The expression "Keep your shirt on" dates back to the ancient Viking berserkers, who furiously tore off their shirts of mail and fought half-naked. The three-mile limit was established because at the time, three miles was the longest range of any nation's biggest guns and therefore the limit of enforcement. The life buoy got its name by the simple expedient of dropping the last three letters from the word buoyant. Discover the true meaning of the pirates' skull and crossbones flag, why a ship's lookout station is called the "crow's nest," and the origins of such terms as "logbook," "quarantine," and "shove off." Hundreds of bite-size, illustrated facts from around the world and throughout history offer fascinating insights into nautical traditions of the ancient Greeks and Norsemen as well as latter-day sailors from the United States, Great Britain, and Europe. Illustrator and author Cedric W. Windas (1888-1966) was a columnist for the World War II-era magazine Our Navy. His tidbits of sea lore and language, accompanied by striking images, explore all aspects of sailing and shipping terms and customs. Active members of the Navy and veterans, as well as anyone with an interest in sailing or maritime history, will delight in these fascinating facts, which are equally appealing for in-depth perusal or casual browsing.