What would a sailor usually use a "ditty box" for?

Question

What would a sailor usually use a "ditty box" for?

Question #151152. Asked by psnz.
Last updated May 24 2024.
Originally posted May 23 2024 8:18 PM.

BigTriviaDawg

Answer has 2 votes

BigTriviaDawg

6 year member
840 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.

A small box a sailor would use to carry their personal items sort of like a wallet. The box might also have things like needles and thread or even soap (who knew they bathed out at sea?) These personal possessions were also sometimes called a ditty bag. The possible etymology is as a "commodity bag or box".

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ditty_box

https://www.thenauticalartsworkshop.com/ditty-box.html

Response last updated by BigTriviaDawg on May 23 2024.
May 23 2024, 8:21 PM

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Answer 1

A ditty bag (box) is 19th century nautical slang. As the word evolved from county-to-country (dite, dittis), "ditty" and "ditto" mean double or two-by-two because a ditty bag contains at least two of everything to endure sailors' long durations at sea.

https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/521602ef19403a17c4b9fb68

What would a sailor usually use a "ditty box" for?

Other Similar Questions & Answers

Related FunTrivia Quizzes