Sound Like A Sailor: Book Talk with Bruce Macdonald
Join lifelong sailor Bruce Macdonald at the Vancouver Maritime Museum for a talk about his latest book.
Thursday, September 18th: 6:30pm-8:30pm Free event - ticket required
Join celebrated author, sailor, and artist R. Bruce Macdonald for an engaging evening exploring the colourful world of nautical language. In his latest book, Sound Like A Sailor – The Book of Nautical Expressions, Macdonald dives into the fascinating history behind the expressions we use every day—many of which have their roots at sea.
Discover how minding your p’s and q’s originates in how bartenders kept track of pints and quarts on sailors’ tabs, how “going berserk” calls up images of shirtless Vikings, and how the word “footloose” originally referred to an untethered sail flapping around like Kevin Bacon’s legs. Macdonald brings these phrases to life with captivating tales from the high seas and the rich tapestry of maritime history.
Macdonald is the author of four acclaimed books, over 200 published articles, and a skilled artist whose works are held in collections across North America. Whether you’re a sailor, history buff, or simply love a good story, this event promises insight, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the language that has sailed through centuries.
Don’t miss your chance to meet the author and get your copy signed!
About the Book
A dictionary of terms and phrases with nautical origins.
Lifelong sailor Bruce Macdonald knows a thing or two about the language of the sea and, in Sound Like a Sailor, he catalogues nautical terms and idioms that are used in the common vernacular. Delving deep into the colourful history behind each word or phrase, this alphabetical reference will help readers understand the maritime origins of our most ubiquitous expressions.
Discover how minding your p’s and q’s originates in how bartenders kept track of pints and quarts on sailors’ tabs, how “going berserk” calls up images of shirtless Vikings, and how the word “footloose” originally referred to an untethered sail flapping around like Kevin Bacon’s legs. And, as any superstitious sailor knows, it’s best to “cheat the devil” by having an arsenal of euphemisms at the ready when needed, as cursing is said to invite trouble aboard.
An essential book for boating enthusiasts and language buffs alike, Sound Like a Sailor is a windfall of fascinating linguistic information.
About the Author
R. Bruce Macdonald is a writer, sailor and artist with a passion for Canadian history. Macdonald has logged over 100,000 nautical miles as captain and crew of many sailing ships in waters all over the world. For 28 years, he sailed the Pacific NW aboard North Star with his family. He is the author of North Star of Herschel Island (Friesen Press, 2012), Sisters of the Ice (2021), Never Say P*g: The Book of Sailors’ Superstitions (2022), and Sound Like A Sailor – The book of nautical expressions(2025.) He has also had over 200 articles published in magazines worldwide and his artwork is held in collections across North America.
