The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Ian White wrote:
TheScullster wrote:

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote

The Medway Handyman wrote:
Three poles in a triangle, one longer that the other two, used with a
block & tackle attached to the longer one?

Its on the tip of my tongue!

sheerlegs?

Apparently spelt shear legs.
Not quite sure why, when the legs are in compression!
See http://www.hss.com/g/69310/500kg-Shearlegs.html for details.
The word originally comes from "sheer" = steep.
"Shearlegs" is simply a spelling error. Since it's a common one,
the dictionaries feel obliged to record it (as they also record
"sheering" sheep) but being in a dictionary don't make it right.

OTOH I think on googling a bit a sheerlegs is actually two poles used
as a crane with a rope holding the jib steady. the Gyn is in fact the
three legged sort..


You're right, it says so in Wikipedia (but we can soon change that :-)




--
Ian White