What are some sailing terms that we use in everyday speech?

There are many sailing terms used in everyday speech in English. Words like “scuttlebutt” or “leeway” come from the rich heritage of sailing in the English-speaking world.

Probably because so much of England’s history (and that of the US) is based on naval superiority, sailing terms are everywhere. Some of the more common ones include:

  • Adrift
  • Leeway
  • Scupper
  • Scuttlebutt
  • Aboveboard
  • Aloof
  • Junk
  • Mainstay

You can use QuillBot’s AI Chat to check if a word or phrase has a nautical history.