Word of the day

[steve_sordy]

I was doing a bike build with my grandson and he asked me where does the word "decal" come from?

So, I looked it up!

It is from a French word "decalcomania" meaning "the art of transferring pictures".

Who knew? (well, the French obviously!)

 

[Stihldog]

I discovered a term several years ago that I never knew. “Freeze the balls off of a brass monkey“.

Lots of nautical sayings out there where I never knew the origin.

 

[Mikerb]

....a brass monkey being a pyramid shaped brass stand that held several cannon balls. When very cold the brass contracted to the extent the cannon balls started to fall from the frame.

Closer to home for you @Stihldog ..............look up " he has a chip on his shoulder"

 

[Stihldog]

Closer to home for you @Stihldog ..............look up " he has a chip on his shoulder"

I think that’s a US term?
“Elbows up”and “Gloves Off” is a Canadian term that is often used during our national sport. Sometimes “Hey Buddy” is used moments before either of terms are said.

Finished off with “sorry boot dat”.

 

[Mikerb]

I think that’s a US term?
“Elbows up”and “Gloves Off” is a Canadian term that is often used during our national sport. Sometimes “Hey Buddy” is used moments before either of terms are said.

Finished off with “sorry boot dat”.

Yes US supposedly...though it might be in BC as well........again possibly sort of nautical derived from practise of ship builders to be able to take home offcuts of timber on their shoulders.

 

[Binhill1]

Money for old rope , there was lead in ropes used in Seine net fishing.

 

[steve_sordy]

There was me thinking that the expression "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" was a reference to the three brass monkeys of "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" fame. But every day is a learning day!

I now realise that the "brass monkey was probably a pool style triangle that retained a pyramid of iron cannon balls. When the temperature dropped, the frame shrank more than the balls and popped one off the top. Thanks to @Mikerb

 

[irie]

There was me thinking that the expression "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" was a reference to the three brass monkeys of "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" fame. But every day is a learning day!

I now realise that the "brass monkey was probably a pool style triangle that retained a pyramid of iron cannon balls. When the temperature dropped, the frame shrank more than the balls and popped one off the top. Thanks to @Mikerb

Made me remember my visit to see the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth near us. Made you realise how brutal life was then and also how some things had little changed - such as using thimbles when sewing sailcloth. My paternal grandfather grew up in a Bermondsey slum with 11 others and went to night school to better himself, fell in love with the night school teacher, married her, was a WW1 soldier, invalided out, became a teacher and had 3 sons of which my father was the youngest. Different world indeed.

 

[Stihldog]

There was me thinking that the expression "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" was a reference to the three brass monkeys of "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" fame. But every day is a learning day!

I now realise that the "brass monkey was probably a pool style triangle that retained a pyramid of iron cannon balls. When the temperature dropped, the frame shrank more than the balls and popped one off the top. Thanks to @Mikerb

Not exactly. The cannon ball holder resembled a monkey-, head, two arms, two legs, and a tail. It was made of brass and laid on the deck next to the cannon. Cannon balls were staked in a pyramid shape.

When the warship travelled during cold and rough weather water mist and spray would settle on the balls and eventually freeze in the pockets which held the ball. The rocking motion of the ship would allow ice to buildup in the pockets.

Once the balls froze off of the brass monkey …all hell would break loose and cannonballs would roll everywhere on the deck.

The “Son of a Gun” would be busy.

 

[Stihldog]

Yes US supposedly...though it might be in BC as well........again possibly sort of nautical derived from practise of ship builders to be able to take home offcuts of timber on their shoulders.

I know more of the logging terms; barber chair, widow maker, crummy, boom boat , hooker, chaser, molly, bull bucker, bull cook, choker man, swamper, and many more.

I’m sure some of those terms came from the EU somewhere.