The Snotter

I was reading a yachting magazine recently. Normally, this is a pleasant & diverting way to while away a cold winter afternoon. Then I ran across:

"This simple sling held to the mast by a thumb cleat has a thimble in the end to receive the snotter, which passes through the thimble and down to a belaying pin. The mizzen brailing line reeves through a thimble on the boom."

Despite sailing for over 50 years, all I could think was what the hell are they talking about?

As if that weren't enough to make one's head explode, they went on to proclaim: "The holy grail of rigging is protecting the wires with parceling and service plus a good coat of Stockholm tar and boiled linseed oil."

I promptly threw the magazine away.