# What, exactly is a Moonraker? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025 "2001-03-22T17:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/1 "2001-03-22T17:36:10Z")
I know that in the James Bond film of that name, it was the name of the space shuttle. However, the word must have existed prior to the movie. The theme song says: “Just like the Moonraker knows all his dreams will come true someday…” I looked up the word on [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com), but it said that it was some sort of sail…doesn’t make sense in context. Can anyone find me the exact meaning and origin of this word/phrase? ---
**Author:** ![egkelly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/db5fbb/32.png) [@egkelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/egkelly)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/2 "2001-03-22T18:13:31Z")
Chaim, one I can answer: “Moonraker” indeed refers to a sail. In the days of the clipper ships, the tallest mast was the center mast-known as the “mizzen” mast. Usually, ships had 4 or 5 sails (square-rigged) hung on this mast. Wery rarely, ships were fitted with mizzen masts that would accomodate a 6th sail-this was called the “moonraker”, since it was so high that it would rake the moon. Only a handful of ships ever had a 6th sail on the mizzen mast-working that high above the deck must have scared many an old-time sailor! ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/3 "2001-03-22T18:36:50Z")
Then how does that make sense in the context of the song line I quoted above? Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/4 "2001-03-22T20:34:39Z")
[kneejerk reaction] I don’t expect Bond movies themselves to make sense; are you seriously expecting the _theme song to a Bond movie_ to make sense? [/kneejerk] :d&r: :slinking back for a WAG: Maybe the guy who set the sail can be referred to as a Moonraker. (Bond, being a Navy Commander and top spy…) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/5 "2001-03-22T21:29:52Z")
I thought it was a term for 19th century smugglers; rum runners or such, running about the ocean by moonlight. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/6 "2001-03-22T22:08:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mrblue92 \* > **[kneejerk reaction] > I don’t expect Bond movies themselves to make sense; are you seriously expecting the _theme song to a Bond movie_ to make sense? > [/kneejerk]** To be fair, the name Moonraker was chosen by Ian Fleming, and he was pretty good with words. In the book, the Moonraker was a new design of rocket, bigger than most that England had, and more efficient. I always thought the term meant that the rocket was powerful enough that it could graze the moon… ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/7 "2001-03-22T23:45:05Z")
The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary gives the following definitions > [@](#): > > **moonraker** 1. a native of the county of Wiltshire in SW England _colloq_ 2. _Naut._ A small square sail above the sky-sail. > > **moonraking** (_archaic_) pursuing idle thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/8 "2001-03-23T00:31:23Z")
Just to further muddy the waters, _Webster’s Third New International Dictionary_ gives the primary definition of **moonraker** as “_chiefly Brit_ : a stupid fellow : SIMPLETON”; their second definition is “MOONSAIL” (i.e., “a light square sail set above a skysail and carried by some clipper ships in light winds”). Definitely an odd name for a spaceship. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/9 "2001-03-23T00:39:35Z")
Towards the bottom of the page, see “Moonrakers”. > **[County Of Wiltshire - Wiltshire Guide](http://wiltshireweb.co.uk/historical/county-wiltshire)** > > History of Wiltshire ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/10 "2001-03-23T01:26:53Z")
To further muddy the waters, JE Lighter, _American Slang_ says a moonsail or moonraker was an imaginary sail, quoting thusly **1805, She had royals set; sky-scrapers, moon-rakers, and a cursed god above all.**. I could give later quotes, but at least this one dates an early use of the term. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/11 "2001-03-23T01:44:08Z")
All though there are a few definitions, bibliophage’s of pursusing idle thoughts seems the best fit for the song. After all the space station was the dream of a man for an eutopia of his own. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/12 "2001-03-23T06:24:12Z")
One quibble. The mizzenmast is the aft-most mast on a three-masted ship. By extension, it is also the smaller mast on a yawl or ketch. The highest/tallest mast is the mainmast. ---
