If ye want to rule the seas ye must first learn how to speak like a Pirate!
Pirate Terms & Phrases
Aaarrrggghhh | Catch Phrase for grumbling or disgust |
Abaft | Back area of the boat |
Ahoy | Hello |
Ahoy Matey | Hello, friend |
Ahoy, Me Hearties | Hello my friends (addressed to a group) |
All Hands Hoay | Everyone get on deck |
Avast Ye | Pay attention |
Black spot | A death threat |
Batten Down the Hatches | Tie everything down (in preparation for a storm) |
Bilge-Sucking | An insulting expression of disdain |
Binnacle | A built-in housing for a ship’s compass |
Black Jack | Large drinking cups |
Blimey | Surprise or shock |
Blow Me Down | Phrase of amazement or shock |
Blow the Man Down | Captain’s command to get rid of someone |
Booty | Treasure |
Bounty | A reward for capturing a criminal, such as a pirate |
Bring a Spring Upon’er | Turn the ship to a different direction |
Broadside | The most vulnerable angle of a ship that runs the length of the boat |
Buccaneer | A pirate |
Bucko | Shortened name for a Buccaneer |
Cackle fruit | Chicken eggs |
Carouser | Reckless or loud person who drinks excessively |
Cat O’Nine Tails | A special kind of whip that has 9 strands |
Chantey | A song sung together in unison while working |
Chase | A vessel that is being pursued |
Chase Gun | The main cannon at the bow of a ship |
Clap of Thunder | Strong alcoholic drink, similar to a shot |
Cleave Him to the Brisket | An order to kill a man by cutting across his chest from shoulders to stomach |
Clipper | Fast moving boat or ship |
Coaming | A raised border around the cockpit or hatch of a ship to keep out water |
Coffer | A treasure chest |
Cog | Smaller war ship |
Corsair | Pirates from the Mediterranean |
Crow’s Nest | A small lookout platform near the mast |
Cutlass | A thick, heavey short sword |
Dance the Hempen Jig | To hang someone |
Davy Jone’s Locker | A 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 Tales | An expression meaning no survivors left behind |
Doubloons | Type of Spanish gold coins |
Duffle | A sailor’s belongings |
Dungbie | Rear end |
Fathom | Six Feet in distance |
Feed the Fish | About to die |
Fire in the Hole | Warning given to crew before a cannon is fired |
Flogging | Severe beating of a person |
Freebooter | Refers to an actual pirate |
Galley | Flat ship propelled by oars |
Gangplank | Removable ramp between the pier and ship |
Go on Account | A phrase pirates used to say they were turning into a pirate |
Grog | Rum or liquor diluted by water |
Grog Blossom | Someone with a red nose from drinking too frequently, an alcoholic |
Hands | Crew members of a ship |
Hang’em from the Yardarm | Type of punishment given to a prisoner |
Hang the Jib | To frown or pout |
Head | Toilet on a pirate ship |
Hearties | Friends |
Heave Ho | Put your weight and muscle into it |
Heave To | Stop |
Hempen Halter | Noose used to hang people |
Holystone | Sandstone that was used to scrub the ships |
Hornswaggle | To cheat |
Jack | Flag flown to show nationality |
Jack Ketch | A hangman |
Jacob’s Ladder | A rope ladder used to climb aboard a boat |
Jolly Roger | Black pirate flag with white skull and crossbones |
Keelhaul | Painful punishment whereby the pirates drag a person side-to-side under the pirate ship and they get cut up by the from the bottom of the ship |
Killick | Small, stone anchor with a wooden frame |
Lad, Lass, Lassie | A kid or young person |
Landlubber | An inexperienced or clumsy person who doesn’t have any sailing skills |
Letters of Marque | Government-issued letters allowing privateers the right to piracy of another ship during wartime |
Lookout | The pirate who keeps watch for land or oncoming ships |
Loot | Stolen money or belongings |
Man-O-War | A pirate ship that is furnished and prepared for battle |
Maroon | Leave someone stranded on a deserted island with no supplies |
Marooned | To be abandoned with no food, drink, or possessions |
Me | My |
Mizzen | The 3rd mast from the ship’s bow of bigger ships |
Monkey | Small cannon |
Monkey jacket | Short jacket worn by some of those aboard the ship |
Mutiny | When crew gang up against the Captain of the ship or other authority |
No Prey, No Pay | The ship’s crew received no wages; however they got a part of the loot or treasure |
