Big storm a-brewing in Northern California, so I have been busy running around, trying to batten down the hatches here at home. Although I'm not entirely sure what "batten" refers to. Slang-o-rama to the rescue!
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As you might know/have guessed, the phrase batten down the hatches, which means prepare for trouble, has a nautical background. The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms notes:
This term originated in the navy, where it signified preparing for a storm by fastening down canvas over doorways and hatches (openings) with strips or wood called battens. [late 1800s]
Jeez, I sure hope I'm not going to need canvas. Or sandbags or battens. Because I don't have any! (But I do have a flashlight.)
For all those in the path of this "bomb cyclone," I hope you are off the roads and staying cozy, safe, and dry. Hats off (and rainslickers on!) to first responders/emergency services personnel, who are no doubt facing a busy night tonight...
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| Ship in the Stormy Sea, by Ivan Aivazovsky (1887) |
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