I’ve heard ‘caralho’ used to be the name for the lookout on top of a ship’s mast (later turned into yet another word for dick) and sailors were sent to duty in the caralho as punishment?
I’m not Portuguese though, so if any native could confirm …
Caralho, aka Gavea, being the crow’s nest (the highest spot on the ship) is correct, though it’s uncommon knowledge. No idea when it was phased out of “professional” usage. As for why it became slang for dick, it’s a big and hard mast with a noticeable “head” at the top.
I’ve heard ‘caralho’ used to be the name for the lookout on top of a ship’s mast (later turned into yet another word for dick) and sailors were sent to duty in the caralho as punishment?
I’m not Portuguese though, so if any native could confirm …
That’s what I’ve heard too, I don’t know how accurate that is though.
Caralho, aka Gavea, being the crow’s nest (the highest spot on the ship) is correct, though it’s uncommon knowledge. No idea when it was phased out of “professional” usage. As for why it became slang for dick, it’s a big and hard mast with a noticeable “head” at the top.