TWAIN-L Archives

Mark Twain Forum

TWAIN-L@YORKU.CA

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show HTML Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Dick Ford <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Date:
Sun, 5 Dec 2004 14:41:28 -0600
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (18 lines)
"Crossing: where the channel goes from one side of the river to the other."

I always thought the "crossing" meant the place where the steamboat
changed from one side of the river to the other, to be in slack water
going upstream, or to ride the main current going down stream. As I
recall, in the film "Life on the Mississippi," Sam is told to start his
crossing at a certain point.

Point (n.) Anything which tapers to a sharp, well defined termination.
Specifically: A small promontory or cape; a tract of land extending into
the water beyond the common shore line. [Websters Unabridged 1918]

Twain may have made the quote because he thought the term was river
pilot jargon.

--
Dick Ford

ATOM RSS1 RSS2