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Started by the Romans
The Roman Goddess of Navigation was Minerva, and since Roman times all boats have been deemed feminine in her honor. That's the real reason...however, others have offered these explanations: Because she's often surrounded by a great deal of bustle. Because it takes a lot of costly paint and polish to keep her looking good. Becuase if the initial cost doesn't break you, you'll be done in by the upkeep. Because she responds better to a firm but loving hand. Because she shows off her topsides, hides her bottom, and can be observed running around between various buoys. Because when she is old and tired, even though she may become a reluctant crank and a creaking old hulk, there will still be some who will recall her in her prime. And because as long as she has life and vitality, and keeps her good name, she will always find men to love her, to serve her, and see that she gets home safely.
The Roman Goddess of Navigation was Minerva, and since Roman times all boats have been deemed feminine in her honor. That's the real reason...however, others have offered these explanations: Because she's often surrounded by a great deal of bustle. Because it takes a lot of costly paint and polish to keep her looking good. Becuase if the initial cost doesn't break you, you'll be done in by the upkeep. Because she responds better to a firm but loving hand. Because she shows off her topsides, hides her bottom, and can be observed running around between various buoys. Because when she is old and tired, even though she may become a reluctant crank and a creaking old hulk, there will still be some who will recall her in her prime. And because as long as she has life and vitality, and keeps her good name, she will always find men to love her, to serve her, and see that she gets home safely.
Well.... actually, the real reason...
... they're referred to as 'she', I'm sure, is because even way back then the men had difficulty finding women who would go out sailing with them! Peggy's post does put a nice spin on this though!
... they're referred to as 'she', I'm sure, is because even way back then the men had difficulty finding women who would go out sailing with them! Peggy's post does put a nice spin on this though!
Why a boat ia called a she
A ship is called a “she” because she’s all decked out and usually pretty well stacked She has pleasing lines from stem to stern and there is generally a gang of men around her. It’s not her initial cost that brakes you: it’s the upkeep Her rigging costs a fortune and she always looks her best in a new coat of paint Bows and bells are standard equipment and sometimes she wears a bonnet There is usually a lot of bustle about her but she usually shows off her superstructure to advantage When entering home port she heads straight for the bouys When sailing she usually knows her destination but this is not common knowledge When you want to attract her attention a whistle is the appropriate signal Once you really get to know her you never want to leave her On a balmy night she can make tired men forget their troubles Finally, she has as many tricks and teases as any woman and consequently it takes a very capable man to handle one properly Author Uknown….
A ship is called a “she” because she’s all decked out and usually pretty well stacked She has pleasing lines from stem to stern and there is generally a gang of men around her. It’s not her initial cost that brakes you: it’s the upkeep Her rigging costs a fortune and she always looks her best in a new coat of paint Bows and bells are standard equipment and sometimes she wears a bonnet There is usually a lot of bustle about her but she usually shows off her superstructure to advantage When entering home port she heads straight for the bouys When sailing she usually knows her destination but this is not common knowledge When you want to attract her attention a whistle is the appropriate signal Once you really get to know her you never want to leave her On a balmy night she can make tired men forget their troubles Finally, she has as many tricks and teases as any woman and consequently it takes a very capable man to handle one properly Author Uknown….
Gender bending boats
In English we have very few gender specific words. Most are neuters and some, including boat, are feminine. A barque is a neuter. In French most boats are masculine. "un bateau". However, some are feminine such as barques: "une barque". In German there are three genders and boats can be masculine, feminine or neuter... It depends on the type of boat. Neuter: "das boot" for boat Masculine: "der kahn" for dinghy Feminine: "die barke" for barque Sailboats and Motorboats are neuters: das Segelboot / das Motorboot. For some reason catamarans are masculine: der Katamaran. In Spanish a boat is masculine: "el barca". My Oxford Dictionary shows one origin of the word boat as 'beit', an Old Norse feminine noun. Norwegian, being a Germanic language, it's odd that today's båt was once a feminine beit. I'm sure there are lists, as poetic as Peggy Hall's, explaining the reasons in each language. Maybe it's a simple as, "the same gender as the language's word for bank account"
In English we have very few gender specific words. Most are neuters and some, including boat, are feminine. A barque is a neuter. In French most boats are masculine. "un bateau". However, some are feminine such as barques: "une barque". In German there are three genders and boats can be masculine, feminine or neuter... It depends on the type of boat. Neuter: "das boot" for boat Masculine: "der kahn" for dinghy Feminine: "die barke" for barque Sailboats and Motorboats are neuters: das Segelboot / das Motorboot. For some reason catamarans are masculine: der Katamaran. In Spanish a boat is masculine: "el barca". My Oxford Dictionary shows one origin of the word boat as 'beit', an Old Norse feminine noun. Norwegian, being a Germanic language, it's odd that today's båt was once a feminine beit. I'm sure there are lists, as poetic as Peggy Hall's, explaining the reasons in each language. Maybe it's a simple as, "the same gender as the language's word for bank account"
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