Origin of Words and Phrases: Nautical

Sailor Language

Sailors developed a unique language to communicate efficiently during long voyages. Gary Arndt explains that terms like "loose cannon" and "three sheets to the wind" originated from the need for concise communication among sailors living in close quarters 1. These phrases became part of the common language as sailors traveled and shared their vernacular at various ports.

Sailors on a ship would spend months or years with a small number of men in very close quarters. They developed a shorthand way of speaking that everyone understood.

This nautical jargon eventually embedded itself into everyday English, often without people realizing its origins 1.

   

Above Board

The term "above board" is rooted in maritime practices, signifying honesty and transparency. Gary Arndt notes that on ships, activities conducted "above board" were visible to all, contrasting with the secretive actions of pirates below deck 2. This transparency was crucial for maintaining trust among crew members and avoiding suspicion.

Honest and reputable ship captains or crews conducted their business in plain sight above the deck or above the board to show that there was nothing hidden or deceitful.

Over time, "above board" evolved to describe any open and honest dealings, extending beyond its nautical origins 2.

   

Son of a Gun

The phrase "son of a gun" has a playful origin from British naval slang. Gary Arndt recounts that during long voyages, sailors sometimes brought women aboard, and births occurred between the rows of cannons on the gun deck 3. If a child's paternity was uncertain, the child was humorously called a "son of a gun."

When these women gave birth at sea, the limited space on the ships meant that the berth sometimes took place between the rows of cannons on a gun deck.

Today, the term is used affectionately to describe someone spirited or mischievous, shedding its original connotation 3.