wakey wakey!

[John Gill]

Anyone know the derivation of the nautical term'show a leg' referring to calling the watch etc.

[Keith at Tregenna]

SHOW A LEG:

Apparently: Many of the Navy's colourful expressions originated as practical means of communicating vital information. One such expression is "show a leg."

In the British Navy of King George III and earlier, many sailors' wives accompanied them on long voyages. This practice caused a multitude of problems but some ingenious bosun solved one that tended to make reveille a hazardous event: that of distinguishing which bunks held males and which held females.

To avoid dragging the wrong "mates" out of the rack, the bosun asked all to "show a leg." If the leg shown was adorned with silk, the owner was allowed to continue sleeping. If the leg was hairy and tattooed, the owner was forced to "tum-to."

In today's Navy showing a leg is a signal to the reveille petty officer that you have heard his call and are awake.

K.

[Captain Kong]

I did hear it was in the days of the Navy woodenwalls when sailors could have their women on board and share a hammock. so when it was time for a shake, a ladies leg hanging out of the hammock she was allowed to lie in.
.
If they had legs like Port Boat Mary or Kanimbla in Sydney you would be too embarrased to show them.
Brian

[John Gill]

Both Kong and Keith almost right. to quote from my Grandads Almanac '' sailors who were refused shore leave(in case they deserted) used to be allowed to have women on board when in port. When it was time for the ship to leave the bosun would check the bunks and demand that everyone should 'show a leg' to distinguish the men( with hairy legs) who had to report for duties, from the women who had to get ashore.

[John Gill]

Back to Grandads Almanac, with a tenuous link to an earlier question.- What is the derivation of the term'' born on the wrong side of the blanket''?

[leratty]

Do you know what the creases (& No's) in a sailors bell bottoms signifying or the black satin around the neck? Ah ha, the creases signify the seven seas & the black satin I believe the death of Nelson.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Back to Grandads Almanac, with a tenuous link to an earlier question.- What is the derivation of the term'' born on the wrong side of the blanket''?

Illegitimately; out of wedlock.

Euphemisms like this one were coined at a time when illegitimate births were thought so wrong that they could only be mentioned furtively.

Some more here: Expressions & Sayings (B)

K.

[john sutton]

and the three bands around the collar signify nelsons 3 famous victories.
I spent 4 years in that uniform at a naval school.
did you know that the creases are ironed while the trousers are inside out.the collar originates to keep the grease from the pigtail
off the tunic and bell bottoms are worn to make it easy to roll them up while scrubbing decks
john sutton

[robpage]

if UCL had hammocks , showing a smooth leg in stockings could have caused some misidentification

[John Gill]

if UCL had hammocks , showing a smooth leg in stockings could have caused some misidentification

As i have posted some time ago when gloryhole steward-'shake one and two fall out'