Technically a "knot" is any sort of confusion of cordage generally excluding coils, skeins, splices, sinnets, hitches and bends. But that never works in practical speech. A "hitch" secures a line to an object. If the object is a standing line (stay, shroud or lifeline) it's still a hitch. A "bend" joins lines at the terminus (sheet, becket). Jack: I think a loop like a hangman's knot or bowline is technically called a "bend". If intended to draw tight on a haul, it's a "noose" however, if the guest of honor strangles to death it's a botched job. The knot is placed just below and behind the left ear. A shipboard hanging required a dozen or so knots, shanks and stops. It was a thing of gravity for the boatswain and the whole show was expected to go off without a hitch. See: ABOK#366
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