It’s finally time: we’re pulling the boat out of the shed, checking gauges, spending our pay checks in the local marine supply store. After a long, cold winter, we’re happy to be finally getting our sea legs back under us. Watching the Bay freeze over almost wrecked us, but that’s over now. March came in like one heck of a lion, but she’s headed out like a docile, adorable little lamb. The changing of the seasons sets off a change in our lifestyle, as we start spending a bigger and bigger chunk of time on the water. And this sometimes makes things a little difficult for those landlubbers around us; as our priorities shift, so does our language. Remember that around the water cooler, what you say may mean something entirely different to your friends and coworkers. The Old Girl To any non-boater, you may be talking about an older, much-loved woman in your family. Be sure to make it clear that you’re discussing your boat when you talk about how you’ve put some hours on her. Jerkbait This connotes a trap you’ve left in your driveway to catch the idiot who’s been stealing your Sunday paper, not a type of surface lure. Which, depending on whom you’re talking to, might not be a bad thing. Pump Out They think you’re talking about water, not the removal of hazardous waste in your tank. Maybe let them think you’re talking about water. Prop You’ll very quickly figure out which of your friends is a fan of musicals when you start discussing issues with your prop. And, sometimes, knowing how many times a buddy has seen “Cats” can be a bad thing. Crappie “Caught some crappie over the weekend and fried them up real nice.” You can get in trouble with that one. A crappie is a delicious pan fish with one heck of an unfortunate name. Flotilla At first, this might sound like the newest dietary travesty offered by Taco Bell. Explain that it’s a floating group of boats having more fun on the water than anyone else, then invite your friends to come along. On the Hard This is a family magazine, so just suffice it to say that if you mention how “the Old Girl is on the hard,” you might get a knowing wink and a nudge from a non-boating buddy. Clear that up by explaining that she’s on jackstands down at the yard, and hopefully you’ll get her splashed soon. Wait. Is that any better? Trophy Season This can, admittedly, mean several different things. But be sure to explain to your friends that you’re talking about fishing, not bowling. T-Top The T-top was also a feature on the IROC-Z Camaro. Depending on what kind of center console you have, you might want people thinking you’re talking about the car. Drag If you talk about “letting out the drag” to a non-fishing buddy, he’ll assume you mean you let your spouse or significant other do something without you. Gulp Hang around at a Saltwater Fishing Expo and you’ll start to have a weird desire to head to the local 7-11 for a fountain beverage. Not a bad thing at all, but remember that a Gulp! is a popular brand of artificial bait. A Big Gulp is what disguises your beer when you’re walking the dog. Gunkholing To the non-boater, this does not conjure up the vision of boating in shallow waters. We recommend not discussing the joys of gunkholing with the uninitiated for obvious reasons.