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JAN/FEB. 1974 Page 10 LISTLESS - This good dictionary word meaning dull or lifeless was coined in the days of sail when, under a good breeze, ships would list sharp- ly to port or starboard. When there was no wind, they would ride without list, accomplishing very little. LOG - The instrument used to measure the rate of a vessels velocity through water. The most primitive manner of calculating this appears to have been for a person to heave the log over the bow of the vessel, and to run with it until he reached the poop; the speed at which he ran forming the basis upon which the ship's speed was reckoned, and it is said that wonderfully accurate re- sults were obtained by this rough method. An improved method involved attaching the log to a long line wound on a reel in the stern. The log tossed overboard, theoretically kept its place as the line ran out, the length unwinding in a given time giving the rate of sailing. This was calculated by means of knotting the line at regular intervals, and a sandglass. Thus originated the knot, or nautical mile. The log being heaved at certain times in each watch, the particulars were entered in the vessel's book, which was therefore called the log and which contained, besides, all details re- lating to whatever transpired during a voyage. LONG SHOT - Here's a modern gambling term with an old nautical origin. Because ships' guns in early days were very innacurate except at close quarters, it was only an extremely lucky shot that would hit the mark at any great distance. MESSMATES - Those eating together, comrades. Messmates before ship- mate, shipmate before stranger, 'stranger before a dog. MIND YOUR P's & Q's - Nowadays a term meaning be on your best be- havior. In old days sailors serving aboard government ships could always get credit at the waterfront taverns until payday. As they would only pay for those drinks which were marked up on a scoreboard, the tavernkeeper had to be careful that no pints or quarts had been omitted from the GUsitomeies) oust. OVERWHELMED - This word, meaning crushed or defeated, is from the Anglo-Saxon whelmen which meant to turn a vessel completely over; to bury in heavy seas. PORTHOLE - James Baker, a shipbuild- er, ordered by King Henry VI (1435) to place heavier guns on his ship's sides, resorted to the French meth- od of a watertight door to close the opening when the battery was not in use. This door was called a port (Fr. porte); hence the term porthole which was originally a hole for a gun. REJOICE THE COCKLES OF ONE'S HEART To gladden and to cheer. Probably from the old English cockling seas or short quick ones; hence applic- able to that which brings short, quick heartbeats. The Cockles of the heart are, of course, unknown to doctors and surgeons. ROPES, KNOW THE - Today a phrase indicating that a man is expert, it originally meant exactly the re- verse. In very early days, when He knows the ropes was written on a seaman's discharge, it meant that he was only a novice, knowing just the names and uses of the principal ropes. ROUND ROBIN - This morning we ail signed a round robin, setting forth our wifiingness to return to duty on the liberation of the three men. Our names are written in radiating lines like the spokes of a wheel, so that there are no leading names on the Lust. Lt may pe from this. custom of signing dangerous papers that the term ringieader was derived. SCUITLEBUTT - A cask of drinking water equipped with a scuttle stood on the deck of old time vessels for the convenience of the crew. It was a good place to exchange views as men waited their turn; hence scut-