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.
galleon
A relatively larg sailing ship common during the 15th through the 17th centuries. A galleon had three masts, two more more decks, and though was used by many nations, was closely identified with Spain.
go on the account
To go to sea to commit acts of piracy. The phrase comes taken from the practice in Africa of giving sailors a small share (account) of the total take of a ship’s profits in trade. Sailors were often dissatisfied with the pittance they received, and so when going into business for themselves, that is to say turning pirate, used this phrase to describe their choice.
grape shot
A form of cannon shot consisting of many small balls of wood, or any and every small sharp object that can be stuffed into a cannon. Used as shrapnel, grape shot was effective at wounding and disabling the enemy, and sometimes included even eating utensils.
grappling hook
Also known as a boarding hook, this is a multi-pronged hook with a rope attached. A pirate would throw it at a target, often the gunwale or rigging of another ship, so that the other ship could be brought in closer and boarded.
grenade
A hand-thrown exploding weapon. There were two types for pirates: a cast-iron grenade with gunpowder inside and a wooden plug holding it all together; and a glass bottle grenade wrapped with cloth filled with gunpowder. Both were used when preparing to board an enemy vessel as a way to clear the deck of opposition.
grog
A mixture of water and rum. Said to be from Old Grog, supposedly the nickname of Admiral Vernon (due to his grognam clock), who diluted rum to be served to his sailors.
gun
A cannon of any form, made of any material, and typically used to fire a warning shot against a a prey vessel. Pirates generally wanted to keep the shps they captured and so avoided damaging them with barrages of cannon fire..
gunner
Person who maintains the ship's cannon, other artillery, and all ammunition and related equipment, as well as training the crew in their use.
gunwale
The upper edge or planking on the side of a boat. The gunwale kept items on the deck from sliding into the water. The word comes from Middle English, gun and wale, because these edges had openings for cannon or other weaponry.
