Did everyday slang come from ship decks and cannon fire? Turns out, phrases like “under the weather”, “turn a blind eye”, and “scuttlebutt” aren’t just colorful language—they’re the echo of real nautical life.

In this episode, Gordy uncovers the surprising maritime origins behind 5 popular English idioms. From the British Royal Navy to sailing ships in the Age of Exploration, these expressions tell stories of survival, rebellion, and rigging. If you love etymology, language trivia, or hidden history, this one’s packed with conversational gold.

Follow along every day as we explore how history hides in plain sight—right in our everyday words.

Sources:

• Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Under the Weather. Oxford English Dictionary.
  

• Royal Museums Greenwich. (n.d.). Admiral Nelson and the Battle of Copenhagen.
  

• Grammarist. (n.d.). Hand Over Fist—Idiom, Origin & Meaning. https://grammarist.com/idiom/hand-over-fist/
  

• Grammar Monster. (n.d.). Hand Over Fist | Origin and Meaning. https://www.grammar-monster.com/sayings_proverbs/hand_over_fist.htm
  

• Harbour Guides. (n.d.). Hand Over Fist Origin. https://www.harbourguides.com/nautical-sayings/HAND-OVER-FIST-ORIGIN
  

• Naval History and Heritage Command. (n.d.). Scuttlebutt: The Naval Gossip.
  

• Historic Naval Terms. (n.d.). Learn the Ropes Explained.
  

Music thanks to Zapsplat.

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