copper-bottomed

copper-bottomed

See also: copperbottomed

English

The copper-bottom hull of the Cutty Sark

Etymology

From the copper sheathing applied to the bottom of a wooden ship to prevent damage from marine organisms. In literal sense 18th century, in figurative sense attested since at least 1807.[1] The British idiomatic use comes from the fact that with Britain being a major naval power, there was always a ready market for copper in ship construction, making it a reliable commodity to invest in.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

copper-bottomed (comparative more copper-bottomed, superlative most copper-bottomed)

1. Having lower parts made of or covered by copper (especially of a ship or cookware).
   • 2012, Andrew Martin, Underground Overground: A passenger's history of the Tube, Profile Books, →ISBN, page 88:

     According to Robert Hulse, 'It's half worm, half mollusc, and there are more dead men at the bottom of the sea as a result of those things [shipworms] than all the naval battles put together. They're the reason you had copper-bottomed ships'.

2. (Britain, idiomatic) Thoroughly reliable; secure
   • 1807, Washington Irving, Salmagundi:[1]

     The copper-bottomed angel at Messrs. Paff’s in Broadway.

Usage notes

Related term copperfasten used with similar meaning, but different nuance – copper-bottomed means “reliable, trustworthy”, while copper-fastened means “secured, unambiguous”.[1]

Related terms

• copperfasten

See also

• coppered
• gilt-edged

References

1. Gary Martin (1997–), “Copper-bottomed”, in The Phrase Finder, retrieved 26 February 2017.