Matey: What pirates call each other/fellow shipmates. As in, "The lion once was lily-livered but now has found his cuh-raygh." Land lubber: A person who does not have much experience at sea or who cannot sail. Can be used to declare mayhem, especially when grade schoolers are set free to recess. Kraken: a legendary sea monster, some what like a large ocotopus or squid, that lives in the waters off the coast of Norway. As in, "Drink all the grog again and we'll keelhaul ya." Keelhaul: to punish by dragging under the ship and up the other side. Jolly Roger: The infamous skull and crossbones flag, which was flown to warn “here there be pirates.” Now you know some of the most common pirate phrases.Jetsam: Cargo or goods cast overboard on purpose, to lighten the ship’s load. Sink me! An expression of surprise that pirates used to exaggerate or emphasize an opinion. Show a leg! A funny phrase used when you wanted to wake a sleeping pirate. Derived from incidences of stormy weather and rough seas when the support timbers of a ship would shake or “shiver” which startled the crew. Shiver me timbers! A well known pirate expression of surprise or strong emotion. After reaching land, a pirate or sailor would often have trouble regaining his “land legs” and would swagger on land. Early in a voyage a pirate was said to be lacking his “sea legs” if he had balance troubles. Sea legs – The ability to find one’s balance amongst the constant rocking and motion of a ship, especially difficult in rough seas. Scupper that! – An expression of anger that meant “Throw that overboard!” Sail ho! – An exclamation that meant another ship is in view as the sail is the first part of a ship visible over the horizon. Piracy – Robbery committed at sea was simply known as piracy. Parley (sometimes incorrectly “parlay”) – A discussion between two opposing sides having a dispute, and when they attempted a truce they were said to parley, taken from the french word parler which means “to speak.” No prey, no pay – this was a common pirate law that meant no wages would be earned, but that loot would be shared equally between pirate crew members Marooned – To be stranded, particularly when on a desert isle. Ho – A well known pirate word, this was Used to express surprise or joy, or to attract attention in particular that was just noticed, or to urge onward. Heave down – Another common sailing term used by sailors and pirates alike, this meant to turn a vessel on its side for cleaning. Haul wind – This simply meant to direct a ship into the wind. Pirates raised a red flag to threaten and advise that no quarter will be given. Give no quarter – Give no quarter meant to refuse to spare the lives of opponents. Yikes!Ĭrack Jenny’s teacup – A naughtier turn, Crack Jenny’s teacup was used if one was known to have spent night in a house of ill repute, also known as a brothel.Ĭrimp – Crimp meant to obtain pirates by trickery or coercion.ĭance the hempen jig – Another treacherous term, dance the hempen jig meant to be hanged.ĭavy Jone’s Locker – This term arose on the belief that Davy Jones was to blame for the sinking of any ship that went down, and was a fictional place at the bottom of the ocean that meant death was certain.ĭead men tell no tales – Another standard pirate motto which meant leave no survivors behind.ĭeadlights – Strong shutters were fastened over a ship’s porthole or cabin window in bad weather.įire in the hole – A common warning for sailors and pirates alike, this warning was issued before a cannon is fired. Avast! – Avast was a command that meant to stop or desist, and is derived from the Italian word “basta” which means stop.Īye (or ay) – Aye was the standard way to say Yes for pirates.īecalmed – Becalmed was the circumstance that occured when a sailing vessel could not move due to a lack of wind.īelay – Belay mean to secure a rop by winding on a pin or cleat, most often used as a urgent commandīilged on her anchor – This unfortunate stated happened when a ship was pierced inadvertently by its own anchor.īlimey! – A common exclamation of surprise, blimey is the shortened version of “God blind me!”, which is still very common in England today.īlow the man down – Beware if you hear this term as it means to kill someone. Ever wondered what words or phrases pirates used? Here are some of the most common Pirate phrases or slang words used during the height of piracy.Īhoy – This term was used as an exclamation to hail a ship or a person, or to attract attention.
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