See full version: 22 Old Weather Proverbs That Are Actually True
A ring around the sun or moon is caused by light from those bodies (light doesn’t come from the moon, but you get my drift…) passing through ice crystals in the upper atmosphere. These ice crystals have either been blown over the tops of high, approaching storm clouds, or from high cirrus clouds, which as we just learned, can be the first indication of an incoming low pressure system. So when you see a ring, prepare for precipitation. here
Spider webs are incredibly sensitive to moisture in the air. When humidity is high, their webs can absorb that water, making them heavy to the point of sometimes even breaking. Spiders are aware of this, so when they sense high humidity, they are most apt to stay in their hiding places. For humans, this is a sign that rain/poor weather is on its way. When they sense dry air (a sign of good weather), they’ll come out and spin their webs freely, knowing they have a few days of happy hunting.
The hypothesis that is most supported by the scientific community is that low pressure (meaning less force on your body/joints) allows tissue to expand, which can put pressure on your joints. So when your bum knee aches a little more for seemingly no reason, look to the skies and prepare for rain in the next day or so.
Most of the time, it’s difficult to see the dark part of the moon during its new and crescent phases. This is because the air has a general state of turbulence — all kinds of molecules and particles banging into each other. In low pressure, poor weather systems, this is even more the case. During high pressure, fair weather systems though, the atmosphere clears up more than usual, and dim objects are easier seen by the human eye. here
Today, we have meteorologists and entire government agencies dedicated to predicting the weather with high-tech computers and algorithms, but a hundred and two-hundred years ago (and more!), folks had to rely mostly on observation and rudimentary tools to predict the weather of the coming days.
Sagging When a trough of a wave is amidship. Sail-plan A set of drawings showing various sail combinations recommended for use in various situations. Sailing Certification An acknowledgement of a sailing competence from an established sailing educational body (like NauticEd). Saltie Great Lakes term for a vessel that sails the oceans. Sampson post A strong vertical post used to support a ship's windlass and the heel of a ship's bowsprit. Scandalize To reduce the area of a sail by expedient means (slacking the peak and tricing up the tack) without properly reefing it. Scud A name given by sailors to the lowest clouds, which are mostly observed in squally weather. Scudding A term applied to a vessel when carried furiously along by a tempest. Scuppers An opening on the side rail that allows water to run off the deck. Scuttle A small opening, or lid thereof, in a ship's deck or hull. To cut a hole in, or sink something. Scuttlebutt A barrel with a hole in used to hold water that sailors would drink from. Also: gossip. Sea anchor A stabilizer deployed in the water for heaving to in heavy weather. It acts as a brake and keeps the hull in line with the wind and perpendicular to waves. Sea chest A valve on the hull of the ship to allow water in for ballast purposes. Seaman Generic term for sailor, or (part of) a low naval rank. Seaworthy Certified for, and capable of, safely sailing at sea. Self-Unloader Great Lakes slang term for a vessel with a conveyor or some other method of unloading the cargo without shoreside equipment. Sennet whip A summary punitive implement. Shakes Pieces of barrels or casks broken down to save space. They are worth very little, leading to the phrase "no great shakes". Sheer The upward curve of a vessel's longitudinal lines as viewed from the side. Sheet A rope used to control the setting of a sail in relation to the direction of the wind. Ship Strictly, a three-masted vessel square-rigged on all three masts, though generally used to describe most medium or large vessels. Derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "scip". Ship's bell Striking the ship's bell is the traditional method of marking time and regulating the crew's watches. Ship's company The crew of a ship. Shoal Shallow water that is a hazard to navigation. Shrouds Standing rigging running from a mast to the sides of a ships. Sick bay The compartment reserved for medical purposes. Siren A sound signal which uses electricity or compressed air to actuate either a disc or a cup shaped rotor. Skipper The captain of a ship. Skysail A sail set very high, above the royals. Only carried by a few ships. Skyscraper A small, triangular sail, above the skysail. Used in light winds on a few ships. Slop chest A ship's store of merchandise, such as clothing, tobacco, etc., maintained aboard merchant ships for sale to the crew. Slush Greasy substance obtained by boiling or scraping the fat from empty salted meat storage barrels, or the floating fat residue after boiling the crew's meal. In the Royal Navy the perquisite of the cook who could sell it or exchange it (usually for alcohol) with other members of the crew. Used for greasing parts of the running rigging of the ship and therefore valuable to the master and bosun. Slush fund The money obtained by the cook selling slush ashore. Used for the benefit of the crew (or the cook). Small bower (anchor) The smaller of two anchors carried in the bow. Son of a gun The space between the guns was used as a semi-private place for trysts with prostitutes and wives, which sometimes led to birth of children with disputed parentage. Another claim is that the origin the term resulted from firing a ship's guns to hasten a difficult birth. Sonar A sound-based device used to detect and range underwater targets and obstacles. Formerly known as ASDIC. Spanker A fore-and-aft or gaff-rigged sail on the aft-most mast of a square-rigged vessel and the main fore-and-aft sail (spanker sail) on the aft-most mast of a (partially) fore-and-aft rigged vessel such as a schooner, a barquentine, and a barque. Spanker-mast The aft-most mast of a fore-and-aft or gaff-rigged vessel such as schooners, barquentines, and barques. A full-rigged ship has a spanker sail but not a spanker-mast (see Jigger-mast). Spar A wooden, in later years also iron or steel pole used to support various pieces of rigging and sails. The big five-masted full-rigged tall ship Preussen (German spelling: Preußen) had crossed 30 steel yards, but only one wooden spar - the little gaff of its spanker sail. Spindrift Finely-divided water swept from crest of waves by strong winds. Spinnaker A large sail flown in front of the vessel while heading downwind. Spinnaker pole A spar used to help control a spinnaker or other headsail. Splice To join lines (ropes, cables etc.) by unravelling their ends and intertwining them to form a continuous line. To form an eye or a knot by splicing. Square meal A sufficient quantity of food. Meals on board ship were served to the crew on a square wooden plate in harbor or at sea in good weather. Food in the Royal Navy was invariably better or at least in greater quantity than that available to the average landsman. However, while square wooden plates were indeed used on board ship, there is no established link between them and this particular term. The OED gives the earliest reference from the U.S. in the mid 19th century. Squared away Yards held rigidly perpendicular to their masts and parallel to the deck. This was rarely the best trim of the yards for efficiency but made a pretty sight for inspections and in harbor. The term is applied to situations and to people figuratively to mean that all difficulties have been resolved or that the person is performing well and is mentally and physically prepared. Squat effect Is the phenomenon by which a vessel moving quickly through shallow water creates an area of lowered pressure under its keel that reduces the ship's buoyancy, particularly at the bow. The reduced buoyancy causes the ship to "squat" lower in the water than would ordinarily be expected. Standing rigging Rigging which is used to support masts and spars, and is not normally manipulated during normal operations. Cf. running rigging. Starboard Towards the right-hand side of a vessel facing forward. Denoted with a green light at night. Derived from the old steering oar or 'steerboard' which preceded the invention of the rudder. Starter A rope used as a punitive device. See teazer, togey. Stay Rigging running fore (forestay) and aft (backstay) from a mast to the hull. Staysail A sail whose luff is attached to a forestay. Steering oar or steering board A long, flat board or oar that went from the stern to well underwater, used to control the vessel in the absence of a rudder. Stem The extension of keel at the forward of a ship. Stern The rear part of a ship, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter to the taffrail. Stern tube The tube under the hull to bear the tailshaft for propulsion (usually at stern). Stonnacky A punitive device. Strake One of the overlapping boards in a clinker built hull. Studding-sails (pronounced "stunsail") Long and narrow sails, used only in fine weather, on the outside of the large square sails. Surge A vessel's transient motion in a fore and aft direction. Sway A vessel's motion from side to side. Also used as a verb meaning to hoist. "Sway up my dunnage." Swigging To take up the last bit of slack on a line such as a halyard, anchor line or dockline by taking a single turn round a cleat and alternately heaving on the rope above and below the cleat while keeping the tension on the tail. Swinging the compass Measuring the accuracy in a ship's magnetic compass so its readings can be adjusted – often by turning the ship and taking bearings on reference points. Swinging the lamp Telling sea stories. Referring to lamps slung from the deckhead which swing while at sea. Often used to indicate that the story teller is exaggerating. Swinging the lead Measuring the depth of water beneath a ship using a lead-weighted sounding line. A sailor who was feigning illness etc to avoid a hard job was said to be "swinging the lead". [links]
Gaff The spar that holds the upper edge of a fore-and-aft or gaff sail. Also a long hook with a sharp point to haul fish in. Galley The kitchen of the ship. Gangplank A movable bridge used in boarding or leaving a ship at a pier; also known as a "brow". Garbled Garbling was the (illegal) practice of mixing cargo with garbage. Garboard The strake closest to the keel (from Dutch gaarboard). Global Positioning System (GPS) A satellite based radionavigation system providing continuous worldwide coverage. It provides navigation, position, and timing information to air, marine, and land users. Grapeshot Small balls of lead fired from a cannon, similar to shotgun shot on a larger scale. Used to hurt people, rather than cause structural damage. Grog Watered-down pusser's rum consisting of half a gill with equal part of water, issued to all seamen over twenty. (CPOs and POs were issued with neat rum) From the British Admiral Vernon who, in 1740, ordered the men's ration of rum to be watered down. He was called "Old Grogram" because he often wore a grogram coat), and the watered rum came to be called 'grog'. Often used (illegally) as currency in exchange for favours in quantities prescribed as 'sippers' and 'gulpers'. Additional issues of grog were made on the command 'splice the mainbrace' for celebrations or as a reward for performing especially onerous duties. The RN discontinued the practice of issuing rum in 1970. A sailor might repay a colleague for a favour by giving him part or all of his grog ration, ranging from "sippers" (a small amount) via "gulpers" (a larger quantity) to "grounders" (the entire tot). Groggy Drunk from having consumed a lot of grog. Gunner's daughter See Kissing the G.'s D. Gunwhale Upper edge of the hull.
