Origin of Words and Phrases: Nautical

Podcast Transcript

If you happen to be feeling blue because you feel like a loose cannon, fear not, because I happen to like the cut of your jib.

Perhaps if you have a square meal, by and large, you might avoid being three sheets to the wind.

If you know the ropes and don’t cut and run, you might be above board without being taken aback.

Learn more about the origin of words and phrases that come from the nautical world on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.

A while back I did an episode on the origins of words and phrases which come from the military. In the process of doing so, I realized that a shocking number of them came from the Navy.

This actually makes sense. Sailors on a ship would often spend months or years with a small number of men in very close quarters. They developed shorthand ways of speaking that everyone understood, and they often referenced life on board the ship.

As sailors moved from ship to ship, these phrases became part of the common language for all seamen.

As they visited various ports and returned home, they took their way of talking with them, and many of their expressions became part of the English language. Several of them became so embedded into English that most people have no idea of their origin.

Let’s start with one that is an obvious naval reference, which is a loose cannon.

Today, when someone is called a loose cannon, it means that they are unpredictable or reckless.

The phrase comes from the cannons found on a naval vessel. Cannons were made of iron and extremely heavy. Moreover, they were on wheels, so they could be moved to load the cannon and move it back into position.

Ships were constantly moving on the high seas, and oftentimes, they they were moving quite a lot during a storm or when there were swells.

As such, the cannons had to be secured so they wouldn’t move around.

When a cannon got loose, it was a very dangerous thing. Hundreds of pounds of iron could cause a lot of damage, and because of the ship’s movement, they were very unpredictable.

One phrase that you might not have realized was a nautical term is “by and large.”

The phrase “by and large” has its roots in sailing terminology. In the context of sailing, “large” meant that the wind was coming from behind the ship, allowing it to sail smoothly with a favorable tailwind. When a ship was sailing “large,” it was essentially moving forward with the wind pushing from the rear.

“By,” however, referred to sailing “close by” the wind or sailing into the wind at an angle. This was more challenging, as it required the crew to tack or adjust the sails carefully to maintain control and avoid being pushed backward.

So, to sail “by and large” meant that a ship could sail in nearly all wind conditions—whether the wind was favorable from behind or blowing at an angle from the side. Over time, this phrase evolved into its current meaning, which means, “in general” or “on the whole.”

The phrase “son of a gun” traces back to British naval slang and life on ships in the 17th and 18th centuries. During long voyages, even though it was usually against the rules, some sailors were allowed to bring their wives or female companions aboard. When these women gave birth at sea, the limited space on ships meant that births sometimes took place between the rows of cannons on the gun deck.

If the identity of a child’s father was uncertain (perhaps due to multiple sailors’ interactions with the women aboard), the child was often jokingly referred to as a “son of a gun.”

While it originally was synonymous with the word “bastard”, today, “son of a gun” is generally used in an informal, sometimes affectionate tone to refer to a person, especially one who is a bit mischievous or spirited.

The phrase “pipe down” from ships where it referred to a specific signal given by a bosun’s pipe—a high-pitched whistle used to convey orders on board a ship. The bosun’s pipe was essential for giving clear commands that could be heard above the noise of the sea and crew activity.

At the end of the day, when it was time for sailors to go below deck and quiet down for the night, the bosun would blow a particular signal on the pipe known as “piping down.”

In modern usage, “pipe down” means to be quiet or to stop making noise. It retains the connotation of an authoritative command to lower the volume, similar to the bosun’s whistle.

The phrase “let the cat out of the bag” is thought to originate from a couple of historical sources, with the most popular theory rooted in maritime discipline.

On naval ships, a “cat-o’-nine-tails” was a type of whip with nine knotted cords used as a form of punishment for sailors. The “cat” was kept in a bag, and when it was taken out, it meant that punishment was imminent. Revealing the cat-o’-nine-tails, or “letting the cat out of the bag,” was a dramatic moment, signaling that someone was about to be whipped.

Today, the phrase “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret or hidden truth, often unintentionally.

The phrase “three sheets to the wind” originates in sailing and refers to the condition of a ship’s sails, or “sheets.” In nautical terms, a “sheet” is the rope or line used to control a sail’s angle to the wind. When a sail’s sheet is loose or improperly secured, it flaps wildly, making the sail ineffective and causing the ship to lose stability and control.

The phrase was originally “three sheets in the wind” and later became “three sheets to the wind.”

Having three sheets loose would cause the ship to stagger and wobble in the water, much like a drunken person would stumble while trying to walk. Sailors began using this term to describe someone who was very drunk, as they would be “out of control” and unsteady, just like a ship with loose sails.

Today, “three sheets to the wind” means heavily intoxicated.

