I have noticed quite a variety of versions of the slang word for spinnaker posted in the past year. I had always believed it was chute, as in parachute from the French word cheoir. Does anyone know of any contrary information?

You also have the hooter, which is not to be confused with hooters (I don’t mean the restaurant chain). Sorry I couldn’t help myself.

Do not forget our friends down under...KITE.



Mike

We call them KITES in Milwaukee, Wisconsin... at least on the big monodull boats. The cat people tend to call them SPINS.



Shrimp net and sea anchor are popular, too, for the people who are not adept at handling them

I guess I am being petty, but I was referring to the constant mispelling of the word chute. In the big picture I guess it means more to be able to use it than spell it.

From Websters dictionary...



Main Entry: 1para·[color:red]chute

Pronunciation: 'par-&-"shüt

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from para- (as in parasol) + chute fall -- more at CHUTE

Date: 1785

1 : a device for slowing the descent of a person or object through the air that consists of a usually hemispherical fabric canopy beneath which the person or object is suspended

2 : PATAGIUM

3 : a device or structure suggestive of a parachute in form, use, or operation





...guess I'd go with [color:red]chute