To "set top sail(s)"

English translation: Yes, the magazine was right

16:28 Oct 5, 2010
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Ships, Sailing, Maritime / Sailing informal expression (?)
English term or phrase: To "set top sail(s)"
Hiyall

Some years ago, an English-teaching mag here presented an article on cruising. In a point, it goes:
(...) but the next day was glorious as we "set top sails" and headed for the picturesque town of Tobermory...

Well, this mag defined "to set top sails" (in context) as an informal expression meaning "to travel at a good clip". Does that check at all? Any paradigm to back it up?

Thanks so much in advance
FNO
Selected answer:Yes, the magazine was right
Explanation:
"Topsails" on square-rigged sailing ships are small sails at the tops of the masts which are only set when the highest speeds were required. In an article about cruises, it is highly unlikely that the cruise ship is a sailing ship, so the expression is used metaphorically.
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:24
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +9Yes, the magazine was right
Jack Doughty
4To set all sails
Jack Dunwell


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
to "set top sail(s)"
Yes, the magazine was right


Explanation:
"Topsails" on square-rigged sailing ships are small sails at the tops of the masts which are only set when the highest speeds were required. In an article about cruises, it is highly unlikely that the cruise ship is a sailing ship, so the expression is used metaphorically.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:24
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Stephanie Ezrol: good to have a sailing question
3 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  Travelin Ann
7 mins
  -> Thank you.

agree  Vicky Nash
1 hr
  -> Thank you.

agree  Thayenga
1 hr
  -> Thank you.

agree  Peter Skipp
3 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Mara Ballarini
6 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  orientalhorizon
9 hrs
  -> Thank you.

agree  Alexandra Taggart: "to speed up"; it could be used figuratevely - "to go ahead with your plans"
14 hrs
  -> Thank you. Yes, it could, but Tobermory is a fishing village on the coast of the Isле of Mull, Scotland, so I think it is about the departure of a cruise ship here.

agree  jccantrell: Aye, aye, cap'n!
21 hrs
  -> Тhank you. Splice the mainbrace!
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3 days 58 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to "set top sail(s)"
To set all sails


Explanation:
"Cruising" has to do, in this case, with cruising under sail.

When topsls are set, then the very least breeze is being caught. They are the last sails to be set and usually in rather light breezes. Always plural, never singular.

Jack Dunwell
France
Local time: 14:25
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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