The phrase “hand over fist” originally referred to the action of sailors quickly pulling in or climbing ropes. When hauling in a rope or line, sailors would pull with one hand and then quickly grasp further along with the other hand, effectively moving “hand over fist” in a continuous, efficient motion. This action allowed them to gather rope rapidly, which was essential for tasks like adjusting sails or bringing in a catch.

Over time, the phrase took on a metaphorical meaning and today, “hand over fist” implies gaining something quickly and consistently, much as a sailor would make swift progress by moving one hand over the other.

The phrase “feeling blue” also has its origin in maritime tradition. On old sailing ships, particularly in the British and American navies, it was customary to fly blue flags and sometimes even paint a blue band along the hull of the ship if the captain or another significant crew member had died during the voyage. This blue color signaled to others that the crew was in mourning upon their return to port.

Over time, “feeling blue” became associated with feelings of sadness, loss, or melancholy.

The word “scuttlebutt” refers to the cask of drinking water kept on ships. On sailing vessels, the “butt” was the large barrel or cask that held the water supply, and “scuttle” means to make a hole in something. So a “scuttlebutt” was a water barrel with a hole cut in it to allow sailors to dip in and drink.

The scuttlebutt was also a popular gathering place where sailors would congregate, take a break, and exchange news or gossip. As a result, “scuttlebutt” became associated not only with the water cask itself but also with the informal exchange of rumors and information that happened around it.

In modern usage, “scuttlebutt” means gossip, rumors, or informal talk, reflecting this tradition of sailors sharing the latest news and stories around the water barrel.

The phrase “taken aback” was a reference to when the wind shifts suddenly and blows directly into a ship’s sails from the front, which can cause the sails to “backfill”—meaning they are abruptly forced backward against the mast. This unexpected shift stops the ship or makes it move erratically, catching the crew off guard. In extreme cases, it could even throw the ship off balance, creating a sudden, jarring effect.

This experience of being “taken aback” by the wind was used figuratively by sailors to describe a feeling of surprise or shock. Today, “taken aback” means being caught off guard, startled, or surprised by something unexpected—much like a ship is when the wind abruptly changes direction.

The phrase “above board” has to do with ships. In maritime terms, “board” refers to the deck of a ship. If something was done “above board,” it meant it was happening openly on the deck, where everyone could see it. Honest and reputable ship captains or crews conducted their business in plain sight, above the deck (or “board”), to show that there was nothing hidden or deceitful.

By contrast, pirates or those with dishonest intentions often hid below deck or engaged in underhanded activities out of sight, leading to suspicion. Over time, “above board” came to signify openness, honesty, and transparency, suggesting that everything is being done visibly and without deception.

Speaking of board, the phrase “on board” literally referred to being physically on the deck or inside a ship’s hull. In maritime terminology, anyone who was “on board” was part of the crew or passengers currently present on the vessel.

Over time, this phrase expanded in meaning. It came to refer to agreeing to be part of a team, project, or venture in the same way someone would commit to joining the crew on a ship. Today, to be “on board” means to be aligned with or supportive of an idea or plan.

The phrase “cut and run” referrs to a situation when a ship needed to leave an anchorage quickly, often due to danger or an urgent need to escape. In such cases, rather than taking the time to haul up the anchor in the usual way, sailors would cut the anchor line and allow the ship to sail away immediately. This “cutting and running” was an emergency measure, sacrificing the anchor but saving the ship and crew from a potentially hazardous situation.

Over time, “cut and run” evolved into a phrase meaning to leave a situation quickly, especially to avoid trouble or difficulty.

The phrase “cut of your jib” originates from the shape or style of a ship’s jib sail. The jib is a triangular sail set at the front of a sailing ship, extending from the bow to the top of the mast.

In the Age of Sail, ships from different nations often had distinct “cuts” or styles for their jib sails, making it possible to identify a vessel’s nationality or allegiance from a distance. Sailors and naval officers would evaluate the “cut of the jib” to determine if a ship was friend or foe before it was close enough to see other identifying details.

Over time, the cut of one’s jib shifted to refer more broadly to a person’s general appearance, character, or manner. When someone comments on the “cut of your jib,” they’re evaluating your overall style, demeanor, or presence, much like sailors judged a ship’s identity by the shape of its sails.

I’ll close with the phrase “wide berth.” It refers to the way ships anchor or maneuver near each other. In nautical terms, a “berth” is a safe distance maintained between vessels or between a ship and obstacles such as docks, rocks, or shorelines. To “give a wide berth” means anchoring or navigating with plenty of space around the ship to ensure safety and avoid collisions, especially in busy or risky waters.

Today, to “give a wide berth” means to avoid close contact or interaction with someone or something that may be unpleasant, difficult, or dangerous.

There are a shockingly large number of phrases in English that come from ships and seafarers. Much of this has to do with the fact that England was a seafaring country at the same time when modern English was being developed.

These sailors, without even trying, managed to create a vibrant part of the English language which still is used today.