Everyday Phrases with Nautical Origins Part 1
Throughout the years many nautical phrases have made it into everyday language. Just for fun we have put together a compendium of common expressions that originated from nautical phrases and commands with their nautical and more general meanings. As we found so many we have broken this down into two instalments! Part 1 below:
All hands on deck
Nautical: an order for all crew members to assemble in an emergency
General: a call for everyone available to be available to assist with an activity or even
As the crow flies
Nautical: when lost ships would release a caged crow. The crow would fly straight towards the nearest land, thus giving the vessel a navigational fix
General: The most direct route
At Loggerheads
Nautical: a loggerhead was an iron ball attached to a long handle which, when heated, was used to seal the pitch in deck seams – also a useful weapon for quarrelling crewmen
General: in conflict with someone having reached an impasse
Batten down (the hatches)
Nautical: an order to secure hatches and doors and, when simply shouted “batten down,” all gear to be secured
General: prepare for criticism, opposition or your parent’s wrath!
Bear a hand
Nautical: an order to assist in the performance of an action
General: to help
Bear down
Nautical: to sail downwind rapidly towards another ship or landmark
General: to over throw or crush by force
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Nautical: the devil seam was the curved seam in the deck planking closest to the side of the ship and next to the scupper gutters, if a sailor slipped on deck he could find himself between the devil and the deep blue sea
General: finding oneself between two equally unacceptable situations
Bitter end
Nautical: the last segment of a rope or chain
General: the final portion of a difficult or unpleasant task or occurrence
By and large
Nautical: by means into the wind and large means with the wind; ‘by and large’ the ship handled well
General: in all cases or in any case
Cast off
Nautical: let go
General: remove or throw away
Chock-a-block
Nautical: when two blocks of rigging tackle were so hard together they couldn’t be tightened further
General: something is filled to capacity or over loaded
Come around/about
Nautical: turn into the wind
General: align oneself with another way of thinking
Dead ahead
Nautical: in front of the vessel directly along its centre line
General: directly in front or straight ahead
Dressing down
Nautical: the treating of worn sails with oil or wax
General: reprimand, scolding or severe telling off
Even keeled
Nautical: well balanced vessel
General: when a situation is steady or individual is even tempered
Fend off
Nautical: push off when landing in a boat so as to avoid damage or upset
General: defend oneself from others or keep them away
Footloose
Nautical: when the foot of the sail is unsecured and dances randomly in the wind
General: unattached, especially romantically , and can move and act without responsibility
First rate
Nautical: historically naval ships were rated by their number of cannon, 100+ was first rate, 90-98 was 2nd rate etc
General: Implies excellence
Gangway
Nautical: an area on a vessel for embarking and disembarking
General: a warning to move out of the way
Gone overboard:
Nautical: fallen over the side
General: said of someone who has veered too far from the norm in one’s actions or opinions
Keep a sharp lookout
Nautical: an order to be especially vigilant in watching for hazards
General: be alert
Know the ropes
Nautical: keeping track of and knowing the function of the lines on a square rigged ship
General: be informed about a situation, job or task
Let the cat out of the bag
Nautical: a sailor’s flogging was carried out using a whip called a ‘cat o’ nine tails’ which was kept in a leather bag – it was considered bad news if the cat was let out of the bag – especially for the disobedient sailor!
General: to reveal a secret or surprise by accident
Don’t miss part 2, coming soon!
If you have any of your own nautical sayings, then do drop us a line and we will add them to our collection.