dutch wife

Large sack stuffed with canvas (sails). Sailors used these to wedge themselves in their bunks during rough weather so they wouldn't roll about.

In the time this term was coined dutch women presumably had a reputation for being unresponsive and apathetic in bed. (Things on this front have improved markedly however.)

When the weather turned rough I had to use my dutch wife or I would be thrown about my bunk

158👍 46👎