Glossary: A Hitchhikers Guide to Berriland


Alphabetic listing of places, words, phrases and acronyms with their definitions, carefully and skilfully crafted by Alex’s sister, Isabella. Crib for the underlying themes and jokes.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster - Invented by Zaphod Beeblebrox in HHGTTG. Unfortunately its ingredients are unavailable on this planet but its effects are described as like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick; 128; see also Dr Cooper; HHGTTG
Panasonic Toughbook CF18 - Berri’s laptop computer used for sailmail, to obtain grib files etc. Has suffered quite a bashing in knockdowns. For more detailed specs of electronics and software, see here (PDF)
Party Gear - Full wet weather gear
Pastor Flagon - Well-known Australian Consultant with a religious bent, recommended by Fenwick
Patagonian Cruise Net - A radio link between boats operating in Antarctica, in the Pacific, South Atlantic and the Chilean Channels run by - it seems - any one of several boats that may be more or less central and can talk to others.
Pelagia - Pelagia’s goat: A (non McVitie’s) digestive censor of overblown log nonsense called for occasionally by Alex. From the book Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.
Pelagics - The Pelagics: fleet of two expedition sailing vessels available for expedition charter to high latitude destinations in both Hemispheres
Pelican Clip - A metal clip which folds back on itself to tension lashings and other lines. On its own has proved unreliable in securing the liferaft.
Penta Comstat - A private radio communication service for yachts and pleasure craft, now sadly no longer available.
PHS - Performance Handicapping System – a somewhat arbitrary handicapping system for racing yachts based on the yachts’ performance in recent races. Looked on with scorn by rock star racers who wear their DuBarrys to briefings.
Plodders Motto - Planning, Practice, Prudence, Patience and Perseverance. And a Pee bucket for our far too agile bladders, but that's another story.
Point Nemo - Point Nemo is the point in the oceans that is farthest from land. Situated at 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W, in the South Pacific. Berrimilla passed to the north of it.
Pooptillionth - A very little bit; see also Minipooptillionth, which is even smaller.
Portuguese Man o’ War - Physalia physali - also known as the Bluebottle. Not strictly speaking a jellyfish but a colony of mutually dependent individuals (polyps) supported by a float which is in itself a single individual; can give intensely painful and sometimes dangerous sting.
Propagation - In the logs, this refers to the radiation of signal energy and is customarily qualified by the words abysmal, ratshit or lousy
Pulpit - The railing at the bow of a boat, which sometimes extends past the deck.
Pushpit - The railing around the deck at the stern of a yacht.