on the boat

Veron   Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:48 am GMT
Do you say on the boat or in the boat?
mac   Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:02 pm GMT
It depends on the boat and what you mean, although 'on the boat' is more likely to be used.
'In the boat' gives a picture of 'inside' rather than 'outside' or 'on deck'.
guest   Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:18 pm GMT
"In the boat" makes me think of a small boat with sides, like a canoe, that you can actually snuggle/huddle up in.
In which case I would say someone was '[safe] in[side] the boat.'

"on the boat" connotates something larger, like a cruise ship: 'are they *on the boat* [i.e. aboard the ship] yet?'
Guest   Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:38 pm GMT
Don't forget about gravy boats. In this case, "on the boat" can refer to something on the outside, while "in the boat" usually refers to something inside.

Examples:

"There's still a lot of gravy in the boat."

"I see you managed to get your fingerprints all over the boat."

:)
guest   Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:19 pm GMT
what the heck is a "gravy boat" honestly?
however, I shudder at the possibilities...
Guest   Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:38 pm GMT
guest   Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:55 pm GMT
Ooooooh
that's a gravy boat! We have one of those...

am I ever relieved! ; )

that's one of those double entendre things :- O