How Do You Spell KEELHAULS?

Pronunciation: [kˈiːlhɔːlz] (IPA)

The word "keelhauls" is a nautical term that refers to a form of punishment where a sailor is tied to a rope and dragged under the ship. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /kiːlhɔːlz/. The first syllable "keel" is pronounced with a long "e" sound followed by a "l" sound, while the second syllable "hauls" is pronounced with a long "o" sound followed by an "lz" sound. This unusual spelling can be challenging to remember, but it's important to use correct spelling in written communication.

KEELHAULS Meaning and Definition

1. Keelhauls is a nautical term referring to a form of punishment or torture inflicted upon sailors in the past. Primarily practiced during the Age of Sail, particularly on naval ships, it involved dragging a person underneath the ship's keel, often as a disciplinary measure for severe offenses committed onboard.

   The procedure of keelhauling typically required the offender to be bound and tied by ropes or chains, then lowered into the water alongside the ship's hull, usually from the bow, and dragged underneath the vessel towards its stern. This would be carried out while the ship was in motion, causing the individual being keelhauled to suffer not only physical injuries but also the threat of drowning due to water pressure or inhaling water. Furthermore, keelhauling could expose the person to various hazards such as barnacles and other marine life attached to the ship's hull, increasing the severity of the punishment.

   Keelhauls were often intended as a severe deterrent, aiming to instill fear and maintain discipline among the crew members. It was reserved for grave offenses including mutiny, theft, and insubordination. Though mostly associated with historical naval warfare, keelhauling has been documented in different maritime cultures across time and continents, serving as a grim reminder of the harsh disciplinary measures employed in the past.

Common Misspellings for KEELHAULS

• jeelhauls
• meelhauls
• leelhauls
• oeelhauls
• ieelhauls
• kwelhauls
• kselhauls
• kdelhauls
• krelhauls
• k4elhauls
• k3elhauls
• kewlhauls
• keslhauls
• kedlhauls
• kerlhauls
• ke4lhauls
• ke3lhauls
• keelhals
• kelehauls
• kellhauls

Etymology of KEELHAULS

The word "keelhaul" originated in the maritime context and has a Dutch etymology. The term combines two Dutch words: "koel" meaning "hull" or "bottom of a ship" and "halen" meaning "to haul" or "pull". In nautical practice, keelhauling referred to a severe and brutal disciplinary punishment administered onboard ships, especially during the Age of Sail.

During keelhauling, sailors who had committed serious offenses were tied by ropes and dragged under the keel of the ship from one side to the other. This punishment often resulted in severe injury or death due to the rough barnacles, sharp edges, and potential drowning. Hence, the verb "keelhaul" came to be associated with a punishment that involved dragging someone under the hull of a ship.