Nautical slang, now obsolete, for the cat-o'-nine-tails -- the multi-thonged whip used for flogging on Royal Navy ships.
Nautical slang, now obsolete, for the cat-o'-nine-tails -- the multi-thonged whip used for flogging on Royal Navy ships. The name was darkly humorous, implying that contact with the captain's 'daughter' was something to be feared and avoided, and that her embrace was painful. The term reflects the grim gallows humor common throughout historical naval and military slang. The euphemism was respectful of no one.
The sailors dreaded being summoned aft, knowing the captain's daughter might be involved.
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A cat-o'-nine-tails.
(colloquial, UK, naval, historical) The 36th and last of the Articles of War, effectively giving the ship's captain free rein in disciplining the crew: "All other crimes not capital committed by any person or persons in the fleet, which are not mentioned in this act, or for which no punishment is hereby directed to be inflicted, shall be punished by the laws and customs in such cases used at sea.".
(British, slang) Caning the backside profusely, an abusive initiation ritual to which trainee soldiers are subjected.
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Old nautical slang for the cat-o'-nine-tails, the multi-tailed rope whip used for flogging in the British Royal Navy. The nickname is sardonic — the captain's "daughter" was something sailors really didn't want to meet. Historical records show flogging was common punishment aboard Royal Navy vessels well into the 19th century, making this phrase a dark piece of maritime history.
A murmur ran through the crew when the bosun brought out the captain's daughter.
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(nautical, slang, obsolete) A cat-o'-nine-tails.
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