STORIES FROM THE GOLDEN AGE reflect the words and expressions used in the 1930s and 1940s, adding unique flavor and authenticity to the tales. While a character’s speech may often reflect regional origins, it also can convey attitudes common in the day. So that readers can better grasp such cultural and historical terms, uncommon words or expressions of the era, the following glossary has been provided.
ballast tanks: tanks in the bottom and sides of a submarine that are flooded with sea water, making the submarine heavier and permitting it to descend beneath the surface of the sea. When the submarine is ready to come to the surface, air is pumped into the ballast tanks, which pushes out the water through vents and makes the submarine light enough to rise. [return to text]
bead on, take a: to take careful aim at. This term alludes to the bead, a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight. [return to text]
“bears”: from the phrase “come bear a hand,” which means to lend a hand or bring your hand to bear on the work going on. Bears refer to those who are helping. [return to text]
belaying pin: a large wooden or metal pin that fits into a hole in a rail on a ship or boat, and to which a rope can be fastened. [return to text]
bends, the: a condition caused by a rapid substantial decrease in atmospheric pressure when coming up from deep-sea diving, characterized by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood and severe pain in the lungs and joints. [return to text]
binnacle: a built-in housing for a ship’s compass. [return to text]
bitt: a vertical post, usually one of a pair, set on the deck of a ship and used for securing cables, lines for towing, etc. [return to text]
bone in the teeth: said of a ship speeding along throwing up spray or foam under the bow. The phrase comes from the image of a dog, merrily running with a bone in its teeth. [return to text]
Ciudad de Oro: (Spanish) City of Gold. [return to text]
cock-and-bull story: a tale so full of improbable details and embellishments that it is obviously not true. [return to text]
Colt .45: a .45-caliber automatic pistol manufactured by the Colt Firearms Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Colt was founded in 1847 by Samuel Colt (1814–1862), who revolutionized the firearms industry. [return to text]
corselet: part of a diver’s suit consisting of a breastplate made of copper or iron, shaped so that it fits comfortably over the shoulders, chest and back. Once in place, the corselet is bolted to the suit and the diving helmet is then locked onto the corselet. [return to text]
cutlass: a short, heavy, slightly curved sword with a single cutting edge, formerly used by sailors. [return to text]
diving piano: the name given to the collection of levers in a submarine’s control room that operate the diving and resurfacing mechanisms. [return to text]
dogs: any of various hooked or U-shaped metallic devices used for holding, gripping or fastening. [return to text]
fathom: a unit of length equal to six feet (1.83 meters), used in measuring the depth of water. [return to text]
galleon: a large three-masted sailing ship, usually with two or more decks; used mainly by the Spanish from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries for war and commerce. [return to text]
gangway: a narrow, movable platform or ramp forming a bridge by which to board or leave a ship. [return to text]
G-men: government men; agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. [return to text]
grandstand play: a showy action or move, as in a sport, in order to gain attention or approval. [return to text]
Haiti: country in the Caribbean occupying the western part of the island of Hispaniola. The other half is occupied by the Dominican Republic. [return to text]
halyard: a rope used for raising and lowering a sail. [return to text]
hawser: a thick rope or cable for mooring or towing a ship. [return to text]
jackstaff: a flagstaff at the bow of a vessel, on which a small national flag, known as a jack, is flown. [return to text]
Jacob’s ladder: a hanging ladder having ropes or chains supporting wooden or metal rungs or steps. [return to text]
lungs: underwater breathing apparatuses. Between 1929 and 1932, two US naval officers developed a Submarine Escape Lung that consisted of an oblong rubber bag that recycled exhaled air. Called the “Momsen Lung” after the name of one of the officers, it hung around the neck and strapped around the waist and allowed for slow ascent to avoid the bends. [return to text]
out on my feet: in a state of being unconscious or senseless but still being on one’s feet—standing up. [return to text]
painter: a rope, usually at the bow, for fastening a boat to a ship, stake, etc. [return to text]
plate: precious metal. [return to text]
pulmotor: a mechanical device for artificial respiration that forces oxygen into the lungs when respiration has ceased because of drowning, etc. [return to text]
quintal: a unit of weight equal to one hundred pounds. [return to text]
Scheherazade: the female narrator of The Arabian Nights, who during one thousand and one adventurous nights saved her life by entertaining her husband, the king, with stories. [return to text]
scuppers: openings in the side of a ship at deck level that allow water to run off. [return to text]
stand on and off: to keep at a safe distance; to sail alternately toward and away from shore so as to keep a point in sight. [return to text]
sweeps: long, heavy oars. [return to text]
thwarts: seats across a boat, especially those used by rowers. [return to text]
tin fish: a submarine. [return to text]
tramp steamer: a freight vessel that does not run regularly between fixed ports, but takes a cargo wherever shippers desire. [return to text]
transom: transom seat; a kind of bench seat, usually with a locker or drawers underneath. [return to text]
truck: a piece of wood fixed at the top of the highest mast on a ship, usually having holes through which ropes can be passed to raise or lower sails or flags. [return to text]
under weigh: in motion; underway. [return to text]
weather eye open, keep a: to be on one’s guard; be watchful. [return to text]
weigh anchor: take up the anchor when ready to sail. [return to text]
West Indies: a group of islands in the North Atlantic between North and South America, comprising the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the Bahamas. [return to text]
Windward Passage: a channel between Haiti and Cuba that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Caribbean Sea. [return to text]