In article id,
Dr J R Stockton wrote:

In sci.astro.amateur message , Tue, 23 Oct
2012 18:21:50, Howard Lester posted:

"Dr J R Stockton" wrote

See also in http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/USN/Navy/cu31924030898583.pdf
(10MB). For an 1864 USN document, however, it seems well behind RN
practice of half a century or more earlier; thrumming should greatly
improve the efficacy of fothering.

In fact, I should have written "thrum it" instead of "fother it"; but
"thrum" has, it seems, a possibly better-known alternative meaning.

OHHHHHH, of COURSE! Why didn't you say so in the first place!?

What the hell is "thrumming??" ;-) Is that adapted from "The Little
Thrummer Boy?"


Wikipedia has not yet reached your area? But you want "thrum", mot
"thrumming", there. Webster knows it, too - read all the way down.

And we all know that "mot" is short for "bon mot" which is of course a
witty remark. But I'm not sure I understand the context you are using it
here. Please elucidate.