Comments on: Avast and Belay http://www.word-detective.com/2007/03/01/avast-and-belay/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:19:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: dhdecker http://www.word-detective.com/2007/03/01/avast-and-belay/comment-page-1/#comment-31 dhdecker Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:32:09 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=30#comment-31 Belay in nautical parlance is frequently used to countermand an order or an announcement. For example, if the Deck Officer commands "Full speed ahead" and the captain doesn't believe that's the right thing to do, the captain will call out "Belay that order!" The intent being that the full speed ahead order should not be carried out.'Belay' in this sense frequently implies a slight a reprimand on the part of the one whose order is being belayed. Thus, "Avast and Belay" is a bit redundant, essentially meaning "stop and fuggeddaboudit!" From Covey Crump (RN slang dictionary): TO BELAY :Primarily, to make fast or secure. Thus, metaphorically, to cease whatever one is doing Belay in nautical parlance is frequently used to countermand an order or an announcement. For example, if the Deck Officer commands “Full speed ahead” and the captain doesn’t believe that’s the right thing to do, the captain will call out “Belay that order!” The intent being that the full speed ahead order should not be carried out.’Belay’ in this sense frequently implies a slight a reprimand on the part of the one whose order is being belayed.

Thus, “Avast and Belay” is a bit redundant, essentially meaning “stop and fuggeddaboudit!”

From Covey Crump (RN slang dictionary):
TO BELAY :Primarily, to make fast or secure. Thus, metaphorically, to cease whatever one is doing

]]> By: marcparis http://www.word-detective.com/2007/03/01/avast-and-belay/comment-page-1/#comment-23 marcparis Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:14:21 +0000 http://word-detective.com/wordpress/?p=30#comment-23 Is there an expression "belay that order"? Connection? Is there an expression “belay that order”? Connection?

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