spinnaker

[spin-uh-ker] Origin

spin·na·ker

[spin-uh-ker]
noun Nautical.
a large, usually triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam.

Origin:
1865–70; said to be alteration of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Spinnaker is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
spinnaker (ˈspɪnəkə, nautical ˈspæŋkə)
 
n
a large light triangular racing sail set from the foremast of a yacht when running or on a broad reach
 
[C19: probably from spin + (mo)niker, but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

spinnaker
"large triangular sail," 1866, either a derivative of spin in the sense of "go rapidly" or a corrupt pronunciation of Sphinx, which was the name of the first yacht known to carry this type of sail.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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