Sound Like a Sailor: The Book of Nautical Expressions - Book

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An essential collection for every sailor’s library, this fun dictionary of phrases and terms is anchored in nautical history.

Life-long sailor Bruce Macdonald knows a thing or two about the language of the sea and, in Sound Like a Sailor, he catalogs nautical terms and idioms that are used in the common vernacular. Delving deep into the colorful history behind each word or phrase, this alphabetical reference will help readers understand the maritime origins of our most ubiquitous expressions.

Discover how minding your p’s and q’s originates in how bartenders kept track of pints and quarts on sailors’ tabs, how “going berserk” calls up images of shirtless Vikings, and how the word “footloose” originally referred to an untethered sail flapping around like Kevin Bacon’s legs. And, as any superstitious sailor knows, it’s best to “cheat the devil” by having an arsenal of euphemisms at the ready when needed, as cursing is said to invite trouble aboard.

An essential book for boating enthusiasts and language buffs alike, Sound Like a Sailor is a windfall of fascinating linguistic information.

Specifications

Dimensions (IN):
5.51 x 8.5
Pages:
176 pages
Author:
R. Bruce Macdonald
Supplier/Publisher:
Harbour Publishing
Published Date:
September 2025
ISBN:
9781998526239
Date Added:
September 2025
Format:
Hardcover

Material Options

PAPER CHARTS

Our paper charts are printed on high resolution, heavyweight, water-resistant paper, using state of the art printing technology. The paper and printing process has been certified by NOAA and deemed to be suitable to withstand the rigors of use in the marine environment.

FULL SIZED PAPER CHARTS ARE CERTIFIED FOR CARRIAGE ABOARD COMMERCIAL VESSELS		 WATERPROOF CHARTS

Our waterproof charts are printed on a
very durable, extremely tear resistant,
waterproof material using state of the art
printing technology. The waterproof
material accepts pencil markings well and
also erases well. The paper and printing process has been certified by NOAA and deemed to be suitable to withstand the
rigors of use in the marine environment.

TIP: If you plan to frame or laminate a chart using heat, then do not choose waterproof because the material can melt under heat.

FULL SIZED WATERPROOF CHARTS ARE CERTIFIED FOR CARRIAGE ABOARD COMMERCIAL VESSELS

 Size Options

  

SMALL FORMAT CHARTS
These are up-to-date, NOAA charts simply
reduced in size so that the small dimension of the chart is 21”, the long dimension is proportionally reduced. These charts are not printed to full size, therefore the scale is not the same as the full size NOAA chart, however the scale bars on the charts are proportionally reduced in size, and can be used for reference. These charts are not recommended for navigation.

SMALL FORMAT CHARTS ARE NOT CERTIFIED FOR CARRIAGE ABOARD COMMERCIAL VESSELS
These are up-to-date, NOAA charts simply enlarged in size so that the small dimension of the chart is 42”, the long dimension is proportionally enlarged. These charts are printed beyond full size, therefore the scale is not the same as the full size NOAA chart, however the scale bars on the charts are proportionally enlarged in size, and can be used for reference.

LARGE FORMAT CHARTS ARE NOT CERTIFIED FOR CARRIAGE ABOARD COMMERCIAL VESSELS

Other Options

  

BOOKLET CHARTS

Made to help recreational boaters locate themselves on the water. It has been reduced in scale for convenience, but otherwise contains all the information of the full-scale nautical chart. The bar scales have also been reduced, and are accurate when used to measure distances in these BookletCharts.

• Professionally printed and staple-bound using high quality, durable paper.

• Includes Notices to Mariners

• Printed on-demand with the latest data from NOAA

BOOKLET CHARTS ARE NOT CERTIFIED FOR CARRIAGE ABOARD COMMERCIAL VESSELS

DECORATIVE ANTIQUED CHARTS

This is a unique line of decorative charts prepared by Paradise Cay Publications.

  • This is an art piece prepared with the look of a well-used chart with the patina of antique parchment.
  • Printed on our high-quality heavy paper.
  • We have added an additional border to allow for framing.
  • Shipped rolled, never folded.

The short side of the chart is always printed at 36" and the long side will vary depending on the chart - please do not order framing prior to receiving the chart. These will memorialize your favorite coastal area in vintage style and we have added to the standard border of the typical NOAA chart to allow for a more professional, frame-ready presentation.

DECORATIVE CHARTS ARE NOT CERTIFIED FOR CARRIAGE ABOARD COMMERCIAL VESSELS

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