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Redfish
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 59
Location: Arnhem
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 Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject: 'go and hear the dogfish bark' |
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In Nelson's Navy, part IV (Officers), Brian Lavery mentions (in the part about the midshipmen) harmless pursuits as sending newcomers to 'go and hear the dogfish bark'. I cannot find anything about this pursuit. Who knows more about it?
Danni |
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PMarione
Site Admin
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 883
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:55 am Post subject: |
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From Smyth's Sailor's Word-book, dog-fish was "a name commonly applied to several small species of the shark family".
As fish do not bark, it was a joke for "Johnny Newcome".
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ionia
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:03 am Post subject: |
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Similar to sending a newly joined midshipman to look for the key of the starboard watch.
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Ionia |
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Redfish
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 59
Location: Arnhem
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| Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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I can well imagine a newcomer try and look for such a key and that it would have caused great merryment. Yet what would be the funny result of sending someone to hear the dog-fish bark? The best thing I can think of: that he would be send to the hold as that might be the best place to hear it (under the waterline).  |
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