Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—J

Jib

A triangular sail borne in front of the foremast. It has the bowsprit for a base in small vessels, and the jib-boom in larger ones, and exerts an important effect, when the wind is abeam, in throwing the ship's head to leeward.

Jib.
The under-lip. A sailor's expression; the under-lip indicating the temper, as the jib indicates the character of a ship.

The cut of his jib.
A sailor's phrase, meaning the expression of a person's face. Sailors recognise vessels at sea by the cut of the jibs.

To hang the jib. The jib means the lower lip. To hang the lower lip is to look ill-tempered, or annoyed.

Jib

(To). To start aside; a “jibbing horse” is one that is easily startled. It is a sea term, to jib being to shift the boomsail from one side of the mast to the other.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Jib-boom
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