The water is a great place to be, especially when it is hot outside. However, nothing can ruin a good time quicker than junk or trash floating around your lounge area. If you have ever been in the water and encountered junk, you have firsthand experience with flotsam and jetsam. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The words flotsam and jetsam are specific terms used to explain waste found in the water. Flotsam is debris that accumulated as a result of an accident, spillage, or shipwreck. For example, if two boats crash into each other and parts of the hull flake off, the result is flotsam in the water. Jetsam on the other hand is trash or waste that is thrown overboard by the crew itself. In most cases, jetsam is tossed into the water to save the ship by lightening the load. In other cases, it is simply tossed to make space instead of storing it for proper disposal.
There are a few other meanings for flotsam and jetsam as well. They are known as 2 loveable characters from the 1989 cartoon The Little Mermaid. The phrase also can be used to mean small things that are unimportant or have no connection with each other. When used in casual conversation it means information of no consequence.
Example Usage
“After the boat accident, there was a lot of flotsam and jetsam floating about, I have no idea how they will clean it all”.
“I want to discuss the main point of the meeting, I really don’t care about the flotsam and jetsam issues that you keep bringing up”.
“There are plenty of volunteers to collect flotsam and jetsam off the shores, all you need to do is advertise your need”.
“The refugee camps are full of copious flotsam and jetsam that have been left homeless due to the war”.
Origin
The phrase flotsam and jetsam are typically used when speaking about random odds and ends. However, they are actually two separate words, not a complete phrase. Flotsam comes from the French language, specifically the word floter, which means to float. The word jetsam comes from the word jettison, which means to offload.
Both words were used on their own all throughout the 17th century. John Cowell released a publication in 1607 which had a detailed list of words and their meanings. In this publication, both words were present. At the time, lagan was the main word used to refer to debris at sea, but by 1622, flotsam and jetsam were put into regular use separately. This was mainly due to the English Royal household’s desire to track their property, and the discards of others should they be valuable. They wrote that the flotsam and jetsam, as well as the lagan on the sea, belong to the king. By the 19th century, lagan was no longer used and flotsam and jetsam formed a regular combination.
Phrases Similar to Flotsam and Jetsam
- Wreckage
- Lagan
- Floating debris
- Sea trash
- Brick-a-brack
Phrases Opposite to Flotsam and Jetsam
- Clean
- Neatness
- Purity
- Worthy
- Orderly
- Loot
- Treasure
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper way to say the phrase is – flotsam and jetsam.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Flotsam and Jetsam
Some ways that flotsam and jetsam are used incorrectly are:
- The most important part of the deal is the flotsam and jetsam, not the main topics.
- Are you ready to talk about all of the flotsam and jetsam that are found in the sky?
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Flotsam and Jetsam
Some ways that flotsam and jetsam are used correctly are:
- We were looking through the flotsam and jetsam on the beach and found lots of little treasures.
- Some of my favorite characters from The Little Mermaid are Flotsam and Jetsam.
- It can be very hard to clear up flotsam and jetsam when the water is full of toxic oils.
- Every time we meet, you spend a lot of time on the flotsam and jetsam, or little minutiae instead of getting directly to the point.