The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-07-02
SOME SEA TERMS.
The Origin of Some of the Familiar
Words Used on Shipboard.

The Origin of Some of the Familiar
Words Used on shipboard.
In the early days of English naval
organization, vessels of war had double
crews, military one for fighting pur-
poses and another of marines for navi-
eating duties. In consequence, large
number of English sea terms have o
military origin.
At that time the rank of Admiral
was unknown, and the chief officer of
the squadron was called constable,
or justice. The term Admiral as now
usedis derived from the Arabic "amir"
or "emir," commander (as in "Amir-
al-Bahr," commander of the seal. The
early English form was "Amiral" and
is still preserved as such by the
French.
The title Captain is not naval but
military one. Originally the real
Captain of the ship was q "master."
A military officer was placed on board,
though he knew nothing of nautical
matters. Gradually his Importance
increased, while that of the master di-
minished. proportionately, till at the
present day the masters office is be-
coming obsolete. Commodore comes
from the Spanish "Comendador."
The title of Lieutenant is borrowed
directly from the French, and is meant
as a placeholder, or one who took the
place Of the Captain when absent. In
former days there were no cadets, but
volunteers, but with the gradual ad-
vance Of politeness the term cadet was
appropriated from the French.
"Boatswain" is derived from the
Saxon "swein," q servant. The term
quartermaster, as used in both the army
and navy, appears to be confusing and
anomalous. In the army til the title
of O commissioned officer who performs
important and responsible duties. In
the navy he is simply warrant officer,
directing subordinate duties. In old
ships and in olden times his position
was more important one, 80 much so
that he was considered to be the fourth
part of the master-hence the term
quartermaster.
The ships cook was once great
man, and there are instances on record
of his being promoted for efficient pre-
partitions of food. The ships steward
was originally the caterer.
The terms larboard and starboard
come from the italian ''questa borda"
and 'quella borda," which by rapid
delivery became starboard and lar
board, but owing to the strong similar
ity of sound they were changed into
starboard and port (Latin porto, to
carry, the use Of the terms in the
original form having been the cause of
many accidents.
Gangway has been handed down
from the days of the ancient galley of
the Phenicians, Carthaginians, and
Romans, it having been q board which
ran along the whole length, serving as
a passage for the rowers to and from
their seats. It was also used as Arrest
ing place for the mast and sail when
not in use.
The cockpit, in the lowest part of
the vessel below water, used during an
action for the treatment ..of the wound
ed, is derived from the old days of the
English sport of cock fighting, but this
has been modernized, and is now known
rs the "fats "-why, no one. can ex-
plain.
Lubber is from the Dutch, meaning
q lazy, cowardly fellow.
Anchor comes from the Latin San
chora," or "ancora," which up to 600
B. G. consisted simply Of large stone
with a hole through it.
The popularity of SO many portions
of a ships rigging bearing names de-
rived from the trappings Of horse
can only be accounted for from the fact
that the early warships were manned
by soldiers as we'll as sailors, the hatu
raj consequences being that they, the
soldiers, adapted some of their terms
to meet their fancy. Among the vari-
Gus ropes, ETC., will be found brides,
whips, bits, stirrups, and the like.
The old and we'll known sea term
grog was originated as term of de-
rision and disgust when Admiral Yer
non in 1745 introduced the wise inno-
walton of making his crew drink their
spirit ration diluted with water instead
of neat, as they had hitherto done.
The sailors did not like the watery
business, aud in revenge nieknamed
the Admiral cold Grog" and his dilu-
ted mixture as grog, from the fact that
he generally wore an overcoat Of o
color then known as grogram gray.
Blunt Knives For Wrathy Customers.
Tt is a rule in Austria that all restau-