Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Intellectual Property Law Blogs -> Threat Level

Intellectual Property Law

: Threat Level

A Steady Hand at the What?

By Ryan Singel, Kevin Poulsen, Sarah Lai Stirland, Kim Zetter, and David Kravets

The second presidential debate left me with one burning question: What is a "tiller?"

John McCain riffed repeatedly tonight on America's need for a "steady hand at the tiller," while touting his leadership qualifications. At first I thought he said "teller," and had to agree: a shaky hand makes it hard to use an ATM. But for those of us who are nautically challenged, Wikipedia has the truth in this admirably up-to-date entry.

A tiller or till is a lever attached to a rudder post (American terminology) or rudder stock (English terminology) of a boat in order to provide the leverage for the helmsman to turn the rudder. The tiller is normally used by the helmsman directly pulling or pushing it, but it may also be moved remotely using tiller lines.

John McCain reportedly would keep a steady hand at the tiller.

God, I love Wikipedia.

(Photo courtesy thetejon)

Full post as published by Threat Level on October 07, 2008 (boomark / email).