Flotsam and Jetsam

[ARSENAL]

Why is Flotsam and Jetsam so called? What is the difference between 'flotsam' and 'jetsam'?

[Smiffy]

I think flotsam is stuff which is left floating (from the beach or after a boat sinks) and jetsam is stuff which is deliberately jettisoned (to make a ship lighter if they are in trouble, for instance)

[Moog]

Flotsam: Wreckage or cargo that remains afloat after a ship has sunk. Floating refuse or debris.

Jetsam: the part of a ship's equipment or cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm

[ARSENAL]

Thank you. Me and my mate were discussing it earlier. (wot a great site).

[Quizmonster]

The answers above are perfectly OK, but for a little more on the words' history and origin, click here. That will link you to a web-page which explains further.