Puzzles

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Puzzles
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
- Thomas Alva Edison

All Hands On Deck

Word Power Here's a vocabulary quiz with a nautical theme. So cast off your dictionary and set sail for some salty definitions. Click the radio button next to what you think is the correct definition. Click the 'Get Score' button below to reveal the answers and see how you did.


1. Clew
a. Fastener for attaching a tarp over a hatchway.
b. A grommet through which laces are passed.
c. A layer of slime which appears on the hull.
d. The corner of a sail to which a rope is attached.

2. Helm
a. A lower deck amidships.
b. The free edge of a sail.
c. The wheel by which a boat is steered.
d. A thick cold fog or rime.

3.Jib
a. A lively dance popular among sailors.
b. The foremost sail, triangular in shape.
c. To fish from a slow moving ship (espacially when becalmed).
d. A detention room or brig .

4. Luff
a. To raise an anchor or mainsail (or any heavy hauling).
b. Moisture-resistant stuffing used in marine mattresses, chairs, etc..
c. The part of the bow which slices through the water.
d. To turn a ship into the wind and thus become stationary.

5. Painter
a. A rope at the bow used for tying up.
b. The seaman responsible for maintaining the hull.
c. A seaman's term for any story teller known to exaggerate.
d. Any member of the crew assigned to swab the decks.

6. Reef
a. To run aground, especially on a reef.
b. A short length of heavy rope used in repairs.
c. To twist violently in the wind.
d. To reduce sail area by rolling and tying it .

7. Sheet
a. Any sail but especially the mainsail.
b. A rope tyed to a sail for trimming.
c. A low, dense cloud cover.
d. Metal cladding on the hull, usually copper.

8. Tiller
a. An arm attached to the rudder by which to steer.
b. A ship's bursar or paymaster.
c. A ship's bell or chiming clock.
d. A weighted length of rope used to gauge water depth.

9. Yard
a. A small triangular sail above a rectangular sail.
b. Area onboard for exercise and relaxation.
c. To wind a rope around a winch or cleat.
d. A spar attached to a mast.

10. Yawl
a. The sound of the wind humming in the wires and mainstays.
b. To sideslip like a catamaran in a strong wind.
c. A certain two-masted vessel.
d. A metal spike used for sewing sails or repairing nets.

Your Score =

Your Ranking:

    0%: Landlubber
10-30%: Rowboats R Us
40-60%: Welcome Aboard
70-90%: Salty Dog
  100%: Aye, aye, Captain!

The correct
answers are
:
Related Resources

"The F-Word" Quiz
"Mind Your P's & Q's" Quiz
Online Dictionaries
Encyclopedias
Crosswords
Puzzle Software
Word Games
Jigsaw Puzzles
About's Guide to Board Games

Subscribe to The Puzzler's Newsletter
Name
Email

I hope you'll be a regular visitor to this site.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

Until next time, HAPPY PUZZLING!
a puzzler's pencil dies young

All graphics are © Dave Fisher unless otherwise noted.

Previous Features


Explore Puzzles

About.com Special Features

Puzzles

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Puzzles

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.