Language and the Navy
by A look at some of the words and terms we use in everyday language, the origins and original use of these words.
Who would have thought that “hard up” had nautical origins? But, to put the ship’s helm hard up was to turn the vessel away from the wind, therefore, someone who had no money and faced a financial storm had to turn away and was said to be “hard up”.
Still on the salt water theme, equality of circumstance or opportunity came to be termed as being “all in the same boat”, for in the drastic situation of a shipwreck all distinction of class must be abandoned, each person must share the fate of all, everyone being “in the same boat”
British people were often dubbed “Limeys”, particularly by the Americans. In the old days when sailing ships spent weeks, sometimes months, at sea, the crews would often come down with scurvy due to the lack of a balanced diet. When it was discovered that lime juice was an effective anti-scorbutic it was issued to the men, so British ships became known as lime juicers, and the crew “Limeys”.
Close to the Wind
A popular term in common use is “sailing close to the wind”. We seem to understand this one by instinct, but once again it alludes to the relationship between sailing vessel and the wind. If the ship is pointing into the wind as much as if practicable she is in danger of being caught aback or even blowing over. A person who is living dangerously or pursuing an almost illegal path is “sailing close to the wind”.
Aboard the old windships waste fat from the galley was know as slush, and this was used to grease masts and rigging. Any surplus was usually the cooks perks to dispose of as he may, and he didn’t have to account for the money he made from selling it. Hence the term “slush fund” came to be used for cash that did not need to be accounted for.
Splice the Mainbrace
And so now let us “splice the mainbrace”, but first let’s find out a little more about this custom. The mainbrace of a square rigger was an essential part of the rigging, and to splice any of the worn parts was to strengthen it. Similarly, the crew were reckoned to be strengthened by strong drink, so during an action or in celebration thereof they were allowed a double rum ration. CHEERS!
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