The word "bilge" is spelled with the letters B-I-L-G-E. In IPA phonetic transcription, "bilge" is pronounced as /bɪldʒ/. The "b" makes a voiced bilabial stop sound, the "i" makes a short vowel sound, the "l" makes a voiced alveolar lateral approximant sound, the "g" makes a voiced velar stop sound, and the "e" makes a silent letter. "Bilge" is a term used to describe the lowest part of a ship's hull, and is often associated with water that has accumulated there.
The term "bilge" has multiple definitions depending on the context in which it is used. In nautical terminology, "bilge" refers to the lowest part of a ship's hull, where water and other waste substances may collect. It is the area where the sides of the ship curve inward to meet the bottom. This definition is also applicable to smaller vessels such as boats. The bilge serves as a storage area where various liquids, such as oil, water, or fuel, may accumulate and require pumping out.
Additionally, "bilge" can be used to signify the stagnant and foul-smelling liquid that gathers in the aforementioned lower part of the ship. It is often associated with an unpleasant odor due to the presence of mixtures like water, seepage, oil, or any other residue that may have accumulated.
Furthermore, the term "bilge" can have a metaphorical sense, commonly used to describe or criticize something in a derogatory manner. In this context, "bilge" refers to nonsensical or senseless talk, ideas, or writing. It carries the connotation of being of low quality or lacking substance.
Overall, "bilge" is a term commonly linked to the naval world, but it can also extend to metaphorical applications where it is used to denote worthless talk or ideas.
The swelled out or bellied part of a cask; the breadth of a ship's bottom on which she rests when aground.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bilge" has a marine origin and comes from the Old French word "boulge", which means "leather bag" or "wine-skin". This term was used in the context of shipping to describe the bulging or swelling part of a ship's hull. Over time, the meaning of "bilge" expanded to refer specifically to the lowest, interior part of a ship that collects water, debris, and sludge. The term eventually gained metaphorical usage to refer to nonsensical or foolish talk, likely due to the association with undesirable waste accumulating in the bilge of a ship.