Blogtober 23 - Phrases from the sea

There are many words and phrases in everyday use that have their roots firmly in the sea. Here are a few with their origins.

On the fiddle. From the time that a sailors meal was served on a square wooden plate with a wooden rim. If someones food was on the rim (known as the fiddle), then they had taken more than their fair share.

Learn the ropes. Now an idiom for learning how to do a new job, this phrase used to literally mean learning the ropes and knots required on a sailing vessel.

In the doldrums. From the areas of the ocean where there are few and flukey winds leaving sailing vessels drifting sometimes for days without

Unchartered waters. Meaning there is no previous exxperience of a situation. A chart is a map of the sea which includes depth, obstructions, sea bed, buoyage and other things important for safe navigation. Any area which is unchartered is without this information.

Copper bottomed. Now considered as a way of indicating that something is reliable. Copper sheathing on a ships hull gives protection from corrosion and biofouling such as weed, barnacles and worms.

On the right tack. The tack in sailing is the way that the bow (pointy end) is headed relative to the wind direction. Being on the right tack means that you are getting the best speed from the boat and heading in the direction you want. Changing tack involves adjusting the direction and the sails. 

Show ones true colours. Used to mean that someone who has been pretending to be something they aren't, reveals their real feelings and/or beliefs. This comes from pirate ships hiding their flags or using stolen ones to allow them to approach other vessels before hoisting the skull and cross bones once it was too late for the other vessel to escape the attack.