I remember reading a straight dope column where Cecil quotes from a dictionary or encyclopedia of terms that originated as sailing terms. I can’t remember the title or the question and searching has not been helpful. I seem to remember the title as something like “Mrs Calibash’s Something About Sailing or Other Maritime Endeavors”. Anyone got a clue abou this book? I’d like to find copy, but I think it also moight be rather old and thus out of print.
Captain Bucko’s Nauti-Words Handbook: Fascinating Facts and Fables about the Origins of Hundreds of Nautical Terms and Everyday Expressions?
Amazon link
That one’s not ringing a ell, but it looks like a good one. Although I really thought you had made it up.
“Nauti-word”? That’s either clever or stupid.
Well, if you don’t like that silly title, try this one:
When a Loose Cannon Flogs a Dead Horse There’s the Devil to Pay: Seafaring Words in Everyday Speech
Assuming that’s not the one you’re after either, I’ll admit I’m now stumped.
I would think that’s the one. And it was referred to by SDStaff Dex in his report What’s the origin of “ahoy”?
I’m going to look up both of those, thanks for the help. I’m still not sure that’s what I’m remembering, although the link to the staff report is pretty convincing.
Beware of CANOEists (Conspiracy to Assign a Nautical Origin to Everything). Most of the popular books on this topic are more concerned with spinning a good yarn than thoroughly researching the actual etymologies.
Caveat emptor.