The Pirate Lexicon: Salty Slang

 

1. Ahoy

• • Definition: A greeting, or a way to get someone's attention. Originated from the Middle English "hoy!"
  • Historical Anecdote: Traditionally, this term was used by sailors to hail a ship or a person, or to attract attention.
  • Usage & Anecdote: Sailors aboard a ship would shout, "Ahoy!" as they approached another vessel. "Ahoy, matey! Why, back in Tortuga, I once hollered 'Ahoy!' so loudly, I swear I woke up the Kraken!"
  • Modern Usage: When answering a phone or video call: "Ahoy, Tom! Ready for our Zoom meeting about quarterly sales?"

2. Arrr! 

• • Definition: More than just a noise, it's an exclamation often expressing hearty agreement or deep emotion. The pirate's Swiss-army knife of expressions.
  • Historical Anecdote: While it’s debatable whether pirates actually used this term frequently, it has become an iconic representation of pirate speak thanks to pop culture.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Arrr! That reminds me of the time we outwitted the British fleet. They were expecting 'Yes, sir,' but all they got was a big, bold 'Arrr!'"
  • Modern Usage: Expressing satisfaction after a hearty meal: "Arrr! That vegan burger was surprisingly delightful!"

3. Avast

• • Definition: A command meaning 'stop' or 'halt'. Rooted in the Dutch term for "hold fast."
  • Historical Anecdote: Originally derived from the Dutch word “hou' vast,” meaning “hold fast,” it's a term that has been used at sea for centuries.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Avast, ye scurvy dog! Reminds me of when ol' Captain Flint would holler 'Avast!' just as we were about to plunder the wrong ship. Good times, good times."
  • Modern Usage: When your friend is about to accidentally close an unsaved document: "Avast! Did you remember to hit save?"

4. Belay

• • Definition: To cease or stop, especially when speaking of a rope. Old naval term meaning to secure a rope to something.
  • Historical Anecdote: Essential for sailors, the term was crucial for ensuring ship equipment was properly secured.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Belay that noise! Just like the time I had to yell it out during a storm, as Seamus was about to lose our anchor overboard."
  • Modern Usage: If someone is about to spill the beans on the latest series you've yet to binge: "Belay that spoiler, mate! I've not seen it yet!"

5. Bilge rat

• • Definition: Quite the insult! Refers to rats that scuttle around in the bilge of a ship, the lowest part.
  • Historical Anecdote: The bilge is the lowest compartment on a ship, and it’s not exactly the cleanest place. Rats that lived there were considered the lowest of the low.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "That bilge rat, Roderick, tried to steal me treasure. Last I heard, he was marooned on an isle filled with naught but seagulls and his own guilty conscience."
  • Modern Usage: Reading a surprising news headline: "Blimey, they really are making another sequel to that movie?"

6. Black spot

• • Definition: A grim symbol indeed. A mark of doom or a death sentence among pirates, made famous in Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island'.
  • Historical Anecdote: Made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island", it was a way of saying your pirate peers no longer favored you.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Poor ol' Barnaby got handed the black spot for stealing from the crew's stash. Let that be a lesson to all aboard!"
  • Modern Usage: When a friend gets the unfortunate job of informing the group chat that the weekend's plans are canceled: "Ah, bearing the black spot, are we?"

7. Blimey

• • Definition: An expression of surprise or frustration, derived from "Blind me!"
  • Historical Anecdote: Shortened from the exclamation, "God blind me!" it's a term that predates its pirate associations and was used widely across England.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Blimey! Just like when we spotted the ghost ship off the Bermuda coast. Never seen a crew drop their rum so fast."
  • Modern Usage: Reading a surprising news headline: "Blimey, they really are making another sequel to that movie?"

8. Booty

• • Definition: Not just a rear end, but treasure or loot, the goal of every self-respecting pirate!
  • Historical Anecdote: This term wasn’t exclusive to pirates. Many sailors referred to any kind of prize or wealth as booty.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "The grandest booty I ever laid eyes on was in the heart of the Spanish fortress. Took cunning, guile, and a bit of rum to get it out."
  • Modern Usage: Referring to your recent shopping haul: "Check out the booty I got from the online sale!"

