According to Clifford W. Ashley in "The Yankee Whaler" (1926) a "lipper" is "an oblong piece of blubber with a slotted finger grip, used to squeegee the decks after cutting-in". Melville refers to the same implement as a "nipper" in "Moby Dick" (1851)
According to Clifford W. Ashley in "The Yankee Whaler" (1926) a "lipper" is "an oblong piece of blubber with a slotted finger grip, used to squeegee the decks after cutting-in"
"Thus, the balance, on which his life titubated, was inclined in his favour by the blunder of a black steersman." - Jack London, Jerry of the Islands, ch. 6
Comments by dystopos
dystopos commented on the word alow
The call "Alow, There" from the masthead to the deck may have contributed to the rapid acceptance of "hello" as a greeting in the late 19th century.
December 15, 2009
dystopos commented on the word lipper
According to Clifford W. Ashley in "The Yankee Whaler" (1926) a "lipper" is "an oblong piece of blubber with a slotted finger grip, used to squeegee the decks after cutting-in". Melville refers to the same implement as a "nipper" in "Moby Dick" (1851)
December 15, 2009
dystopos commented on the word squeegee
According to Clifford W. Ashley in "The Yankee Whaler" (1926) a "lipper" is "an oblong piece of blubber with a slotted finger grip, used to squeegee the decks after cutting-in"
December 15, 2009
dystopos commented on the word barnacle goose
see anatiferous
July 10, 2007
dystopos commented on the word anatiferous
see barnacle goose
July 10, 2007
dystopos commented on the word titubate
"Thus, the balance, on which his life titubated, was inclined in his favour by the blunder of a black steersman." - Jack London, Jerry of the Islands, ch. 6
June 18, 2007
dystopos commented on the user pedalinfaith
good call on pulchritude (words that don't sound like their meanings) ...anonomatopoeias?
May 10, 2007
dystopos commented on the list products-named-after-their-purported-place-of-origin
denim is "serge de Nîmes", while "jeans" derives from the French for Genoa.
December 4, 2006