Definition Adjective A temporary or makeshift fix of any damaged gear or equipment. Origin 15th century. Possibly from the Old French words, jornal, or jurnal,
Category: Sailor Speak of the Week
Learn the lingo of the salty sailor, pirate, and mariner.
Sailor Speak of the Week – In Irons
Definition Adjective A sailing craft that is caught dead in the wind and unable to fill her sails on a new tack or make forward
Sailor Speak of the Week – Holystone
Definition Noun A brick-shaped piece of sandstone used for scouring the wooden decks of a ship. Origin 18th century. Comments The purpose of this activity
Sailor Speak of the Week – Gammon Iron
Definition Noun The iron band that replaced gammoning for holding the bowsprit in place. Origin 19th century. Comments Since gammoning was originally a lashing, it
Sailor Speak of the Week – Flank Speed
Definition Noun Maximum possible speed. Origin Modern. Circa WWI. American English. Comments Likely originated with destroyers around the time of WWI or earlier. It refers
Sailor Speak of the Week – Ebb
Definition Noun The outgoing flow of the tides. Origin 16th century. From Anglo-Saxon, ebba, via Old English, French, and Middle English. Comments The classic coming
