Many of the expressions we use without a second thought come from life at sea. Centuries of sailing have left their mark on English, and plenty of nautical terms still appear in our conversations today. Here are just a few. For more, see our related posts: Nautical Sayings and Their Origins, Nautical Terms, and Sailing Terms.
Under the Weather
Originally “under the weather bow,” this referred to the side of a ship taking the brunt of bad weather. Any sailor posted there would end the watch soaked, cold, and often seasick. Today, to feel under the weather means to feel unwell.
Squared Away
On square-rigged ships, sails set properly to catch the wind were said to be squared away. A crew with everything squared away was ready for action. Now it means having everything organised and in order.
Loose Cannon
Cannons were secured with ropes to keep them steady during battle or rough seas. Even a relatively small six-pounder weighed around half a tonne. If one broke free, it could smash across the deck causing chaos. A loose cannon today is someone unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
Shipshape and Bristol Fashion
This combines two expressions. Shipshape meant neat and tidy—something every sailor was expected to maintain. Bristol fashion referred to the English port of Bristol, once famous for high-quality outfitting and chandlery. Together, shipshape and Bristol fashion means tidy, orderly, and of good quality.
Son of a Gun
In port, crews were sometimes confined to their ships for weeks. Women were unofficially allowed aboard, and children were occasionally born between the guns on the gun deck. If the father was unknown, the child was recorded in the log as a son of a gun.
Aloof
Today, aloof means distant or reserved. Its roots are nautical: from the Middle English loof (now luff), meaning the windward side of a ship. A sailor warning “aloof!” was calling to steer away from a hazard by turning toward the wind.
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