How Do You Spell EIGHT BELLS?

Pronunciation: [ˈe͡ɪt bˈɛlz] (IPA)

The phrase "eight bells" is often heard in nautical or military contexts to mark the end of a four-hour watch. In terms of pronunciation, "eight" is typically pronounced as /eɪt/ in American English or /eɪt/ or /eɪt̬/ in British English, while "bells" is pronounced as /bɛlz/. In terms of spelling, the word "eight" is derived from the Old English word "eahta," while "bells" comes from the Middle English word "belle." The phrase "eight bells" has become a common phrase even in non-nautical contexts.

EIGHT BELLS Meaning and Definition

1. Eight bells is a nautical term that refers to a specific sequence of ringing the ship's bells on board a vessel to indicate the time and to mark the end of a four-hour watch period. The tradition of striking the ship's bells is derived from the maritime practice of dividing a 24-hour day into six equal four-hour periods, known as watches. The striking of bells is used to communicate the hour of the day to the entire crew, especially in times when time-telling devices were not as prevalent or reliable.

   When eight bells are struck, it signifies the end of the watch period, usually referred to as the "dog watch," which is traditionally held between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The term itself, "eight bells," comes from the action of striking the ships' bells eight times to create a distinctive sound or tone.

   The act of striking the bells at the correct times is the responsibility of the ship's helmsman or quartermaster, who coordinates with the onboard timekeeper to ensure accuracy. Eight bells being struck not only signals the completion of a watch but also the shift change for the crew. This is particularly important for sailors who rely on strict schedules to maintain order and ensure a smooth operation of the ship.

Common Misspellings for EIGHT BELLS

• wight bells
• sight bells
• dight bells
• right bells
• 4ight bells
• 3ight bells
• eught bells
• ejght bells
• ekght bells
• eoght bells
• e9ght bells
• e8ght bells
• eifht bells
• eivht bells
• eibht bells
• eihht bells
• eiyht bells
• eitht bells
• eiggt bells

Etymology of EIGHT BELLS

The phrase "eight bells" has nautical origins and is commonly used in the context of ship's bells signaling the passing of time on board. In nautical tradition, the day onboard a ship is divided into six four-hour periods known as watches. Each watch is divided into eight half-hour intervals denoted by the ringing of a ship's bell. The phrase "eight bells" marks the end of a watch, or a significant time marker during the day.

The etymology of the word can be traced back to Old English and Middle English. The Old English word "belle" or "bela" referred to a bell, while "aetene" or "etene" represented "eight", indicating the number. Over time, through transformations in pronunciation and spelling, the words "eight bells" emerged as a way to refer to this particular division of time at sea.