shipshape and bristol fashion

English - English

Definition of shipshape and bristol fashion in English English dictionary

Tidily tied down and secure

Hyphenation

ship·shape and Bris·tol fash·ion

Turkish pronunciation

şîpşeyp ınd brîstıl fäşın

Pronunciation

/ˈsʜəpˌsʜāp ənd ˈbrəstəl ˈfasʜən/ /ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp ənd ˈbrɪstəl ˈfæʃən/

Etymology

() The saying in today's form has been recorded as early as 1840 ("shipshape" alone being about 200 years older). (retrieved 20 August 2007) The term developed most likely in view of the port of Bristol which had (before the Floating Harbour was constructed) a very high tidal range of 13 metres (43 ft), the second highest in the world."." (PDF) UK Environment Agency. 31 May 2006. URL accessed on 2007-09-03."." BBC. URL accessed on 2007-08-27. Ships moored in this area would be aground at low tide and, because of their keels, would fall to one side. If everything was not stowed away tidily, or tied down, the results were chaotic and cargo could be spoiled.