A BOTTLE of the finest is on its way to Rod Eaton who correctly supplied the answer to Wharf Rat's question in last week's issue of FTW which called for the origin of the words stevedore and derrick.
Rod writes:
Wharf Rat needs to go back into
history a little - or use a good agent:
1. Derrick of a ship was named after a London Hangman who around 1600 developed a jib that could swing the bodies of his customers into place on the public stand.
2. The name Stevedore comes from the base Spanish word Estivar which means to stow cargo using in particular a steeve (from the Latin) which in turn was a long spar used to ensure the cargo was packed tightly.
No doubt if we go back further in time there will be similar derivations but if I am near enough, perhaps Wharf Rat could buy me a wee dram.
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