bilge water

American  

noun

1. Nautical. bilge.

2. Also called bilge.  Slang. foolish, worthless, or offensive talk or ideas; nonsense; rubbish.

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Etymology

Origin of bilge water

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Chief Engineer Roberto Cayabyab Penaflor admitted to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships for knowingly discharging untreated oily bilge water directly from the tanker into the sea, federal prosecutors said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 9, 2023

Some suggest bilge water from passing freighters could be aggravating its spread in Turks and Caicos.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2020

Sometimes bilge water can be discharged into the ocean but only after almost all oil is separated out.

From The Guardian • Dec. 2, 2016

Eventually, with the help of a confidential informant, investigators would learn of the ship’s multiple unreported engine failures and makeshift hose-and-barrel system for bilge water that discharged oily waste into the ocean.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2014

The fugitive, soaked with bilge water, shivering and hungry, emerged from his hiding-place as he felt the movement of the vessel's sailing.

From Yankee Ships and Yankee Sailors: Tales of 1812 by Barnes, James