FullCircle
Well-Known Member
What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Just asking, someone in the office wants to know....
Just asking, someone in the office wants to know....
What is the origin of the phrase 'Running a tight ship?'
- Thread starter FullCircle
- Start date
Evadne
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Might a wooden ship that had taken up, and had no leaks, be referred to as a "tight ship"?
Might a wooden ship that had taken up, and had no leaks, be referred to as a "tight ship"?
Pie
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
A ship where no one is prepared to put their hands in their pocket.
A ship where no one is prepared to put their hands in their pocket.
BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
I think it is when the beam is too much for a particular mooring.
we heard this comment in Cherbourg recently when trying to squeeze into a berth. Our fenders against the finger and those on the other boat both became flattened and everybody agreed it was "too tight", so I reversed away.
I have also heard SWMBO use the expression, although not for a few years now.
I think it is when the beam is too much for a particular mooring.
we heard this comment in Cherbourg recently when trying to squeeze into a berth. Our fenders against the finger and those on the other boat both became flattened and everybody agreed it was "too tight", so I reversed away.
I have also heard SWMBO use the expression, although not for a few years now.
Bergman
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Refers to tight discipline where no is allowed to become slack or a slacker.
Traditionally maintained by liberal application of the lash.
A practice that is much underused today.
Refers to tight discipline where no is allowed to become slack or a slacker.
Traditionally maintained by liberal application of the lash.
A practice that is much underused today.
stevebirch2002
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Any of the yachts from the Scottish contingent.......
Any of the yachts from the Scottish contingent.......
reginaldon
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
'Tight ship' synonymous with a 'pusser ship' ie. a ship which is well-ordered and well- disciplined and the corollary is 'a pusser ship is a happy ship' it worked out that way everyone knew where they stood - no favouritism.
'Tight ship' synonymous with a 'pusser ship' ie. a ship which is well-ordered and well- disciplined and the corollary is 'a pusser ship is a happy ship' it worked out that way everyone knew where they stood - no favouritism.
guernseyman
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Tight as in water-tight.
Tight as in water-tight.
Captain_Wolfie
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/tight+ship.html
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/tight+ship.html
reginaldon
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Can't totally agree with that definition. RN always used the expression in the sense that I gave.
Can't totally agree with that definition. RN always used the expression in the sense that I gave.
landaftaf
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
yup - a ship where everyone knew the rules, the rules were followed cos they were explained as to why they were there (to protect everyone), the rules were the same for everyone so were seen to be fair .......... and it usually resulted in a happy ship
so ...... a tight ship equated with a happy ship, with tight control maintained by and with the crews tacit agreement /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
yup - a ship where everyone knew the rules, the rules were followed cos they were explained as to why they were there (to protect everyone), the rules were the same for everyone so were seen to be fair .......... and it usually resulted in a happy ship
so ...... a tight ship equated with a happy ship, with tight control maintained by and with the crews tacit agreement /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
DJE
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
You know..........all sort of ship shape and Bristol fashion. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
You know..........all sort of ship shape and Bristol fashion. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
guernseyman
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Did not the original poster ask what is the origin of the phrase?
A happy ship is, well, a happy ship. A well-run ship is, perhaps, a well-run ship. A disciplined ship is probably disciplined.
I stick with water-tight, though that has been reinforced by the more modern sense of a well-rigged ship being tightly-rigged.
Did not the original poster ask what is the origin of the phrase?
A happy ship is, well, a happy ship. A well-run ship is, perhaps, a well-run ship. A disciplined ship is probably disciplined.
I stick with water-tight, though that has been reinforced by the more modern sense of a well-rigged ship being tightly-rigged.
catmandoo
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
An old merchant sailor told me it was something to do with daisy chains but I did not understand
An old merchant sailor told me it was something to do with daisy chains but I did not understand
thefatlady
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
From the Dictionary of Sea Terms by A. Anstead, published in 1898 by L. Upcott Gill, 170 The Strand:
Tight Spoken of a boat, it means that she is free from leakage. In any other sense of the word as used at sea becomes "taut" (which see)
Taut or taught The seaman's pronunciation of the word "tight". But it has a much fuller meaning at sea, and often expresses neatness; properly disposed; prepared for any emergency, etc.
From the Dictionary of Sea Terms by A. Anstead, published in 1898 by L. Upcott Gill, 170 The Strand:
Tight Spoken of a boat, it means that she is free from leakage. In any other sense of the word as used at sea becomes "taut" (which see)
Taut or taught The seaman's pronunciation of the word "tight". But it has a much fuller meaning at sea, and often expresses neatness; properly disposed; prepared for any emergency, etc.
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
I'll go along with tight and pusser.
Nothing nicer than a tight pusser.
I'll go along with tight and pusser.
Nothing nicer than a tight pusser.
longjohnsadler
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Somebody once described a boat of mine as a 'shite tip'...
Which is probably quite the opposite.
Somebody once described a boat of mine as a 'shite tip'...
Which is probably quite the opposite.
cliff
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
[ QUOTE ]
Refers to tight discipline where no is allowed to become slack or a slacker.
Traditionally maintained by liberal application of the lash.
A practice that is much underused today.
[/ QUOTE ]Not on my boat /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif - Must keep the crew in their place /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif - nothing like a good flogging before breakfast to keep everyone on their toes, and it does work up a good appetite. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I do draw the line at keel hauling though (unless I need the bottom cleaned). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
[ QUOTE ]
Refers to tight discipline where no is allowed to become slack or a slacker.
Traditionally maintained by liberal application of the lash.
A practice that is much underused today.
[/ QUOTE ]Not on my boat /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif - Must keep the crew in their place /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif - nothing like a good flogging before breakfast to keep everyone on their toes, and it does work up a good appetite. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I do draw the line at keel hauling though (unless I need the bottom cleaned). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
--------------------
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
reginaldon
Well-Known Member
Re: What is the origin of the phrase \'Running a tight ship?\'
Revenons a nos moutons - I just wonder how possible it is nowadays to run a tight ship when 'the queers rule OK' in both the Andrew and the Police. I remember seeing one Conduct Sheet which showed that the rating had picked up a 'Consequential Naval Penalty' for having committed the civil offence of Bu99ery 'in that he did carnally know XXX on Southsea Common c. 1948. I only came across one in the RN, who admitted homosexual experience - he was ostracised by his mess mates.
Revenons a nos moutons - I just wonder how possible it is nowadays to run a tight ship when 'the queers rule OK' in both the Andrew and the Police. I remember seeing one Conduct Sheet which showed that the rating had picked up a 'Consequential Naval Penalty' for having committed the civil offence of Bu99ery 'in that he did carnally know XXX on Southsea Common c. 1948. I only came across one in the RN, who admitted homosexual experience - he was ostracised by his mess mates.
