Comments by dystopos

  • The call "Alow, There" from the masthead to the deck may have contributed to the rapid acceptance of "hello" as a greeting in the late 19th century.

    December 15, 2009

  • According to Clifford W. Ashley in "The Yankee Whaler" (1926) a "lipper" is "an oblong piece of blubber with a slotted finger grip, used to squeegee the decks after cutting-in". Melville refers to the same implement as a "nipper" in "Moby Dick" (1851)

    December 15, 2009

  • According to Clifford W. Ashley in "The Yankee Whaler" (1926) a "lipper" is "an oblong piece of blubber with a slotted finger grip, used to squeegee the decks after cutting-in"

    December 15, 2009

  • see anatiferous

    July 10, 2007

  • see barnacle goose

    July 10, 2007

  • "Thus, the balance, on which his life titubated, was inclined in his favour by the blunder of a black steersman." - Jack London, Jerry of the Islands, ch. 6

    June 18, 2007

  • good call on pulchritude (words that don't sound like their meanings) ...anonomatopoeias?

    May 10, 2007

  • denim is "serge de NĂ®mes", while "jeans" derives from the French for Genoa.

    December 4, 2006