So many of the phrases we use every day come from the language of sailors and life at sea. Centuries of seafaring have shaped the English language in ways we often don’t realise.
From being told to pipe down to liking the cut of someone’s jib, here are some familiar nautical sayings and the stories behind them.
Over a Barrel
If someone has you over a barrel, you’re in a difficult position with little room to manoeuvre.
The expression is sometimes linked to an old form of punishment in which a sailor was laid over a barrel before being flogged. However, the exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, and it may not originally have been nautical at all.
Either way, being over a barrel is definitely not somewhere you want to find yourself!
Pipe Down
To pipe down means to be quiet.
On board ship, a boatswain (or bosun) used a distinctive high-pitched pipe to give orders that could be heard above the wind, waves and noise of the crew. Different pipe calls signalled different instructions.
Pipe down became associated with the end of the day, when the crew were expected to settle down for the night. From there, the expression developed into the familiar command to stop talking or making a noise.
Still handy for noisy teenagers!
Cut of Your Jib
If you like the cut of someone’s jib, you approve of their appearance, manner or general character.
A jib is a triangular sail set towards the front of a sailing vessel. In the days of sailing ships, the shape and style of a ship’s sails could help sailors identify vessels from different countries or naval forces from a distance.
Judging a ship by the cut of its jib eventually became a way of judging a person by their appearance or manner.
A Shot Across the Bow
A shot across the bow is a warning that more serious action may follow.
The expression comes directly from naval practice. A warning shot could be fired across or ahead of another vessel to signal that it should stop, identify itself or obey instructions. Ignoring the warning might result in the next shot being aimed rather more directly.
Today, a shot across the bow can be any strong warning intended to make someone take notice.
The Bitter End
To go on to the bitter end means to continue until something is finished, however difficult or unpleasant it becomes.
This expression has a genuine nautical connection. On a ship, bitts are sturdy posts used for securing ropes and cables. The bitter end is the inboard end of a rope or cable associated with the bitts.
The term has been used by sailors for centuries and eventually found its way into everyday English.
Chance One’s Arm
To chance your arm means to take a risk or try something even though success is uncertain.
One popular explanation links the phrase with military or naval rank badges worn on the arm, suggesting that an officer who took an unauthorised risk might lose his rank if things went badly.
It’s a good story, but the true origin of the expression is uncertain, so its naval connection shouldn’t be taken as fact.
Whatever its beginnings, if you chance your arm, you’re taking your chances and hoping things work out in your favour.
More Sailing Words and Sayings
The language of sailing has given us a remarkable number of words and expressions that are still used today.
If you enjoyed these nautical sayings, take a look at our related articles on Sailing Terms and Nautical Terms.
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