Arrr, me hearties, ’tis time fer old salty Kanube to drop some more valuable sailing lore yer way! Today’s topic be that old derogatory term ‘Land Lubber’.  “Arrr, ye be nuttin’ but an ol’ landlubber, ye be!” would go the saying. Well, what did that mean?  Well, I aims ta tell ya.

The main way sailors made their way around before the days of the compass was by charts that showed landmarks (literally, things on land that were marked on the map) and by staying close to shore. Also by the sun, moon and stars as well, but not as accurately.  If a ship were to be blown to sea, there was a better than even chance of being lost forever.

As the compass was developed, and they noticed it always pointed north, a line was added that was supposed to be the direction you were heading, and then a dial around the compass was turned until the needle pointed at north. Then where the line crossed on the dial, that was yer heading. This was called the ‘Lubber Line’. (why is a deep mystery only Davy Jones will ever know)

So, if you were a brave sailor, you pointed your ‘lubber line’ to the sea and high adventure, but if’n ye be a yellow cowardly type, why, ye pointed yer lubber at land, thus being a ‘land-lubber’, always taking the safe way, toward the land. Also, interchangeable with those who chose to live on land full time.

So, there ya have it. Again, here be some fun links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubber_line

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_nautical_terms

Cap’t K.