aloof – Comes from sailing, in which ships keep clear of coastal rocks by holding the vessel “luff”—”to the windward”; so, to hold “a-luff” means to “keep clear.” More…
jibe – Meaning “be compatible, consistent,” it may come from the earlier jibe, “to shift a sail from side to side while sailing in the wind.” More…
plain sailing – Probably comes from plane sailing, a way of determining a ship’s position based on its moving on a plane (flat surface). More…
aback – Originated in sailing, as a ship was taken aback when a strong gust of wind suddenly blew the sails back against the mast, causing the ship to stop momentarily. More…