CHATHAM. See [Chest of Chatham].
CHATS. Lice. Also lazy fellows.
CHATTA, or Chatty. An Indian term for an earthen vessel sometimes used for cooking.
CHAW. See [Quid].
CHEATING THE DEVIL. Softenings of very profane phrases, the mere euphemisms of hard swearing, as od rot it, od's blood, dash it, dang you, see you blowed first, deuce take it, by gosh, be darned, and the like profane preludes, such as boatswains and their mates are wont to use.
CHEAT THE GLASS. See [Flogging the Glass].
CHEBACCO BOAT. A description of fishing-vessel employed in the Newfoundland fisheries. It is probably named from Chebucto Bay.
CHECK. (See [Bowline].) To slack off a little upon it, and belay it again. Usually done when the wind is by, or as long as she can lay her course without the aid of the bowline.—To check is to slacken or ease off a brace, which is found to be too stiffly extended, or when the wind is drawing aft. It is also used in a contrary sense when applied to the cable running out, and then implies to stopper the cable.—Check her, stop her way.
CHECKERS. A game much used by seamen, especially in the tops, where usually a checker-board will be found carved.
CHECKING-LINES. These are rove through thimbles at the eyes of the top-mast and top-gallant rigging, one end bent to the lift and brace, the other into the top. They are used to haul them in to the mast-head, instead of sending men aloft.