Description

Book Synopsis

This book explores the nautical history of some of our most common expressions in an entertaining and informative volume.

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 and is famous for its traditions, quirks and nuances. It is distinctly 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, t

Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat

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Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 23 Dec 2025.

A Hardback by Martin Robson

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    View other formats and editions of Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat by Martin Robson

    Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
    Publication Date: 22/02/2018
    ISBN13: 9781472834201, 978-1472834201
    ISBN10: 1472834208

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    This book explores the nautical history of some of our most common expressions in an entertaining and informative volume.

    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 and is famous for its traditions, quirks and nuances. It is distinctly 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, t

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