Nautiterm: (Nautical Terms Explained) – “Taken aback”

Nautiterm: (Nautical Terms Explained) – “Taken aback” – Taken aback was/is a dangerous situation to be in. This is where the wind presses on the wrong side of the sails forcing the sails backwards against the mast and pushing the ship astern. Most often this was caused by an inattentive helmsman who had allowed the ship to head up into the wind.