FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Nautical Wordwise Trivia Quiz

Common (and some not-so-common) nautical phrases expressed Wordwisely.

A multiple-choice quiz by wjames. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
wjames

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
368,114

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
416

Question 1 of 10

1. D
N
I
W

Answer: (One Word; a position of advantage)

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. R---E---A---C---H

Answer: (Two words; point of sail)

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. S

H

I

P

Answer: (Two words; CG Barque EAGLE, for example)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Pb line

Answer: (One or two words)

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. IRPUTONS

Answer: (Three words; punished or stopped?)

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Watch *Watch* Watch

Answer: (one or two words)

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Sail
Ship

Answer: (Three words; a beautiful sight)

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. _________Sun
______Sun
___Sun
Sun

Answer: (One word; time of day)

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. *MAST*
MAST
MAST

Answer: (One word; going aloft!)

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. *Officer* Officer Officer

Answer: (Two words; rank)

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. D N I W

Answer: Upwind

Upwind is the direction that the wind is blowing from. For sailing ships, being upwind is an advantage over ships that are downwind, as they get the wind in their sails without any interference from other ships, and can also block the wind from downwind ships, causing them to lose speed and steering.

2. R---E---A---C---H

Answer: Broad Reach

On a broad reach, the wind is coming from behind the boat, but not from dead aft. This gives a wide, or broad, selection of downwind courses the boat can take.

3. S H I P

Answer: Tall ship

Tall ships are traditionally-rigged sailing ships such as square-riggers, barques, barkentines, etc. Many nations have Tall Ships as training ships for their naval or Coast Guard personnel.

4. Pb line

Answer: Lead line

A lead line is used to measure depth of water. It is a length of line with depth markings and weighted by a heavy piece of lead to sink to the bottom.

5. IRPUTONS

Answer: Put in irons

Put in irons has two meanings: a criminal may be put in irons with shackles around their ankles and/or wrists; a sail ship may be put in irons when she is pointing into the wind with no way on and no way to steer the ship.

6. Watch *Watch* Watch

Answer: Midwatch

The mid, or middle, watch begins at midnight and lasts until 4AM.

7. Sail Ship

Answer: Ship under sail

A ship under sail is an awe-inspiring sight. The world's Tall Ships are often approached uncomfortably close by larger ships wanting to enjoy the sight.

8. _________Sun ______Sun ___Sun Sun

Answer: sunrise

Sunrise at sea is an important time: the last chance to take a celestial fix by the stars; navigation lights may be turned off.

9. *MAST* MAST MAST

Answer: Topmast

The topmast is above the lower mast (the part that starts at the deck), but below the topgallants, royals, etc.

10. *Officer* Officer Officer

Answer: First Officer

On a merchant ship, the First Officer ranks just below the Captain. This position may also be called "Chief Mate".

Source: Author wjames

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Tizzabelle before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.