sea lawyer
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- noun A querulous or captious sailor, disposed to criticize orders rather than to obey them; one who is always arguing about his work, and making trouble.
- noun The gray or mangrove snapper.
- noun A shark.
Examples
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Of course, you know that a sea lawyer is the sort of chap that spends all his time in talking to his mates about the rights of sailors, and making them believe that a sailor's more precious right is never to do any work. For cheek and general cussedness, there is nothing to compare to a sea lawyer.
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Damme, but he's a regular sea lawyer already: however, my boy, we'll soon put your mettle to the proof.
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Sea lawyer and pest are synonomous term with every Captain. The sea lawyer is the man with little education and a meddlesome disposition. His mate on land is the fellow who shows up after every accident and advises: ‘Sue the company.’
"Exit the 'Sea Lawyer,'" The New York Times, January 13, 1908
Note
‘Sea lawyer’ comes from the idea of a sailor who believes he possesses knowledge of maritime law, and is probably argumentative and difficult to govern.