Old Salt | Experienced pirate or sailor |
Pieces of Eight | Spanish coins in pirate treasures |
Pillage | Rob, ransack or plunder |
Piracy | Robbery performed at sea, often to another ship |
Plunder | Take booty or steal |
Poop Deck | This is a part of the ship above the Captain’s headquarters at the farthest point back |
Powder Monkey | A gunner’s assistant |
Privateer | Government-appointed pirates |
Red Ensign | British Flag |
Rum | Pirate’s favorite alcoholic beverage |
Run a Rig | Play a joke or a trick on someone |
Run a Shot Across the Bow | Warning shot given to another boat’s Captain |
Sail, Ho | A warning that another ship is in view |
Savvy? | A question asking, “Do you understand?” |
Scallywag | A joke that a superior pirate might call one of the rookie pirates |
Scourge of the 7 Seas | Worst kind of pirate |
Scurvy Dog | The pirate is calling you an insulting name |
Scuttle | Sink a ship |
Seadog | A veteran sailor or old pirate |
Sea Legs | When a sailor adjusts his balance from riding on a boat for a long time |
Shark Bait | This is what you become after you walk the plank |
Shipshape | The ship is managed and clean, everything is under control |
Shiver Me Timbers | A surprised or shocked expression |
Sink Me | Expression of surprise |
Son of a Biscuit Eater | A name or insult for someone you dislike |
Splice the Mainbrace | Pass a round of drinks out to the crew |
Spyglass | A telescope |
Squiffy | Tipsy or intoxicated, shaky footing |
Strike Colors | Lower a ship’s flag to indicate surrender |
Swab | Mop or clean the ship’s deck and floorboards |
Take a Caulk | Take a nap |
Tar | Sailor, crew member |
Thar She Blows | Whale sighting |
Three Sheets to the Wind | Very drunk, intoxicated |
Walk the Plank | Prisoner is ordered to walk off the board overlapping the ocean |
Weigh Anchor and Hoist the Mizzen | An order to the crew to pull up the anchor and get this ship sailing |
Wench | A woman or peasant girl |
Ye | You |
Yellow Jack | When a ship flies a yellow flag, it indicates the presence of an ill crew member, such as yellow fever |
Yo Ho Ho | A cheery expression to get someone’s attention |
Aaarrrggghhh | Catch Phrase for grumbling or disgust |
Abaft | Back area of the boat |
Ahoy | Hello |
Ahoy Matey | Hello, friend |
Ahoy, Me Hearties | Hello my friends (addressed to a group) |
All Hands Hoay | Everyone get on deck |
Avast Ye | Pay attention |
Black spot | A death threat |
Batten Down the Hatches | Tie everything down (in preparation for a storm) |
Bilge-Sucking | An insulting expression of disdain |
Binnacle | A built-in housing for a ship’s compass |
Black Jack | Large drinking cups |
Blimey | Surprise or shock |
Blow Me Down | Phrase of amazement or shock |
Blow the Man Down | Captain’s command to get rid of someone |
Booty | Treasure |
Bounty | A reward for capturing a criminal, such as a pirate |
Bring a Spring Upon’er | Turn the ship to a different direction |
Broadside | The most vulnerable angle of a ship that runs the length of the boat |
Buccaneer | A pirate |
Bucko | Shortened name for a Buccaneer |
Cackle fruit | Chicken eggs |
Carouser | Reckless or loud person who drinks excessively |
Cat O’Nine Tails | A special kind of whip that has 9 strands |
Chantey | A song sung together in unison while working |
Chase | A vessel that is being pursued |
Chase Gun | The main cannon at the bow of a ship |
Clap of Thunder | Strong alcoholic drink, similar to a shot |
Cleave Him to the Brisket | An order to kill a man by cutting across his chest from shoulders to stomach |
Clipper | Fast moving boat or ship |
Coaming | A raised border around the cockpit or hatch of a ship to keep out water |
Coffer | A treasure chest |
Cog | Smaller war ship |
Corsair | Pirates from the Mediterranean |
Crow’s Nest | A small lookout platform near the mast |
Cutlass | A thick, heavey short sword |
Dance the Hempen Jig | To hang someone |
Davy Jone’s Locker | A 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 Tales | An expression meaning no survivors left behind |
Doubloons | Type of Spanish gold coins |
Duffle | A sailor’s belongings |
Dungbie | Rear end |
Fathom | Six Feet in distance |
Feed the Fish | About to die |
