Karen S. thought a reference I made to somebody "smoking their ropes" --- meaning they were embarking on a course of action likely to have adverse results ---- was very funny. As this is a slow time on the board, I thought I'd explain the origin of the term. It's not what you think; it's an old nautical term.

Back in the 1700's and 1800's, the British warships were at war with "privateers", which were a type of pirate often in league with France which stole from whaling and commercial ships. The British warships adopted a tactic of burning their ropes (smoking their ropes) in their incinerator to simulate the smoke from rendering whale blubber, attract the privateers, and (hopefully) sink them. All too often, however, the British warships found themselves outgunned by the privateers, who often got their ships "through the back door" from the US back when we used to build the best ships, and were themselves sunk. So "smoking the ropes" turned out to be a not-so good idea.

And that, I believe, is the origin of the term.

Hope this amuses,
Richard :) :) :)

I have learned something new today but it was funnier when I thought you meant something else!

This reminds me of an old song. I think it was the real story of the Titanic. It was by Jamie Brockett. The story was the the First Mate worked in a rope factory in Mexico (the rope was made out of hemp) One day the rope factory caught fire and the First Mate was trapped inside. After inhaling the fumes he decided that "I ain't going to make rope no more". Ouit his job and became First Mate. He took 250 ft. of rope with him, when asked why "I just carry it with me" Anyway after the Captain saw him out on the deck "digging the icebergs" the First Mate talked him into trying it. According to the song "he drove her right into an iceberg and she went right on down"

A great song, have not heard it in years. It's been out of print.

Sorry another bong tread