Baggyrinkle

/ˈbæɡiˌrɪŋkəl/ noun

Definition

Protective material (often rope or canvas strips) wrapped around a ship's rigging to prevent chafing and damage.

Etymology

A nautical compound term combining 'baggy' and 'rinkle' (wrinkle); 'baggywrinkle' is the more common modern spelling. Naval jargon term dating to the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Baggyrinkle is one of those wonderful nautical words that sounds made-up but is absolutely real—it's literally 'baggy wrinkled' stuff, which is exactly what it is: frayed rope or rags wrapped around rigging to keep it from getting damaged. Sailors have brilliant names for things.

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