| 词源 |
flotsam and jetsam. Flotsam, from the Old French floter (Latin fluere), “to float,” means the contents or parts of a wreck found floating on the sea, and belonged to the Crown. Jetsam, which could be claimed by the lord of the manor, derives from the French jeter (Latin jacere), “to throw out,” and means cargo or equipment purposely thrown overboard, or jettisoned, in order to lighten a ship in an emergency. Jetsam was considered flotsam only if it was found between the high and low water- lines, because no one could tell whether it had been jettisoned there or had floated there. |