Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Product Description
'As the crow flies", "chunder", "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey", "three sheets to the wind" - many terms like these are used in everyday English language conversation and writing. But how many landlubbers know that they derive from naval slang or know what the phrase originally referred to? The navy has helped to shape modern society. The navy is famous for its traditions, quirks and nuances. It is disinctly different to wider society and nowhere is this more evident than in language. The naval community once had its own language, incomprehensible to anyone who was not a sailor, which described and explained his unique world. But on shore leave these men introduced their language to the populations of bustling ports and harbours and the usage slowly spread inland. Today through the mediums of film, television and music, naval slang has been brought to the wider public and has become fully integrated into the English language to point where many phrases are used by people who have no concept of their meaning. Presenting terminology thematically, this book provides a compilation of naval slang throughout the world, from terms relating to ship-handling and seamanship through to food and drink, discipline and insults. The text is further enhanced with original black line drawings that illustrate certain technical terms, such as "splice the mainbrace".
About the Author
'As the crow flies","cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey"- many terms like these are used in everyday English language conversation and writing.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Hilarious book, well written. A great size too, and a good price for a stocking filler for dads, grandads, uncles etc.
Some of the cartoons could have been a bit modernised, but this doesn't detract too much from the writing. I hope there is a sequel.
Some of the cartoons could have been a bit modernised, but this doesn't detract too much from the writing. I hope there is a sequel.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Very good book, well written and more in depth and interesting than a lot of other 'stocking filler' books that are about this time of year. Recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read this book last week while on holiday. It's very well written, and very amusing. I think the pictures are great! And with regards to the "blue" section at the back, the book does carry a warning that says don't read chapter 9 if you're of a sensitive disposition. Needless to say, I turned straight to chapter 9...
The rest of the book is just as good (if not better!). Each chapter has a great intro that tells you about life at sea and puts it all into context for you. Fascinating facts and great little quotes that show how all these phrases are used in everyday life make it very relevant, and not just some boring old jargon.
I'll keelhaul anyone who disagrees with me. And I mean from bow to stern, too!
The rest of the book is just as good (if not better!). Each chapter has a great intro that tells you about life at sea and puts it all into context for you. Fascinating facts and great little quotes that show how all these phrases are used in everyday life make it very relevant, and not just some boring old jargon.
I'll keelhaul anyone who disagrees with me. And I mean from bow to stern, too!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fascinating insight to our language
What an interesting book. All those phrases we take for granted and use on a daily basis that have their roots in naval history are entertainingly explained. Read more
Published 1 month ago by SJ Kelly
Brought as a present
i brought this book along with another one as a gift the person was very happy with them and said they would recommend these books to anyone.
Published 6 months ago by dee27
Put your Glasses on, Sit Back and Enjoy
Bought this as a present for my other half who did 13 years service with RN and is always using their slang, even I have picked some up! Read more
Published 12 months ago by N. C. Jefferies
Recommended - a good read
This is an entertaining and interesting book that tells the story behind various words and phrases that have been used by naval personnel, many of which are in mainstream use... Read more
Published 15 months ago by DC
Brass monkies were cannon-ball holders on boats....
Brass monkies were brass cannon-ball holders on boats.
When they froze, they shrank a little and the cannon-balls would roll off. Read more
When they froze, they shrank a little and the cannon-balls would roll off. Read more
Published 18 months ago by angie
All shipshape and Bristol Fashion
I bought the book because I am interested in language and keen to know why things have odd names or terms. Read more
Published 21 months ago by A. Stimpson
great book
I bought this book for an ex naval man as a gift and he loved it!
Published on 27 July 2009 by FLB
Great Books
Not enough room to swing a cat was greatly appreciated by my ex naval husband, some of the saying he knew but some were a surprise, and I improved my knowledge of where some saying... Read more
Published on 12 Jun 2009 by H. Rathbone
not enough room to swing a cat
I really enjoyed reading this book, in fact the only disapointing bit was when the book ended. This book isnt for the faint hearted though as one section was a little blue! Read more
Published on 15 May 2009 by Mrs. D. Fox
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
