The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #151478 Message #3536673
Posted By: Charley Noble
12-Jul-13 - 08:58 AM
Thread Name: Folklore: 'topsails all a quiver'
Subject: RE: Folklore: 'topsails all a quiver'
I always considered "reef-tackle fall" one of those cleverly camouflaged terms for "balls," which Hugill resorted to in order to get Shanties of the Seven Seas published.
Of course, a "reef tackle" is a real nautical term, the "fall" simply being the line that one hauled on. Knowing this would be of marginal use in undressing lovely Sally or her Sailortown sisters.