Ralph,
I appreciate tremendously the lesson in etymology. It has always mystified me as to why a grommet was a cringle when you put it in a sail but then again, most of us don't really speak any of the languages that sailing was originally described in so much of language is difficult. I have to say that it is fascinating how many terms in a normal English speakers vernacular there that are sailing terms that have been adapted for general use and most people don't even know it. It really points to how important sailing was to the empires that conquered much of the world at one time or another. Even though most of us have forgotten how to sail we wouldn't be where we are today without it. Are any of your articles published online in a public readable fashion? Best, John From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ralph E. Ahseln Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 12:44 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Clews and Cringles was: RE: [IC27A] Re: Was Jib Sheets > Barber Hauler [1 Attachment] [Attachment(s) from Ralph E. Ahseln included below] Having written a couple articles about Nautical Terms and their origins, May I offer an observation? While I recognize that English is a Dynamic language, and that Usage often dictates definition.. One of my pet peeves is what is happening to the use of "Cringle". Here is a copy of a recent posting I researched and wrote to another email list. Accept it or Not... I only submit it for your consideration ... Edited in part from several Nautical Reference books.. Namely: The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea by KEMP, 1976 And, The Sailor's Word Book.. By Adm. W.H. Smyth 1867 And, The Oxford Dictionary (Excerpt)..... "CRINGLE and THIMBLE: There are TWO parts to an "EYE" of a sail.. The Thimble and the Cringle. So... CRINGLE... A short piece of rope worked into grommet fashion (Here's the killer)...INTO the BOLT ROPE of a sail.. And CONTAINING.. a Ring or Thimble.... .....From: the Low Middle German... "KRINK" meaning "CIRCLE." GROMMET:(also called GRUMMET).... A RING formed by Laying up rope and used to fasten the upper edge or Luff of a sail. Also used in various places on a ship. (Note: One such grommet was what held the SHOT ready for cannons. It was called the Shot Grommet....NOT a "Brass Monkey" which never existed and is a modern Myth.) .....Possibly From: Obsolete French for .."Bridle Ring" . (May be from Old French.... "Worm") THIMBLE :.... A CIRCULAR or heart-shaped RING, usually of Iron or aluminum, grooved to receive a rope which is SPLICED around it to form an "EYE". ... From....Old English... "Thymbel" or "Thuma" meaning THUMB So, folks that metal Ring you have at the Clew and Tack of your sail is Really a THIMBLE..(Ok, you can call it a Grommet now) To make it a CRINGLE.. the ring would have to be wrapped by a rope that is Spliced into the Bolt rope of your sail. Not likely with most of us. (End Excerpt).... Attached is a Graphic of the Traditional "CRINGLE" With Best Regards, Ralph Ahseln "Oblio" Gresham OR ----- Original Message ----- From: John Guttridge <mailto:[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:24 AM Subject: Clews and Cringles was: RE: [IC27A] Re: Was Jib Sheets > Barber Hauler <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=24020782/grpspId=1705065792/ msgId=1044/stime=1245169703/nc1=3848614/nc2=4507179/nc3=4836045>
