Vete al Carajo
It literally means “Go to hell!” or “Get lost!”
but it began in the 1500s
Spanish Navy.
👉 El carajo was slang for the crow’s nest…
The lookout basket high up on a ship’s mast.
Being sent there wasn’t glamorous. It was:
😰 Wet
🥶 Cold
😵💫 Windy
🤬 Isolated
🤢 Dizzying
🥴 Cramped
Sometimes it was your duty. More often… a punishment.
Over time, “vete al carajo” escaped the rigging and became a general curse.
In Spain it’s their way of telling you to clear off… Just like you might hear “go fly a kite.”
The Maritime Origins Series
Maritime Origins is a storytelling series created by Jason Nangle, Founder of Angle Recruitment, a global maritime recruitment and executive search firm.
The series explores the fascinating history behind everyday phrases that originated at sea, as well as the remarkable stories, traditions and characters that have shaped maritime culture.
Many sayings still used today were first spoken by sailors navigating the challenges of life on board ships. Alongside these phrase origins, the series also highlights lesser-known maritime stories, legends and historical moments from the world of shipping.
Through short stories and visual posts, Maritime Origins connects the language, heritage and traditions of seafarers with the modern maritime industry.
New posts in the series launch every Tuesday on LinkedIn and are then shared across other platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Follow
Jason Nangle on LinkedIn and Angle Recruitment across your preferred social platforms.
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For centuries, seafarers prayed to Saint Nicholas. Few realise he was the patron saint of sailors. 😇
