where did this come from?

[captaind]

it's a kind of message board slang - pretty much only used on these JA boards - that came out of an incorrect interpretation of what people THINK is Jamaican patois. it's a huge pet peeve of mine, for years now... "reach" is not a noun, and isn't used as a noun in patois either... patois speakers say something like "call me when you reach" - a verb.

If you replace 'reach' in any sentence with the word 'arrive', and see whether or not it makes any sense, that's what will tell you if it's being used correctly - either in speaky-spokey or patois.

That's what I originally posted before we got off to the sailing terminology thing. I've heard it used that way since the 60s.

When I'd go to the States for a visit I always had to write a letter (took 7 days back then) and tell the family "I reach home safe"

[ackee]

thumbs up ..Miss Blue !! dats di original meaning ...seems like di tourist dem come up with an "evolved" , meaning. )

[Rambo]

we have been going to Jamaica since '84, I just started hearing that around 2002-2003 and on the boards....most of Jamaican
people that we hang with do not speak too much "patwa" with us...........

[FATRAT]

This is exactly why I decided not to become a sailor. (lmao) Can I still be a pirate?

[M&G Montreal]

Holy cow! I had no idea you were a real captain, CaptainD! I thought that was just handle! I can do "tip the Swiss" in a canoe! (much more entertaining that dump test!! )And I did dragon boat races once ... think the coast guard would take me?

Arrr, maties. Maybe you're both right - different lingo in different countries?

[M&G Montreal]

Holy cow! I had no idea you were a real captain, CaptainD! I thought that was just handle! I can do "tip the Swiss" in a canoe! (much more entertaining that dump test!! )And I did dragon boat races once ... think the coast guard would take me?

Arrr, maties. Maybe you're both right - different lingo in different countries?

A sailing matter that makes me laugh everytime. Don't know if it's true or not, but surely it wouldn't be on the net if it weren't, right:
This is the transcript of a radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a Collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States' Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north, that's one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.[2]

Ahoy, maties!

[captaind]

Holy cow! I had no idea you were a real captain, CaptainD! I thought that was just handle! I can do "tip the Swiss" in a canoe! (much more entertaining that dump test!! )And I did dragon boat races once ... think the coast guard would take me?

Arrr, maties. Maybe you're both right - different lingo in different countries?

A sailing matter that makes me laugh everytime. Don't know if it's true or not, but surely it wouldn't be on the net if it weren't, right:
This is the transcript of a radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a Collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States' Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north, that's one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.[2]

Ahoy, maties!

That's been around since WWII. Usually accredited to the Navy of one country or another. There's no evidence that it really took place.

Yes, I am a ship's Master and came to Jamaica in 1968 for a job on a ship with Wray and Nephew. My first job out of the Merchant Marine academy.

[kim&betty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR0lWICH3rY

[bjritz]

Canadageorge, thanks for asking this question. I've wondered this for a while. I thought I'd just wait for my next reach to find out. Now I'll arrive with the definition in mind.

[poolguywindsor]

You wont ever catch me calling it a "reach" it always bugs me when someone uses it! But thats just me, I will get over it.