Davy Jones's locker

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Alternative forms 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 See also

English

Etymology

There has been much speculation about the origin of this term, but none has been substantiated.

Alternative forms

• Davy Jones' locker
• Davey Jones' locker
• Davy's locker

Noun

Davy Jones’s locker

1. ((nautical{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) The ocean, especially as the grave for sailors.
   • 1774: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774–7 — “D--n my eyes,” says he, “they are gone to Davy Jones’s locker.” This is a common saying when anything goes overboard.

     NOTE: Partridge erroneously refers to this as from the journal of Richard rather than Nicholas Cresswell.

Translations

French: le grand bouillon m. German: Grab in Meerestiefe n.

Russian: могила моряков (mogíla morjakóv) f. Spanish: el fondo del mar m.

See also

• Wikipedia article on Davy Jones’s Locker
• Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 8th edition, 1984