Re: Picture word game 28
Lower the boom.......
"This expression refers to the boom of a sailboat—a long spar that extends from the mast to hold the foot of the sail. In a changing wind, the boom can swing wildly, leaving one at risk of being struck. [Slang; first half of 1900s]"
Then I wondered why the phrase was "lower the boom" and not "swing the boom", as the danger came from the boom swinging, not going up and down.
So I found this....
"To address the dangers associated with the boom, some designers have raised the boom higher off the deck".
That made more sense.