Definitions
Sorry, no definitions found. Check out and contribute to the discussion of this word!
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word wet the swab.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
ruzuzu commented on the word wet the swab
"'But I beg your pardon. You were speaking of wetting a swab.'
'Oh, yes. It is a cant expression we have in the Navy. The swab is this' -- patting his epaulette -- 'and when we first ship it, we wet it: that is to say, we drink a bottle or two of wine.'"
--Master and Commander, p. 24
July 29, 2011