Been there ain'tdha Barb? That's why I'm so big on taking novices out and teaching some basic terms, but on a pleasant day and having the time to say BOTH.....

"Prepare to tack, loose the starboard jib sheet"
and
"We're gonna' turn to the left, pull THAT rope outa' THAT thing there and HOLD ON TO IT til I tell you to let it go."

With time everybody learns, but beginners have enough problems without trying to remember terms they have just learned. Go out on light wind days and it gets easier on everyone's nerves.

catspaw