Pirates are always popular. From children's stories like Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson to classic swashbuckling films with Errol Flynn, or the recent Disney Pirates of the Caribbean movies, pirates fascinate and captivate. They also have their own way of talking, and live in a world very different from our own. That's where this dictionary comes in. Here you'll find all the common words and phrases pirates used, and the stories of many famous pirates too.
falling off
Steering the ship so that it is further away from the wind.
fathom
A unit of measure for the depth of water. A fathom is six feet (about 180 centimeters, or 1.8 meters, though pirates largely predate the metric system).
figurehead
The carved wooden statue-like figure often seen on the bow, usualy below the bow spit of a ship.
filibustier
A French word for pirate, derived from the Dutch word vrijbuiter. Its current meaning as a legislative maneuver is a recent development.
first mate
Assistant to the captain in every regard, but in particular as pertains to navigation of the ship.
fore
Toward the bow of a ship, when referring to rigging of sails.
forecastle
The forward part of a ship below the deck, where the crew quarters were usually located. Also called: fo’c’s’le.
foremast
The mast of a ship closest to the bow.
forestay
A line that runs from the top of a mast to the bow of the ship.
forward
Toward the front of a ship, when referring to direction or position.
freebooter
Equivalent to pirate, from a corruption of the Dutch vrijbuiter, meaning “plunderer”. The French turned the Dutch vrijbuiter into filibustier, another of their words for pirate. (It later evolved to have the meaning it does today: to prevent or thwart a legislative maneuver.)
frigate
A square-rigged ship with three masts built as a warship and pirate hunter.
