lubber's hole

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. (in a top on a mast) an open space through which a sailor may pass instead of climbing out on the futtock shrouds.

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lubber's hole British  

noun

1. nautical a hole in a top or platform on a mast through which a sailor can climb

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Etymology

Origin of lubber's hole

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

For my part, I had become quite a sailor, and could ascend and descend easily to the truck without creeping through the lubber’s hole.

From Hudson Bay by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

I promised him, and he then helped me down through the lubber’s hole, for as to going down outside, I couldn’t just then have done it to save my life.

From My First Cruise and Other stories by Kingston, William Henry Giles

I was afraid to venture, and then he proposed that I should go through lubber's hole, which he said had been made for people like me.

From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Marryat, Frederick

"Just now he climbed up the rigging, inserted his person through the lubber's hole, and seated himself in the foretop."

From The Funny Philosophers Wags and Sweethearts by Yellott, George

"What did you heave Old Cuff out of the top for?" said the first one of the larboard watch, whose head came through the "lubber's hole."

From An Old Sailor's Yarns by Ames, N. (Nathaniel)