Mainbrace The brace attached to the mainmast. Mainmast (or Main) The tallest mast on a ship. Mainsheet Sail control line that allows the most obvious effect on mainsail trim. Primarily used to control the angle of the boom, and thereby the mainsail, this control can also increase or decrease downward tension on the boom while sailing upwind, significantly affecting sail shape. For more control over downward tension on the boom, use a boom vang. Man of war A warship from the age of sail. Man overboard! A cry let out when a seaman has gone overboard. Marina A docking facility for small ships and yachts. Marines Soldiers afloat Royal Marines formed as the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot in 1664 with many and varied duties including providing guard to ship's officers should there be mutiny aboard. Sometimes thought by seamen to be rather gullible, hence the phrase "tell it to the marines". Mast A vertical pole on a ship which supports sails or rigging. Masthead A small platform partway up the mast, just above the height of the mast's main yard. A lookout is stationed here, and men who are working on the main yard will embark from here. See also Crow's Nest. Master Either the commander of commercial vessel, or a senior officer of a naval sailing ship in charge of routine seamanship and navigation but not in command during combat. Master-at-Arms A non-commissioned officer responsible for discipline on a naval ship. Standing between the officers and the crew, commonly known in the Royal Navy as "the Buffer". Matelot A traditional Royal Navy term for an ordinary sailor. Mess An eating place aboard ship. A group of crew who live and feed together. Mess deck catering A system of catering in which a standard ration is issued to a mess supplemented by a money allowance which may be used by the mess to buy additional victuals from the pusser's stores or elsewhere. Each mess was autonomous and self-regulating. Seaman cooks, often members of the mess, prepared the meals and took them, in a tin canteen, to the galley to be cooked by the ship's cooks. As distinct from "cafeteria messing" where food is issued to the individual hand, which now the general practice. Midshipman A non-commissioned officer below the rank of Lieutenant. Usually regarded as being "in training" to some degree. Also known as "Snotty". 'The lowest form of animal life in the Royal Navy' where he has authority over and responsibility for more junior ranks, yet, at the same time, relying on their experience and learning his trade from them. Mizzenmast (or Mizzen) The third mast on a ship. Mizzen staysail Sail on a ketch or yawl, usually lightweight, set from, and forward of, the mizzen mast while reaching in light to moderate air. Monkey fist A ball woven out of line used to provide heft to heave the line to another location. The monkey fist and other heaving-line knots were sometimes weighted with lead (easily available in the form of foil used to seal e.g. tea chests from dampness) although Clifford W. Ashley notes that there was a "definite sporting limit" to the weight thus added. Moor To attach a boat to a mooring buoy or post. Also, to a dock a ship. here
Daggerboard A type of centerboard that is removed vertically. Davy Jones (Locker) An idiom for the bottom of the sea. Daybeacon An unlighted fixed structure which is equipped with a dayboard for daytime identification. Dayboard The daytime identifier of an aid to navigation presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, white, orange, yellow, or black). Deadeye A round wooden plank which serves a similar purpose to a block in the standing rigging of large sailing vessels. Deadrise The design angle between the keel (q.v.) and horizontal. Decks the structures forming the approximately horizontal surfaces in the ship's general structure. Unlike flats, they are a structural part of the ship. Deck hand A person whose job involves aiding the deck supervisor in (un)mooring, anchoring, maintenance, and general evolutions on deck. Deck supervisor The person in charge of all evolutions and maintenance on deck; sometimes split into two groups: forward deck supervisor, aft deck supervisor. Deckhead The under-side of the deck above. Sometimes paneled over to hide the pipe work. This paneling, like that lining the bottom and sides of the holds, is the ceiling. Derrick A lifting device composed of one mast or pole and a boom or jib which is hinged freely at the bottom. Devil seam The curved seam in the hull planking closest to the waterline when the ship is level. The seam between these two planks, set at a nominal right angle to each other, is