tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3407624264627208128.post175406900049748159..comments2024-01-26T21:38:25.924-08:00Comments on Duane's PoeTree: Arlene Corwin writesDuanesPoeTreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17053093400086634552noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3407624264627208128.post-58065708447968222802018-09-28T16:54:01.030-07:002018-09-28T16:54:01.030-07:00In 1867 admiral William Henry Smyth published &quo...In 1867 admiral William Henry Smyth published "The Sailor's Word-Book" in which he defined "son of a gun" as "an epithet conveying contempt in a slight degree, and originally applied to boys born afloat, when women were permitted to accompany their husbands to sea; one admiral declared he literally was thus cradled, under the breast of a gun-carriage." Apparently the phrase referred to birthed that occurred between the broadside guns in order to keep the gangways and crew decks clear. Eventually the term evolved into an expression of someone "affectionately or kindly regarded" and may also be an interjection indicating surprise, mild annoyance, or disappointment.DuanesPoeTreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17053093400086634552noreply@blogger.com