It’s an interesting word. Hindi,
actually. Or derived from Hindi, anyway. In India, a dengi or dingi was originally
a small boat used on rivers. It started off
as a small open rowing boat, usually lapstrake construction, with one pair of
oars.
In many parts of the world it was
general workboat for warships and freighters, and later became what we know it
best for, the tender to a yacht. Toward the butt end of the 19th century some
dinghies were being built with partial decks, masts, centerboards, and rudders,
and were used for racing under sail.
It wasn’t until after World War I
that dinghy racing became really popular, however. A lot of that popularity
sprung from the success of the International 14-foot class and some national
12-foot classes.
After World War II there was an enormous
growth in all kinds of pleasure boating, resulting in literally hundreds of
different dinghy racing classes, spawning national and international
championships, including the Olympic Games.
So, okay, whatever else you do,
remember it’s dinghy, not dingy, which means something else. Spelling lesson
over for the day. Homework: look up the meaning of crepuscular. You’ll be
amazed. I was, anyway.
Today’s
Thought
Anyone
who can only think of one way to spell a word obviously lacks imagination.
— Mark Twain
Tailpiece
From a book catalog:
From a book catalog:
“First
edition, profusely illustrated — ‘Unconventional Sex Practices’ — spine
cracked, appendix torn. $75.”
