Obscure Word Of The Day Abaft

Preston, England
June 16, 2018 4:29pm CST
A Nautical word this time, abaft means further back, towards the stern of the ship or boat. It might be used in a phrase like 'They are playing deck quoits abaft of the Misen-Mast'. In other words, if you know where the mast is, abaft is further back towards the stern than that. I never really get past front, back, left and right, so me getting in the navy is extremely unlikely. Youtube - Sea Shanties - The Sailor's Hornpipe Arthur Chappell
The Sailors Hornpipe, Last Night of the Proms makes me think of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom ... it is the oldest of the British armed services (and ...
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6 responses
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
16 Jun 18
this I used to know.When I was in the Navy.
2 people like this
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
16 Jun 18
@amadeo cool, I would have loved the chance to travel in the navy
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
16 Jun 18
@arthurchappell yes you would very much there.
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Rebecca Huston
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
17 Jun 18
I've done a bit of messing about on the water, so nautical terms aren't a problem. They proved to be very useful when I've been on cruises.
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Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
18 Jun 18
yes the bigger the vessel the more necessary the terminology becomes
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Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
26 Jun 18
@Telynor yes after a while it gets easier to find your way around
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Rebecca Huston
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
23 Jun 18
@arthurchappell I've travelled on the big cruise ships, and the way that they are designed, it can be tricky to find your cabin sometimes. Fortunately, my steward was a very kind soul who helped me out. But once you got familiar with the ship, it got much easier.
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rakski
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
16 Jun 18
that is a new word for me, thanks
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jun 18
I've heard the word before but not often. I know port is left because they both have four letters so starboard has to be right but that's about as far as it goes with me and nautical terms.
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Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
17 Jun 18
@JudyEv that is a great way to tell the difference between port and starboard
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun 18
@arthurchappell There are dozens of these sorts of simple tricks to help people remember various things.
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April
@thislittlepennyearns (58140)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Jun 18
I guess it is true what they say, you learn something new everyday. I love your obscure words series.
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Starmaiden
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
16 Jun 18
I only know stern and bow. I'm not much of a boat enthusiast.
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Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
16 Jun 18
@Starmaiden I do like ships and the sea
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