Just what things are specifically flotsam and jetsam?
2007-07-29 10:36:46 · 2 answers · asked by cap3382 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
They are both items that are found floating in the water, having fallen from or having been thrown from a boat, ship, or other vessel. They could also be remnants from an airplane crash in a body of water.
Flotsam is potentially more valuable, since it's ended up in the water by accident, such as shipwreck.
Jetsam is intentionally thrown into the water (jettisoned), such as in an emergency in order to lighten the load of a ship, and is more likely to be something of lesser value.
2007-07-29 10:42:04 · answer #1 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since jetsam is stuff that has been jettisoned or thrown off of a boat or ship, I would say it would be less valubable than flotsam which is debris left over from a shipwreck. I don't think people would be throwing off valuable stuff, do you? Unless they had a lot of gold which is very heavy, and was a threat to their lives, but then it would sink, wouldn't it?
2007-07-29 18:24:23 · answer #2 · answered by ♂ ♫ Timberwolf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