Why is the bow rope on a canoe called a painter?

Question

there are a number of unproven answers for this , but i would like to know why and when it was named a painter. thanks

Answer 1

Andrew L has the correct answer.

A line made fast to the bow of a small boat. This rope has nothing to do with painting but is used to "snare" a cleat on shore or alongside another boat. The French word "pantiere" means a noose.

Answer 2

Origin uncertain, possibly from the French pendeur (to hang or suspend), pentoir - strong rope, or pendoir - line for hanging meat in a butcher's shop.

Earliest quote:-

Bowpayntours for destrelles feble j Shankpayntors for destrelles worne & feble ij

(1495 -  Naval Accounts and Inventories)

Answer 3

Many words we use in english have roots in other languages.  The term "Mayday" is another odd word in nautical use.  It sounds like a nice thing but is used under the most dire circumstances.

It actually comes from the french language "M'aider" which basically means "Help Me".

Answer 4

When you are certain the anchor has "set" on the bottom and you are over your marks, make a knot in the anchor line, open a snap shackle on a rope called the painter and put the knot through. Close the snap shackle and let the painter fall into the water.

The painter is a line running from the bollard or cleat on the bow of the boat back to the cockpit, and, for our purpose, with a large snap shackle on the end.

Feed a few more metres of anchor line out until the painter goes taught and the boat swings to, from the bow. Secure the now slack anchor rope running from the container in the cockpit (the knot and the painter are taking all the strain) to one of the jam cleats on the gunnels of the boat.