copper-bottomed

See also: copperbottomed

English

The copper-bottomed hull of the Cutty Sark.

Etymology

From the copper sheathing applied to the bottom of a wooden ship to prevent damage from marine organisms. In literal sense 18th century, in figurative sense attested since at least 1807. The British idiomatic use comes from the fact that with Britain being a major naval power, there was always a ready market for copper in ship construction, making it a reliable commodity to invest in.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

copper-bottomed (comparative more copper-bottomed, superlative most copper-bottomed)

1. (literal, especially of a ship or cookware) Having lower parts made of or covered by copper.
   • 2012, Andrew Martin, Underground Overground: A passenger's history of the Tube, Profile Books, →ISBN, page 88:

     According to Robert Hulse, 'It's half worm, half mollusc, and there are more dead men at the bottom of the sea as a result of those things [shipworms] than all the naval battles put together. They're the reason you had copper-bottomed ships'.

2. (British, idiomatic) Thoroughly reliable; secure.
   • 1807, Washington Irving, Salmagundi:

     The copper-bottomed angel at Messrs. Paff’s in Broadway.

Usage notes

Related term copperfasten used with similar meaning, but different nuance – copper-bottomed means “reliable, trustworthy”, while copper-fastened means “secured, unambiguous”.

Related terms

• copperfasten

See also

• coppered
• gilt-edged