answersLogoWhite

0

Whatever floats your boat means whatever works successfully for you, or whatever makes you happy.

Usually the speaker uses this idiomatic expression when he isn't really interested in your comment, opinion, selection, viewpoint etc.

Since it is referring to what interests you, the symbolism can resemble what happens when a male is aroused commonly by a female. His penis (the boat) will begin to rise, just like how a boat stays up if it's floating. When the male is not aroused or in this case looses his arousal, his penis will go down (the boat sinks).

Though this term is not restricted to sexual themes/subjects, and can often be used in nonsexual context's.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?