Nautical Expressions in Every Day Use

[capngeo]

Avast! (STOP!)
In Irons (stalling sailing into the wind or getting run down by your tow)
Light the fires and tighten the wires (tug boats)
Gimme the poop (as in gossip from the poop-deck)

[John A]

The Head

[jackdale]

"By and large"

"Taken aback"

The Straight Dope: What is the origin of "by and large"?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by SabreKai

... Makes sense too, when you consider TARP* was a golden parachute to keep the buggers from augering in.
Sabre

Maybe so; maybe no.
➥ tg-165: Interim Final Rule on TARP Standards for Compensation and Corporate Governance

* The Troubled Asset Relief Program, commonly referred to as TARP or RCP, is a program of the United States government to purchase assets and equity from financial institutions to strengthen its financial sector which was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008. It is the largest component of the government's measures in 2008 to address the subprime mortgage crisis.

[Adax]

Hey this turned into a great thread. Thanks all for contributing.
Some I had not heard before at all

[Jim Cate]

from Ann, not Jim,

"Strike while the iron is hot", which I used to think came from blacksmithing, but am told it has to do with removing caulking from between planks prior to re-caulking.

s/v Insatiable II, lying Cairns, Queensland, Oz