Pronunciation: [ɹˈatla͡ɪnz] (IPA) 
The word "Ratlines" is spelled as /ˈræt.laɪnz/, with the first syllable pronounced as "rat" and the second syllable pronounced as "lines". In phonetic transcription, the symbol /æ/ represents the "short a" sound, while /l/ and /n/ represent the consonants "l" and "n" respectively. The word means a series of ropes or lines that run from the shrouds of a ship's mast to the foot, used as a ladder to climb up the mast.
Ratlines, in their most literal sense, refer to the ropes or lines that run horizontally across the shrouds of a sailing ship. These lines serve as footholds for sailors climbing the rigging to access different parts of the vessel. They are essential for stability and safety, enabling sailors to navigate the ship efficiently and perform various tasks aloft.
However, the term "ratlines" also has a historical and political connotation. During and after World War II, ratlines took on a different meaning and became associated with clandestine escape routes used by high-ranking Nazis and other war criminals to flee Europe and evade justice. These ratlines were sophisticated networks facilitated by sympathetic individuals and organizations, often connected to the Catholic Church, that provided forged passports, visas, and travel arrangements, allowing fugitives to escape to South America and other parts of the world.
The purpose of these ratlines was to enable Nazi war criminals to evade prosecution for their wartime crimes and find sanctuary in countries where they could live undisturbed. The term "ratlines" encompasses not only the escape routes but also the various individuals and networks involved in enabling these escapes.
Today, the term "ratlines" is primarily used in historical contexts or discussions about war criminals and the post-World War II era. It serves as a reminder of the complex and controversial efforts to bring justice to those responsible for some of the most heinous crimes committed during the war.
In ships, the small lines or cords which traverse the shrouds horizontally at regular distances, thus forming ascending-ladders to the mast-head; also called ratling.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "ratlines" originated from the nautical terminology referring to a series of ropes or lines that run horizontally on the shrouds of a ship's rigging, providing a foothold for sailors to climb the rigging. These lines were essential for sailors to navigate the heights of the mast or to perform various tasks aloft.
The term "ratlines" comes from the association of ships' rigging with rats, which were a common presence on ships. Rats often climbed the rigging using these ropes or lines, gaining access to the higher parts of the ship. Therefore, the lines themselves came to be called "ratlines".
Over time, the term "ratlines" expanded its meaning beyond the nautical context. It began to be used metaphorically to refer to secret or illegal networks or routes of escape used by individuals, especially fleeing criminals or those seeking to evade justice or capture.
