Nautical Terms: A Dictionary

Nautical Terms

A Dictionary

Edited by

David Tuffley

Altiora Publications

© Copyright 2014 David Tuffley

Published in 2014 by Altiora Publications at Smashwords

Content licensed under Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike.

Acknowledgements

The editor gratefully acknowledges the contribution of all those men and women who created this dictionary.

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See other books in the Dictionary Series from Altiora Publications

Contents

Introduction

A | B | C | D | E | F | G

H | I | J | K | L | M | N

O | P | Q | R | S | T | U

V | W | X | Y | Z

Introduction

The nautical world, once an integral aspect of human civilization over many centuries evolved a language of its own. It is a rich lexicon that is well worth exploring, as much for its colourful language as for its more practical aspects. How many of us know, for example, the ‘above board’ comes from the nautical expression for on or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything? There are hundreds of such expressions that people use every day that comes from the nautical world. It is interesting to know what they are and where they come from.

And if you are interested in boating and want to learn more about it, this book is for you. Knowing the language goes a long way towards appreciating the experience more fully. So avast your scuppers mateys and read on!

A

Above board: On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything.

Above-water hull: The hull section of a vessel above the waterline, the visible part of a ship. Also, topsides.

Abaft: Toward the stern, relative to some object (‘abaft the fore hatch’).

Abeam: On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the centreline of the ship's keel.

Aboard: On or in a vessel (see also ‘close aboard’).

Accommodation ladder: A portable flight of steps down a ship's side.

Adrift: Afloat and unattached in any way to the shore or seabed, but not under way. It implies that a vessel is not under control and therefore goes where the wind and current take her (loose from moorings, or out of place). Also refers to any gear not fastened down or put away properly. It can also be used to mean ‘absent without leave’.

Afore: 1. In, on, or toward the front of a vessel. 2. In front