Naval mattersTom, Lord Dracy from A Scandalous Countess was in the navy from age 12, so I'm making notes about 18th century naval matters. I should have read more O'Brien, I suppose.Slang terms: Adrift = not there when wanted. On the beach, beached = left the navy. Bear up! = Keep your chin up! bilge = rubbish. chew the fat = Chucker up = applause, from throwing hats in the air. copper bottomed = high quality. Face like a sea boot = blank, grim, unattractive. Knock seven bells out of someone = beat him up. Scrub = to get a reprimand. Scuppered = killed. Sewn up = drunk. shaky = not right, false, false measure. ship's name, referred to the captain, e.g. "Find Haddock" = find the captain of the ship Haddock. "Find the Haddock" would refer to the ship. shoot a line = boast. Soft number = an easy job. splice the mainbrace = an extra ration of rum. sprog = new entry. swallow the anchor = leave the navy for good. |