So many of the phrases we use every day come from the language of sailors. Centuries at sea shaped English in ways we often don’t realise. Here are some fascinating nautical sayings and where they came from.
sailing terms
Sailing Terms
As a follow-on from our Nautical Terms article, here are more fascinating sailing expressions and their stories. Some origins are debated, so – as always – take them with a pinch of salt!
Nautical Terms
We use countless phrases in everyday conversation without realising just how many come from the sea. Here’s a small selection of nautical terms and their origins – for your interest and amusement. Some may be more folklore than fact, so take them with a pinch of salt!