What could be meant by something “puts the tin in” someone's “pockets”
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In Melville's White-Jacket a sailor on board a U.S. frigate, who had undergone a severe flogging, said to White-Jacket: "these coltings (i.e. extreme and unjust flogging with a 'colt' or piece of rope) puts the tin in the Purser's pocket". The phrase is particularly unclear, since there is no apparent relationship between the punishment and the Purser's office.
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asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
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In Melville's White-Jacket a sailor on board a U.S. frigate, who had undergone a severe flogging, said to White-Jacket: "these coltings (i.e. extreme and unjust flogging with a 'colt' or piece of rope) puts the tin in the Purser's pocket". The phrase is particularly unclear, since there is no apparent relationship between the punishment and the Purser's office.
phrases
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
Perhaps he is still referring to his shirt being all cut to pieces?
– michael.hor257k
Nov 10 at 11:49
I agree: meaning that he has to buy a new shirt.
– A.Berg
Nov 10 at 12:02
2
'Tin' being, of course, 19th century slang for 'money'.
– Kate Bunting
Nov 10 at 13:21
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
In Melville's White-Jacket a sailor on board a U.S. frigate, who had undergone a severe flogging, said to White-Jacket: "these coltings (i.e. extreme and unjust flogging with a 'colt' or piece of rope) puts the tin in the Purser's pocket". The phrase is particularly unclear, since there is no apparent relationship between the punishment and the Purser's office.
phrases
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
In Melville's White-Jacket a sailor on board a U.S. frigate, who had undergone a severe flogging, said to White-Jacket: "these coltings (i.e. extreme and unjust flogging with a 'colt' or piece of rope) puts the tin in the Purser's pocket". The phrase is particularly unclear, since there is no apparent relationship between the punishment and the Purser's office.
phrases
phrases
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
asked Nov 10 at 11:39
A.Berg
384
384
Perhaps he is still referring to his shirt being all cut to pieces?
– michael.hor257k
Nov 10 at 11:49
I agree: meaning that he has to buy a new shirt.
– A.Berg
Nov 10 at 12:02
2
'Tin' being, of course, 19th century slang for 'money'.
– Kate Bunting
Nov 10 at 13:21
add a comment |
Perhaps he is still referring to his shirt being all cut to pieces?
– michael.hor257k
Nov 10 at 11:49
I agree: meaning that he has to buy a new shirt.
– A.Berg
Nov 10 at 12:02
2
'Tin' being, of course, 19th century slang for 'money'.
– Kate Bunting
Nov 10 at 13:21
Perhaps he is still referring to his shirt being all cut to pieces?
– michael.hor257k
Nov 10 at 11:49
Perhaps he is still referring to his shirt being all cut to pieces?
– michael.hor257k
Nov 10 at 11:49
I agree: meaning that he has to buy a new shirt.
– A.Berg
Nov 10 at 12:02
I agree: meaning that he has to buy a new shirt.
– A.Berg
Nov 10 at 12:02
2
2
'Tin' being, of course, 19th century slang for 'money'.
– Kate Bunting
Nov 10 at 13:21
'Tin' being, of course, 19th century slang for 'money'.
– Kate Bunting
Nov 10 at 13:21
add a comment |
1 Answer
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Looking through the whole text there is no clarity as to the use of the phrase.
However there are a few ways the Purser can gain (tin=money) from such floggings.
Others have pointed to the most obvious need to buy a replacement shirt. However it might be possible to buy a shirt from ones "mates", or make one as per the narrator did.
A secondary way the Purser will certainly gain is if the one colted (Candy) who we never hear of again? is to die since the belongings will automatically go to the Pursers Auction (which is described in much detail). But if that was the outcome surely a point would be made later.
With such severe welts "Candy" is likely to resort to alcohol for internal and external use, again under the control of the purser. Although the story would suggest he could if he wanted, go to "Pills" the surgeons assistant.
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
Looking through the whole text there is no clarity as to the use of the phrase.
However there are a few ways the Purser can gain (tin=money) from such floggings.
Others have pointed to the most obvious need to buy a replacement shirt. However it might be possible to buy a shirt from ones "mates", or make one as per the narrator did.
A secondary way the Purser will certainly gain is if the one colted (Candy) who we never hear of again? is to die since the belongings will automatically go to the Pursers Auction (which is described in much detail). But if that was the outcome surely a point would be made later.
With such severe welts "Candy" is likely to resort to alcohol for internal and external use, again under the control of the purser. Although the story would suggest he could if he wanted, go to "Pills" the surgeons assistant.
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Looking through the whole text there is no clarity as to the use of the phrase.
However there are a few ways the Purser can gain (tin=money) from such floggings.
Others have pointed to the most obvious need to buy a replacement shirt. However it might be possible to buy a shirt from ones "mates", or make one as per the narrator did.
A secondary way the Purser will certainly gain is if the one colted (Candy) who we never hear of again? is to die since the belongings will automatically go to the Pursers Auction (which is described in much detail). But if that was the outcome surely a point would be made later.
With such severe welts "Candy" is likely to resort to alcohol for internal and external use, again under the control of the purser. Although the story would suggest he could if he wanted, go to "Pills" the surgeons assistant.
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Looking through the whole text there is no clarity as to the use of the phrase.
However there are a few ways the Purser can gain (tin=money) from such floggings.
Others have pointed to the most obvious need to buy a replacement shirt. However it might be possible to buy a shirt from ones "mates", or make one as per the narrator did.
A secondary way the Purser will certainly gain is if the one colted (Candy) who we never hear of again? is to die since the belongings will automatically go to the Pursers Auction (which is described in much detail). But if that was the outcome surely a point would be made later.
With such severe welts "Candy" is likely to resort to alcohol for internal and external use, again under the control of the purser. Although the story would suggest he could if he wanted, go to "Pills" the surgeons assistant.
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
Looking through the whole text there is no clarity as to the use of the phrase.
However there are a few ways the Purser can gain (tin=money) from such floggings.
Others have pointed to the most obvious need to buy a replacement shirt. However it might be possible to buy a shirt from ones "mates", or make one as per the narrator did.
A secondary way the Purser will certainly gain is if the one colted (Candy) who we never hear of again? is to die since the belongings will automatically go to the Pursers Auction (which is described in much detail). But if that was the outcome surely a point would be made later.
With such severe welts "Candy" is likely to resort to alcohol for internal and external use, again under the control of the purser. Although the story would suggest he could if he wanted, go to "Pills" the surgeons assistant.
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
answered Dec 5 at 2:41
KJO
1,804313
1,804313
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Perhaps he is still referring to his shirt being all cut to pieces?
– michael.hor257k
Nov 10 at 11:49
I agree: meaning that he has to buy a new shirt.
– A.Berg
Nov 10 at 12:02
2
'Tin' being, of course, 19th century slang for 'money'.
– Kate Bunting
Nov 10 at 13:21