BAGGYWRINKLES

Even without knowing the meaning of this term, you have to admit this one is really charming. To get the meaning, you have to picture the sails sometimes filled and drawing hard against the shrouds, or sometimes slapping against the standing rigging during a tack or when the wind shifts suddenly. That kind of friction will wear out the sails, and cause tears and holes. To protect the sails, seamen used to improvise chafing gear out of old rope, wrapping it around the shrouds so that the strands stick out, providing a soft cushion for the sails. That chafing gear is called baggywrinkles.