**Author:** ![Moon\_Raker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Moon\_Raker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moon_Raker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/13 "2014-10-04T00:57:42Z")
A moonraker was Quote “a foolish person,whom upon seeing the reflection of the moon in the water,believed it to be cheese”. Unquote…west country English folklore…In the mid 18th century,contraband (port,rum)was smuggled by ship into the estuaries of the rivers and sunk…Later to be retrieved by the moonrakers when the “coast was clear”…One was caught and the judge laughed at his explaination about the moons reflection and didn’t hang him…That I can assure you,is the true legend of a Moonraker and why i have the name 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/14 "2014-10-04T01:13:12Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > To further muddy the waters, JE Lighter, _American Slang_ says a moonsail or moonraker was an imaginary sail, quoting thusly **1805, She had royals set; sky-scrapers, moon-rakers, and a cursed god above all.**. I could give later quotes, but at least this one dates an early use of the term. Clearly, sky-scraper and moon-raker are pretty much the same word. No one bats an eye that we name large buildings after an upper sail. Moon-raker seems to be an equally poetic and appropriate name for a spacecraft. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/15 "2014-10-04T01:35:52Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Towards the bottom of the page, see “Moonrakers”. > [http://www.wiltshire-web.co.uk/history/wilts.htm](http://www.wiltshire-web.co.uk/history/wilts.htm) Clicking [the link we find at you your link](http://wiltshireweb.co.uk/historical/moonrakers) reveals rather more (and, indeed, vindicates **Moon Raker** ’s post, too). In short, moonrakers were smugglers. I think this connection with crime (of a romantic sort) helps to make sense of why of why Flemming chose the title, and the cover story that the smugglers told, about being foolishly trying to retrieve the moon/cheese from the sand, perhaps helps to make some sense of the song’s reference to “dreams”. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/16 "2014-10-04T07:13:12Z")
Unfortunately, moonrakers generally found themselves trawling up animated corpses thirteen years dead, rather than ripe cheese. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/17 "2014-10-04T07:30:57Z")
Ha ha - Moonraker must have googled his name. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/18 "2014-10-04T08:06:52Z")
> [@Moon\_Raker](#): > > A moonraker was Quote “a foolish person,whom upon seeing the reflection of the moon in the water,believed it to be cheese”. Unquote…west country English folklore…In the mid 18th century,contraband (port,rum)was smuggled by ship into the estuaries of the rivers and sunk…Later to be retrieved by the moonrakers when the “coast was clear”…One was caught and the judge laughed at his explaination about the moons reflection and didn’t hang him…That I can assure you,is the true legend of a Moonraker and why i have the name 🙂 That makes the most sense of anything in this thread, but have you any links we can follow to further research it? ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/19 "2014-10-04T08:56:08Z")
Quite a good analysis on wikipedia; > **[Moonrakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonrakers)** > > Moonrakers is the colloquial name for people from Wiltshire, a county in the West Country of England. > This name refers to a folk story set in the time when smuggling was a significant industry in rural England, with Wiltshire lying on the smugglers' secret routes between the south coast and customers in the centre of the country. > The story goes that some local people had hidden contraband barrels of French brandy from customs officers in a village pond. While trying to retrieve it at night, ... ---
**Author:** ![Moon\_Raker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Moon\_Raker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moon_Raker)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025/20 "2014-10-06T19:07:25Z")
Actually Bob,I’ve had the nickname since a young boy…I’m 60 now…Used to love night fishing and missed many morning school lessons or fell asleep during them,until I was caught on a “private” stretch of river by the bailiff with a net full of contraband…the judge called me a moonraker and it stuck…it was my call sign as a transporter and all my friends call me Moonie to this day…I’m now a retiring world travelled live Singer/muso with the same stage name…the judge recited the folklore to me during his summing up and my parents explained it’s meaning and why I wasn’t hanged 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-moonraker/59025.md?page=2)