I'd have to go along with Marc's "sailors never appreciated in your face smut, double Sailors of the 19th century were extremely class conscious; they would never knowingly utter any foul words in hearing of a "lady" or "gentleman." double entendre was always prefered" & with Curmudgeon's "with Sailors of the 19th century were extremely class conscious; they would never knowingly utter any foul words in hearing of a lady or gentleman." In the late 1970's I lent an occassional hand in helping to restore the brig Carthaginian in Maui & was consider her shantyman. I met George Herbert (1st sailed in the Baltic trades & ended as a Cape Horner) on board we had a big singing bash in the hold. He went on with stories, songs & jokes & would stop short with any vulgarity if there were any women within hearing range & excuse himself for not continuing on in that line because ther were women about. Even on tapes we later swapped he'd giggle like a naughty little school boy when he'd explain some of the double entendres. Barry