Table of Contents

Why Would Anyone Choose a Name Like That?: Introduction 1. A Witch's Brew: Early Traditions & Superstitions 2. Contemporary Conduct: Modern Guidelines 3. Gadzooks!: Classical, Astrological, Celestial & Philosophical Names 4. Miss or Mrs. to the Modern Ms.: The Feminine Influence 5. All the World's a Stage: Arts, Entertainment, Stage, Screen & TV 6. Nautical Naughtiness: From "Salts" Old & New 7. Lover's Lament: Romance & Other Emotional Experiences 8. East Is East & West Is West: Geographic Origin & Personality Tips 9. High Hopes & Swivel Hips: Owner Identification, Image & Body Parts 10. Life, Livelihood and Liquor: Owner's Profession, Vessel's Use, Trade Names 11. Animal, Vegetable or Mineral: Flora, Fauna & Natural Forces 12. Come with Me to the Casbah: Mystery, Intrigue & Fantasy 13. Smooth, Slick & Saucy: Dinghies, Multihulls & Other Size/Shape Relationships 14. High Tech: Racing, Fishing, and Competition 15. Off We Go: Sports, Hobbies, Recreation, & Other Activities 16. The ABC's of It: Playing with Words and Letters 17. Bon Voyage: Other Language Sources & Jargon Index

About the Author

John Corcoran has sailed and skippered 11 boats, has restored a classic staysail racing schooner, and has built three sailboats. John has 30 years of experience "messing about in boats" and is currently planning a solo circumnavigation. This book was originally John's idea. He had accumulated a large number of interesting and humorous boat names as he cruised far and wide, and his literary interests prompted the idea to share these names with others. He has published a number of articles on social issues, and is a published poet. John, a longtime resident of the Pacific region, now resides in a wooded Virginia glen far from tidal influence while writing and studying hull design. Lew Hackler has owned some 16 boats including a 40-foot double cabin motoryacht: FAIR DINKUM (Aussie slang), which he named and lived aboard for ten years, following an extended stay in Australia. Other boats have included a 16-foot ski boat: QUITS (it had a cantankerous 22 hp outboard motor); a 26-foot sloop: A OVER T (British slang, again influenced by an overseas visit); a 41-foot motorsailer: SEA STAR, which he lived aboard (named for the 5-pointed starfish found in southern waters); and his current 30-foot sailing sloop: SEASTAR II, which has two dinghies: SEA BISCUIT (an inflatable), and STAR FISH (a hardshell), with which he cruises the Chesapeake Bay, south Atlantic coast, Florida Keys, and Bahamas. Lew is author of THE COMPLETE SAILOR'S LOG, and co-author of the more recent SENSIBLE CRUISING: THE THOREAU APPROACH, which received excellent reviews and was a Book-of-the-Month Dolphin selection with record sales.