Pirate Lingo

How to talk like a pirate

Greetings

Ahoy! Hello!
Ahoy, matey! Hello, crew or friends!
Ahoy, me hearties Hello, my good friends

 

Ahoy, me hearties!

If yer gonna to join a crew, ye better learn the lingo. I’m Swabby, I’ll be teachin’ ye how to be a true buccaneer!

Heave ho

“Put your back into it!” This is when you want the crew to move faster!

Common Sayings

Argh! (“Yarrr!”or “Arrr!”) A positive response or expression of excitement
Avast Ye Stop and check this out
Aye Yes
Aye Aye I’ll get this done right away
Blow Me Down! Phrase of shock or amazement
Davy Jones’ Locker An evil spirit at the bottom of the ocean, drawing pirates to their death
Dead Men Tell No Tales Leave no survivors
Feed the Fish About to die
Fire in the Hole Warning before a cannon is fired
Heave Ho Put yer muscle into it
Jolly Roger Classic black pirate flag with white skull and crossbones
Shiver Me Timbers! An expression of shock
Walk the Plank Method of execution where bound victim is forced to walk off the ship to their doom
Yo Ho Ho! Cheery phrase to get someone’s attention

Insults

Bilge-Sucking An insulting expression of disdain
Carouser Reckless or loud person who drinks excessively
Landlubber A person unfamiliar with the sea or sailing
Scallywag A rookie pirate
Scourge of the 7 Seas The worst kind of pirate
Scurvy Dog Yer teeth might fall out
Son of a Biscuit Eater Another insult, bread related

 

 

Scurvy dog!

Looking to insult an enemy crew member! Scurvy Dog’ll do it!

Plunder & Treasure

Booty A treasure
Bounty A reward put on the capture of a pirate
Coffer The treasure chest
Plunder Take the booty or steal

 

Boat References

Bow Front of a ship, also called “forward”.
Broadside The most vulnerable angle of a ship that runs the length of the boat. The main cannons are located here.
Chaser Cannons mounted in the bow or stern of a sailing ship.
Clipper Fast-moving boat or ship
Cog Smaller war ship
Crow’s Nest A small lookout platform near the top of the mast to see long distances
Dinghy A small (row) boat often used to ferry pirates from the ship to shore. In Plunder Panic, it be full of explosives and dubbed “Death’s Row”!
Forecastle The forward deck of the ship. My sword shop be located here.
Galley A long slender ship propelled manually by oars. Also where food is cooked and prepared on a ship.
Hull This is the watertight body of the ship that allows it to float. Put a few holes in this and the ship will sink.
Poop Deck The deck above the “aft” cabin (typically above the captains quarters) used by officers for observation; derived from French word “La Poupe”, meaning stern.
Port Nautical term for left side of ship.
Starboard Nautical term for right side of ship.
Stern Rear of a ship. Also called “aft”.
Pirate Ship
art of red captain and crew member

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art of blue crew members