Meaning something is filled to capacity or over loaded. If two blocks of rigging tackle were so hard together they couldn't be tightened further, it was said they were "Chock-a-Block".

Literally, eating the seaman's daily ration of tough, salt-cured pork or beef. Long before refrigeration, cured meats were tough but durable and it took a lot of chewing to make them edible. Has [..]

Releasing the lines to a mooring, wharf, dock, buoy or another ship in order to move away. Shore-side, the term refers to second-hand clothing.

In the days of sail, the officer of the deck kept a weather eye constantly on the slightest change in the wind so sail could be reefed or added as necessary to ensure the fastest headway. Whenever a g [..]

From the Latin carina (keel) or French carener. Prior to hydraulic lifts, hulls still needed to be cleaned, patched, caulked, etc. Careening is a deliberate heeling to one side in order to accomplish [..]

An early form of navigation, relying upon experience, intuition and faith. Has come to mean inspired guesswork.

Using a buoy to raise the bight of an anchor cable to prevent it from chafing on a rough bottom.

Currently means in all cases or in any case. From the nautical: by meaning into the wind and large meaning with the wind: as in, "By and Large the ship handled very well."

A sailing ship underway could only be brought to an emergency standstill by dropping the anchors, creating a rather jaring stop. Used today to mean a person brought to an unexpected standstill by a su [..]

Aboard ship, a booby hatch is a sliding cover or hatch that must be pushed away to allow access or passage.