Sailor Speak of the Week – Nylon

Definition

Noun

• A synthetic fiber used to make modern sails and cordage.

Origin

20th century. Originally a trade name from its maker, DuPont, it’s now a generic term.

Comments

Introduced in the 1930s, use of nylon during WWII (such as for parachutes and paracord) increased demand for the product. Nylon has a variety of applications today, but it possesses many qualities that make it ideal for use in sails and cordage. It’s lightweight for its strength, stretches, and has good UV resistance.

References

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.