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East Dorset Sailing Club
Celebrating 150 years - 1875 - 2025

Advent Calendar 2025 – Day 22

Under the Weather

This phrase, now used to describe feeling ill or unwell, originates from the challenging conditions aboard early naval vessels. Sailors assigned to the “weather” side of the bow being exposed to waves, wind, and the ship’s constant pitching-often finished their watch drenched and exhausted. These sailors were said to be “under the weather.”

Written by Lindsey