Navy Superstition : Sailors don’t clink glasses
NAVY SUPERSTITION
SAILORS DON’T “CLINK” GLASSES
Navy Customs and Traditions By Vikram Karve
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NB: The term “Sailor” includes all Seafarers — Naval Officers, Sailors and Navy Veterans.
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At the start of a party or booze drinking session — Civilians or “Pongos” — they may “clink” their glasses say “Cheers” — and then start drinking…!!!
But — you may notice that a Sailor does not “clink” his glass — but he will just hold up his glass in his hand — and say “Cheers” followed by a toast.
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Sailors don’t clink glasses.
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Here is the reason for this Naval Custom.
(or you may call it a Navy Superstition)
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WHY SAILORS DON’T CLINK GLASSES WHILE MAKING A TOAST
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Most people “clink glasses” when they meet over a drink and make a toast for good luck and good health.
However — Sailors don’t “clink” glasses when they make a toast.
They just hold up their glasses and say “Cheers” — and voice the toast.
The reason for this is as follows.
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In the early days of seafaring — many years ago — when a sailor died at sea — his body was buried at sea — committed to the deep waters — to the “Davy Jones’s Locker” at the bottom of the ocean.
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(This practice of consigning a dead sailor’s body to the sea is followed even today by some Navies — and in cases where it is not possible to send the deceased sailor’s body back from the high seas to his home for his last rites)
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The ship’s bell would be sounded 8 times as a mark of respect to the departed soul of the deceased mariner during the funeral service for burial at sea.
On a ship at sea — 8 bells are sounded at the end of a watch.
The 8 bells sounded at the funeral of the sailor signified “End of the Watch” for the dead sailor.
This the striking of “Eight Bells” (a nautical euphemism for “finished watch”) during burial at sea symbolized the obituary of the dead seaman.
The sounding of 8 bells was a way of pronouncing that the dead sailor’s “duty watch” was finished forever.
The sound of “clinking” glasses is similar to the solemn toll of the ship’s bell when the body of a dead sailor was committed to the deep sea.
Thus — it was assumed that the “clinking” sound will herald the death of a sailor.
Hence — “clinking” of glasses on board ships was considered a bad omen.
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SUPPOSE A SAILOR CLINKS HIS GLASS BY MISTAKE
ANTIDOTE
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There was another superstition to lessen the gravity of the evil portent — in case a sailor inadvertently “clinked” his glass by mistake.
The sailor quickly silenced a “clink” that had mistakenly occurred with his hands — or he quickly “clinked” a second time.
It was thought that this would confuse the devil enough so that he might take a soldier instead.
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So — if you are in the Navy — it is best not to “clink” your glass.
And suppose — by mistake — if you “clink” your glass — do remember to quickly “clink” your glass a second time — to confuse the devil — and ward off the evil.
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Of course — this is all a myth — a Navy Superstition.
But — the next time you see someone reluctant to “clink” his glass — you will know that he is a Navy Officer, Sailor or Veteran.
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So — Dear Reader:
Cheers…!!!
But — no “clinking” of glasses.
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VIKRAM KARVE
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Link to my source blog post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/06/sailors-dont-clink-glasses-navy.html
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Re-Post of My Article Earlier Posted by Me Vikram Karve in my blog at 12/15/2012 03:07:00 PM at url:http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/12/a-navy-superstition-why-sailors-do-not.htmland https://karve.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/navy-superstition-why-sailors-dont-clink-glasses/ andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/12/navy-customs-and-traditions-why-naval.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/why-sailors-dont-clink-glasses-navy-customs-and-traditions/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/04/27/why-sailors-dont-clink-glasses/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2022/01/02/sailors-dont-clink-glasses/ etc.
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