Browse phrases beginning with: [A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][K][L][M][N][O][P][Q][R][S][T][U,V][W][X,Y,Z] Broad in the beamMeaning Having wide hips or buttocks. Origin This phrase derives from the nautical term beam - the widest point of a ship. Beam is first recorded in Captain John Smith's invaluable record of early seafaring terms - The Seaman's Grammar, 1627:
The figurative use of beam referring to people's hips came into being in the 20th century. An early citation of that comes in Hugh Walpole's Hans Frost, 1929:
See also - Nautical Phrases. |