shellback

[ shel-bak ]

noun

1. an old sailor.
2. a person who has crossed the equator by boat.

shellback

/ ˈʃɛlˌbæk /

noun

1. informal.
   a sailor who has crossed the equator Compare polliwog
2. an experienced or old sailor

Word History and Origins

Origin of shellback¹

First recorded in 1880–85; shell + back ¹

Example Sentences

Swedish producers Max Martin (“I Kissed a Girl”) and Shellback collaborate on some of her feistiest tunes.

From The Daily Beast

How could he give his life, with all its fair possibilities, all its high hopes, for this worn-out old shellback?

From Project Gutenberg

At seven o'clock we dined together in the saloon—the skipper, an old shellback whom Walworth had picked up, sitting down with us.

From Project Gutenberg

The word was no sooner spoken than our shellback again excelled himself.

From Project Gutenberg

“The old shellback has our skipper,” whispered Captain Folsom to the boys.

From Project Gutenberg

Skinner, you don't suppose Matt's like every other shellback of a skipper?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boater
• cadet
• diver
• marine
• pilot