h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The explanation given for the term "bitter-end" is completely wrong.
The "bitter-end" is the inboard end of a ships anchor cable which would be secured to the "bitts",strong posts near the fore-mast,which are part of the ships structure,and are designed to take the stress of a ship at anchor,or for securing running rigging.I suggest the researcher consults books such as "Sailor's Word Book" by Admiral W H Smyth,and "A Sea Of Words" by Dean King

To that I would like to add a note in regards to the "head". In order to keep them from banging against the hull, a ships bow anchors were kept secure by a large horizontal bean that extended several feet from the planking. These beams were know as the catheads and made a convenient perch.