Sailor Speak of the Week – Underway

Definition

Adjective

AKA “under weigh”

• When a vessel isn’t moored, at anchor, aground, or physically connected to the ground.

Origin

Unknown.

Comments

This isn’t the same as “making way.” It just means that the vessel isn’t connected to solid ground and is at the whim of the wind and waves. Hopefully, the vessel starts making way in the right direction before they drift into something. As they say, “there’s no way like underway.”

References

Crowell, J. (2002). Naval Terminology, Jargon and Slang FAQ Part 2 – N through Z. http://www.hazegray.org/faq/slang2.htm.