landlubber

Landlubber (also spelled land-lubber) is a noun referring to a person who is not at sea or who lacks experience and familiarity with sailing, seamanship, or life on board ships. The term is commonly used in nautical contexts and in literature to distinguish sailors from non-sailors. While sometimes used humorously or affectionately among friends, it can carry a pejorative nuance when directed at someone perceived as awkward or inexperienced aboard a vessel.

Origin and etymology: The word is a compound of land and lubber, where lubber is an old-fashioned term for a clumsy or sluggish person. It dates from English maritime slang dating back to the early modern period, reflecting the contrast between life on land and at sea.

Usage: In fiction and film, sailors may taunt a character as a landlubber to emphasize their lack of nautical skills. In modern recreational boating communities, the term is often used in a lighthearted way to describe novices learning to handle boats, rigging, or navigation.

Cultural references: The concept appears in sea stories, adventure fiction, and games that feature maritime settings. The phrase helps to establish character dynamics and the divide between experienced seafarers and those who have not spent much time at sea.