The Secret Coded Language

The language used on ships in the past was like a secret, coded language with different names for every part of the ship. Learning this language was necessary for those training to become officers, as messing up the words could result in dismissal. Interestingly, many commonly used phrases in daily lexicon today actually originated from the age of sailing, such as 'scuttlebutt' for gossip, 'piping hot' for food ready, 'pipe down' for be quiet at night, and 'under the weather' for being sick. The phrase 'to turn a blind eye' also has naval origins, originating from Vice Admiral Nelson putting his telescope up to his blind eye to ignore a superior officer's signal flag to retreat. History, even if suppressed or ignored, continues to shape and affect us, and fights over its importance are significant.