I don't have a fish story to tell this month, but here is an interesting website that lists many phrases we use that have nautical origins: http://www.see-the-sea.org/nautical/naut-body.htm These are a few from the website. Come sit out on the deck with us at the party (or any Saturday night) and we're likely to come up with a few new ones.

● Above board: Pirates would often hide much of the crew below the deck. The ships that displayed the crew openly on the deck were thought to be honest merchant ships known as "above board".

● Cup of Joe: From American Navy lore: Josephus Daniels (1862 - 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. During his time as Secretary of the Navy, "Joe" Daniels abolished the officers' wine, after which the strongest drink aboard Navy ships was coffee. A cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe".

● Holy Mackerel: Because mackerel is a fish that spoils quickly, merchants were allowed to sell it on Sundays contradicting the blue laws in 17th-century England. The phrase "Holy Mackerel!" is still used today as an expression of surprise and/or astonishment.

● Over a barrel: Sailors being punished were sometimes tied over a cannon barrel when being whipped. Today the expression is used when someone is in a bad situation and that there is often no other possible course of action.

● Rummage sale: This term is used synonymously with yard sale or garage sale. The term comes from the French word 'arrimage' meaning "the loading of a cargo ship." The damaged cargo or rummage was occasionally sold.