In your view, what is a bommy knocker?

chrizbie@lemmy.nz to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 18 points –

Only Google it after you answer please

28

The opposite of a tally whacker

In New Zealand this is what my son calls a bommy knocker

This is a term I have heard many times (in NZ) but I can't actually connect it with a physical thing..

I call 'em dangerous to bare feet!

A bommy is a small metal plate attached to the side of old wooden ships. It would be attached outside the ship a few feet above the water line. A metal knocker was fixed to the bommy with a small float. If the ship started to take on water or loaded to much cargo, the ship would sit lower in the water and the knocker would hit the bommy, alerting the crew of potential problems.

Sounds good at least...

Never heard it before. I googled it in incognito tab, just in case.

Looks like a mace.

It's a flail. Like a wooden stick with a chain and a solid metal ball on the end

Sounds like gin and tea, served hot with a twist of lemon.

gibberish phrase from a children's story i don't know?