Gangway!: Sea Language Comes Ashore

By Joanna Carver Colcord and Paul Dickson

Landlubbers use a remarkable number of terms and expressions that originated at sea. This readable dictionary of maritime vernacular explains the meanings behind "catspaw," "kick the bucket," "palaver," "three sheets in the wind," and other curious lingo. It's a great gift for any sailor or lover of language. "Entertaining and informative." — The Washington Post.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Release date: Mar 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9780486291154

Book preview

1944.

A

A 1. First-class; from the rating formerly given to British naval vessels, and to merchant vessels for insurance purposes. Very common in shore speech. For emphasis, one may say A number one, or for something super-excellent, A number one and a dot.

Aback. Of a vessel, unmanageable, due to a sudden shift of wind striking the sails from the side opposite that to which they are trimmed. To be taken (flat) aback—that is, to be surprised, disconcerted, flabbergasted—is an expression very common on the lips of landspeople, and is often pronounced taken back by those who have no knowledge of the sea.

Abaft. Behind (but on board the vessel; behind and outboard is astern). The word is common in coastal speech: You’ll find my valise up attic just abaft the chimney. See Aft, Beaft.

Abeam. At right angles to the length of the ship, and some distance off. Common in coastal dialect: When you’ve brought the meetin’house abeam, you’ll see the Town Hall round the corner. See Beam, Wind (2).

Able seaman. Called an A. B., abbreviation of able-bodied. One who is conversant with all the skills required in a man before the mast. See Ordinary and Seaman.

Aboard. Inside the bulwarks, on deck, or (figuratively) in collision : She was almost aboard of us before we saw her. In this use, the preferred intensifier is close, often pronounced clost.

Come aboard! is the conventional invitation, without which no seaman would enter another’s vessel. On the coast, it is a cordial invitation to a person already at the door; varied by Welcome aboard! The sailor prefers aboard to on board in most connections. To have (a cargo) aboard means to be in liquor. He’s never ugly, no matter how much he has aboard. See