I Am Shipshape

Photo taken by me – life-boat – Preston Docks on the River Ribble
Preston, England
October 10, 2016 4:18am CST
Have you or your house ever been described as ‘ship-shape? The phrase derives from ‘ship-shape and Bristol fashion’ as the port city of Bristol was regarded as highly beautiful, efficient and clean in its handling of heavy sea-going traffic in the eighteenth century. If a house is ship-shape it is very neat and tidy – everything is stowed away where it belongs. A ship-shaped person is orderly, neat and well composed. If I am ship-shaped it is the shape of the Titanic after the iceberg incident; split in two, sinking deep, with everything scattered and broken, with a state of inner panic. My inner band plays on with the soothing calming melodies of thrash metal. My ordered world is turning to flotsam & detritus as I plunge to the depths of oblivion. I’d like to be Star-Ship Enterprise shaped please. Arthur Chappell
7 people like this
6 responses
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
10 Oct 16
So that's the meaning of ship-shape . I learned a new word today , thanks to you . And i am proud i am a ship shaped person. My head aches seeing an untidy place . Hubby says i am so meticulous .
2 people like this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
15 Oct 16
I think I am sinking ship shaped
1 person likes this
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
16 Oct 16
@Jessicalynnt you may be sailing uncharted waters but you have the freedom to go wherever you wish
1 person likes this
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
16 Oct 16
@Jessicalynnt the whole new start could be the start of great things
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Oct 16
@arthurchappell it's just what I wished, went up in flames, now I gotta start all over and recreate wishes
1 person likes this
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
10 Oct 16
I may not be entirely Starship Enterprise shaped, but I am warped.
1 person likes this
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
10 Oct 16
@Asylum their reaction to me would cetainly be its life Jim but not as we know it
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changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
10 Oct 16
I have never thought the ship-shape is connected with the port city of Bristol .I am happy to learn a new word.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502379)
• Italy
10 Oct 16
A house that my father in law built has been described as "it looks like a big boat", that is less noble as ship. I know he sold it soon after, I suspect it was not so good.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43586)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Oct 16
I got our apartment ship-shape a couple days ago. You wouldn't know it by looking at it now, though.
1 person likes this