here's the definitive, case closed, definition and history of the word Scuttle:
SCUTTLE, a term formerly applied to a broad flat dish or platter; it represents the 0ld English "scutel", later cognate with the German "scussel", a dish, derived from the Latin "scutella", a square tray, diminutive of "scutra", a platter, probably allied to the Greek "scutum", a large oblong shield, as distinguished from the "clypeus", a small round shield. The name survives in the coal-scuttle, styled purdonium in English auctioneers catalogues, which now assumes various forms. Scuttle in this sense must be distinguished from the word meaning small openings in the deck or side of a ship, either forming a hatchway or cut through the covering of the hatchway; from which to scuttle a ship means to cut a hole in the bottom so that she sinks. The word is an adaptation of 0ld Spanish "escotilla", also used as a diminutive of "escote", a sloping cut in a garment of clothing about the neck. The Spanish word is cognate with foss, lap, bosom, properly the flap or projecting edge of a garment about the neck, 0ld English sceat, whence sheet. The colloquial scuttle, in the sense of hurrying away, is another form of scuddle, frequentative of scud, to run, which, like its variant scoot, is another form of shoot.
...the Spanish used the word "escotilla" referring to the decoy ventilation openings on the sides of decoyed Spanish ships, which were used to fire cannonballs to unsuspecting French ships when they got too close to the Spanish Armada and the Spanish decoy ship was sent to "greet" them with fireworks emanating from their innocent-looking "escotillas". At the time when the English Queen marries the Spanish King, (or was it an English King marrying a Spanish princess? or both?), the word 'escotilla" becomes "scuttle" in the English language, after the English learn the decoy trick, centuries later the British Automotive Industry starts to apply it to cars, and here we are 50 years later trying to decide what it means. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Hi Guest!
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
