Ship to Shore: A Dictionary of Everyday Words and Phrases Derived from the Sea

When you pick up this book, make sure you read the small subtitle: A Dictionary of Everyday Words and Phrases Derived from the Sea. This is really what this book is about. It's one of those books you can pick up on a rainy Sunday afternoon and the time will fly by. Or, if you are looking for a specific phrase that has its origin in sea-talk, it's probably there. So, this book has several uses. I like to pick it up and browse. As a dictionary, it does not need to be read from cover to cover. Besides giving origins (I won't tell you any--you gotta look 'em up yourself!), it does debunk one of the most enduring myths--POSH does NOT come from 'Port out, starboard home.' For some reason, this folk-etymology has spread like wildfire in popular culture, although practically no linguists accept it as truth. So, I was glad that the author treated words that allegedly come from the sea as well. He has done his homework. A great book that you can learn a lot from. Also, it's written in a very easy-to-read style.