent scurvy on long voyages. The British navy was a dominant force on the seas, so the term began to represent the British in general.
grammarist.com › nautical-language55 Sailing Phrases and Nautical Terms Used in Everyday Language
- A Clean Bill of Health: A "clean bill of health" was a certificate, signed by a port authority, attesting that no contagious diseases existed in the port of departure and that none of the crew was infected at the time of sailing.
- At Loggerheads: A "loggerhead" is an iron ball attached to a long handle. When heated, it was used to seal the pitch in deck seams... but it was also known to came in handy as a weapon for quarrelling crewmen (hence its common usage now to describe two people who are in firm disagreement).
- Chock-a-Block: A "block and tackle" is a pulley system used on sailing ships (like the the museum's scow Ted Ashby) to hoist the sails. The phrase describes what occurs when the system is raised to its fullest extent – when there's no more rope free and the blocks jam tightly together.
- Dressing Down: Thin, worn sails were often treated with oil or wax to renew their effectiveness. This was called “dressing down”. When a sailor was reprimanded or scolded it was known as receiving a “dressing down”.
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- 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.”
- 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."
- Chit. A chit in the Navy refers to any piece of paper from a form to a pass and even currency. According to the Navy history museum, the word chit was carried over from the days of Hindu traders when they used slips of paper called "citthi" for money.
- Scuttlebutt. The Navy term for water fountain. The Navy History Museum describes the term as a combination of "scuttle," to make a hole in the ship's side causing her to sink, and "butt," a cask or hogshead used in the days of wooden ships to hold drinking water; thus the term scuttlebutt means a cask with a hole in it.
- Crank. The term used to describe a mess deck worker, typically a new transferee assigned to the mess decks while qualifying for regular watch. Photo: U.S. Navy.
- Cadillac. This is the term used to describe a mop bucket with wheels and a ringer. When sailors are assigned to cleaning duties, they prefer the luxurious Cadillac over the bucket.
sportsfoundation.org · sailing-lingo30 Must-Know Sailing Terms, Phrases and Slang - SportsFoundation
Jun 9, 2024 · From the salty whispers of old seadogs to the crisp commands on a racing skiff, mastering these 30 essential sailing terms will transform you from a landlubber to a savvy sailor. Hoist the sails and let’s navigate the nautical jargon together! Must-Know Sailing Terms, Phrases and Slang: Aft; Beam; Bow; Capsize; Deck; Furl; Gybe (jibe) Halyard ...
Jan 15, 2018 · Read on to learn about the nautical meanings and fascinating history behind sailor slang that appears in modern day language. Where does the word "posh" come from? Or why do we say we're "pooped?"
Jun 27, 2023 · Sailors have a way of speaking, and the sport has its own language. Some sailing phrases are common in everyday language, while others are only really used on a sailboat. The ones common in our everyday language have a nautical origin that will make you a more enlightened sailor, as well.
