Morning Bernard,
I was looking to see if you had extended your Starbuck series and began dooling and came across Letter April 28th 15 Brian M Nortile.
Having been a merchant seaman in my young life 57-63 ‘Holiday’ was term I was used to hearing. The explanation of tar on a mast – although that itself was highly unlikely for all the obvious reasons – comes pretty close.
It applies to any form of work carried out on board that has not been done correctly.
IE painting and missing a bit. Seaman have their own vocabulary like most trades and professions – most of which are best left un-said.
from a fan and fellow scribbler…..RJ.