Ship to Shore: A Dictionary of Everyday Words and Phrases Derived from the Sea

by Peter D. Jeans

Book Overview

From the author of Seafaring Lore & Legend comes this comprehensive and entertaining catalog and reference of nautical terms we all use in everyday speech, usually without knowing it. The language of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071440275
• ISBN13: 9780071440271
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing
• Length: 433 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A very good book.

When you pick up this book, make sure you read the small subtitle: A Dictionary of Everyday Words and Phrases Derived from the Sea. This is really what this book is about. It's one of those books you can pick up on a rainy Sunday afternoon and the time will fly by. Or, if you are looking for a specific phrase that has its origin in sea-talk, it's probably there. So, this book has several uses. I like to pick it up and browse. As a dictionary, it does not need to be read from cover to cover. Besides giving origins (I won't tell you any--you gotta look 'em up yourself!), it does debunk one of the most enduring myths--POSH does NOT come from 'Port out, starboard home.' For some reason, this folk-etymology has spread like wildfire in popular culture, although practically no linguists accept it as truth. So, I was glad that the author treated words that allegedly come from the sea as well. He has done his homework. A great book that you can learn a lot from. Also, it's written in a very easy-to-read style.