Whats is a swim plate?

[Nick-Now]

Looking to buy a narrowboat, the survey of the boat I was looking at mentioned the thickness of the swimplate? Whats is it?

[MtB]

He probably means the uxter plate, but best to check with him/her as you don't want misunderstandings about stuff like this. 

 

 

[NB Esk]

 

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, 2020 by NB Esk

[system 4-50]

Anybody know the derivation of the word Uxter?  

[MtB]

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.

 

 

[David Mack]

21 minutes ago, system 4-50 said:

Anybody know the derivation of the word Uxter?  

 

I have heard it may be related to Oxter.

[Psychalist]

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.

[Up-Side-Down]

Cattle (humans too) are sometimes described as being up to their uxters in mud ........ so armpit would seem to be a pretty good definition!

[Nick-Now]

Yes its the Uxter plate

[Murflynn]

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.

[Nick-Now]

just a good waxing once a month should do it!

[Mac of Cygnet]

Oxters are what we call armpits in Scotland - in fact it's the term most used.

[Man 'o Kent]

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.

[Psychalist]

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.

[Aurora66]

I have a Northumbrian friend who refers to armpits as "uckers", so another variation there for you 😊

I too have it on a survey, bringing me here... 

[Nightwatch]

‘Uckers’ is the Naval variation of Ludo. Just saying.

[Jonny P]

On 12/02/2020 at 13:25, Man 'o Kent said:

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.

There’s no particular evidence for Irish roots in boating families.

[Machpoint005]

6 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

There’s no particular evidence for Irish roots in boating families.

 

First inversion, perhaps?

 

 

[Jonny P]

9 minutes ago, Machpoint005 said:

 

First inversion, perhaps?

 

 

????