Special Sub-Topic: Pirate Slang Click Here To Play: Pirate Slang

What is a cat-o'-nine-tails?

a whip used for flogging. The expression "let the cat out of the bag" may be derived from this.

What does it mean to "feed the fish"?

to be thrown into the sea. Dead or alive, if you're thrown into the sea, you're "feeding the fish".

What is the Dead Man's Chest?

a coffin. If a pirate was not deemed worthy of a proper burial in a coffin, his body would be sent to rot in the gibbet(cage) or hung at the gallows.

What is another name for the hangman?

Jack Ketch. If told you were going to "dance with Jack Ketch" you were to be hanged.

What would Pirate's call empty bottles?

dead men. Deadlights were what they called eyes.

What is cackle fruit?

chicken eggs. If a pirate did not eat enough fresh fruit, he could contract scurvy (a deficiency of vitamins and minerals). They could prevent scurvy by placing limes in their drinks.

Who was a 'powder monkey"?

boys who loaded and cleaned the guns. This job was given to new crew members. sometimes they were promoted to gunner or gunner's mate. (if they survived)

What is a barker?

a pistol. Pirates carried a brace of pistols (a belt of two pistols that are primed and loaded) to save time and the effort of loading a pistol during a battle.

What is a caulker?

an alcoholic drink taken after a drinking bout. Pirates consumed a lot of alcohol on their voyages. It is said that some ships carried three times as many barrels of beer as they did of water. The infamous pirate 'grog' was basically rum with lemon juice, sugar and other spices added.

What are you doing if you're 'dancing the hempen jig'?

being hanged. Most ropes used for hanging were made from hemp.