Bilged is a past tense verb that means "to fill with water and sink a ship." The spelling of bilged is phoenetically spelled /bɪldʒd/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. It is formed by adding the suffix "-ed" to the base verb "bilge." The "g" in bilge is pronounced with a soft sound, /dʒ/, which is similar to the "j" sound in "jeep." The "-ed" ending is pronounced as a separate syllable, /d/. The spelling of bilged is unique because the letter "g" is misspelled, compared to its actual sound.
Bilged is a verb with multiple meanings depending on the context. One definition of bilged is associated with nautical terminology, particularly referring to a specific area of a ship. In this case, bilged refers to the lowermost part of a ship's interior, typically located at the widest point of the hull. The bilge is the area where water or other liquids that have accumulated inside the ship are collected before being pumped out. When the term bilged is used in relation to a ship, it usually signifies the leakage or accumulation of fluids in this area, often due to damage or poor maintenance.
Another meaning of the term bilged is used metaphorically to describe a failed or flawed plan, idea, or decision. In this context, bilged implies that something has gone wrong or has proven to be unsuccessful, leading to disappointment or setback. This usage is more commonly found in informal or slang expressions, especially in certain regions or communities.
Overall, the term bilged typically refers to the lower part of a ship's interior where fluids collect, or metaphorically suggests the failure or disappointment associated with a faulty plan or idea.
The word "bilge" originates from Middle English "bylg(e)" or "bulg(e)", which came from Old Norse "bulgi" or "bolgi". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root "bulgijaną", meaning "to swell". The term refers to the rounded part of a ship's hull, located where the bottom curves to meet the vertical sides.
The verb "bilged" is derived from "bilge". When a ship's bilge water accumulates due to leakage or seepage, it is said to be "bilged", meaning the water has collected in the lowest part of the vessel. Over time, "bilged" came to be used metaphorically to describe any situation where something has failed or gone wrong.