9. Buccaneer

• • Definition: A special breed of pirate, particularly those who terrorized the Caribbean in the 17th-18th century.
  • Historical Anecdote: Derived from the Arawakan word for a wooden frame used to smoke meat, which was a primary occupation of early buccaneers.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Buccaneers? Aye, they were the true legends of the sea. My great-grandpappy was one, had a pet iguana and all!"
  • Modern Usage: Commenting on a friend's flamboyant beach attire: "Look at you, looking all buccaneer with that sun hat and those oversized shades!"

10. Cutlass

• • Definition: The pirate weapon of choice, a short and sharp sword with a slight curve.
  • Historical Anecdote: The weapon of choice for many pirates because of its versatility in close combat situations onboard ships.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "My trusty cutlass saved me from a horde of angry islanders once. It's not just a weapon; it's a loyal friend."
  • Modern Usage: Referring to a sharp kitchen knife during a BBQ: "Hand me the cutlass, mate, this steak isn't going to carve itself!

11. Drivelswigger 

• • Definition: A lesser-known term, often used to describe a sailor who's had a touch too much rum and can't stop babbling nonsense.
  • Historical Anecdote: Legend has it that drivelswiggers were often left behind during treasure hunts, given their propensity to give away key secrets after a few drinks.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Remember when Charlie became a drivelswigger and spilled the beans about our hidden cove? That was after just two cups of grog!" Modern Usage: Referring to someone talking nonsense after one too many at a party: "Don't mind Gary, he's just being a drivelswigger tonight."

12. Freebooter

• • Definition: Another word for pirate or privateer. These individuals sailed in search of booty without allegiance to any particular nation.
  • Historical Anecdote: The term comes from the Dutch word 'vrijbuiter', which translates to "free booty", quite literally suggesting pirates who loot freely. 
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Captain Morgan wasn't just any ol' pirate, he was a legendary freebooter, with tales of his exploits reaching even the farthest shores." Modern Usage: Commenting on someone taking office supplies: "Look at you, the office freebooter, hoarding all the pens!"

13. Grog

• • Definition: A drink made from water and rum, consumed widely by sailors and pirates. 
    Historical Anecdote: Introduced by the British Navy to reduce the amount of pure rum given to sailors, it was diluted with water, sometimes with a hint of lime or sugar.
    Usage & Anecdote: "A ship without grog is like a night without stars! I remember mixing our first batch using rainwater after a storm. Best grog we ever had!" Modern Usage: At a summer BBQ: "This punch reminds me of grog, just needs a touch more rum!"

14. Hornswoggle

• • Definition: To cheat or deceive. A colorful term often used when a pirate feels he's been had.
    Historical Anecdote: No one knows its true origin, but many a pirate has shouted it in fury upon realizing he's been tricked out of his share. 
    Usage & Anecdote: "I was hornswoggled by that merchant in Port Royal. Sold me a map to 'buried treasure' which led straight to a goat farm!" Modern Usage: After getting a disappointing deal: "Feels like I've been hornswoggled with this 2-for-1 deal. It's the same size as the regular pack!"

15. Jolly Roger

• • Definition: The iconic black pirate flag featuring a skull and crossbones. Historical Anecdote: While many pirates had their unique flags, the Jolly Roger became the most feared and recognized symbol of pirate terror. Usage & Anecdote: "Hoisting the Jolly Roger was more than just raising a flag. It was declaring war on any ship that dared cross our path." 
    Modern Usage: Describing a cool T-shirt design: "Love the Jolly Roger on your tee, mate. Makes you look like a proper rocker!"

16. Landlubber

• • Definition: A person unfamiliar with the sea or seafaring, especially one who does not know how to sail.
    Historical Anecdote: Pirates used "landlubber" as a mildly derogatory term for those not accustomed to the ways of the sea, highlighting their inexperience.
    Usage & Anecdote: "When I first set out to sea, those old pirates called me a 'landlubber.' Now, I'm the most feared captain in the Caribbean!"
    Modern Usage: Jokingly addressing a friend who's new to something: "Ah, don't worry, you landlubber! We'll get you dancing in no time!"

