Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat: Naval Slang and It's Everyday Usage - Hardcover

Robson, Martin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1591146275 ISBN 13: 9781591146278

Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 2010

Synopsis

Many phrases in common use today, like "as the crow flies" and "three sheets to the wind," originated from naval slang. The writers, musicians, filmmakers, and TV personalities who adopt these phrases increasingly expose the public to the sailor's language, yet few are aware of the original meanings. This entertaining book provides a fascinating compilation of naval slang, ranging from terms describing ship handling and seamanship, to food and drink, to discipline and insults. The text is enhanced with original line drawings that illustrate the meaning of such nautical terms as "splice the mainbrace." The book draws on the rich linguistic heritage of both the British and American navies, known for their quirks and nuances as well as their traditions, to offer a work that will appeal to word lovers everywhere.

About this title

About the Author:

Martin Robson, a former research fellow at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England, is also the author of The Battle of Trafalgar.

About this edition

• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1591146275
• ISBN 13: 9781591146278
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144