Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An exposed partial deck on the stern superstructure of a ship.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun nautical A high, exposed
deck at thestern of aship (withcabins below).
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun an exposed partial weather deck on the stern superstructure of a ship
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From poop ("the stern of a ship") + deck.
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Examples
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abraxaszugzwang commented on the word poop deck
swab it.
February 12, 2007
chained_bear commented on the word poop deck
There is rather a lot of discussion of genuine poop decks on the page for poop. Perhaps it should be pasted here...
The purpose which started the whole poopy conversation:
I had to replace the phrase "poop deck" in a text having to do with the slave trade that was going to be read by a bunch of 5th-graders. You can see why it had to be replaced. The slave trade is not funny, but 10-year-olds would be so distracted by the word... The original sentence read something like, "Men were fed on the quarterdeck, women and children on the poop."
I remember it didn't even say poop deck, which changed its meaning entirely (from a modern perspective). Later, I found a number of additional usages that clearly mean poop deck, but shortened the phrase:
"'I believe we may attack the adagio directly,' said Stephen. 'The wind is in our poop, and we have never played better.'"
--P. O'Brian, The Commodore, 64
But this one's even better:
"'So she is the Bellona, the chief argosy of your command! ... Why, I declare, she has a poop, which adds much to her dignity.'"
Wait! Wait! It goes on:
"'When you are on the quarterdeck in a hot action with a really malignant enemy firing great guns and small arms, it is a wonderful comfort to have a solid poop behind you.'"
--P. O'Brian, The Commodore, 70
October 15, 2008
oroboros commented on the word poop deck
The kennel floor?
April 24, 2010