ditty-box

ditty-box

A sailor keeps his small tools in his ditty-box.

Definition

Noun: A small box or bag used by sailors or fishermen to store personal belongings, trinkets, or small tools. It is typically a portable container for miscellaneous items.

Usage Examples
  • (A small container for personal effects.)
  • (A bag or box for odds and ends.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to have a tidy ditty-box": a nautical expression meaning to be well-organized with one's personal belongings.
    • The old captain insisted every crew member keep a tidy ditty-box before inspection. (Maintain orderly storage of personal items.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Ditty-bag (n): a bag, often cloth, used for the same purpose as a ditty-box.
    • She sewed a new ditty-bag for her father's fishing trips. (A cloth bag for personal items.)
Synonyms
  • Sea bag: a bag used by sailors for clothing and personal items.
  • Knapsack: a bag carried on the back, but less specific to nautical use.
  • Trinket box: a small container for small valuables or decorations.
Related Idioms
  • "Ditty-box and ditty-bag": a paired phrase referring to a sailor's complete set of personal storage.
    • He packed his ditty-box and ditty-bag for the long voyage. (Both containers for personal effects.)