the devil seam. This seam is particularly difficult to pay (and caulk) because there is little support in the direction of the compression created during caulking and expansion of the wood when wet. Hence, this seam "works" a lot. A sailor sealing this seam must first cause the ship to list (lean) toward the side opposite of the seam. This allows the sailor access to the seam by hanging below it, "between the Devil and the deep blue sea". Devil to pay (or Devil to pay, and no pitch hot) "Paying" the Devil is sealing the devil seam. It is a difficult and unpleasant job (with no resources) because of the shape of the seam (closest to the waterline) and because you are positioned below the natural waterline. Directional light A light illuminating a sector or very narrow angle and intended to mark a direction to be followed. Disrate To reduce in rank or rating; demote. Dog watch A short watch period, generally half the usual time (e.g. a two hour watch between two four hour ones). Such a watch might be included in order to slowly rotate the system over several days for fairness, or to allow both watches to eat their meals at approximately normal times. Dolphin A structure consisting of a number of piles driven into the seabed or riverbed in a circular pattern and drawn together with wire rope. Downhaul A line used to control either a mobile spar, or the shape of a sail. Draft The depth of a ship's keel below the waterline. Draught See draft. Dressing down Treating old sails with oil or wax to renew them, or a verbal reprimand. Driver The large sail flown from the mizzen gaff. Driver-mast The fifth mast of a six-masted barquentine or gaff schooner. It is preceded by the jigger mast and followed by the spanker mast. The sixth mast of the only seven-masted vessel, the gaff schooner Thomas W. Lawson, was normally called the pusher-mast. Dunnage Loose packing material used to protect a ship's cargo from damage during transport. Personal baggage.
Please enjoy this nautical glossary of sailing terms. Some are ones that we use in everyday language - now you can know the origins.
Oilskin Foul-weather gear worn by sailors. Oreboat Great Lakes Term for a vessel primarily used in the transport of iron ore. Orlop deck The lowest deck of a ship of the line. The deck covering in the hold. Outhaul A line used to control the shape of a sail. Outward bound To leave the safety of port, heading for the open ocean. Overbear To sail downwind directly at another ship, stealing the wind from its sails. Overfall Dangerously steep and breaking seas due to opposing currents and wind in a shallow area. Overhaul Hauling the buntline ropes over the sails to prevent them from chaffing. Overhead The "ceiling," or, essentially, the bottom of the deck above you. Overreach When tacking, to hold a course too long. Over the barrel Adult sailors were flogged on the back or shoulders while tied to a grating, but boys were beaten instead on the posterior (often bared), with a cane or cat, while bending, often tied down, over the barrel of a gun, known as (kissing) the gunner's daughter. Overwhelmed Capsized or foundered. Owner Traditional Royal Navy term for the Captain, a survival from the days when privately-owned ships were often hired for naval service. Ox-Eye A cloud or other weather phenomenon that may be indicative of an upcoming storm. here
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You will probably wonder why you often find it hard to comprehend the captain’s words whenever he’s set for departure. If you are not nautically oriented, you cannot. I was once in your shoes. You can put your mind at rest now because here are some nautical departure terms for your aquatic adventures.
In as much as sailing can be educative, it can also be humorous. I thought I had heard it all but telling me the nautical terms were wasn’t enough when my friend began using these hilarious terms over and over. I could remember myself bursting into a long-term of laughter whenever he mentioned the word “poop deck” or when he described the toilet of the boat as the head. more
Better still you might want to ask most simply, what are nautical terms.
Below are some nautical slangs:
I can still remember going on a boat trip with a friend who was a sailor and a boat expert. He kept mentioning these strange words to his assistant while trying to control the boat. I had almost lost my interest in sailing until my friend walked over and had to put me out of my misery. For the first time, I heard the nautical phrase terms, i.e., a vocabulary for the boat or terms used when sailing.
Here are some common nautical terms: [links]