From: Russacohn
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 19:04:04 EDT
To: NPetersII@yahoo.com
Subject: Etymology of 'clew"

We already know that the words 'clew' and 'clue' are related and that way back in mythological times that clue referred in a somewhat contorted way to "finding a way" through a maze or problem by following a string. Hence, clue/clew has connotations involving reeving a line, maybe even into a block and tackle that might be used on a ship. In fact, and to the point, the phrase "clewing up a sail", is a common command on a square rigger: i.e. "It's coming on to blow. Clew up the t'gallants". Thus, as part of a square sail's normal rigging there is a tackle from each lower corner, the clew, used as an aid to reefing and furling. Right now I'm not sure if this tackle was lead along the spar to the mast thence down to the deck, or simply dead ended at the outboard ends.
The word 'clew', in a dictionary of English nautical terminology, states it evolved from the old Norse word, 'kle", into old English in the period, AD 450 to 1150. I didn't know that Scandinavian languages were included in the Romance language group; I thought they were more related the Eastern Asian. But kle and clew aint too far apart.
You must pass this along to Nate. I'm sure he will be relieved to know that, like everything else on shipboard, logic would have it know other way.

Love, Russ