For all of history it's been the same: Martial or Polybius; fiction or nonfiction. Sooner or later, you have to pick one and stick with it.

Gibb: "It's his memory of observations of cotton screwmen in Mobile in 1848, while a merchant sailor of circa 18 years old. He said the songs were called "chants" and the activity was called "chanting.""

Still have not got around to giving Nordhoff the full treatment but... I've got his works listed as fiction, based on a true story but, not the truth.

Boy sailor Nordhoff's memories didn't need spelling out. Young adult fiction author Nordhoff's prose did. His fictional character can spell it in Klingon as long as the target popular audience can follow along.

Using Nordhoff as a source for how "nautical rhythms" have influenced opera down through the years (Reidler) never ventures off the popular entertainment reservation. One might just as well cite video games and Tiktoks somewhere down the line.