One of the most perplexing terms we have heard what to call the room that we sit in to eat, to read a book, or to write a blog. The area right adjacent to the galley. It has two large benches. One being a “L” shape that the quarter round table rests in front of. The other bench is along the wall.

We have heard that area a “Salon” and a “Saloon”. We were wondering…are these the same area or in different areas of the boat. Similar to aft and stern. The stern is in the most aft part of the boat. Both are in the ‘rear’ or back of the boat.

Is there something we are missing? A saloon implies drinks, a game of cards, baudy dress, and music. Yee Haw!! More drinks, here!! I call. What’s in your hand?!

I went to my favorite search engine and ‘googled’ it.   Here’s the story I found:

http://www.yacht-photography.net/2012/01/10/the-yacht-saloon-or-is-it-salon/

“During the settling of the “wild west” many people brought terms with them that had sailed to the west coast from the east. It is believed that this was where the term saloon came from for the inn’s that sold liqueur.

Nathaniel Herreshoff, the father of the modern day catamaran and yacht designer from the late 1800′s always referred to the living area as the saloon. Pick up any of his books on yacht design and you will see the references to the “saloon”. In fact pick up any book on yacht design and you will see the reference as saloon, not salon.

From McGraw-Hill Boating Encyclopidia.

Many boaters seem to find the word cabin rather lacking the elegance and significance they associate with their boats. Therefore, they refer to their cabin as a salon, a fancy French term for reception hall or a room filled with perfumed finery. Hairdressers, beauticians, and couturiers have salons; sailors have a saloon. The Encyclopedia of Nautical Knowledge defines a saloon this way: “In a cargo and smaller passenger vessels, the main cabin, or that serving as a dining-room, assembly room, etc.” The Oxford Concise Dictionary describes a saloon as a “public room for first-class or for all passengers on ship.” Nevertheless, whereas most sailors use the word saloon, most powerboaters seem to prefer salon.”

Maybe we need to change our word for the area. In the South, don’t ya’ll call it the Breakfast room? Hahaha   I can see that catching on!