But the plain fact is that there are a lot of things
on boats that have no counterpart in everyday life. If you want to talk
about them, then you need to know the right word(s).

EdGordonRN wrote:
If my wife turned to me in the boat and said "harden up" I'm afraid my only
reply would have to be: "Right here? Right now?" So, why don't you tell me what
it means? I have a feeling it has something to do with sheeting in the main or
jib to keep them from luffing, but I honestly don't know, and as you can see,
it means so much to me.

Good guess, that is what it means, in conjuction with the helm. This
would be said by a helmsman to let the crew know that he was turning
towards the wind slightly, and to pull the sheets in. Thus it's a
nautical phrase that would only be used in sailing, and it's not phony
at all.

DSK