Nautical Terminology

[JumbleDuck]

I think that's what bothers Serin; "looking very ignorant", that is? Most of us would of course openly admit that we knew little about peak cutting, whilst simultaneously expressing an interest in the activity.

I can't say it enthrals me - I bought the book because I though the title was intriguingly esoteric.

However, I think the general ideas shows that there are depths which most of us never plumb or even realise to most technical language, and that before we criticise "that rope there" we should remember that calling a spade a spade may itself provoke sniggers amongst those who dig for a living.

 

[Neil]

The word comes from the original placement of the toilets at the head of the boat, of which there can only be one (head) anyway.

Unless it's a catamaran, which can have two heads - as long as they're at the front

 

[doris]

The word comes from the original placement of the toilets at the head of the boat, of which there can only be one (head) anyway.

Actually there were usually two, one on either side of the bowsprit stub That in itself probably has its own nomenclature.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Not exactly. If you look at notices in all three languages, the French version is almost always longer than the English and German and the English is usually the shortest. Both German and English build words from combinations of others, although German does so more often. However, the components of these words are, themselves, technical words. Where the Germans might build a word, we very often simply build a phrase.

Assuming that "we" = "the French" then yes, that was precisely my point.

Your description of the oscilloscope is much as I might describe it to a group of primary school children but I would be a bit surprised if I, as an adult, was invited to view one in the terms you use.

Well yes, but that's because you know what it is. Even saying "Look at the oscilloscope there <points>" is adding a layer of layman-friendly explanation.

I really don't think we're disagreeing much. "Describe things to people in terms they can understand and if a technical name would be useful to them, tell them what it is" covers it, doesn't it?

 

[Capt Popeye]

Humm, what does bother me is the oft adoption and comparison of matters Nautical with matters non Nautical their opinion that the (our) Nautical heritage and understandings should comply with our unfortunate motoring or other landlubber understandings, like for instance, a minimum age for handling a boat, and of course the old chestnut about licencing. There are many freedoms associated with Boat ownership and our voyaging that are not understood or appreciated by landlubbers, in fact some freedom might appear to be ridiculous, but that's the way our Nautical heritage has been developed, for good reason to.
Might suggest that as boating becomes more popular and landlubbers take to the water its important to preserve what we can of our rights upon the waters for navigation and mooring, its not all about Marinas and Councils or even Harbour Authorities charging and restricting our activities.
Would suggest that part of our retaining this heritage is learning and adopting the terminology used

 

[JumbleDuck]

Very good Shirley

It's a different kind of flying altogether.

 

[doris]

Humm, what does bother me is the oft adoption and comparison of matters Nautical with matters non Nautical their opinion that the (our) Nautical heritage and understandings should comply with our unfortunate motoring or other landlubber understandings, like for instance, a minimum age for handling a boat, and of course the old chestnut about licencing. There are many freedoms associated with Boat ownership and our voyaging that are not understood or appreciated by landlubbers, in fact some freedom might appear to be ridiculous, but that's the way our Nautical heritage has been developed, for good reason to.
Might suggest that as boating becomes more popular and landlubbers take to the water its important to preserve what we can of our rights upon the waters for navigation and mooring, its not all about Marinas and Councils or even Harbour Authorities charging and restricting our activities.
Would suggest that part of our retaining this heritage is learning and adopting the terminology used

Very well said Captain

 

[JumbleDuck]

The daftest nautical term in my view, is using the word 'heads' for the toilet. Every English speaker knows what a toilet is. There is no possibility of any confusion with respect to the word 'toilet' either on a boat or off it. And why plural?, unless you have more than one toilet on your boat, but I've heard the plural used to describe a single toilet.

I agree. My boat has a toilet. or possibly a cludgie, when I am feeling particularly true to my Glaswegian upbringing.

The other is 'Leo' - why not pronounce it 'lee-ho', if you're going to use it at all? even then it sounds a bit daft. I use 'prepare to come about' followed by 'coming about', which is actually less useful than the afore-mentioned 'prepare to tack' and then 'tacking now'

As I think the perspicacious "ubergeekian" wrote in the "Going about" thread, I like "ready about" for "brace yourselves", "helms down" for "I'm starting the turn and "lee-ho" for "we've made it, so you can bring the jib across and relax". I like "helms down" because it gives a clue about which way to push the tiller, but I can see that it would make no sense to someone steering a boat with a wheel.

