"By and Large" Navigating at Sea
Navigating at Sea

ADVERTISEMENTS

Add 1st Ad Title
insert ad description here

Add 1st Ad Title
insert ad description here
The phrase originates from nautical terminology. In sailing, "by" and "large" have specific meanings related to the wind and the ship's direction.
• By: This term refers to the ship sailing "by" the wind, meaning as close to the wind as possible. A ship sailing "by the wind" is sailing almost directly into the wind, which requires careful navigation.
• Large: This term refers to a ship sailing with the wind coming from behind, or "large," which means the wind is blowing from a favorable direction, allowing the ship to sail with ease. When sailors used the term "by and large," they were referring to a ship's ability to sail both "by" the wind (close-hauled) and "large" (with the wind from behind). Essentially, it indicated that the ship was versatile and could handle various wind conditions.
Over time, "by and large" transitioned from a specific nautical term to a more general idiomatic expression in English. It came to mean "in general" or "for the most part," reflecting the idea of being able to handle different conditions or situations effectively.


ADVERTISEMENT


ADVERTISEMENT