Posted by Jonathan Labaree on May 31, 2002 at 18:21:03 from 207.5.198.231 user JLabaree.
In Reply to: Re: Outdoor Pursuits - a-tenting we go --- posted by Ed Kiser on May 31, 2002 at 17:07:26:
Ed,
Unquestionably part of the fun of reading AR is “hearing” the language spoken differently. A few of the things you mention, however, are equally valid terms/words in American English, but are nautical, so perhaps less well known.
For example: to mouse a sisterhook is perfectly understandable to an American sailor (particularly one familiar with traditional craft), as are pintles and gudgeons (your spelling is just fine.). We (Americans) scull many of our small boats over the stern with an oar set in a notch of the transom (or in an oarlock set up for the purpose).
I quite agree about the spelling differences and the bit about caravans (my understanding is that they refer to trailers, but I could quite easily be wrong).
I mention all of this not to be contrary, just to point out that some of the vocabulary in AR might be confusing to Americans because it’s English, and some of it is confusing because it’s nautical (and probably just as confusing to the average English reader).
- Jonathan