Knotty sayings

[John Steggles]

I have been asked to give a talk to our local WI on knotting.  Can anybody give me any sayings connected rope and knotting?  And, if possible, their origin.  ie "money for old rope".  many thanks.  John Steggles, Norfolk.

[teedee]

Here's a few to start off with:

At the end of your tether

Give a man enough rope

A thread in an internet discussion forum

Getting spliced, hitched or tying the knot - getting married

Spinning a yarn - the fibres in rope-making are spun into yarns which are then twisted into strands

Bitter end - the part of the anchor cable that is 'abaft the bitts' (behind the posts for securing the cable). When you have reached the bitter end you have no more cable to pay out - and are therefore in trouble.

[Knot Head]

When you reach the end of your rope, tye a knot and hangon.

[drjbrennan]

At a loose end = nothing to occupy your time, nothing to do.

Sailors that were sitting around not working were ordered to a "loose end" to get working on that rope.

[Willeke]

There should be some more in this catagory.

Willeke