17. Marooned

• • Definition: To abandon someone on a deserted island or coast, often as a form of punishment.
  • Historical Anecdote: Marooning was a real threat among pirates. It was considered a fate worse than death because the victim was left to die slowly.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Captain Blackbeard once marooned me on a desolate isle. Little did he know, I made friends with the monkeys and plotted me escape!"
  • Modern Usage: When you're left without any means in a modern setting: "The WiFi's down, and I feel utterly marooned!"

18. Me hearties

• • Definition: A term of affection or camaraderie among sailors, equivalent to "my friends" or "my mates."
  • Historical Anecdote: In the age of sail, it was common for sailors and pirates alike to refer to each other with this term, signaling a bond formed by shared adventures.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Gather 'round, me hearties! Let's sing shanties of our grand escapades!"
  • Modern Usage: When rallying your friends for a night out: "Listen up, me hearties! Tonight, we conquer the town!"

19. Old salt

• • Definition: An experienced sailor or an old seaman.
  • Historical Anecdote: Sailors who had spent a lifetime at sea, navigating its perils and embracing its beauty, earned the respectful nickname "old salt."
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Old Salt Henderson knows the sea like the back of his hand. He's sailed through storms and faced krakens and lived to tell the tale!"
  • Modern Usage: Referring to someone with vast experience in any field: "She's the old salt of our IT department. Knows everything about the systems."

20. Plunder

• • Definition: To steal goods, especially using force, in wartime. The act of robbing or the items stolen.
  • Historical Anecdote: Plundering was the bread and butter of pirate life. From enemy ships to coastal settlements, nothing was safe from their raiding.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Ah, the days of plunder! There's no thrill quite like spotting a merchant ship on the horizon, ripe for the taking."
  • Modern Usage: Playfully regarding taking multiple servings at a buffet: "Arrr! I'm here to plunder this seafood spread!"

21. Privateer

• • Definition: A private person or ship authorized by a government to attack and plunder enemy vessels during wartime.
  • Historical Anecdote: Unlike pirates, privateers operated with the sanction of their nation's government. They received "letters of marque" giving them permission to raid enemy ships and keep a portion of the spoils.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Some say privateers are just pirates with fancy papers, but back in the day, ol' Captain Morgan started as a privateer before turning full pirate!"
  • Modern Usage: When someone's working diligently with permission: "Look at you, working away like a privateer with your letter of marque!"

22. Rumrunner

• • Definition: A person or ship engaged in the illicit transport of rum.
  • Historical Anecdote: During periods of prohibition and heavy taxation, rumrunners played a significant role in smuggling rum and other alcoholic beverages to thirsty consumers.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Rumrunners were the unsung heroes of the prohibition era. Sneaking barrels past the navy was no easy feat!"
  • Modern Usage: Sneaking snacks into a movie theater: "Got the goodies? Look at you, the rumrunner of the cinema world!"

23. Scallywag (or Scallawag)

• • Definition: Originally a term for a roguish or mischievous person. Not always used to refer to pirates but has come to be associated with them.
  • Historical Anecdote: While now popularly linked to pirates, "scallywag" had broader applications in the past, often denoting someone disreputable or unreliable.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "That scallywag Jenkins once stole me favorite hat, but we later shared a bottle of rum and laughed it off."
  • Modern Usage: Teasingly addressing a cheeky friend: "You're such a scallywag, always up to something!"

24. Shiver me timbers

• • Definition: An expression of surprise or disbelief, akin to "well, blow me down!"
  • Historical Anecdote: While it's debatable how often this phrase was used genuinely at sea, it's been popularized in literature and films as classic pirate lingo.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Shiver me timbers! That storm came out of nowhere, and the waves were as high as the mainmast!"
  • Modern Usage: Expressing surprise at an unexpected turn of events: "Shiver me timbers! They brought back that old TV show for another season?"

