Why do people say heave ho?

Answer 1

"Heave Ho" is an old nautical term still used by sailors when doing a job in unison. An example would be hoisting heavy barrels of supplies aboard ship by using block and tackle (pulleys and ropes). The sailors would pull, but needed to all pull at the same time. Thus, the bosun's mate would cry out "heave" and the crew would get ready, then "HO" as the signal for everybody to pull together. Why "HEAVE"? Because they would be "heaving" or pulling on the line. Why "HO"? Because it's the simplest sound to make that is clear, loud, forceful, and short. {Try it yourself... Say out loud: "Heave....GO!" or "Heave...LO!" or "Heave....NOW!" or "Heave... right-this-moment!" Understand? }