Why are boats considered as females?

delboy22

I am tempted to answer this one for you vylette - but do not want to be banned for making a sexist comment! I am certain I read somewhere that both cars and boats are considered female as they are generally MASTERED and controlled by men ,,,,,,, *Awaits scorn from female members* hehehehe Jul 28 07, 5:51 AM

star_gazer

"Why is a ship called she? A ship is called a "she" because there is always a great deal of bustle around her; there is usually a gang of men about, she has a waist and stays; it takes a lot of paint to keep her good looking; it is not the initial expense that breaks you, it is the upkeep; she can be all decked out; it takes an experienced man to handle her correctly; and without a man at the helm, she is absolutely uncontrollable. She shows her topsides, hides her bottom and when coming into port, always heads for the buoys." That, my friends, is why a ship is a she. http://naufragium.blogspot.com/2003/07/why-is-ship-called-she.html Jul 28 07, 6:20 AM

star_gazer

Now for a more polite perspective: According to Yarns of the Sea, Legends, Myths, and Superstitions: Although women were considered to bring bad luck at sea, mariners always use the pronoun "she" when referring to their ships. Whether its proper name is masculine, or whether it is a man o'war, a battleship, or a nuclear submarine, a ship is always referred to as "she." This old tradition is thought to stem from the fact that in the Romance languages, the word for "ship" is always in the feminine. For this reason, Mediterranean sailors always referred to their ship as "she", and the practice was adopted over the centuries by their English-speaking counterparts. One source suggests that a ship "was nearer and dearer to the sailor than anyone except his mother." What better reason to call his ship "she"? http://www.boatsafe.com/kids/kidsquesshe.htm Jul 28 07, 6:29 AM