Nick-Now 2 Report post #1 Posted February 9 Looking to buy a narrowboat, the survey of the boat I was looking at mentioned the thickness of the swimplate? Whats is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike the Boilerman 6146 Report post #2 Posted February 9 He probably means the uxter plate, but best to check with him/her as you don't want misunderstandings about stuff like this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NB Esk 334 Report post #3 Posted February 9 (edited) I'd also go for the Uxter plate, sometimes called the counter plate. It's the large flat plate at the stern immediately above the propellor. Usually has the weed hatch built into it. As Mike suggests, check with the surveyor. Edited February 9 by NB Esk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
system 4-50 919 Report post #4 Posted February 9 Anybody know the derivation of the word Uxter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike the Boilerman 6146 Report post #5 Posted February 9 1 minute ago, system 4-50 said: Anybody know the derivation of the word Uxter? Curiously google reveals nothing. Its criminal slang for 'money', apparently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Mack 976 Report post #6 Posted February 9 21 minutes ago, system 4-50 said: Anybody know the derivation of the word Uxter? I have heard it may be related to Oxter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psychalist 10 Report post #7 Posted February 10 Seems to be used in Northern Ireland to refer to the armpits - as in "Have you washed your uxters?" Corresponds with the appropriate bits on the boat. Can't explain why. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Up-Side-Down 87 Report post #8 Posted February 10 Cattle (humans too) are sometimes described as being up to their uxters in mud ........ so armpit would seem to be a pretty good definition! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick-Now 2 Report post #9 Posted February 12 Yes its the Uxter plate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Murflynn 1236 Report post #10 Posted February 12 you should keep it shaved to prevent nasty weeds proliferating........................ there is nothing so embarrassing as having to have your uxters cleaned out, and jet-washing is quite painful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick-Now 2 Report post #11 Posted February 12 just a good waxing once a month should do it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mac of Cygnet 883 Report post #12 Posted February 12 Oxters are what we call armpits in Scotland - in fact it's the term most used. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Man 'o Kent 10 Report post #13 Posted February 12 On 10/02/2020 at 10:12, Psychalist said: Seems to be used in Northern Ireland to refer to the armpits - as in "Have you washed your uxters?" Corresponds with the appropriate bits on the boat. Can't explain why. Am I right in thinking many of the people that constructed the canals, (navvies), were recuited from Ireland? If so then I imagine that many would have become boatmen once the canal(s) became operational and the digging work dried up. This in turn would explain the use of what for them was the common useage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psychalist 10 Report post #14 Posted February 12 Probably was oxters - heard in an Ulster accent by me as uxters. Dictionaries have oxter as armpit, originating (mainly Scotland and Northern Ireland) from the C16 old English oxta, and Latin axilla (which refers to the underside of birds' wings). Seems to make sense but doesn't explain the u though. Perhaps it was an accent thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
