Favourite euphemisms for ... OMG, I don't have a non-euphemism for this! Oh except "dunny"

[jefmcg]

If the ship has a following wind it can't go faster than the wind. So from the sailor's point of view if the ship is going at 5 knots in a 10 knot wind if he pees off the back of the boat it blows back at him at 5 knots.

The wind is rarely coming directly from the stern. Mostly you are tacking or jibing.

If the term was alee or leeward, then maybe I'd believe that was the source.

Yes, I used to sail. A lot. Subsequently a lot of rowing, so now I think bow is at the back.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

If the ship has a following wind it can't go faster than the wind. So from the sailor's point of view if the ship is going at 5 knots in a 10 knot wind if he pees off the back of the boat it blows back at him at 5 knots.

I'm no sailor but I'm sure I saw on QI (so it must be true!) that a sailboat can travel downwind much faster than the following windspeed by trimming the sails to produce lift.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

@srw will be gratified for the affirmation

How on earth did I miss that?
I swear it wasn't there when I started composing my post.

 

[jefmcg]

@srw will be gratified for the affirmation

And let's all agree "I heard on QI" beats "I've experienced this"
</sarcasm>

 

[User482]

If I remember correctly from QI a few weeks ago a sailing ship usually goes faster than the wind, because the sail sets up a pressure differential. And it rarely simply sails with a following wind.

I thought that was limited to racing boats and the like.

 

[Zimbob]

When outdoors my father used to refer to the act as 'communing with nature'
There are a couple of entertaining terms locally for the 'pan' itself - the 'chanty' and the 'jeer-pot' Not sure where the first term comes from, but in the Dingwall dialect, 'jeer' means bum

 

[Mr Celine]

Yes, I used to sail. A lot.

On 19th century square-rigged ships?

 

[jefmcg]

On 19th century square-rigged ships?

They still tacked, just not as high into the wind

 

[Mr Celine]

They still tacked, just not as high into the wind

Also less efficient than a modern rig and with a less efficient hull. So it's unlikely the apparent wind direction would be from the front of the vessel.

 

[jefmcg]

Also less efficient than a modern rig and with a less efficient hull. So it's unlikely the apparent wind direction would be from the front of the vessel.

Well, it could easily be from the side.

Anyway, if the OED can't find any reference to "the head" coming from sailors pooping over the bows, I'm sticking with it being an myth.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Well, it could easily be from the side.

Anyway, if the OED can't find any reference to "the head" coming from sailors pooping over the bows, I'm sticking with it being an myth.

This source supports your view that it refers to the location of the toilet on board:

The "head" aboard a Navy ship is the bathroom. The term comes from the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit, the integral part of the hull to which the figurehead was fastened.​

 

[jefmcg]

This source supports your view that it refers to the location of the toilet on board:

The "head" aboard a Navy ship is the bathroom. The term comes from the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit, the integral part of the hull to which the figurehead was fastened.​

I have to concede, that backs up the alternative more than mine.

So, I'll stop derailing my own thread

 

[jefmcg]

.... except for this

"spruiking" for standing outside a shop shouting out the good deals inside, a job we don't even have here.

Good list

But there are spruikers in the UK, at markets and at The Perfume Shop. Oh and in department stores.

Another couple to add "wag" (though I gather that might be a Brummie word) and barrack for supporting your team.

 

[srw]

With apologies both for the re-derail and the quote from wikipedia, the article on the subject gives what sounds like a more credible reason than wind-blowage for the placement of the heads on board a sailing ship:

"In sailing ships, the toilet was placed in the bow somewhat above the water line with vents or slots cut near the floor level allowing normal wave action to wash out the facility. Only the captain had a private toilet near his quarters, at the stern of the ship in the quarter gallery." (My bold)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_(watercraft)

 

[Profpointy]

I'm no sailor but I'm sure I saw on QI (so it must be true!) that a sailboat can travel downwind much faster than the following windspeed by trimming the sails to produce lift.

Based on my modest knowledge of physics, which still substantially exceeds my knowledge of sailing - I believe it is possible to sail a good bit faster than the windspeed if there's a crosswind. I don't believe you can sail faster than a tailwind: that would make no sense