Skip to main content

For Find Out Friday - Why Do All Boat Names Begin With Nazi Like Initials?


I have always wanted a house that had a name. You known something fun, playful, and catchy sounding that reminds anyone who reads it of me. I don’t have the name picked out just yet, I guess it will depend a lot on what the house looks like and where it is located. 

While I have no plans to ever own a boat, those who do share a similar affinity for naming their possessions using phrases and names of those closest to their hears. 

Names aside, I find that most boat names always begin with the letters “SS”. I might be alone in this but when I read that specific letter in doubles I am transported back in time to Nazi Germany. Those soldiers are the only thing that comes to mind. Naturally that is not a happy thought. Nor I imagine what someone who just doled out a lot of money for a prized possession wishes to conjure. 

So why, I wondered, are those letters used? And what do they stand for? 

I figured that had to be a good explanation. 

Of course I was right.

The “SS” in front of a boat’s name stands for “Sailing Ship”. If the ship has two diesel engines or more that makes it a “Steam Ship” landing it yet another pair of SSs. 

Seems simple enough.

When you see “USS” those initials declares that particular ship as part of the United States Navy, but only while its in commission a.k.a. active duty.

Such is the case with the former U.S.S. Intrepid that is now docked in New York City and is open as a museum (https://bit.ly/2qwmQ5P).  

According to the U.S. Coast Guard:

“A name for the vessel composed of letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals and may not exceed 33 characters. The name may not be identical, actually or phonetically, to any word or words used to solicit assistance at sea; may not contain or be phonetically identical to obscene, indecent, or profane language, or to racial or ethnic epithets.”

Thus many ships are dedicated, by the Secretary of the Navy, for persons, actions, or places that are significant for the times or to honor moments in history. In times of war, it is commonplace to honor those involved.

Other initials used before the actual name of a ship or boat, can be a symbol of what it’s duties are. A few examples are MV (Motor Vessel), SY (Sailing Yacht), RMS (Royal Mail Ship), and HMS (His/Her Majesty’s Ship). 

Despite the lack of I ambition I have to live a large part of my life on the water, I do however like the way "SS TQOFE” reads. 

For More Information: 





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

For Find Out Friday - Why Do Emery Boards Make My Skin Crawl?

You know that sound a fingernail makes when it scratches against a chalkboard?  You know that feeling the sound of that action gives you? I, like most people, hate that sound.  I instantly feel like scrunching my shoulders up to my neck and closing my eyes.  I feel the exact same way when I am using an emery board to file my nails. This annoying sensation has a name: “grima” which is Spanish for disgust or uneasiness. This term basically describes any feeling of being displeased, annoyed, or dissatisfied someone or something.  It is a feeling that psychologists are starting to pay more attention to as it relates to our other emotions.  Emery boards are traditionally made with cardboard that has small grains of sand adhered to them. It is the sandpaper that I believe makes me filled with grima.  According to studies that are being done around the world, it is not just the feeling that we associate with certain things like nails on a chalkboard or by using emery boards

For Find Out Friday - How Do You Milk An Almond?

Despite my affinity for cheese and other dairy products, occasionally (actually a few times a week) I like to go dairy-free.  During those times I rely heavily on my favorite brand of almond milk, as seen in the picture above.  Though I know there is no dairy in this product, I constantly wonder: “how does one milk an almond”? Logically I am aware that no actually “milking” is taking place.  I also know that almond milk can be made at home, although I have zero interest in attempting to make it despite my love of spending time in my kitchen. So, what is the actual process?  How long does it take?  When / where / who was the first to successful develop this product? When talking about this kind of “milk” what we are really talking about is plant juices that resemble and can be used in the same ways as dairy milk. Plant like juice has been described as milk since about 1200 A.D. The first mentions can be found in a Baghdadi cookbook in the thirteenth

For a Doughnut Worthy of Food Network Glory: “Dun-Well Doughnuts”

All because I wanted a Boston creme doughnut. That is how this blog truly began. It was Father’s Day weekend and although I was initially thinking of myself, I knew my father wouldn’t mind having a sweet treat for dessert. Brooklyn is synonymous with great pizza, bread, and of course bagels. But it also has many great bakeries producing some of the most delicious doughnuts you have ever tasted. Just to name a few, there is: Doughnut Plant , Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop and Dough .   On the day of my craving, I did what any of us do countless times a day - I opened Google. When I Googled “best Boston creme doughnuts in Brooklyn” Dun-Well Doughnuts appeared high on that list. Intrigued I researched it further and learned that it had won the Canadian  Food Network’s contest called “Donut Showdown” in 2013. That was enough information for me to decide to visit the very next day.  Dun-Well Doughnuts was opened by Dan Dunbar and Christopher Hollowell in December 2011. Despite