train oil

American  

noun

1. oil obtained from the blubber of whales or from seals, walruses, or other marine animals.

---

train oil British  

noun

1. oil obtained from the blubber of various marine animals, esp the whale

---

Etymology

Origin of train oil

1545–55; earlier trane < Dutch traan train oil, tear; cognate with German Träne tear

Example Sentences

So I’m curious, since you have drilling experience: Do you think it’s easier to train oil drillers to be astronauts or to train astronauts to be drillers?

From The Verge

It is necessary to remove the blubber immediately; because, if this precaution be neglected, the flesh contracts a taste of train oil.

From Project Gutenberg

Her entire take was as yet only four barrels of train oil!!

From Project Gutenberg

Only in the streets by the quays the smell of decayed wood, salt herrings, train oil, and "such like," prevailed.

From Project Gutenberg

Cut into squares, it looks and tastes like scallops, with only a slight aroma of train oil.

From Project Gutenberg