 

[Neil]

As I think the perspicacious "ubergeekian" wrote in the "Going about" thread, I like "ready about" for "brace yourselves", "helms down" for "I'm starting the turn and "lee-ho" for "we've made it, so you can bring the jib across and relax". I like "helms down" because it gives a clue about which way to push the tiller, but I can see that it would make no sense to someone steering a boat with a wheel.

To my mind, the 'ready about' means, rather than brace yourself, "you lot on the jib sheets - one of you put your rope around the winch, the other take the rope out of the self tailer and be ready to let go". Of course ideally, one would salt this request with appropriate terms like jib sheets and lazy sheets and other technica

I think the going about/tacking thing serves some use and the form is a matter of personal preference.

But I will always call the the boat's toilet a 'toilet'

 

[Serin]

However, I think the general ideas shows that there are depths which most of us never plumb or even realise to most technical language, and that before we criticise "that rope there" we should remember that calling a spade a spade may itself provoke sniggers amongst those who dig for a living.

As might "that rope there" among those who sail for a living......

But you are just hair splitting and tilting at windmills, so I will leave you to it.

 

[Serin]

T
But I will always call the the boat's toilet a 'toilet'

We tend to call it the bog.

 

[KellysEye]

>And talking of "parking" which was criticised in the other thread, surely that is just a facetious reaction to the pomposity of some nautical terminology. Like "string".

Jane used to drive the boat and we parked it in marinas, otherwise we used all the nautical terms

 

[JumbleDuck]

To my mind, the 'ready about' means, rather than brace yourself, "you lot on the jib sheets - one of you put your rope around the winch, the other take the rope out of the self tailer and be ready to let go".

You are quite right. I meant "Everybody get ready for going about", which may mean doing something with the sheets, holding on tight, waiting to drain the spuds or just being aware. Rule of the boat is that everyone who isn't asleep has to say "Ready" before we turn, except in an emergency.

 

[JumbleDuck]

As might "that rope there" among those who sail for a living......

If they snigger at "that rope there" when it is used to help someone who has never been on a boat before they are sadly lacking in empathy, humanity and common sense.

"Untie the forward spring. No, the forward spring. Not the aft breast rope, you bloody fool. the forward spring. FOR-WARD SPRING. Cretin ..." CRUNCH

 

[dom]

....they are sadly lacking in empathy, humanity and common sense.

"Untie the forward spring. No, the forward spring. Not the aft breast rope, the forward spring ye stupid bilge swiller. FOR-WARD SPRING. "

CRUNCH "Right, prepare for yer doom ye weevil eatin scurvy scum"

Jeez JD, the lack of empathy and humanity was a hallmark of our nineteenth century nautical heroes! And the word cretin was confined to the medical sense back then...

...so I've taken the liberty to update your post to something more suitable.

 

[dunedin]

>And talking of "parking" which was criticised in the other thread, surely that is just a facetious reaction to the pomposity of some nautical terminology. Like string.

+1.

 

[Neil]

Rule of the boat is that everyone who isn't asleep has to say "Ready" before we turn, except in an emergency.

That's a good rule - I should think about formalising that, though if I'm not single handing, I usually have only one other on the boat, but it's good practice.

 

[JumbleDuck]

...so I've taken the liberty to update your post to something more suitable.

I am much obliged, ye shilpit wee bauchle.

 

[westhinder]

That's all very well as far as it goes. But the fact is there is no such "succinct common language" in leisure boating. A Frenchman or a German isn't likely to be referring to 'sheets' and "galley". True, the majority of small boats will have crew speaking a common language, but I'd be interested in the views of sailors for whom English isn't the mother tongue.

Roberto, are you reading?

If you want to understand what the people around you are saying and you want to make yourself understood, you have to learn the language or in this case, its particular vocabulary.
Otherwise you are an obstruction to the smooth and safe operation of the ship.
I happen to sail with French, English and Dutch speaking people (normally not more than two languages at the same time) so over time I have acquired the necessary vocabulary. Fortunately for me, many words are derived from Dutch origins.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Very well said Captain

Ahh, thank you doris, good to see that there are some real sailors around these ere parts that are aware of the difficulties arising from some half hearted and land lubbers ere

Tis not surprising then that some Fishermen and Coastal Ship Officers look upon some yachtsmen with a certain distaste and lack of acumen