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holystone
holystone, a piece of sandstone used for scrubbing wooden decks on board ship. Opinions differ as to how it received its name: because it was used originally for scrubbing the decks on Sundays, because the easiest method of supply was by robbing churchyards of their tombstones, or because seamen had to use it on their hands and knees to get a good result. Large holystones were known as ‘bibles’, smaller ones, for use in difficult corners, were ‘prayer books’, and these names certainly came into use because seamen had to get down on their knees when using them.
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Cite this article
"holystone." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "holystone." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-holystone.html "holystone." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-holystone.html |
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holystone
holystone ˈhōlēˌstōn chiefly historical n. a piece of soft sandstone used for scouring the decks of ships.
v. scour (a deck) with a holystone. early 19th cent.: probably from holy + stone. Sailors called the stones “bibles” or “prayer books,” perhaps because they scrubbed the decks on their knees. |
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Cite this article
"holystone." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "holystone." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-holystone.html "holystone." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-holystone.html |
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Holystone
Holystone Northum. Halistan 1242. ‘Holy stone’ (perhaps one at which the gospel was preached). OE hālig + stān.
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Cite this article
A. D. MILLS. "Holystone." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. A. D. MILLS. "Holystone." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O40-Holystone.html A. D. MILLS. "Holystone." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O40-Holystone.html |
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holystone
holystone
•flagstone, ragstone
•Blackstone, jackstone
•sandstone • capstone • hearthstone
•headstone • gemstone • whetstone
•hailstone • gravestone
•freestone, keystone
•greenstone • Wheatstone
•Tinseltown • ringtone • pitchstone
•millstone • whinstone • siltstone
•holystone • semitone
•stepping stone • coping stone
•baritone • acetone • dulcitone
•tritone • drystone • milestone
•limestone
•grindstone, rhinestone
•cobblestone • gallstone • brownstone
•lodestone • soapstone • duotone
•microtone • bluestone • tombstone
•moonstone • touchstone
•bloodstone, mudstone
•sunstone • ironstone • undertone
•monotone • cornerstone
•Silverstone • overtone
•kerbstone (US curbstone)
•turnstone
•birthstone • flavone • endzone
•cortisone • ozone
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Cite this article
"holystone." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "holystone." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-holystone.html "holystone." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-holystone.html |
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