top-mate's

Updated: May 3, 2025

My top-mate's contrivance was this he ought to have got out a patent for it each of his mittens was provided with two thumbs, one on each side; the convenience of which needs no comment. But though for clumsy seamen, whose fingers are all thumbs, this description of mitten might do very well, White-Jacket did not so much fancy it.

Herman Melville - White Jacket: or, the World on a Man-of-War