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This is a naval term. Before the days of echo sounders and many inlets and rivers had uncharted water, a knotted line was used to test the depth. This was weighted with lead which had wax on the base to check what the sea floor consisted of. The sailor doing the checking would throw, or 'swing the lead' outwards and allow it to sink to the bottom, counting the knots as it was hauled back aboard to ascertain the depth. As the job was not very work intensive and fairly restful, it was considered an easy task. Swinging the lead became know as an easy task and then to refer to someone who did not work very hard.
The lead swinger would call out the depth to the officer of the watch by counting the number of knots in the line. The knots were a fathom (6 feet) apart. The call would be "By the mark four"or similar. This also where Samuel Clemens derived the name Mark Twain. The call being "By the mark, twain." (Two) It is true, it is a naval term but over the years the meaning has been slightly corrupted. It actually refers to the whereabouts of someone who is missing but it is known by others where that the person is. In the 17th and 18th centuries the ships of the line of the Royal Navy were designed with a bulbous hull. To measure the sea depth a line was dropped over the side of the ship weighted with lead. To achieve this a sailor had to climb over the side of the ship and stand on a wooden beam forming part of the hull thus missing the protruding sides. This sailor was now out of sight. "Man overboard" was a common occurrence in those early days. It was one of the junior officers tasks to keep account of all those on deck. If a sailor was not seen for some time the question (example) would be asked "Where is able seaman Jones?" and the answer being "He is swinging the lead sir!".
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Where did the saying great ceasars ghost come from
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It is an old Irish saying for "Good Morning," but it usually means the Top of The Morning is dawn. (The actual saying was Top o' the mornin'- an Irish accent.)To which you should reply... and the balance of the day to you!
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they came from England lead by James oglethorpe
When was Swinging the Lead created?
Swinging the Lead was created in 1934.
What are the ratings and certificates for Swinging the Lead - 1934?
Swinging the Lead - 1934 is rated/received certificates of: UK:A
When was Come Out Swinging created?
Come Out Swinging was created in 2001-04.
Where does the saying You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink come from?
Stan Laurel said it in the 1937 film "Brats"
What actors and actresses appeared in Swinging the Lead - 1934?
The cast of Swinging the Lead - 1934 includes: Marie Ault as Mrs. Swid William Hartnell as Freddy Fordum Nita Harvey as Peggy Moira Lynd as Joan Swid Gibb McLaughlin as Inigo Larsen George Rogers as Benjamin Brown
Where did the saying you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink come from?
it came from the marines if you dont want to do something some one cant make you do it
Why does a swing eventually stop swinging?
A swing stops swinging due to friction and air resistance gradually slowing it down. As the momentum decreases, it requires more energy from the person pushing it to keep it swinging. Eventually, the swing will come to a stop unless additional force is applied.
How do you get my girl to get into swinging?
adjectives swinging girl
Where did the term haymaker come from?
A haymaker is fighting term that means a hard, swinging punch or hit. It comes from how hay used to be harvested, which was by swinging a scythe, since the punch resembles the same motion and level of power.
How did the witches lead to the destruction of Macbeth?
by saying hello
When was Swinging Hollywood created?
Hollywood Swinging was created on 1997-11-06.
When was The Swinging Star created?
The Swinging Star was created on 1992-11-14.
