telltales
Sail's streaming flags
Telltales are signs that reveal something not immediately obvious—evidence that gives away a hidden truth: The telltale signs of a break-in were everywhere.
In sailing, telltales are short ribbons or threads attached to sails or rigging that show wind direction and airflow.
The word captures anything that tells tales, betraying what might otherwise go unnoticed.
Signs that reveal status
- cluesHints toward answers
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- giveawaysItems distributed free
- hintsIndirect suggestions
signals · symptoms · markers · warnings · red flags · betrayals · revelations · disclosures
Decorative hanging ribbons
- yarnTwisted strand for crafts
- ribbonsNarrow fabric strips
- airflowMovement of atmosphere
- jibTriangular sail forward
mainsail · spinnaker · racing · woolies · cassettes · tacking · heading · upwind
Instruments for measuring
- indicatorsSigns that reveal status
- warning lightsIlluminated hazard indicators
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- monitorsTracks or displays
readouts · diagnostics · alarms · alerts · check engine
indicators
Signs that reveal status
hints · signals · symptoms · markers · warnings · red flags · betrayals · revelations · disclosures · traces
streamers
Decorative hanging ribbons
jib · mainsail · spinnaker · racing · woolies · cassettes · tacking · heading · upwind · downwind
gauges
Instruments for measuring
- indicatorsSigns that reveal status
- warning lightsIlluminated hazard indicators
- sensorsDevices that detect input
monitors · readouts · diagnostics · alarms · alerts · check engine
tattletales
People who reveal secrets
- snitchesThose who betray confidences
- gossipsShares private information
- blabbermouthsThose who divulge secrets
whistleblowers · squealers · rats · informers · spies · betrayers · leakers · tipsters · narcs · canaries
- sailing gearmainsail, sail, jib, spinnaker, genoa
- wind indicatorsanemometer, wind vane, weathervane, windsock, wind sock
- sailingsailboat, sailing, sails, sailboats, catamaran
- signsstop sign, sign, signs, road sign, exit
- riggingbackstay, backstays, shackle, pulley, blocks
- sailing riggingmast, boom, sail, shroud, shrouds
telltalessecrets
Concealed information
concealments · cover-ups · disguises · masks · red herrings
telltalesdecoys
Objects meant to mislead
false flags · disinformation · feints · misdirections · planted evidence