Monday, October 15, 2007

Strine

I'm not very good at foreign languages so can someone please answer the following question for me...

If a British sailor on starboard tack on a beat is on a potential collision course with a port-tacker he will hail, "Starboard!" when a few boat-lengths away to let the port-tacker know he is there.

I discovered at the Laser Masters Worlds that, in similar circumstances, an Australian sailor will shout something that sounds like,

"Aaaaaeeeuurrrggaaaarrrrghhhh!!!!"

What the hell is he saying?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Literal translation (or Littoral). "Oh No, we got beaten by England in the Rugby World Cup"

Anonymous said...

At a guess he's trying to let you know he's there.
(did it work)

Anonymous said...

Well done on the worlds result - was on the other side of the bay for the Europe euros in July and didn't even get near midfleet...

Definitely a problem of sailing in an international. In more cynical moments (at least in the very youth dominated Europes) I wonder if these are taught 'intimidation noises' to try and bluff people into tacking (but maybe the masters are a bit more sporting...).

Certainly makes waving a port tacker across almost impossible (even with the friendliest smile on you face!).

Mal Kiely [Lancelots Pram] said...

As an Aussie, when it comes to speech, most of our conscious thoughts are distracted when we're busy, you know. At least he was being polite that time. You may hear a 'starboard' call sounding more like, "getouddatheferkinwayyabasstard!" instead! hahahahaa
Intimidation? Absolutely. You know us Aussies... all bluff and a weak bite :) [grins happily]
Cyalayta
Mal :)

Tillerman said...

Thanks for all the advice. And I just assumed it meant, "Please feel free to tack on my lee bow, old chap."

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