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Pirate Lingo
Sep 09 2014

Pirate Lingo

Brush up on your “Pirate Talk” with these helpful pirate phrases. Before you come aboard the Sea Dragon, it might be fun to learn some pirate vocabulary words that will make it even more fun to enjoy your time spent with Pirate Voyages in Ocean City, NJ. FEEL FREE TO USE OUR LIST, but please REFERENCE OUR SITE if you do. Otherwise, “ye’ll walk the plank!” Aaaarrrrggghh!
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!Pirate catch phrase of grumbling or disgust
Ahoy!Hello!
Ahoy, MateyHello, my friend!
Ahoy, Me Hearties!Hello, my friends, crew members, etc.; addressed to group
All Hand Hoy!Everyone get on deck!
Avast YePay attention and check this out!
AyeYes
Aye, AyeA crew member says this to the Captain, meaning “I will get that done right away!”
Batten Down The HatchesTie everything down and put stuff away for a coming storm.
Bilge-SuckingAn insulting expression of disdain
Blimey!Surprise, shock
Blow me down!Phrase of amazement or shock
Blow The Man DownThe Captain’s command to get rid of a person
BootyA treasure
BountyA reward for capturing a known criminal, such as a pirate
Bring a Spring Upon ‘erTurn the ship in a different direction
BroadsideThe most vulnerable angle of a ship that runs the length of the boat
BuccaneerA pirate
BuckoFriend, a pirate, same as a buccaneer
Carouser Reckless or loud person who drinks excessively
Cat O'Nine TailsA special kind of whip that has 9 strands
ChanteySong sung together by sailors or pirates in unison, while they work
ChaseA vessel that is being pursued
Chase GunThe main cannon at the bow of a ship
Clap of ThunderStrong, alcoholic drink, like a shot
Cleave Him to the BrisketAn order to kill a man by cutting across his chest from the shoulders to stomach.
ClipperFast-moving boat or ship
CofferThe treasure chest
CogSmaller war ship
CorsairPirates from the Mediterranean
Crack Jenny’s TeacupTerm for spending the night with a prostitute
Crow's NestA small lookout platform near the mast to see long distances
CutlassA thick, heavy and rather short sword blade for pirates
Davy Jones' LockerA mystical fable about an evil spirit from the bottom of the ocean that draws pirates or sailors down to their death
Dead Men Tell No TalesAn expression meaning no survivors left behind
DoubloonsTypes of Spanish gold coins piratesfind
FathomSix feet
Feed the FishAbout to die
Fire in the HoleWarning given to crew before a cannon is fired
FloggingSevere beating of a person
GalleyFlat ship propelled manually by oars
GangplankRemovable ramp between the pier and ship
Go on AccountA phrase pirates used to say they were turning into a pirate
GrogRum or liquor diluted by water
Grog BlossomSomeone with a red nose from drinking too frequently, alcoholic
HandsCrew members or sailors of a ship
Hang ‘Emfrom the YardarmType of punishment served to a prisoner
Hang the JibFrown or pout
HeadPotty or toilet on a pirate ship
HeartiesFriends, fellow comrades or sailors
Heave HoPut your weight and muscle into it
Heave ToStop!!
Hempen HalterA rope hanging noose
HornswaggleCheat or defraud someone out of assets or money
JackFlag flown at the front of ship to show nationality
Jack KetchThe hangman. “Dance with Jack Ketch” means to hang
Jacob's LadderA rope ladder used to climb aboard a boat
Jolly RogerBlack pirate flag with white skull and crossbones
KeelhaulPainful punishment whereby the pirates drag a person side-to-side under the pirate ship and they get cut up by the planks and barnacles from the bottom of the ship
KillickSmall, stone anchor with a wooden frame
Lad, lass, lassieA kid or young person
LandlubberAn inexperienced or clumsy person who doesn't have any sailing skills
Letters of MarqueGovernment-issued letters allowing privateers the right to piracy of another ship during wartime
LookoutThe pirate who keeps watch for land or oncoming ships
LootStolen money or belongings
Man-O-WarA pirate ship that is decked out and prepared for battle
MaroonLeave someone stranded on a deserted island with no supplies, which was a common punishment for any crew members who disrespected or dishonored the Captain
MaroonedTo be abandoned with no food, drink, or possessions
MeMy
MizzenThe 3rd mast from the ship’s bow of bigger ships
MutinyWhen crew gang up against the Captain of the ship or other authority
No Prey, No PayThe ship’s crew received no wages; however they got a part of the loot or treasure
Old SaltExperienced pirate or sailor
Pieces of eightSpanish coins in pirate treasures
PillageRob, ransack or plunder
PiracyRobbery performed at sea, often to another ship
PlunderTake booty or burglarize
Poop deck(Not the toilet!) This is a part of the ship above the Captain’s headquarters at the farthest point back
PrivateerGovernment-appointed pirates
Red EnsignBritish Flag
>RumPirate's favorite alcoholic beverage
Run a RigPlay a joke or a trick on someone
Run a Shot Across the BowWarning shot given to another boat's Captain
Sail, Ho!A warning that another ship is in view
Savvy?A question asking, “Do you get it?” or “Do you understand?”
ScallywagA kidding type of word that a superior pirate might call one of the rookie pirates
Scourge of the 7 SeasPirate known as the worst kind
Scurvy DogThe pirate is calling you an insulting name
ScuttleSink a ship
SeadogA veteran sailor or old pirate
Sea LegsWhen a sailor adjusts his balance from riding on a boat for a long time
Shark BaitThis is what you become after you walk the plank
ShipshapeThe ship is managed and clean, everything is under control
Shiver Me Timbers!Something like, "Holy Cow!" a surprised or shocked expression
Sink Me!Another expression of surprise
Son of a Biscuit EaterA name or insult for someone you dislike
Splice the Mainbrace!Pass a round of drinks out to the crew
SpyglassTelescope
SquiffyTipsy or intoxicated, shaky footing
Strike ColorsLower a ship’s flag to indicate surrender
SwabMop or clean the ship’s deck and floorboards
Take a CaulkTake a nap
TarSailor, crew member
Thar She Blows!Whale sighting
Three Sheets to the WindVery drunk, intoxicated
Walk the PlankPrisoner is ordered to walk off the board overlapping the ocean, which results in drowning and presumably a meet-up with Davy Jones Locker.
Weigh Anchor and Hoist the Mizzen!An order to the crew to pull up the anchor and get this ship sailing!
WenchA woman or peasant girl
YeYou
Yellow JackWhen a ship flies a yellow flag, it indicates the presence of an ill crew member, such as yellow fever. But this was also a trick that smart pirates used to avoid becoming the target of another ship.
Yo Ho Ho!A cheery expression to get someone’s attention

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