Nautical phrases, sayings and terms
Nautical phrases, sayings and sailing terms with their meaning.
The sailors jargon buster
Have you ever wondered where some of our everyday phrases and sayings come from and what they mean? There are hundreds in common use in UK and around the world and we have been looking high and low to find them and their meaning. Here are 424 of them where we have cracked the sailors jargon for you. Enjoy!
Why are "Bananas bad luck on a ship" ?
Meaning: The reason is lost in the mists of time.
More about: Bananas bad luck on a shipBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Folklore
What are "Bare poles" ?
Meaning: Underway without setting sails.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What is "Batten" ?
Meaning: Sail stiffening.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Batten down the hatches" mean?
Today it means: Get ready for trouble or something big is about to happen.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Batten down the hatchesBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Beaker" mean?
Today it means: Plastic glass..
Nautical origin of the phrase: BeakerBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What is "Beam" ?
Meaning: The widest part of the boat.
More about: BeamBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Beam ends" mean?
Today it means: Broke, penny less, impecunity.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Beam endsBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Beam reach" mean?
Meaning: A point of sail when the wind is at right angles to the boat.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bear away" mean?
Today it means: Not really in common use.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Bear awayBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Bear down" mean?
Today it means: Get close, oppress.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Bear downBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What is "Bearing" ?
Meaning: The direction of an object.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bearing up" mean?
Today it means: Coping, getting better.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Bearing upBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What is "Beat" ?
Meaning: To sail close to the wind.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Beat it" mean?
Today it means: Go away.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Beat itBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Beat to quarters" mean?
Today it means: Call to action.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Beat to quartersBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Beaufort Wind Scale" mean?
Meaning: A scale of wind speeds and effects.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Berth" mean?
Meaning: A vessels mooring or crews place to sleep.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" mean?
Today it means: Caught out, nowhere to turn.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Between the devil and the deep blue seaBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Bi-colour" mean?
Meaning: A navigation light showing two colours.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bilge" mean?
Meaning: The lowest area inside the vessel.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bi-light" mean?
Meaning: A navigation light.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bitter end" mean?
Meaning: The end of a rope that is not tied on.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Blazer" mean?
Today it means: Jacket, school jacket.
Nautical origin of the phrase: BlazerBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What is "Block" ?
Meaning: A pulley around rope or wire runs.
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SailingQuiz
Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Blood money" mean?
Today it means: Proceeds from a bad deed.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Blood moneyBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Blow you, I'm alright Jack" mean?
Today it means: I'm OK so it doesn't matter about you.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Blow you, I'm alright JackBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Bollard" mean?
Meaning: A short post for tying ropes around.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bottle up" mean?
Today it means: Let things build up, keeping things to yourself.
Nautical origin of the phrase: Bottle upBy:
SailingQuiz
Category:Nautical Saying
What does "Bottlescrew" mean?
Meaning: A threaded rigging screw.
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Category:Sailing Terms
What does "Bow" mean?
Meaning: The forward part of a boat.
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Category:Sailing Terms
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