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History Lesson

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Skibum346:

--- Quote from: "Lyndsey731" ---Dave

As you like them heres one you might not know.

In the days of old wooden navy ships cannon balls were stacked next to the cannon on what was called a monkey (don't quote me on the spelling), a metal grid made of brass. In cold weather the brass would contract throwing the cannon balls off hence:- cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!

Gav
--- End quote ---

In a similar vein... if a flogging was ordered a new cat o' nine tails was made up by the bo'sun. He also made up a red flannel bag for it to be kept in. Hence... "letting the cat out of the bag".

Skibum

Lyndsey731:
Staying with ships

The boilers on board were called fat ladies, the stoker would have to fill the furnace to bring them up to pressure, once at pressure a relief valve on the top of the boiler would whistle letting him know he could stop hence it ain't over till the fat lady sings.

Luckily for you all thats the only ones I know :lol:

Gav

BigA:
you cant beat a bit of history.

Doesn't the term "Square meal" come from the navy, as they used to use square plates?

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