The wind backs when it changes counter-clockwise, but veers when it changes clockwise. Square sails are backed or 'aback' when the wind blows on their forward side, thrusting them against the mast. Should this occur through a shift of the wind, the effect of a heavy sea, or a careless helmsman, a ship is said to be "taken aback." This term is now applied to people taken by surprise in a conversation.

Another tidbit of Naval lore!

MMCM(SS) Greg Peterman USN Retired

With the use of digital clocks the poor swabs would be in aback situation.

Can someone tell me what the term ,Four block em, refered to. I remember the term but don't remember what it meant.

Not familiar with the term "Four-block"...could you perhaps be referring to "two-block"?

When raising a signal flag, "two-blocking" means to take the flag hoist to it's highest point; when lifting a load, it means the same as the two blocks will touch each other.

There are several different simular terms that can be used depending upon what area of the ship you are on, and time period you are researching. As a early 80"s Boatswains Mate, the term "for/four blocking" is a term used to lower or raise bow-ramp rigging on an LST. Where the two reeved blocks (four Blocks)on either side of the bow ramp work together to move the ramp up and down the in the cradle. "Two blocking" would be bringing the two blocks in the rigging together, using all the cable on the reel....this would be a bad thing because there is no more room on the running rig, the next to go is the cable and the rig itself, snapping the line and placing everyone in harms way. I hope this helps?