25. Swab

• • Definition: A mop, especially one used on a ship. Also, a term for a sailor or deckhand.
  • Historical Anecdote: Keeping a ship's deck clean was essential, and "swabbing the deck" was a regular chore. Over time, "swab" became a playful nickname for sailors.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "All hands on deck! Time to swab the floors before Captain sees the mess!"
  • Modern Usage: When doing household chores: "Alright, grab the swab! Let's get this kitchen shining."

26. Yo-ho-ho

• • Definition: A cheerful exclamation or chant used by pirates.
  • Historical Anecdote: Immortalized by the line "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!" from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island," it's become synonymous with pirate jubilation.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Yo-ho-ho! The sight of land after months at sea is a joy only a sailor can understand."
  • Modern Usage: Cheersing with friends at a bar: "Yo-ho-ho! Here's to a night we won't remember!"

27. Sea dog

• • Definition: A veteran sailor, particularly one who is weather-beaten or hardy.
  • Historical Anecdote: This term has roots in the older nautical world, where experienced sailors who had spent their lives at sea were respected and called "sea dogs" for their experience and toughness.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Old Captain Barrow, the fiercest sea dog I've known, could navigate a storm with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back!"
  • Modern Usage: Referring to a friend who's a pro at something: "Look at you, the sea dog of BBQ grilling!"

28. Wench

• • Definition: A girl or young woman. In pirate slang, often used to refer to a female, sometimes in a derogatory manner.
  • Historical Anecdote: While the term has old English origins and was once a neutral term for a young woman or peasant girl, its meaning evolved over time.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "The tavern was filled with music, laughter, and wenches serving ale to the boisterous crowd."
  • Modern Usage: Might be best to leave this one in the past unless you're at a renaissance fair or a themed pirate event! You've been w-Arrr-ned!

29. Walk the plank

• • Definition: Suggesting someone should leave or take responsibility.
  • Historical Anecdote: The infamous pirate practice of "walking the plank" is more of a Hollywood creation than actual historical fact.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Back when Blackbeard sailed the Seven Seas, he had a way of dealing with traitors. One bloke tried to pocket some of the crew's share. While he didn't quite walk the plank, he sure got a taste of Blackbeard's wrath."
  • Modern usage: "He forgot to save the project? He might as well walk the plank!"

30. Swab the deck

• • Definition: Referring to cleaning or tidying up.
  • Historical Anecdote: "Swabbing the deck" goes back to the routine maintenance of ships. Sailors would use a swab, or mop, to clean the deck and ensure it was free of grime, salt, and other residues. Keeping a ship's deck clean was essential not only for hygiene but also to maintain the wood and keep the ship seaworthy.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Back in Captain Sparrow's time, the greenest members of the crew were often tasked with this chore. 'If ye want to earn your keep, grab a swab and get to work!' he'd bellow, ensuring every inch of his beloved ship gleamed."
  • Modern usage: "Can you help me swab the deck? This kitchen's a mess."

31. Three sheets to the wind

• • Definition: Describing someone who's had a bit too much to drink.
  • Historical Anecdote: This nautical term originally referred to a ship's sails. If the "sheets," or ropes, were loose and blowing about in the wind, the sail would flap uncontrollably, much like a drunken sailor might stagger on land. Hence, a sailor who had too much grog and couldn't hold his bearing was likened to a ship with its sheets to the wind.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "Ol' Henry could never handle his rum. After a few cups, he'd be stumbling and slurring, three sheets to the wind, much to the amusement of the rest of the crew."
  • Modern usage: "Don't mind him, he's three sheets to the wind after that party."

32. Dead men tell no tales

• • Definition: Used to imply that secrets are safe.
  • Historical Anecdote: This grim saying suggests that someone who's dead can't spill secrets or provide testimony. While not strictly a pirate-exclusive phrase, it has been associated with pirates thanks to literature and film, representing the ruthless means they'd employ to ensure silence.
  • Usage & Anecdote: "When Captain Barbossa found out one of his crew members had been chatting with the British Navy, he gave a cold stare and simply said, 'Dead men tell no tales.' The message was clear: Betray the crew, and you'll find yourself in Davy Jones' locker."
  • Modern usage: "Don't worry about the surprise party; I won't spill the beans. Dead men tell no tales!"