<P> This phrase is widely used , both afloat and ashore , to indicate that the time of day has been reached at which it is acceptable , variously , to have lunch or ( more commonly ) to have an alcoholic beverage . In modern parlance , the latter usage typically refers to early evening , but the phrase is thought originally to have referred to late morning and to the sun 's ascent past a particular yard . </P>
what is meant by the sun is over the yardarm
the time of day has been reached at which it is acceptable , variously , to have lunch or ( more commonly ) to have an alcoholic beverage