admiral of the narrow seas
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
One who from drunkenness vomits into the lap of the person sitting opposite to him. SEA PHRASE.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “admiral of the narrow seas” mean?
One who from drunkenness vomits into the lap of the person sitting opposite to him. SEA PHRASE.
Is “admiral of the narrow seas” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.