The rich language of the sea binds together sailors of many countries and makes them a breed of men and women whose vocation--or avocation--is quickly identified by their colorful language. Based on the authoritative Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea, this comprehensive, illustrated guide offers concise entries on more than 1,275 international terms used in yachting and square-rigging, giving the definition and derivation of most everyday sea terms. The Pocket Oxford Guide to Sailing Terms is not only useful but delightful reading for sailors and landlubbers alike. The reader will find many familiar words that have adopted new meanings at sea. On a sailing ship, for example, one may find an apron, a shoe, a cot, a cradle, and a crib; a horse, bridle, saddle, stirrup, and whip; a dog, fox, mouse, and rabbit. But when sailors use these terms they are describing timber, hand clips, rope, and riggings. Each entry in The Pocket Oxford Guide to Sailing Terms has been corrected and updated, making this the most reliable guide on the market--an essential reference for anyone who sails for business, competition, or pleasure.