"No patients, other than a youth from the Erebus whom our young friend Hanson struck to the ground with a murderous blow. ... his shipmates feign infinite concern and swear that if it prove fatal they will keelhaul the Lion of Atlas, as they call our champion, with his own intestines." --Patrick O'Brian, Blue at the Mizzen, 127
I intend to use this threat at work very soon. "Leave my cubicle upon the instant, sir, or I shall keelhaul you with your own intestines." Er... as soon as I find a keel.
Originally a severe form of corporal punishment for sailors at sea. The offending sailor was tied to a rope that looped beneath the vessel, thrown overboard on one side of the ship, and dragged under the ship's keel to the other side. If the rope snapped, the Captain might conclude that the punishment was not meted out properly and might order it repeated.
The earliest official mention of keelhauling is a Dutch ordinance of 1560; the practice was formally abolished in 1853. While not an official punishment in Britain, it was reportedly used by some British Royal Navy and merchant marine captains, and has become strongly associated with pirate lore.
"No patients, other than a youth from the Erebus whom our young friend Hanson struck to the ground with a murderous blow. ... his shipmates feign infinite concern and swear that if it prove fatal they will keelhaul the Lion of Atlas, as they call our champion, with his own intestines."
--Patrick O'Brian, Blue at the Mizzen, 127
I intend to use this threat at work very soon. "Leave my cubicle upon the instant, sir, or I shall keelhaul you with your own intestines." Er... as soon as I find a keel.
Who thought up these things? That's what I'd like to know.
Wait...maybe I wouldn't.
Ouch. Those prickly barnacles!
Originally a severe form of corporal punishment for sailors at sea. The offending sailor was tied to a rope that looped beneath the vessel, thrown overboard on one side of the ship, and dragged under the ship's keel to the other side. If the rope snapped, the Captain might conclude that the punishment was not meted out properly and might order it repeated.
The earliest official mention of keelhauling is a Dutch ordinance of 1560; the practice was formally abolished in 1853. While not an official punishment in Britain, it was reportedly used by some British Royal Navy and merchant marine captains, and has become strongly associated with pirate lore.