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 |
