Expression - choosing what mast to hang my pennant from

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Does anyone remember the expression choosing what mast to hang my pennant from?

I tried to find an explanation on the internet and drew a blank. Can you recall the expression and its interpretation?

My interpretation is about having a direction or a goal in mind then attempting to choose which ally or group to become affiliated with.

Is this interpretation correct? If not how would you interpret it?

No, I am not attempting to become hoisted by my own petard! That is an entirely different matter. That is what happens if one chooses the wrong mast!

Kind regards
Lionel

[Grant Bowker]

I would have guessed: make a (careful) choice regarding action or opinion and then stick with it - no changing course mid-stream.

[Bob Carriere]

.....for the CMP mast????

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

.....for the CMP mast????

Hell Bob,

The description of the Sergeant's Mess is "...future which don't seem to fit anywhere else". I just remembered an expression that my late Grandfather used when I was in primary school. I am just trying to confirm whether I remember it correctly. Also, to see if I have accurately interpreted the expressions meaning.

I nailed my colours to the MLU mast by the way of a MCP.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lynn Eades]

Male Chauvanist Pig!.... Yes?,.. Present?..... Whadda ya want?

Yes, Lionelgee, you can nail your "Writ" on the mast! (what mast?)
Bob will probably start a thread on CMP masts..........

Are you talking about a sloop, a cutter, or a barc? (or bark, or a barque)
and which mast?, the mizzen, the rudder post, the foremast, or the aftermast? (hell, I know nothing about boats!- arhh., yes, definition = a hole in the water that you pour money into)
I blame all this on 2 years of covidity.

Note: my better half said you are correct.

[Robin Craig]

The pennant is in reference to your own identifying pennant from the sailing world. If you were a Toronto Yacht Club member you are entitled to fly their pennant from your rigging. If you cam aboard my boat and I was a member elsewhere we would fly yours as well, usually lower.

Others of our ilk would see the pennant and know a TYC member and a Howe Island Yacht Club member were aboard.

In the days before cell phones, it would have been enough for someone in an anchorage to come over and start a conversation and usually social mingling would follow and gin and tonics and a meal ensued.

Does that help?

I have witnessed, as a ships agent, a ship being arrested and a writ attached to the mast and a seal put on the fuel supply to the engines, but thats another story....

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hell Bob,

The description of the Sergeant's Mess is "...future which don't seem to fit anywhere else". I just remembered an expression that my late Grandfather used when I was in primary school. I am just trying to confirm whether I remember it correctly. Also, to see if I have accurately interpreted the expressions meaning.

I nailed my colours to the MLU mast by the way of a MCP.

Kind regards
Lionel

I think the expression you are thinking of is “nail my colours to the mast”, meaning you stand by your belief or decision on a matter. A well known English saying. Although it is has a nautical origin the saying can is used generally.
Regards
Richard