ratline etymology

Etymology:

• Ratline is a compound word consisting of "rat" and "line."
• "Rat" is derived from the Old English "rætt" or "rætte," meaning a rope or a ladder.
• "Line" comes from the Latin "linea," meaning a thread or a line.

Meaning:

A ratline is a horizontal rope ladder or step on a ship's shrouds (support ropes for the masts). It allows sailors to climb up and down the rigging.

Origin:

The term "ratline" first appeared in the 16th century as "ratlin." The origin of the name is uncertain, but there are several possible explanations:

• Derived from "Rattle": The ropes might have rattled against the shrouds when sailors climbed them.
• Derived from "Rat-like": The steps could resemble the legs of a rat.
• Derived from "Rudder": Ratlines were sometimes used to support the rudder.
• Derived from "Bridle": They could have been used to bridle (control) the sails.

The term "ratline" is still commonly used in nautical contexts today to refer to the horizontal ropes on the shrouds of sailing ships.

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