Brewer's: Cut neither Nails nor Hair at Sea

Petronius says, “Non licere cuiquam mortalium in nave neque ungues neque capillos deponere, nisi cum pelago ventus irascitur.” The cuttings of the nails and hair were votive offerings to Proserpine, and it would excite the jealousy of Neptune to make offerings to another in his own special kingdom.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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