OK, I'm a word snob

[Jim Legere]

Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's because I read all the Horatio Hornblower books by C.S. Forester books as a kid and the Patrick O'Brian books as a young man. Maybe it's because, when I learned to sail as a teenager in Junior Squadron, they taught all the knots and the vocabulary that we needed to know to pass our levels. Maybe it's because I was an English major in college. Whatever the reason, I love the language of sailing. It bothers me when I read on these forums about "un-masting a rig". You unstep a mast on purpose; if you demast, that's a bad thing. If you are looking for "an aft sun shade to use while sailing", you are looking for a bimini. A centerboard trunk is not a "keel cabinet". I am not trying to 'dis' or belittle people new to the sport of sailing; I am trying to enrich their experience by encouraging them to discover the rich lexicon and heritage of messing around in boats. Explore a web site like Sea Talk or buy a copy of Royce's Sailing Illustrated. Learn the proper terminology...like what it means when the wind is coming from abaft abeam. Learn how to do simple rope splices and maybe even read Master and Commander. Revel in the richness and traditions of sailing. I swear it will make you enjoy sailing your boat even more.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

There was a time when all of us were unfamiliar with proper terminology. Having said that, it would help immensely when someone asks a question to be as precise as possible, not use vague or incorrect terms and at least appear to show they tried to make some effort themselves.

 

[jssailem]

I concur that the power of correct words and terms connected to a boat is, in a sense, proper seamanship. The challenge for many new boat owners is that the terms are not part of the lexicon they learned in school.

This query interested me and confused me. Why would C&C identify a masthead sloop as a Frigate 36? One would think that they are competent in terms of boats.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I kind of chuckle when someone asks about their "side stays".

 

[jssailem]

kind of chuckle when someone asks about their "side stays".

Is that because in the 1800's - 1900's, "side stays" referred to the whale bone stiffeners used in the women's under garments of the era?

 

[Stu Jackson]

I didn't learn one iota of sailing lexicon in school, John. I learned it on the water and in Royce's Sailing Illustrated, a book I have repeatedly referred to and recommended on this very forum; I often post a few of the pages from the book I have copied as attachments to my posts, many relating to Catalina 22 boats.

To me, what concerns me as Jim suggests, is the use of landlubber words for nautical items. Just yesterday it was "kitchen!"

for many new boat owners is that the terms are not part of the lexicon they learned in school.

 

[Jim Legere]

This query interested me and confused me. Why would C&C identify a masthead sloop as a Frigate 36? One would think that they are competent in terms of boats.

Yes, marketing folks are strange. Why does one auto manufacturer have 'pony cars' while another uses southwestern USA place names? Back when my boat was built, C&C were just a couple of naval architects. Soon after, they amalgamated the boatyards building their designs and became C&C Yachts. The Frigate is the big sister of the Corvette. Both were built by Belleville Marine Yards in Ontario. I suspect the names might have been chosen to appeal to Navy vets who served in those warships during WW II. Of course, in the days of sail, both warships were square rigged, not masthead sloops. Good question!

 

[BigEasy]

Is that because in the 1800's - 1900's, "side stays" referred to the whale bone stiffeners used in the women's under garments of the era?

John,
You are drifting into uncharted waters; better stick to nautical terms!

 

[Richard19068]

It bothers me when I read on these forums about "un-masting a rig". You unstep a mast on purpose; if you demast, that's a bad thing.

Well, I think demast is an intentional removal of a mast, so not a bad thing. Unstepping is a step in demasting.
Now dismast: that's a bad thing.

While I've never heard anybody say "unmast" I do see it has several cites in dictionaries so you can't be too critical. about its use.

 

[rgranger]

I’m going rogue here, because I cannot stand when people say “impact” or “impactful,” and “impactfulness” makes me physically recoil (oh yes I did ). Honestly, how hard is it to learn the difference between effect and affect?

And I'm not going to win any spelling bees but... when did "thru" and "tho" become an acceptable spellings? I busted my ass with flash cards getting through middle school English and I want everyone else to suffer as much as I did..

 

[JamesG161]

Playing college football I learned in a FLASH....

I IMPACTED with that Linebacker and that EFFECT busted me on my ASS !



Big Jim...

PS:

I’m going rogue here, because I cannot stand when people say “impact” or “impactful,” and “impactfulness” makes me physically recoil (oh yes I did ). Honestly, how hard is it to learn the difference between effect and affect?

 

[Stu Jackson]

when did "thru" and "tho" become an acceptable spellings?

I see it a lot, too much indeed, but somewhat understandable.

Ones I'll NEVER understand: their they're there and your you're.

Misapplication of those is just plain stoopid! stewpid! stupid! See, I knew I'd get my name in there somewhere...

 

[shemandr]

I'm sorry but I use "Thru". because it's two keystrokes less than "Through" and those last two keystrokes are right next to each other on keyboard - please don't make me identify the key keyboard. There was only one most of my life.
My pet peeve is using the letters "er". to convey more of something. OK there's fast and faster. But is there agile and agileer? Should it be more agile? Im not grammatically astute but that seems wrong. Maybe the English teacher could enlighten me. Or maybe make me enlightener.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You might want to check your math.

Thru". because it's two keystrokes less than "Through