Daily Almanac for
Dec 6, 2009
Search White Pages
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—O

Oakum

Untwisted rope; used for caulking the seams (i.e. spaces between the planks) of a ship. It is forced in by chisel and mallet.

To pick oakun.
To make oakum by untwisting old ropes. A common employment in prisons and workhouses.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Oannes
Oaks Famous in Story
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Oakum from Infoplease:

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

Related Content