coevan Posted November 19, 2017 Author #26 Share Posted November 19, 2017 guest services are Pursers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabum Posted November 20, 2017 #27 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Okay, my friends -- who knows where these came from?"Son of Gun" "Freeze the balls off a brass monkey" (not being dirty, that's the real term) #1 I believe that a son of a gun was for the babies born on board ship - typically between the canons and the bulkheads - to stay out of the way. #2 - Canon Balls where stored in a pyramid inside a brass frame or tray known as a monkey - when it got really cold the brass would contract - thus spilling the balls - hence it was said to be so cold it would freeze the balls off the brass monkey. How about "three sheets to the wind" - and/or "bung" - anybody know those ? Anyone ? Bueller ? "I'll take nautical terms for 600 please Alex" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief M Posted November 20, 2017 #28 Share Posted November 20, 2017 #1 I believe that a son of a gun was for the babies born on board ship - typically between the canons and the bulkheads - to stay out of the way. #2 - Canon Balls where stored in a pyramid inside a brass frame or tray known as a monkey - when it got really cold the brass would contract - thus spilling the balls - hence it was said to be so cold it would freeze the balls off the brass monkey. How about "three sheets to the wind" - and/or "bung" - anybody know those ? Anyone ? Bueller ? "I'll take nautical terms for 600 please Alex" Right on, Seabum - you know your stuff. Three Sheets to the Wind - a ship caught with three sails (sheets) to the wind would wallow and stagger like a drunk. Bung.....bung....got to think about that one. Oh yeah, a plug used to the stop a leak in the hull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabum Posted November 20, 2017 #29 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Very good Chief Bungs are also used to seal barrels (Wine/Rum etc) - We have some from the Cruzan Rum distillery. With the three sheets concept - sort of like the difference between heave-to and "heaving" LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabum Posted November 20, 2017 #30 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Another item that's typically helpful aboard ship - Port = Left = Odd number cabins = Red (less letters) Starboard = Right = even number cabins = Green (more letters) I've noticed on numerous ships the carpeting will be red (themed) on the port side and Blue or Green on the starboard side. By the way - I found it fascinating how these terms originated (Port and Starboard) - it was my understanding that in days of old they would have a long rudder (or steering board) that came up along side the vessel - Well this steering board would get damaged if the vessel tied up to the dock (or port) along that side. Hence one side became the port side - and the other the steerboard side (which over time morphed into starboard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted November 20, 2017 #31 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Actually, a "rope" is a "line" with no set purpose. So, in the bosun's store, you will have a coil of "rope" not a coil of "line", while if it is taken out to be used for docking, it becomes a "mooring line" not a "mooring rope". Just like you buy rope to renew your halyard, but once it is a halyard, it is a line. I think you corrected me before on that. My learning ability has perhaps faded at 59. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikew0805 Posted November 20, 2017 #32 Share Posted November 20, 2017 stairs are ladders I thought that the physical back of the ship (that you can touch) is the stern. I thought that if you walk towards the back of the ship the direction is aft. Is that incorrect?(or too picky) You are right. Stern & Bow are location, forward & aft are directions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banzaii Posted November 20, 2017 #33 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Another item that's typically helpful aboard ship - Port = Left = Odd number cabins = Red (less letters) Starboard = Right = even number cabins = Green (more letters) I've noticed on numerous ships the carpeting will be red (themed) on the port side and Blue or Green on the starboard side. To continue the theme of more/less letters. In terms of channel markers, can = port and cone = starboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Writer Posted November 20, 2017 #34 Share Posted November 20, 2017 OK, just for the fun of it, I have been a lifelong sailor and Captain. This is not a contentious post just having some fun with words and terms.you are on a ship, not a boat The front of the ship is fore or forward The back of the ship is in the stern or aft The bathrooms are Heads The kitchens are Galleys. There are no floors, but decks There are no rooms but cabins. Port is left (it has 4 letters) Starboard is right, it has more than 4 letters. anyone else think of any other Nautical terms, add them on I laugh at this one all the time, especially since my wife and I are divers. Someone will ask us "When do you get on the boat?" I reply with "As soon as we get to the marina and meet the divemaster." (Note: in case this doesn't make sense, we are getting on a dive BOAT. ;p) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Colorado Coasty Posted November 20, 2017 #35 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Right on, Seabum - you know your stuff.Three Sheets to the Wind - a ship caught with three sails (sheets) to the wind would wallow and stagger like a drunk. Bung.....bung....got to think about that one. Oh yeah, a plug used to the stop a leak in the hull. OK Chief, who keeps the keys to the sea chest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted November 20, 2017 Author #36 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I laugh at this one all the time, especially since my wife and I are divers. Someone will ask us "When do you get on the boat?" I reply with "As soon as we get to the marina and meet the divemaster." (Note: in case this doesn't make sense, we are getting on a dive BOAT. ;p) One thing that sets a ship apart from a boat is size. According the U.S. Naval Institute, a boat, generally speaking, is small enough to be carried aboard a larger vessel, and a vessel large enough to carry a smaller one is a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD5ZA Posted November 20, 2017 #37 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Interestingly, Captain Jonathan on the Amsterdam World Cruise, following his noon navigation report would often tell the origin of a nautical term. He covered most of the terms mentioned in this thread plus many more. One was the origin of the term Grog for the rum/water mixture that replaced the daily rum ration on British ships. Anyone know or want to guess? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wo5m Posted November 20, 2017 #38 Share Posted November 20, 2017 The Gangway(The bridgy thing that leads to land). Actually saw a sign on ether the Magic or the Fantasy that said this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted November 20, 2017 #39 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Interestingly, Captain Jonathan on the Amsterdam World Cruise, following his noon navigation report would often tell the origin of a nautical term. He covered most of the terms mentioned in this thread plus many more. One was the origin of the term Grog for the rum/water mixture that replaced the daily rum ration on British ships. Anyone know or want to guess? After a British Admiral nicknamed Old Groggy or such but don't recall details. One of the few bits of trivia still stored away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted November 20, 2017 #40 Share Posted November 20, 2017 One Captain insisted I learn the terms on Coevan's list or he would have me thrown out the little round window. LOL very good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted November 20, 2017 #41 Share Posted November 20, 2017 After a British Admiral nicknamed Old Groggy or such but don't recall details. One of the few bits of trivia still stored away. I think it was the Admiral who started the grog ration, but it was his nickname that referred to his clothes somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moviela Posted November 21, 2017 #42 Share Posted November 21, 2017 The Gangway(The bridgy thing that leads to land). Actually saw a sign on ether the Magic or the Fantasy that said this. There is a safety message used by Disney that goes: "If you are coming up from the bottom, watch your top. If you are coming down from the top watch your bottom. The fastest way down is to fall down, so please hold the hand rail or steady yourself on a small child at all times." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabum Posted November 21, 2017 #43 Share Posted November 21, 2017 OK Chief, who keeps the keys to the sea chest? I didn't think it needed a key - just a monkey wrench - and with me being a southpaw it would take a left handed monkey wrench ;):cool::') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now