Binnogue

/bɪˈnoʊɡ/ noun

Definition

A small two-masted sailing vessel or fishing boat, particularly used in Irish and Scottish coastal waters.

Etymology

From Irish or Scottish Gaelic origins; exact etymology unclear but appears in 17th-18th century maritime records, possibly related to Gaelic words for small ships.

Kelly Says

Binnogue is the kind of word that vanishes when the boats disappear—as steam replaced sail, these specialized terms for particular ship types simply sailed out of the language.

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