The Pirate Expression Glossary

[xwingyoda]

Ahoy again there maties ! Knowing nautical and pirate terms is not enough to make ye scurvey dogs and scallywags talk like a stereotyped pirate, so here is an expression glossary.

Ahoy : An interjection used to hail a ship or a person or to attract attention.

Arr!: An exclamation.

Avast: A command meaning stop or desist.

Aye (or ay) : An affirmation.

Bilge rat: A pirate insult.

Blimey!: An exclamation of surprise.

Bucko: A familiar term meaning friend.

Dead men tell no tales: Standard pirate excuse for leaving no survivors.

Hearties: A term of familiar address and fellowship among sailors.

Heave to: An interjection meaning to come to a halt.

Ho: Used to express surprise or joy, to attract attention to something sighted, or to urge onward as in Land ho! or Westward ho!

Matey: A piratical way to address someone in a cheerful, if not necessarily friendly, fashion.

Me: My.

Rope’s end: Another term for flogging. ie: "Ye'll meet the rope's end for that, me bucko!"

Sail ho!: An exclamation meaning another ship is in view.

Scallywag: A villainous / mischievous person.

Scurvy : Mean and contemptible; a derogatory adjective suitable for use in a loud voice, as in "Ye scurvy dogs!"

Shiver me timbers! : An expression of surprise or strong emotion.

Sink me! : An expression of surprise.

Smartly : Quickly. "Smartly there, men!" = "Hurry up!"

Splice the main brace : To have a drink or perhaps several drinks.

Swab : A disrespectful term for a seaman. ie: "Man that gun, ye cowardly swabs!".

Ye: You.

Yo-ho-ho: An exclamation associated with pirates.


Enjoy this glossary and like always please feel free to contribute to it.

Pirate Yoda

[snefroe]

Yo-ho-ho: An exclamation associated with pirates.

Pirate Yoda

i think you're confused, my french master, that is Santa Claus

and eh... do you really think typical French pirates spoke English too?

maybe we should also add some information on pirate expressions, traditions,... like why did they always wear an earring, stuff like that...

[xwingyoda]

Yo-ho-ho: An exclamation associated with pirates.

Pirate Yoda

i think you're confused, my french master, that is Santa Claus

and eh... do you really think typical French pirates spoke English too?

maybe we should also add some information on pirate expressions, traditions,... like why did they always wear an earring, stuff like that...

Sacrebleu !! Hey its an english speaking board

Hum maybe Santa was the first known pirate after all: pillaging some northern elves for goods and "giving" those goods to the most offering bidders

Yeay I agree a bit of pirate folklore can be added here as well - explaining the stereotypes More on that later So many things to do, so little time...

Yoda