Fire in the Hole | Warning given to crew before a cannon is fired |
Flogging | Severe beating of a person |
Freebooter | Refers to an actual pirate |
Galley | Flat ship propelled by oars |
Gangplank | Removable ramp between the pier and ship |
Go on Account | A phrase pirates used to say they were turning into a pirate |
Grog | Rum or liquor diluted by water |
Grog Blossom | Someone with a red nose from drinking too frequently, an alcoholic |
Hands | Crew members of a ship |
Hang’em from the Yardarm | Type of punishment given to a prisoner |
Hang the Jib | To frown or pout |
Head | Toilet on a pirate ship |
Hearties | Friends |
Heave Ho | Put your weight and muscle into it |
Heave To | Stop |
Hempen Halter | Noose used to hang people |
Holystone | Sandstone that was used to scrub the ships |
Hornswaggle | To cheat |
Jack | Flag flown to show nationality |
Jack Ketch | A hangman |
Jacob’s Ladder | A rope ladder used to climb aboard a boat |
Jolly Roger | Black pirate flag with white skull and crossbones |
Keelhaul | Painful punishment whereby the pirates drag a person side-to-side under the pirate ship and they get cut up by the from the bottom of the ship |
Killick | Small, stone anchor with a wooden frame |
Lad, Lass, Lassie | A kid or young person |
Landlubber | An inexperienced or clumsy person who doesn’t have any sailing skills |
Letters of Marque | Government-issued letters allowing privateers the right to piracy of another ship during wartime |
Lookout | The pirate who keeps watch for land or oncoming ships |
Loot | Stolen money or belongings |
Man-O-War | A pirate ship that is furnished and prepared for battle |
Maroon | Leave someone stranded on a deserted island with no supplies |
Marooned | To be abandoned with no food, drink, or possessions |
Me | My |
Mizzen | The 3rd mast from the ship’s bow of bigger ships |
Monkey | Small cannon |
Monkey jacket | Short jacket worn by some of those aboard the ship |
Mutiny | When crew gang up against the Captain of the ship or other authority |
No Prey, No Pay | The ship’s crew received no wages; however they got a part of the loot or treasure |
Old Salt | Experienced pirate or sailor |
Pieces of Eight | Spanish coins in pirate treasures |
Pillage | Rob, ransack or plunder |
Piracy | Robbery performed at sea, often to another ship |
Plunder | Take booty or steal |
Poop Deck | This is a part of the ship above the Captain’s headquarters at the farthest point back |
Powder Monkey | A gunner’s assistant |
Privateer | Government-appointed pirates |
Red Ensign | British Flag |
Rum | Pirate’s favorite alcoholic beverage |
Run a Rig | Play a joke or a trick on someone |
Run a Shot Across the Bow | Warning shot given to another boat’s Captain |
Sail, Ho | A warning that another ship is in view |
Savvy? | A question asking, “Do you understand?” |
Scallywag | A joke that a superior pirate might call one of the rookie pirates |
Scourge of the 7 Seas | Worst kind of pirate |
Scurvy Dog | The pirate is calling you an insulting name |
Scuttle | Sink a ship |
Seadog | A veteran sailor or old pirate |
Sea Legs | When a sailor adjusts his balance from riding on a boat for a long time |
Shark Bait | This is what you become after you walk the plank |
Shipshape | The ship is managed and clean, everything is under control |
Shiver Me Timbers | A surprised or shocked expression |
Sink Me | Expression of surprise |
Son of a Biscuit Eater | A name or insult for someone you dislike |
Splice the Mainbrace | Pass a round of drinks out to the crew |
Spyglass | A telescope |
Squiffy | Tipsy or intoxicated, shaky footing |
Strike Colors | Lower a ship’s flag to indicate surrender |
Swab | Mop or clean the ship’s deck and floorboards |
Take a Caulk | Take a nap |
Tar | Sailor, crew member |
Thar She Blows | Whale sighting |
Three Sheets to the Wind | Very drunk, intoxicated |
Walk the Plank | Prisoner is ordered to walk off the board overlapping the ocean |
Weigh Anchor and Hoist the Mizzen | An order to the crew to pull up the anchor and get this ship sailing |
Wench | A woman or peasant girl |
Ye | You |
Yellow Jack | When a ship flies a yellow flag, it indicates the presence of an ill crew member, such as yellow fever |
Yo Ho Ho | A cheery expression to get someone’s attention |
