Naval and Nautical Affairs

The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology Further reading

taffrail

The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea | 2006 | Copyright

taffrail.
1. In strict definition, the after rail at the stern of a ship, but formerly the curved wooden top of the stern of a sailing warship or East Indiaman, usually carved or otherwise decorated. It is a contraction of taffarel, the original name for this adornment. In its modern meaning it is often used to indicate the deck area right at the stern of a vessel.

2. The pseudonym of a British naval captain, Henry Taprell Dorling (1883–1968), a writer of popular stories of the sea.

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taffrail

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

taffrail aftermost part of the poop-rail of a ship. XIX. alt. of taff(e)rel †(carved) panel XVII; upper part of the flat portion of a ship's stern XVIII. — Du. taffereel panel, picture, for *tafeleel, dim. of tafel TABLE; the final syll. is assim. to RAIL2.

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T. F. HOAD. "taffrail." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "taffrail." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-taffrail.html

T. F. HOAD. "taffrail." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-taffrail.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	RACING: TAFFRAIL CAN POUNCE.(Sport) Newspaper article from: Birmingham Evening Mail (England); 9/18/2002
	Taffrail set to outpace Trotter; By Veritas Racing Correspondent.(Racing) Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 7/17/2001
	Horse Racing: TAFFRAIL IN WARS AGAIN; But this time he keeps spoils.(Sport) Newspaper article from: Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 7/18/2001