Chichester Yacht Club Magazine June 2018 | Page 25

Nautical sayings in everyday use.
This month: "Over a Barrel” - in a helpless,
weak, or awkward position; unable to act
Several theories of origin for this phrase exist, all with convincing
supporting evidence.
One of the most common theories relates to corporal punishment
aboard ship.
During the age of sail, sailors found guilty of some infraction of law
would often be flogged while bent over the barrel of one of the ship’s
guns, leaving them helpless while their punishment was carried out.
Small Change
A thirsty sailor runs from his boat to
the nearest bar and shouts to the
bartender, “Give me twenty shots
of your best scotch, quick!”
The bartender pours out the shots,
and the sailor drinks them as fast
as he can.
The sailor replies, “Well, you’d
drink that fast too, if you had
what I have”
The bartender says, “Oh my
God! What is it? What do you
have?”
“Fifty pence!” replied the sailor.
The bartender is very impressed
and exclaims, “Wow. I never saw
anybody drink that fast”
25