Salty sailor slang and phrases

Whoever knew that phrases such as turn a blind eye, toe the line, at loggerheads and chock-a-block have origins steeped in seafaring history.

Some expressions can more obviously be recognised as “salty sailor slang”, like even keel, give a wide berth, keeled over, warning shot across the bow, loose canon and three sheets to the wind. But how on earth (or sea) do words such as “groggy” or expressions such as “Dutch courage” relate to the seafaring world? The answers may well surprise you. Check out the stories behind the sailor slang… it’s quite a history lesson!