slop chest

noun

1. a supply of clothing, boots, tobacco, and other personal goods for sale to the crew of a ship during a voyage.
2. (formerly) a chest containing this supply.

slop chest

noun

1. a stock of merchandise, such as clothing, tobacco, etc, maintained aboard merchant ships for sale to the crew Compare small stores

Word History and Origins

Origin of slop chest¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Johnson, it seems, bought a suit of oilskins from the slop-chest and found them to be of greatly inferior quality.

From Project Gutenberg

We still keep our old quarters, and she has bedded the new-comers in the big after-room with blankets issued from the slop-chest.

From Project Gutenberg

She has issued underclothes all around from the slop-chest, and is ordering them to take a bath in the rain-water just caught.

From Project Gutenberg

One thing she did appreciate though, and that was the Windwards slop-chest tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg

As for you, you've sweated and slaved so much that your clothes hang on like you a slop-chest shirt on a stanchion just now.

From Project Gutenberg