Sep 15, 2022
“Well,” said Bob Cross, “what’s the ticket, youngster, — are you to go abroad with me?”
“No,” said I; “I am to stay on shore with that old chap, who does nothing but bob his head up and down. Who is he?”
“That’s our nipcheese.”
“Nipcheese!”
“Yes; nipcheese means purser of the ship — you’ll find all that out by-and-by; you’ve got lots to larn, and, by way of a hint, make him your friend if you can, for he earwigs the captain in fine style.”
— Frederick Marryat, Percival Keene
Royal Navy purser Samuel Crowley, c. 1807-08. NMM Collection.