another brief deviation from the original question. duff said they had to look up Jolly Tar to find out it meant a sailor, this name came about as a result of the pigtail worn by sailors in the 18th century.

The older habit of sailors wearing a pigtail [rather than a queue] was a protection against a cut to the back of the neck -- from sword or dirk -- during close fighting, as would be encountered in boarding an enemy vessel or in repelling boarders. Often, sailors would stiffen their pigtails with tar before such combat, in order to provide added protection. Such a dressing for the neck was a regular feature of the preparations for battle by the Royal Marines and soon became a standard of their habit regardless of whether or not battle was expected.


They also have their hair in a queue, a practice which was abolished in 1808.

Ok i ken maist o ye knew that but an auld lass has tae get a word in some weys :)

Meg