bell book

noun

, Nautical.

1. a book in which all orders affecting the main engines of a ship are recorded.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bell book¹

So called from the special use of bells on a ship

Example Sentences

The Entourage movie hits theaters tomorrow, but maybe if people see the misogyny and racism revealed in this “honest trailer,” they’ll boycott it and stay home to read bell books instead.

From Time

It was not till after they had learned with bell book and candle to curse the white man, and teach sedition and murder to the slaves.

From Project Gutenberg