Why are the Hounds on a mast called the HOUNDS?

[temptress]

So I was chatting to the principal of a sailing school over several large rums recently. We were discussing sailing terms and their origin.

We got stuck on The Hounds. Yes these days it is generally accepted that this is where the shrouds and/or forestay join the mast, you may even have more than one set.

But WHY are they called Hounds?

Any ideas? Tried Google without much success. ANY COMMENTS?

 

[prv]

On traditionally-rigged craft, the shrouds are attached by splicing or seizing a loop in the top which fits right round the mast. To stop the loops sliding down, roughly triangular pieces of timber are screwed (originally nailed) to the mast for them to sit on. Someone a few hundred years ago thought these timber chocks were shaped like hounds' cheeks. The name then slowly transferred from the chocks themselves to the area of the mast.

That's my understanding, anyway. Can't remember where I got it from, but it seems plausible.

Pete

 

[temptress]

On traditionally-rigged craft, the shrouds are attached by splicing or seizing a loop in the top which fits right round the mast. To stop the loops sliding down, roughly triangular pieces of timber are screwed (originally nailed) to the mast for them to sit on. Someone a few hundred years ago thought these timber chocks were shaped like hounds' cheeks. The name then slowly transferred from the chocks themselves to the area of the mast.

That's my understanding, anyway. Can't remember where I got it from, but it seems plausible.

Pete

Pete best explanation so far. It Fits in maybe? . On a traditionally rigged square rigger I was taught that the cheeks were something else. So perhaps there is another explanation.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Does this help?

hound noun

1. Nautical . either of a pair of fore-and-aft members at the lower end of the head of a mast, for supporting the trestletrees, that support an upper mast at its heel. Compare cheek ( def 12 ) .
2. a horizontal bar or brace, usually one of a pair, for strengthening the running gear of a horse-drawn wagon or the like.

Origin: 1175–1225; Middle English hūn < Old Norse hūnn knob at the masthead​

(from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hound?s=t)

or this?

hound (haʊnd) noun

• either of a pair of horizontal bars that reinforce the running gear of a horse-drawn vehicle
• (nautical) either of a pair of fore-and-aft braces that serve as supports for a topmast

Word Origin
C15: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse hūnn knob, cube​

(from http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/hound)

I feel that having a word for "the knob at the top of the mast" might be useful. "Stop fiddling with that anemometer, you hūn."

 

[LittleSister]

The nautical term 'hounds' has been in use since the late 15th century (according to OED), and that evolved from (and ran alongside for centuries) the earlier term 'hune' which comes from the French 'hune', in turn from the Norse 'hune'.

Why the Vikings didn't post on the internet to explain their choice of term remains unclear!

 

[Daedelus]

All right then. Why is the horse so-called?

(My view is that it is the huntin' and shootin' set getting into sailing).

 

[Gordonmc]

All right then. Why is the horse so-called?

(My view is that it is the huntin' and shootin' set getting into sailing).

And what came first, the horse or the saddle?
The saddle on my Hillyard attached the mainsheet to the horse.
Edit - response to prv's post.

 

[prv]

All right then. Why is the horse so-called?

Which one? The rail that the mainsheet block (or others) run on, or the footrope at the end of a yard? And if the latter, what is Flemish about it?

Pete

 

[temptress]

Yes we know what they are. What we were trying to find out is why they are called that.

 

[Hydrozoan]

Richard Mayne's "The Language of Sailing" (Carcanet, 2000) suggests that horse - meaning footrope or bar for sheets - derives from "... the idea that a horse supports and carries a human or other burden, and makes travel possible. The connotation of 'shoal' is by analogy with the shape of a horse's back - which may also contribute to the (sometimes arched) bar for the sheets". (But I do wonder - an arched bend would surely be the opposite of a horse's back?)

But, unhelpfully, whilst hounds gets a mention under stay, where their modern equivalent is said to be the stayband, the specific entry for hounds appears to have been omitted in error. Trying to get a handle on its etymology does seem to be dogged with difficulty.

 

[Border Terrier]

Great stuff. Some of the questions we're afraid to ask.

Keep it up. (A phrase used by an actress while encouraging bishop.)

Is this the "Brains Trust" or what!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Presumably, the hounds were first conceived of during a dog watch.

 

[Hydrozoan]

Presumably, the hounds were first conceived of during a dog watch.

Yes, the one that's curtailed.

(Not mine own, but the late Mr O'Brian's I think.)

 

[temptress]

Yes, the one that's curtailed.(Not mine own, but the late Mr O'Brian's I think.)

Surely the quote is by the Doctor. Still want to know WHY the Hounds are called the HOUNDS?

 

[LittleSister]

Still want to know WHY the Hounds are called the HOUNDS?

Because that's what everyone calls them, and if you call them something else (and I defend your right to do so) no-one will know what you are talking about!

 

[robertj]

It stems from the landlubbers encouraged into shipwright profession.

When The squire went hunting he used hounds to flush the game, so naturally when a mast flexes its terminology is called hunting, therefore hounds are used.

 

[Twister_Ken]

It stems from the landlubbers encouraged into shipwright profession.

When The squire went hunting he used hounds to flush the game, so naturally when a mast flexes its terminology is called hunting, therefore hounds are used.

Tally Ho!

 

[Grumpybear]

The nautical term 'hounds' has been in use since the late 15th century (according to OED), and that evolved from (and ran alongside for centuries) the earlier term 'hune' which comes from the French 'hune', in turn from the Norse 'hune'.

Why the Vikings didn't post on the internet to explain their choice of term remains unclear!

The panel switch for the steaming light on my Jeanneau is marked "Feu de Hune".

 

[JumbleDuck]

The panel switch for the steaming light on my Jeanneau is marked "Feu de Hune".

Didn't we drop them on Dresden?

 

[Sybarite]

Huner in Old French means listening to the sound made by owls. Maybe it refers to the sound of the wind in the rigging?