Glossary
Did you know that half the stuff you say has salty sea legs? When you 'test the waters,' you’re practically a sailor. And when things go 'off the deep end,' well, you might as well grab a life jacket. 'Loose cannon'? Nautical. 'By and large'? Also nautical. Even 'shipshape' is—you guessed it—nautical. We’ve been talking like sailors since forever, but most of us don’t even know we’re doing it. It’s time to own your inner seafarer! Let us help you navigate these maritime phrases so you can drop them into conversations with the precision of a seasoned captain. Anchors aweigh, linguists!
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Nautical Saying Above board
Above board refers to something done openly, honestly, and straightforwardly without deceit or dishonesty. It originates from pirates hiding crew...
More Details - Nautical Saying All at sea
All at sea is a nautical term for a situation where a ship or boat is adrift or lost at sea without any clear direction or sense of location.
- Nautical Saying All at sea
In a broader sense, it can also be used figuratively to describe a person who is confused, disoriented, or unsure about what to do in a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Nautical Saying Aloof
Aloof originally had a different meaning than its modern-day use to describe someone emotionally distant. In maritime language, Aloof comes from...
More Details - Nautical Saying At loggerheads
At loggerheads is a nautical term referring to two ships positioned with their respective loggers (wooden blocks used for securing the ship's...
More Details - Did you know?, Nautical Saying Chock-a-block
Chock-a-block is a nautical term describing when two blocks (pulleys) are pulled so close together that they cannot be tightened further. It...
More Details - Did you know?, Nautical Saying Press Gangs
Press gangs were groups of men employed by the British Royal Navy in the 17th to 19th centuries to forcibly recruit individuals into naval...
More Details - Did you know?, Nautical Saying Under the Weather
Under the weather is commonly used to describe feeling ill or unwell. Its origins can be traced back to maritime language. It originated from the...
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