The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #57200   Message #898447
Posted By: EBarnacle1
25-Feb-03 - 02:03 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: what is a tarheel?
Subject: RE: BS: what is a tarheel?
Referring to sailors as "tars" goes back to the custom of using pine tar [byproduct of distilling turpentine] as a preservative on rigging and wood. Pine tar is still used, not only on vessels but on various parts of horses' tack and hooves. It is, among other things, an effective bacteriostatic.