Ahoy mateys! Ever heard someone described as “broad in the beam”? This term, though now a bit antiquated and perhaps unenlightened in its use, once drew a straight line between the anatomy of a woman and that of a ship. Let’s embark on a voyage through the whimsical and rarely complimentary use of nautical language for the human physique.
Nautical Origins and Literary Usage
“Broad in the beam” classically refers to the widest part of a ship. In human terms, it’s used to describe someone, typically a woman, with wide hips. This colorful language sets sail from nautical roots where “beam” is synonymous with width.
J. E. Lightner delights us with a quote from an 1836 issue of Spirit of Times:
“Ned Curtis had a wife, a strapping craft, broad in the beam, with a high stern. . . .”
Alas, this phrase is bobbing in the seas of outdated terms, potentially on the brink of becoming a shipwreck in the bay of forgotten phrases. But fear not! We harbor this expression in our Dictionary of Clichés, ensuring it’ll always have an anchorage.
Related Terms & Expressions
- Pear-shaped: Figuratively describes someone with a shape wider at the hips, much like a pear.
- Bottom-heavy: Another term emphasizing wider hips, sometimes used in engineering contexts but corporeally here.
- Well-rounded: Can refer to having a full figure, though often used positively regarding skills or personality.
Similar Nautical Expressions
- Helm’s a-lee: Refers to changing direction smoothly; if only body descriptions could be so graceful!
- All hands on deck: Used to signify urgency and cooperation, this phrase doesn’t care about body shape, just action!"
Quotes for a Laugh
“She’s so broad in the beam, beaming down WiFi would be easier than finding her jeans size!” – Anonymous Wit
Proverbs & Observations
“A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – John A. Shedd
Applying this wisdom to body descriptions, perhaps we can celebrate all ships’ builds, from svelte yachts to wide cargo vessels!
Literature, Books & Movies to Explore
- “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville: Nautical adventures bring heaps of ship lingo to deck, metaphorically speaking.
- “Mutiny on the Bounty” by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall: Learn the ins and outs of seafaring through gripping narrative.
- The theme song from “Titanic” (“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion): Let the lyrics float on waves of nostalgia as you think of ships (and maybe hips).
Farewell Inspiration ⚓
May your journey through the seas of language be always guided by the stars of wisdom and humor. Cast off the anchors of cliché but keep them snug in your memory’s harbor just for fun!
