Whilst we’re all familiar with basic sailing terms, aft, bow, port, starboard, leeward, windward, etcetera, you may be surprised at how many other traditional sailing terms you know from days gone by. Sailing expressions have crept into our language over hundreds of years, so much so that they’re now a part of our culture.

We all know that when the sun’s gone over the yard arm it’s time for a drink, and that “grog” is another word for alcohol. “Groggy” literally means one has consumed too much grog! But the phase “by and large” also originates from the sea. By means into the wind, while large means with the wind. So "By and large" suggests all situations are possible: "the boat handles well both by and large".

A clean bill of health is a certificate given by a port to confirm that there are no infectious diseases on board the ship. If you wipe the slate clean, figuratively speaking, think of the watch keeper at the helm in days gone by. At the end of his watch, after recording speed, distances and headings on his slate the slate would be wiped clean.

If you need to make a quick getaway by ship you might cut lashings to sails or cables for anchors damaging the rigging or losing the anchor. Hence the saying: We need to cut and run!

The "cut" of a sail however, refers to its shape, so from a distance a sailor can recognise a ship he knows from the cut of its sail and perhaps make out the sailing qualities of an unknown vessel. Nowadays we might say of a person “I don’t like the cut of his jib!”

So, do you like the cut of the jib on any of our sail boats for sale? Are you planning to cut and run this summer? Or are you considering selling your current boat? Come and chat to us at Fambridge yacht haven; we’ll offer free and friendly advice whether you’re buying or selling a boat. If you can tell us the meaning of “splice the mainbrace” we may issue you with a ration of rum me hearties!*

Peggy

Image credit: Westerly Berwick for sale

*Disclaimer: Sorry, we probably won't actually issue you with a ration of rum, but the bit about us being friendly is true!

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