Associations to the word «Oakum»

Wiktionary

OAKUM, noun. A material, consisting of tarred fibres, used to caulk or pack joints in plumbing, masonry, and wooden shipbuilding.
OAKUM, noun. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in hackling.

Dictionary definition

OAKUM, noun. Loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships.

Wise words

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.
Mark Twain