Salon or Saloon ?

[Selah Way]

As new sailors, we've poured over every book on sailing that we can find. We're a bit confused by the terms "salon" and "saloon" when referring to the area below deck. We've seen them both used, and at first I thought that "saloon" was just "salon" being misspelled. Now I've seen it often enough that I have to believe that the writers intend to spell it that way.

I was directed to the thread regarding pushpits vs pullpits, so I realize that we can call it whatever we darn well please; but I am curious to know what others think.

Opinions, anyone? Thanks!

Barbara / Selah Way

[TaoJones]

In my experience, Barbara, older sailors and those given to tradition are inclined to use "saloon." Those who are newer to the sport, or who may like to read marketing copy, the term salon is most often used.

Boating Encyclopedia has this to say about the two words:

"Many boaters seem to find the word cabin rather lacking the elegance and significance they associate with their boats. Therefore, they refer to their cabin as a salon, a fancy French term for reception hall or a room filled with perfumed finery.Hairdressers, beauticians, and couturiers have salons; sailors have a saloon. The Encyclopedia of Nautical Knowledge defines a saloon this way: “In a cargo and smaller passenger vessels, the main cabin, or that serving as a dining-room, assembly room, etc.” The Oxford Concise Dictionary describes a saloon as a “public room for first-class or for all passengers on ship.”The only dissonant note is sounded by Webster’s New World Dictionary, which allows the use of both salon and saloon but then confesses that saloon is “specifically, the main social cabin of a passenger ship.” Nevertheless, whereas most sailors use the word saloon, most powerboaters seem to prefer salon.It’s possible that some boaters use the word salon because they don’t want their boats to be associated with saloons where strong alcoholic drinks are served and rough men indulge in fisticuffs. But a better choice than either salon or saloon would be cabin. What could be simpler or more correct?"

TaoJones

[VirtualVagabond]

I hadn't seen salon until reading these forums and broker websites that are global. It looks to me as though salon is widely used in the USA, whereas UK, Aus, NZ uses saloon.

Tao's encyclopdia quote was enlightening... I've only heard salon being used in the context of hairdressers, nails, beauty etc...

Pullpit is at the pointy end... pushpit is at the blunt end.
Vic

[RTB]

Calder calls it "saloon", so good enough for me. Besides, that is where the cold beer is.

[Vasco]

Saloon!!

[svHyLyte]

Where men predominate, particularly during or after a long tough race in rotten conditions, the main accomodation is most assuredly a "Saloon". On the other hand, where the fairer sex prevails--and smells--I would conceed to Salon; and, when my wife is aboard, "Beauty Salon..."

FWIW...

[zeehag]

saloon is the main room. pulpit is front and pointy end
STERN RAIL is the aft flat railing at your back when you are at the helm of a sailing boat. pushpit is if you have a LUGGER.

[senormechanico]

A Salon is where ladies get their hair done.

[fishwife]

A cabin is where I sleep though I'm enormously tempted by the American tendency to call it a 'State Room' which sounds far grander

[speciald@ocens.]

It's saloon. I don't know, it makes no sence. I guess I'm "an older sailor".

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by VirtualVagabond

It looks to me as though salon is widely used in the USA, whereas UK, Aus, NZ uses saloon.

Thats how I guessed it. BTW I am not typing this from the Saloon. I'm in the Nav Station.

Originally Posted by fishwife

A cabin is where I sleep though I'm enormously tempted by the American tendency to call it a 'State Room' which sounds far grander

HELLO! Thats a great idea! Wow! We just got 2 Staterooms! It sounds even better if they're named: We have the Gerorge Washington Stateroom forward and the Royal State r'm aft.

And because we're in France its now called: Le Salon de Saloon.



Mark

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by VirtualVagabond

It looks to me as though salon is widely used in the USA, whereas UK, Aus, NZ uses saloon.

That's what I always thought too. Some half hearted attempt by Americans to emulate wacko English Commonwealth usage. Just like a Jaguar Saloon - obviously, the proper word for a yacht cabin is "sedan."

[nhschneider]

I heard that an enterprising tavern owner near Denver in the early 1800's modeled his tavern after the 'saloon' on a steam passenger liner. Apparently others decided that what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

I have no hard facts to support this theory, though.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[Joli]

Saloon for us but we only have cabins, no state rooms.

[Selah Way]

State room, huh? We might be able to get away with calling it that if we don't let anyone close enough to the interior of the boat to see past the curtains. Maybe "den" would be more appropriate... 'cuz a couple of foxes could fit comfortably in there!

As for saloon or salon, looks like the "saloons" have it. Again, given the size of our boat, maybe just "under there" would suffice.

Thanks for everyone's input on this!