Yardarm

The yardarm is the outer end of a yard, the section beyond the last shroud or lift where signal flags are hoisted, men lay out to furl sail, and, historically, executions by hanging were carried out. “Yardarm to yardarm” describes two square-riggers lying so close their yards almost touch, the old position for boarding in action. “The sun is over the yardarm” is a wardroom phrase for the customary time to take a first drink. Each yard has two yardarms, port and starboard, the points from which the outboard ends of the sail and its earrings are set.