16 Nautical Terms Every Landlubber Should Know

In a comical moment from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), Jack Sparrow and his former helmsman-turned-ally Hector Barbossa storm across the deck of the Black Pearl, shouting commands at the crew. “Adjust that sail!” one commands. “Loosen the windward brace and sheet!” another yells. “Pull the pennant line!” they both shout together.

While the scene centers on the unresolved debate over who truly commands the ship, much of the humor stems from the audience—primarily 21st-century landlubbers unfamiliar with sailing terminology—being completely clueless about what the characters are saying.

On the vast seas, sailors crafted a language entirely unique to their maritime world. Though some of these age-old nautical terms are still understood only by the most experienced sailors, many have drifted ashore, becoming so ingrained in everyday speech that their original maritime meanings have faded beneath modern, land-based interpretations. Here are 16 examples.

Starboard

The term starboard refers to the right side of a ship. Despite common misconceptions, its origin isn't linked to constellations or celestial navigation. Instead, it comes from the Old English words stéor, meaning “steer,” and bord, meaning “side of a boat.” Since most people are right-handed, the steering oar was typically positioned on the right side, hence the term starboard.

Port

Port signifies the left side of a ship. Unlike starboard, which dates back to the 9th century CE, port is a relatively recent term. Earlier versions include the Old English bæcbord—still used as Backbord in German and bâbord in French—and laddebord, meaning “loading side.” The term port is derived from portside, as ships traditionally loaded and unloaded cargo on the left side when docked.

Capsize

Capsizing, the dreaded event of a ship overturning in the water, is every sailor's greatest fear. Linguists speculate that the term, which appeared in the late 18th century, originates from the Spanish verb capuzar, meaning “to sink (a ship).” It may also be connected to the Spanish words cabo, meaning “head,” and chapuzar, meaning “to dive or duck.”

Flotsam

Flotsam refers to debris or cargo from a ship discovered floating on the ocean. The term traces back to the Anglo-French floteson, derived from the Old French flotaison, which means “a floating.”

Jetsam

Unlike flotsam, jetsam refers to items intentionally discarded by a ship's crew. While this distinction may seem minor to a landlubber, it holds significant importance in maritime law, as it dictates ownership rights. The term jetsam originates from the Middle English jettison, which stems from the Old French getaison, meaning “throwing.”

Batten Down the Hatches

Today, the expression batten down the hatches essentially means “prepare for challenges ahead,” closely aligning with its original meaning. For sailors, it was an instruction to fasten tarpaulin or canvas covers over the ship’s openings (hatches) using wooden strips called “battens,” protecting the interior from harsh weather, particularly during storms.

Even Keel

An even-keeled individual is steady and unlikely to lose composure when provoked. Replace individual with boat, and you’ll grasp the term’s nautical origin. In shipbuilding, the keel serves as the ship’s backbone. Attached to the hull’s base, it ensures buoyancy and, most importantly, stability. Without it, the vessel would capsize. (The Oxford English Dictionary notes that even-keeled first appeared as an adjective in an 1869 issue of the Christian Advocate.)

Knot

As any sailing enthusiast knows, a knot measures the speed of wind and water at sea. Used universally on ships and aircraft, one knot equals one nautical mile (or 1.15 statute miles) per hour. The term originates from the 17th century, when sailors used a device called a chip log, a rope with evenly spaced knots and a wooden piece, which was released into the water behind a moving ship. The number of knots released over a set time indicated the vessel’s speed.

Cockpit

Today, cockpit primarily refers to the pilot’s compartment in an aircraft or spacecraft. However, before the advent of planes and rockets, it denoted the area on a ship where the cockswain was stationed. The term combines cock, meaning “small boat,” and swain, meaning “servant,” as the cockswain was responsible for steering the ship.

Anchorage

An anchorage refers to a secure location where ships can anchor safely. Interestingly, this is also the inspiration behind the name of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. The waters around the state are notoriously hazardous, and the area now known as Anchorage, initially called “Knik Anchorage” (after the deserted village of Knik across the inlet from the current capital), was one of the few safe spots for ships to anchor.

Footloose

Before footloose became linked to the famous 1984 dance movie, it described a sail that wasn’t properly fastened to the mast’s base, known as the foot, allowing it to flutter freely in the wind.

Aye, Aye

Often followed by sir or captain, this repeated affirmation was a sailor’s way of acknowledging they had both understood an order from a superior and would execute it without hesitation. Operating a ship is a complex and risky endeavor, demanding strict discipline from every crew member.

Crow’s Nest

Frequently featured in tales of pirates and buccaneers, the crow’s nest is a small platform atop a ship’s mast, serving as a lookout point. Legend suggests the term originated from a Viking navigation technique. In bad weather, a sailor would ascend to the nest and release a crow or similar bird, which, guided by instinct, would fly toward the nearest land.

Keelhauling

Keelhauling, originating from the Dutch term kielhalen, describes a brutal maritime punishment where prisoners were bound to a rope and pulled beneath a ship’s hull, which, covered in sharp barnacles, often resulted in a slow and agonizing death. Evidence from the Lex Rhodia or Maritime Codex, an ancient Greek legal document addressing piracy, indicates this practice dates back to at least 700 BCE [PDF].

Letter of Marque

A letter of marque, frequently referenced in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, was an official government permit issued by the English High Court of Admiralty. It allowed privately owned vessels (privateers) to attack and seize enemy merchant ships during wartime. The first such letter was granted in 1293, establishing a tradition that continued until privateering was banned in 1856.

Shipshape

The term shipshape describes something that is tidy and well-organized, closely aligning with its original meaning from Bristol, UK. Combining ship and shapen, meaning “to shape something,” it originated when Bristol was a major port city known for its exceptional ship upkeep. In those days, a ship in perfect condition was also referred to as being of “Bristol fashion.”