Sailing Lingo Test

1. The "poop deck" is:
a) A very, very stinky area of the ship.
b) The highest deck at the aft end of a large ship.
c) Where you go when you need a nap.

2. Openings along the edges of a ship's deck are called:
a) deck holes
b) sniggle-wiffers
c) scuppers

3. To greet a fellow sailor, you'd say:
a) "Ahoy!"
b) "Howdy, pardner!"
c) "Yo, wassup?"

4. In sailing, the "bow" of the ship is:
a) A cute little ribbon on the mast.
b) The front of the ship.
c) The thing you steer with.

5. "Flotsam" is:
a) Any part of the wreckage of a ship or her cargo which is found floating on the surface of the sea.
b) A small town in Germany known for its pastries.
c) A dyslexic interpretation of the word "lfostma".

6. A wire support from the mast to the stern of the ship is called the:
a) masternwireholderthingy
b) gobble-gobble
c) backstay

7. A boat which pointed too far into the wind is called:
a) S.O.L.
b) In irons.
c) Beskrunkled.

8. A "catboat" is:
a) A sailboat crewed entirely by felines.
b) Any sailbot that has a litter box.
c) A sailboat with a single sail.

9. In sailing, when something is entangled or clogged, it is:
a) really frustrating
b) fouled
c) besmirched

10. The command used in coming about to inform the crew that the helm is being pushed hard to leeward, turning the boat into the wind, is:
a) "Hard alee!"
b) "What the...?!"
c) "All hands abandon ship!"

1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b, 5-a, 6-c, 7-b, 8-c, 9-b, 10-a

How did you score?

1-2 correct - Landlubber

3-4 correct - Cabin Boy (or Girl)

5-6 correct - Crew

7-8 correct - Captain

9-10 correct - Admiral

Whether you're a Landlubber or an Admiral (or anything in between), becoming a member of the American Sailing Association will help keep your sailing knowledge fully up to date.

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