matlo

A matlo stands on the deck of a ship, looking out to sea.

Definition

Noun (countable): A slang term used in naval contexts to refer to a sailor. This word is primarily British English and informal.

Usage Examples

• (An experienced sailor shared stories.)
• (Sailors assembled on the ship.)
• (He was a happy sailor, eager for time off the ship.)

Advanced Usage

• "old matlo": An experienced or veteran sailor, often used with affection or respect.

  • The captain called him an old matlo, meaning he had spent decades at sea. (The captain referred to him as a seasoned sailor.)

• "matlo and mate": A phrase emphasizing camaraderie between sailors.

  • The two matlos were inseparable, working together on every watch. (The two sailors were close companions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Matlow (n): An alternative spelling of "matlo," with the same meaning.

  • The matlow signed up for a three-year voyage. (The sailor enlisted for a long journey.)

• Matelot (n): A French-derived synonym for a sailor, sometimes used interchangeably in English naval slang.

  • The matelot polished the brass fittings on the ship. (The sailor cleaned the metal decorations.)

Synonyms

• Sailor: A person who works on a ship.
• Seaman: A member of a ship's crew.
• Jack Tar: An informal, traditional term for a sailor.

Related Idioms

• "a matlo's life": A phrase referring to the hard, itinerant lifestyle of a sailor.

  • He chose a matlo's life, with little time on land. (He decided to live as a sailor, often away from home.)

• "matlo's luck": Superstition among sailors about fortune at sea.

  • They said he had matlo's luck because his ship survived the storm. (They believed he was fortunate as a sailor.)