The poopdeck refers to the top portion of the rear of the ship, typically where the Captain had the big wheel.

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[–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Pooping on the head. I see what they did there.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    They literally did poop on the head. https://c8.alamy.com/comp/P914K5/figure-head-from-sailing-ship-in-the-tall-ships-regata-velas-latinoamerica-2018-P914K5.jpg

    The toilet was at the front, a hole in the deck, leading down onto the figurehead. They literally relieved themselves on top of a statue. That is the origin of the term!!!

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  • [–] 1 point 1 week ago

    Generally the hole(s) where you relieved yourself were off to the side a bit as the bowsprit was directly over the figurehead, but you are correct that you were effectively sitting directly above it. The head was up there because breaking waves would wash the skidmarks off the hull.

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