Page "Clipper" Paragraph 6

The term " clipper " most likely derives from the verb " clip ", which in former times meant, among other things, to run or fly swiftly.

Dryden, the English poet, used the word " clip " to describe the swift flight of a falcon in the 17th century when he said " And, with her eagerness the quarry missed, Straight flies at check, and clips it down the wind.

" The ships appeared to clip along the ocean water.

The term " clip " became synonymous with " speed " and was also applied to fast horses and sailing ships.

" To clip it ," and " going at a good clip ," are familiar expressions to this day.