What exactly is going on here?

[anteros_lmc]

It's a while since there's been any innuendo laden nautical quotes around here so allow me to rectify that:

On my saying I had fancied it might contain some request to ease me off gently, he cried "And so you fancy we old cocks job into one another's hands in that way do you?"

This relates an incident that took place in Somerset House on the 1st of June 1808. "I" is a midshipman, "he" a captain and "it" is a letter from an Admiral. I'll leave you to guess what exactly is going on, I'll be back later with the explanation ;)

Comments

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

Wait?! What?!!!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

This is from a genuine period account published in 1834. What do you think they're talking about?!

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

*cough* Knitting?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Not even close! And anyway, only ratings knit! ;)

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

*sporfle* Sounds like a bit of dialogue fresh out of the Aubreyad, with all the innuendo in place. XD

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Jack certainly went through this in his time... ;)

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

O_O

Um

...

Say what now?!

I think it's a secret code. They're probably talking about cake or flower arranging or doilies or something.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I'll give you a clue, I'm sure your Navyboy has done this, although possibly without the letter from the Admiral ;)

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

My honey has jobbed into someone else's hand? Oh dear...

Is it something to do with trading work, or shifts, or illicitly helping one another out with tests or something?

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

My honey has jobbed into someone else's hand? Oh dear...
No, no, no. That was the captain! ;)

or illicitly helping one another out with tests or something?
You're getting very, very close. It certainly involves a test of some kind.

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Gaya is on the right track since

Umm - and - ooo - ia about right - or was in Horatio's case.


Sorry - not in the mood for innuendo and have tried in vain to think of anything funny to post first ( boo hiss I know, I am a snotty little sea nerd )


My icon stands for the actual answer- and I won't give more than that away - till tomorrow anyway

how great a phrsae it is however.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Huzzah! I knew someone would get it, I'm so pleased its you! *grin* And isn't it a great phrase?!

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

It is superb - and so glad you put it on - it could start a trend in critical anaylsis of pericopes from old naval literature - otherwise known as snigger laden rewrites of innocent (?) old admirals.
Off to bed now though - very bad day

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Hope it made you smile at the end of a long tough day. *hugs* Will be online all day tomorrow. *more hugs* N'night.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_likimeya/]

I'll be back later with the explanation ;)
No need to explain anything: we're all big girls. ;p

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

we're all big girls. ;p

Clearly you have never esmerelda_t or I in real life ;)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_likimeya/]

Well, it's a matter of perspective! :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Perspective and a good pair of heels ;)

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

His name was Basil Hall, later Captain Basil Hall RN, FRS and he was being examined for lieutenant- the discussion I think involves the admiral telling him that they do not necessarily favour young men who have influentil fathers etc

Basil Hall was traveller, writer, naval officer -and Scot(YAY!)

and know doubt Anteros has somehhing fascinating about him up her sleeve hence her acquaintance with the ambiguous side of his vocabulary....*wonders*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I am convinced you're a spy! You can find out anything about anybody!

Spot on, it's Basil Hall relating the story of his examination for lieutenant. You're not quite right about the bit about influential fathers but you're not far off. I'll be back later with an ETA to the post and hopefully a pic of Hall's memoirs.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I want to know what Anteros has up sleevies...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Anteros has armies up sleevies ;)