Boating or sea travel has its own lingo. That is practical because the activity has procedures and tools that are exclusive to it. Because the English language is fast expanding and modifying, there are terminologies that can be used in boating and in other tasks. That may however harbor confusion (pun intended)!
Different industries and specific activities have their own sets of terminologies. That is to avoid confusion and to serve as a basic knowledge among technical crews. Such lingo was developed also to retain and unsure the exclusivity of the activity to the technical staff.
When you are out boating or are embarked on a ship, you may observe that the crew and ship personnel are using terms that you sometimes can’t easily comprehend. Most of those words are still within the English language, but through inference and observation, you can easily tell that the meaning and usage are entirely different from what you are accustomed to.
Learning nautical terminology isn’t a necessity for you. However, it would also be advisable if you had just a little knowledge about them, especially if you are considering a sailing adventure in the near future.
There are far more nautical terms than what are known to the average person. For your convenience, it would be great if you could accustom yourself to those terms that are widely used when on a ship.
Nautical terms for vessel parts
Primarily, it would be interesting to know the common terms or names used to refer to the different sides or parts of a vessel or a ship. Here are some of them:
Leeway – this refers to the exterior of the vessel where the wind is blowing against it. You know that to be able to accelerate the vessel, it would be helpful if the wind would be allowed to use its force. It may not be advisable and used nowadays given the sophisticated engines of ships, but at times, some vessels still resort to the old and traditional source of force.
Lee – this nautical terminology is used to refer to that side of the ship that is sheltered or hidden from the wind. Meanwhile, a lee shore is the downwind part of a vessel’s exterior.
Poop – This nautical terminology is referring to the vessel’s stern section.
Skyscraper – This is used to pertain to the part of the vessel that is used to maximize light wind’s impact or influence to the ship. This is usually a triangular sail above the skysail. In some sophisticated vessels, the skyscraper is usually pulled out.
Words for sailing or boating techniques
Here are some common boating techniques and the common nouns used to refer to them.
Back and fill – this nautical terminology refers to that specific technique carried out by the vessel’s personnel to help the ship cope with opposing wind, although the tide is in favor of the vessel.
Overhauling – refers to that specific action when buntline ropes are prevented from chaffing sails.
Bear down – this is the nautical term that refers to the vessel’s action to go towards another vessel or towards the shore or a landmark. This can be observed especially when the ship is about to dock on schedule or during emergencies.
Other terminologies
Aside from the mentioned above, there are also other terms used in the nautical world that you might find trivial, interesting or a little amusing. Here are some of them.
Scuttlebutt – in old ships, the scuttlebutt is the water barrel where sailors could drink water. In the old and traditional ships, the scuttlebutt is also the part of the ship where the crew and passengers could stand by and exchange casual conversation or gossip.
Garbling – is the practice when rubbish is mixed with the cargo.
Grog – is the nautical terminology used to refer to a kind of beverage usually made of rum and water dilution. When sailors and crew drank or experienced a hangover, they were said to be groggy or grogged.
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