To Batten Down the Hatches (Origin)

What Is the Origin of the Saying "To Batten Down the Hatches"?

To batten down the hatches means to prepare for pending trouble.�

To batten down the hatches is a nautical term from the early 19th century. When a ship was about to enter rough seas, the captain would order the crew to batten down the hatches. The crew would close all the hatches (doors) on the ship�s decks and use lengths of batten (rods) to secure the hatches in the closed position.

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