Dec 15, 2009

Shiver Me Timbers

A shiver is a wood splinter from a broken mast on a ship, sometimes caused by cannon fire from another ship. As the mast shattered, splinters broke off and sometimes flew into an unfortunate sailor caught too close to the action.

Knives with no handles are shaped like those broken shards and are hence called shivs. Arrgh, that's the truth, matey.