Subscribe by RSS

NAUTICAL SAYINGS COPPER BOTTOMED

A TRUSTY SOLUTION TO A BORING PROBLEM
Today you could quite expect one of the UK’s increasingly young subculture known as ‘chavs’ to think that referring to someone as being copper bottomed meant they were a ‘hard ass’. Hence it is probably a phrase one should only use in more mature and literate company when describing a fellow, lady or item that is solid and trustworthy.
As nearly always in these cases the term has a nautical history that dates back to timber built ships and a problem with wood boring molluscs. To prevent this potentially very damaging and dangerous nuisance in the mid eighteenth century they came up with the idea of sheathing the hulls of ships with copper thus protecting the vessels and all who sailed on them.

07-02-2012 - Bolton School Dickens World Record
04-02-2012 - Cargo Ship Hits Bridge
04-02-2012 - Snakes In The Everglades
01-02-2012 - February 2012 Competition
29-01-2012 - A Busy Year Ahead
25-01-2012 - What Is The Clipper Round The World
24-01-2012 - The Meaning Of Life
24-01-2012 - School Children Crossing Damaged Bridge
18-01-2012 - Conwy Visitor Guide
14-01-2012 - Cruise Ship Runs Aground

Harbour Guides Comments