Yardarms

[Resolution]

Can any of the forum experts help to settle a "discussion" in the pub this evening over the meaning of the expression "when the sun is over the yardarm".
My understanding is that this is a naval concept closely aligned with pink gins at 6pm.
The opposition are well ahead of me, reckoning that they could start at midday, when the sun (what is that, you might well ask) is truly above the yard arm.
What does it really mean?

 

[Tomahawk]

I think it is about when the sun crosses the yardarm on the way down... which should be late afternoon... therefore time for a light refreshment..

 

[lenseman]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the sun is over the yardarm


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[Uricanejack]

It used to be late morning.
1100.
Drinks before lunch.

 

[lenseman]

It used to be late morning.
1100.
Drinks before lunch.

I agree - SIX BELLS.

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[cliff]

I agree - SIX BELLS.

Keep your Bells - I'll have Talisker or Laphroaig or at a push Glenmorangie - 6 (doubles) of either should see me through 'til it's time for a sundowner or three

 

[DanTribe]

We have a purpose made yard arm that we can lower to deck level when requiredm

 

[Topcat47]

"Somewhere in the world, the sun is always over the yardarm" as my first skipper used to say.

 

[prv]

My understanding is that this is a naval concept closely aligned with pink gins at 6pm.
The opposition are well ahead of me, reckoning that they could start at midday, when the sun (what is that, you might well ask) is truly above the yard arm.

I think they are historically correct - people used to drink a stupendous amount in the 18th century - and the rule was when the sun had risen above the yard (which yard, anyway?) some time late morning. However, since then, the phrase has come to refer to 5 or 6 pm, regardless of any actual astrogeometrical practicalities.

Pete

 

[binch]

Rum

Nothing to do with the officers -- they drink when they want to.
6 bells of the forenoon watch was when "Up spirits" was piped and the hands got a dollop of neaters if eleigible, otherwise, junior ratings waited until 1150, when "cooks to the galley" was piped and all the rets got a gill dilued with two parts water.
I don't think this expression was used in the very old navy. I find no reference to it.
I think it came in with Ian Hay, or Noel Coward.

 

[paul.norton]

I think they are historically correct - people used to drink a stupendous amount in the 18th century - and the rule was when the sun had risen above the yard (which yard, anyway?) some time late morning. However, since then, the phrase has come to refer to 5 or 6 pm, regardless of any actual astrogeometrical practicalities.

Pete

I know a chap who lived in Africa from some time and has the tale that during the expansion of the British Empire it was the common practice to have a brandy at breakfast and at lunch and again at dinner - purely for medicinal purposes you understand

Sounds like something from a Carry On movie.

Paul

 

[prv]

I don't think this expression was used in the very old navy. I find no reference to it.
I think it came in with Ian Hay, or Noel Coward.

I remember from some past research that the OED dates it to Kipling in 1899 (though as always it may have been in use somewhat earlier). Unfortunately I no longer have access to the full OED and I can't remember the precise context it was cited in.

Pete