Poop cabin

Poop Cabin © Cambridge University Library

An annotated sketch of Darwin’s cabin aboard HMS Beagle © Cambridge University Library

A poop cabin is not what you may think! The word poop comes from the Latin word ‘puppis’ meaning stern (back of the ship) Shipbuilders often built a cabin at the rear of the ship called a poop cabin which would be raised a few feet above the main deck with a flat roof. This was called the poop deck. The Captain and high-ranking officers would use this platform as an observation post.

Glossary of Galapagos