Why is it called crabbing into the wind?

[mjburian]

I had a non-pilot ask me this today and the best I could offer was that maybe it has to do with how crabs walk? (I know nothing about crabs, other than their legs are pretty delicious.)

Any idea how this saying came to be?

 

[saddletramp]

You have answered your own question Grasshopper

 

[Fearless Tower]

the best I could offer was that maybe it has to do with how crabs walk? (I know nothing about crabs, other than their legs are pretty delicious.)

Yup, and like many other things, the term was originally used in the maritime world to describe working a vessel sideways against the current.

 

[mjburian]

Well, that was anticlimactic...

Thanks guys!

 

[eman1200]

Shortest. Thread. Ever.

 

[Everskyward]

 

[overdrive148]

 

[GlennAB1]

Time for a Smothers Brothers tune...

 

[AggieMike88]

Time for a Smothers Brothers tune...

 

[mscard88]

Orville had the crabs, so beings they were supposedly the first to fly, they get credit for crabbing. It's there in that book somewhere...

 

[PaulS]

Crabs walk sideways.

 

[flyingriki]

I had a non-pilot ask me this today and the best I could offer was that maybe it has to do with how crabs walk? (I know nothing about crabs, other than their legs are pretty delicious.)

Any idea how this saying came to be?

duh....

 

[SToL]

because lobstering into the wind sounds just ridiculous.

 

[SkyDog58]

And you certainly wouldn't want to flounder.

 

[Zeldman]

Maybe because pilots get crabby about landing in a crosswind..??

 

[Sac Arrow]

because lobstering into the wind sounds just ridiculous.

I'm quite sure I have a copyright on that response but I'm too lazy to do the search right now.

 

[Ravioli]

I got the crabs when I was 17. I don't remember it being windy.

Oh, dang, what is thread about.

 

[GlennAB1]

Maybe if you'd only gotten a wind job, that wouldn't have happened.

 

[mjburian]

I got the crabs when I was 17. I don't remember it being windy.

Oh, dang, what is thread about.

I can't believe it took 17 posts for a response like this. If I'm honest, I'm a little disappointed in you guys...

 

[mscard88]

I can't believe it took 17 posts for a response like this. If I'm honest, I'm a little disappointed in you guys...

I beat that in #10! Orville had the crabs. And he invented flying, so they like us to think.

 

[mjburian]

I beat that in #10! Orville had the crabs. And he invented flying, so they like us to think.

Ah crap, I missed that. I thought you were talking about him having pets. But still... 10 posts? That's at least 7 more than I expected it to take.

 

[mscard88]

Tru, slow day I guess on POA. Or all the pervs were at work.

 

[SkyDog58]

Tru, slow day I guess on POA. Or all the pervs were at work.

Not true. You weren't.




Neither was that Skydog guy.

 

[Maciej]

because lobstering into the wind sounds just ridiculous.

Lmfaooooooo that was going to be my response as well

 

[mscard88]

Not true. You weren't.




Neither was that Skydog guy.

shocked, absolutely shocked you'd say that 'bout me! I'm gonna cry now....