I don’t like the cut of his/her jib - I don’t like his/her general appearance or manner. Imagine the days of grand sailing ships—pirates, explorers, and naval fleets roamed the seas. Back then, sailors could often identify a ship’s nationality just by the shape of its jib (that triangular foresail flapping in the wind). By the 1800s, the phrase had anchored itself firmly into everyday language, criticizing a person based not on their ship, but their overall look or vibe.
Robert Southey aptly propped this saying on a positional mast in his 1823 letter when he remarked that the appeal of some folks “depends something upon the cut of their jib.” Anchors aweigh, mates, this idiom has sailed smoothly through the ages.
Related Terms:
- Rubbed the wrong way - To irritate or annoy.
- Judging a book by its cover - Making a judgment based on appearance.
- Rubs me the wrong way - Causes irritation or dislike.
Similar Expressions:
- Not my cup of tea - It’s just not something I like.
- Gets on my nerves - It annoys me.
Synonyms:
- Dislike
- Disapprove
- Irritated by
Antonyms:
- Like
- Approve
- Fond of
Humorous Quotes:
- “I don’t trust people who dislike dogs, but I trust a dog when it dislikes a person.” - Bill Murray
Proverbs:
- “Appearances are deceptive.” - Don’t judge by looks alone; they can be deceiving.
Literary References:
- Book: “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville - A tale filled with seafaring terms and ship jargon.
- Poetry: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - A classic that captures nautical horrors and wonder.
- Song: “Sailing” by Rod Stewart - An anthem for every nautical heart.
- Movie: “Pirates of the Caribbean” - For a swashbuckling adventure full of jibs and sails.
Inspirational Thought:
“Sometimes the roughest waves of first impressions reveal the calmest, most charming shallows beneath.”
