Would you folks help me settle a bar bet? I claim that tradition (myth? superstition?) says that you should never paint on a boat's name while it is in the water because it's bad luck. A friend of mine claims that it is not part of nautical lore. Has anyone heard of this superstition? Your answer may save me $5. Thanks, Dave...
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That's news to me
There are all kinds of superstitions about changing a boat's name, but none I've heard of that have anything to do with whether the boat is in the water when a name--be it the first one or a change--is applied.
There are all kinds of superstitions about changing a boat's name, but none I've heard of that have anything to do with whether the boat is in the water when a name--be it the first one or a change--is applied.
other superstitions
Hi Peggy, What are the +other+ superstitions you've heard? Maybe there's one I can use to win another $5. BTW, I bought your book and use it regularly. It's an excellent source of info. Dave...
Hi Peggy, What are the +other+ superstitions you've heard? Maybe there's one I can use to win another $5. BTW, I bought your book and use it regularly. It's an excellent source of info. Dave...
There is a million of 'em.
Try this link. http://pacificoffshorerigging.com/nautical_superstitions.htm
Try this link. http://pacificoffshorerigging.com/nautical_superstitions.htm
I was about to post my list...
Till I checked the link that Dave posted...his is the same list I have. You should be able to collect a few free drinks off 'em. Glad you find the book useful!
Till I checked the link that Dave posted...his is the same list I have. You should be able to collect a few free drinks off 'em. Glad you find the book useful!
It's pretty difficult
to prove something never existed. How do you get the other guy to admit there never was a purple-people-eater?
to prove something never existed. How do you get the other guy to admit there never was a purple-people-eater?
Superstition?????
Centuries of marine lore notwithstanding, I am intrigued by the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of the word superstition. Evidently, the editors are not men* of the sea. A "cut & paste" of their effort appears below. Main Entry: su·per·sti·tion Pronunciation: "sü-p&r-'sti-sh&n Function: noun Etymology: Middle English supersticion, from Middle French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), from super- + stare to stand —more at STAND Date: 13th century 1 a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition 2 : a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary * Those who are more politically correct than I may infer the inclusion of the words "or women".
Centuries of marine lore notwithstanding, I am intrigued by the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of the word superstition. Evidently, the editors are not men* of the sea. A "cut & paste" of their effort appears below. Main Entry: su·per·sti·tion Pronunciation: "sü-p&r-'sti-sh&n Function: noun Etymology: Middle English supersticion, from Middle French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), from super- + stare to stand —more at STAND Date: 13th century 1 a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition 2 : a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary * Those who are more politically correct than I may infer the inclusion of the words "or women".
If the Titanic is an example...
of the good luck painting a name on in drydock brings.....I'll paint mine in the water! IJ
of the good luck painting a name on in drydock brings.....I'll paint mine in the water! IJ
Purple people eater
re the purple people eater, Sheb Wooley must have seen one just before he wrote the song. How else could a song end up so dumb???? Or maybe that was just the way it was in the 50's.
re the purple people eater, Sheb Wooley must have seen one just before he wrote the song. How else could a song end up so dumb???? Or maybe that was just the way it was in the 50's.
Hey, wait a minute, Dave.......
The 50's were a great decade!! That's when I drank my first beer..also when I finally talked Mary Lou into...oh, never mind. But, sure there were purple people eaters. I think they're probably extinct now, because their food source disappeared. After all, you never see any purple people anymore, do you?
;D
The 50's were a great decade!! That's when I drank my first beer..also when I finally talked Mary Lou into...oh, never mind. But, sure there were purple people eaters. I think they're probably extinct now, because their food source disappeared. After all, you never see any purple people anymore, do you?
;DNautical lore and old sailing vessels
Dave, You owe your buddy a $5 spot. Supposedly it was bad luck to change the name of a wooden boat because of te spirit in live oak (used alot) however during the napoleanic wars ships were changing sides and names all the time at sea. This is not to say when changing the name there are not strict traditional guidlines to follow in order to apease the spirit of the wood however our old salts had no choice but to paint the new name of a prize on in the water.
Dave, You owe your buddy a $5 spot. Supposedly it was bad luck to change the name of a wooden boat because of te spirit in live oak (used alot) however during the napoleanic wars ships were changing sides and names all the time at sea. This is not to say when changing the name there are not strict traditional guidlines to follow in order to apease the spirit of the wood however our old salts had no choice but to paint the new name of a prize on in the water.
Actually, Allen,
purple people eaters are not extinct, in fact quite a few can be found outside bars in the wee hours. However, the one-eyed, one-horned ones are indeed quite rare now - it is a recessive gene. I agree with you about the 50's. It was a wonderful decade, back when the air was clean, sex was dirty, race car drivers were fat, and their tires were skinny.
purple people eaters are not extinct, in fact quite a few can be found outside bars in the wee hours. However, the one-eyed, one-horned ones are indeed quite rare now - it is a recessive gene. I agree with you about the 50's. It was a wonderful decade, back when the air was clean, sex was dirty, race car drivers were fat, and their tires were skinny.
My point,, Peggy
My point, Peggy, is that long ago I heard someone define "superstition" as the religion of the ignorant in that those who seriously observe superstition attribute supernatural powers to inanimate objects. It would appear to be a form of idolatry. I have never heard anyone refute this. Merriam-Webster is in agreement. Of course, folks are free to believe whatever they wish.
My point, Peggy, is that long ago I heard someone define "superstition" as the religion of the ignorant in that those who seriously observe superstition attribute supernatural powers to inanimate objects. It would appear to be a form of idolatry. I have never heard anyone refute this. Merriam-Webster is in agreement. Of course, folks are free to believe whatever they wish.
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