Where did the phrase give a wide berth come from?
Literally, give a wide berth is a phrase that dates back to the seventeenth century meaning to allow a large space between ships to enable optimum safety and maneuverability.
What does it mean for a ship to berth?
Berth is the term used in ports and harbors for a designated location where a vessel may be moored, usually for the purposes of loading and unloading. Vessels are assigned to berths by these authorities. Most berths are alongside a quay or a jetty (large ports) or a floating dock (small harbors and marinas).
What is the synonym of berth?
bunk, bed, bunk bed, cot, couch, hammock. sleeping quarters, sleeping accommodation, cabin, compartment, billet. informal sack.
What is Gerth?
Gerth, derived from the miracle worker, Gerthalk, was a praenomen syllable often chosen by deeply religious females, just as Det, from Detoon the Righteous, was a frequent choice among males, especially those who had entered the priesthood.
What does the phrase to give wide berth to most closely mean?
to avoid someone or something. People tend to give him a wide berth because he looks so strange. Synonyms and related words. To avoid doing something, or to avoid something.
What is a berthing area?
berthing area means a configuration of piles (typically 4), positioned adjacent to a jetty, ramp or pontoon, designed for the permanent parking of a vessel. “
What is berth structure?
Abstract. – The structures which are constructed for the intention of berthing and mooring of vessels to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo and also for embarking and disembarking of passengers or vehicles etc. is called berthing structure.
Why is it called a berth?
The pilot berth is so called because originally they were so small and uncomfortable that nobody slept in them most of the time; only the pilot, if he had to spend a night on board, would be offered it. A single bunk tucked under the cockpit.
What is girth slang for?
girth Add to list Share. The girth of something is the distance around its middle, and it usually refers to a person’s waist.
Who is Treacher Collins named after?
In 1900, Dr E Treacher Collins, a British ophthalmologist, described two children who had very small cheek bones and notches in their lower eyelids. Therefore, the condition gets its name from him.
What does wide berth mean?
wide berth (plural wide berths) (nautical) Adequate distance from sea vessels or other objects to ensure safety and maneuverability. (idiomatic, by extension) A considerable or comfortable distance from a person or object, especially for safety or deliberate avoidance.
What is the meaning of ‘give a wide berth to tips’?
Give a wide berth. Literally, give a wide berth is a phrase that dates back to the seventeenth century meaning to allow a large space between ships to enable optimum safety and maneuverability. Today, there is also a figurative meaning to the phrase give a wide berth, meaning to steer clear of someone or something, to keep your distance from someone or something, to avoid someone or something.
What does berth the ship mean?
The most common meaning of the word ‘berth’ is a pier or dock, which is the point where a ship ties up. Take car parking, for instance. Every car has a parking spot, so the berth of a ship is the place where it is parked. There are also times when authorities assign a berth to a ship, which is simply that ship’s allocated parking space.
What does berthing mean?
Berthing.] 1. To give an anchorage to, or a place to lie at; to place in a berth; as, she was berthed stem to stern with the Adelaide. [1913 Webster] 2. To allot or furnish berths to, on shipboard; as, to berth a ship’s company.