If you ever come and stay aboard Story Time for a while, you’ll need to learn a few key phrases that are particular to our boat.
Tokyo Drift—This refers to a combination of prop walk and wind while we are attempting to dock. It is when Conor stops trying to steer and lets the boat drift its way into our slip. He pretends to be in Fast and the Furious.
Winch Wench—This term is for whoever is working the sails (male or female). I like alliteration, okay?
Drop It Low—Inside our main settee, we can lower our table and put a cushion on top for a comfy way to watch TV. Speaking of which, who is pumped for the Game of Thrones premiere tonight?!
Bumpin’—The term for the way our boat rocks front to back when a Nor’easter blows through. The dock slams down next to the stern of our boat. Bump Bump Bump. It is super annoying in the middle of the night.
Pump Out Beer—References the beers you consume both before and after doing a pump out.
Waked—When some jackass in a fishing boat zooms through the marina at 30 mph and sends you + everything inside the boat flying.
Hit The Gas—Surprisingly, not a term for under power while on our boat. It almost always means “Please turn on the solenoid switch so I can cook dinner on the stove. Thanks, honey.”
Smells Boaty—Just like how every family home you go into has its own distinct smell, every boat does too. It is most noticeable with stuff that doesn’t get washed often (bags, shoes, etc) when we are off the boat. It’s a smell you’ll have to experience for yourself to understand. Don’t worry, you will also take it back with you. It’s not gross, just boaty.
Weather Window—When I obsessively check the Accuweather app for a time period with perfect conditions before we take the boat out.
Up Help—W is also contributing to our family lingo aboard and when she says/signs “Up Help”, it exclusively means that she wants to climb the stairs and needs our permission to watch her as she ascends. This happens at least twenty times per day.
What silly words or phrases do you use while aboard? Or do you have any unique ways of communication in your family? We would love to hear!
Love,
Taylor, Conor, and W
Cannons to Cruising 