SHIPTALK: The ‘Nautical’ Origins of Some Common Expressions

We often use these words and phrases without knowing that their origins traceable to seamen. Here are some of them
Taking the wind out of his sails –
Sailing in a manner so as to steal or divert wind from another ship's sails.
Start Over with a Clean Slate –

We often use these words and phrases without knowing that their origins traceable to seamen. Here are some of them
Taking the wind out of his sails –
Sailing in a manner so as to steal or divert wind from another ship's sails.
Start Over with a Clean Slate –
A slate tablet was kept near the helm on which the watch keeper would record the speeds, distances, headings and tacks during the watch. If there were no problems during the watch, the slate would be wiped clean so that the new watch could start over with a clean slate.
Taken Aback –
A dangerous situation where the wind is on the wrong side of the sails pressing them back against the mast and forcing the ship astern. Most often this was caused by an inattentive helmsman who had allowed the ship to head up into the wind.
At Loggerheads –
An iron ball attached to a long handle was a loggerhead. When heated it was used to seal the pitch in deck seams. It was sometimes a handy weapon for quarrelling crewmen.
Fly-by-Night –
A large sail used only for sailing downwind and requiring rather little attention.
No Great Shakes –
When casks became empty they were "shaken" (taken apart) so the pieces, called shakes, could be stored in a small space. Shakes had very little value.
Give (someone) a Wide Berth –
To anchor a ship far enough away from another ship so that they did not hit each other when they swung with the wind or tide.
Cut of His Jib –
Warships many times had their foresails or jib sails cut thinly so that they could maintain point and not be blown off course. Upon sighting thin foresails on a distant ship a captain might not like the cut of his jib and would then have an opportunity to escape.
Garbled –
Garbling was the prohibited practice of mixing rubbish with the cargo. A distorted, mixed up message was said to be garbled.
Press Into Service –
The British navy filled their ships' crew quotas by kidnapping men off the streets and forcing them into service. This was called Impressments and was done by Press Gangs.
Touch and Go –
This referred to a ship's keel touching the bottom and getting right off again.
Scuttlebutt –
A butt was a barrel. Scuttle meant to chop a hole in something. The scuttlebutt was a water barrel with a hole cut into it so that sailors could reach in and dip out drinking water. The scuttlebutt was the place where the ship's gossip was exchanged.