the.com/oarlock
The unsung hinge that turns flailing into rowing, one fulcrum at a time.
means A U-shaped or pivoting fitting on a boat's edge that holds the oar in place and lets it pivot.
from Plain English compound: oar plus lock, the thing that locks your oar. The fancier cousin, rowlock, fooled English ears into pronouncing it rollick.
Real jobActs as the lever's pivot, not a clamp.
Naval rootsNorse and Saxon boats used carved wood thole pins.
Racing breedSliding rigs use a swiveling gate-style version.