Originally Posted By: Faldage
 Originally Posted By: morphememedley
A launched crow, even one not intending to rook a ship's officers and crew but simply flying as the crow flies, might lead a ship's navigators onto a reef, a shoal, rocks, or wreckage, so eagle-eyed lookouts, and telescopes when available, were greatly valued even on well crow-stocked ships.



Assuming the story about the origin of the term crow's nest is correct. I have my doubts. It sounds like a folk etymology to me.

I concur. Surely the origin of the term is no more complicated than the fact that crows and ravens build their nests high up on the tallest trees. Simple as that.

Last edited by The Pook; 06/29/08 11:09 PM.