Wednesday’s Word

Word: Cap’n (N.)

Definition: Captain (form of address)

Along the coast, one who has assumed command command of even the most modest of craft is politely referred to as “Cap’n.” Sometimes no previous position of authority at all is necessary and a person can be thus greeted merely as a friendly form of address. SImilarly, “Cap” or “Cappy” are used, though informally. “Cap’n” itself is the Yankee equivalent of the Kentucky Colonel.

(Definition from: “How To Talk Yankee”, by Gerald Lewis & Tim Sample, copyright 1979, 1986 by The Thorndike Press; copyright 1989 by the First North Country Press)