Yacht Comes From a Dutch Word for a Hunting Ship
A yacht is a vessel used for pleasure or racing. The Dutch original meant a fast ship used to chase pirates.
A yacht is a vessel used for pleasure cruising or racing. The word began aggressive: Dutch *jacht* is short for *jachtschip*, a hunting ship, meaning a fast light vessel used to pursue pirates and smugglers. Charles II was given one on his restoration in 1660 and used it for pleasure, and the sense changed with him. The spelling preserves the Dutch *cht* cluster that English never pronounced, which is why it looks so unlike its sound.
- A pleasure vessel. *A sailing yacht.*
- Jachtschip — a hunting ship. *Jachtschip.*
- Charles II — who popularised it. *Charles II.*
- Yachting — the pursuit. *Yachting.*
- Dutch — *jacht*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | yacht | A yacht. |
| Plural | yachts | Yachts. |
| Noun | yachting | Yachting. |
| Agent | yachtsman | A yachtsman. |
| Dutch | jacht | A hunt. |
- The yacht rounded the buoy.Sailing.
- Jachtschip meant a hunting ship.Etymology.
- Charles II made it a pleasure craft.History.
Dutch nautical words in English
- Yacht — from *jacht*, a hunt
- Skipper — from *schipper*, a ship's master
- Deck — from *dek*, a covering
- Cruise — from *kruisen*, to cross
- Sloop, schooner and dock all arrived the same way
Dutch *jacht*, short for *jachtschip*, a hunting ship, from *jagen*, to hunt or chase.
Why is yacht spelled so oddly?
It keeps the Dutch spelling, including a cht cluster that English never pronounced.
Was a yacht originally for pleasure?
No. A jachtschip was a fast light warship used to chase pirates. Charles II turned it into a pleasure craft after 1660.