# Pirate talk I don't understand **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506 "2001-01-17T14:07:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2001, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/21 "2001-01-17T20:57:28Z")
The Tortugas thing is a bit more complicated. There are the Dry Tortugas, which are the outermost of the Florida Keys and a US National Park. Then, there are the Cayman Islands, which were originally known as the (not-dry) Tortugas. The Cayman Island/Tortugas were a major pirate base; I don’t know about the Dry Tortugas but suppose they may have been as well. (The unofficial symbol of the Cayman Islands is a Turtle/Pirate known as “Sir. Turtle”) Another use of “belay”. In rock climbing, if you are holding the rope to hold another climber while they are climbing, you are “on belay” and are “belaying” the climber. ---
**Author:** ![KP235](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@KP235](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP235)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2001, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/22 "2001-01-17T22:15:51Z")
I once saw a movie about pirates. It was rated ‘ARRRRR’. (sorry, I couldn’t resist…) ---
**Author:** ![photo-guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/858c86/32.png) [@photo-guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photo-guy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/23 "2016-11-26T21:25:15Z")
Aha… Belay that comes from the use off belaying pins which were stuck i holes along the boat at various points to tie ropes off on… I know I was a little slow coming up with that… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/24 "2016-11-26T21:40:58Z")
One of the languages offered through our library’s Mango language program is Pirate. I’ve not delved into it since I am thoroughly lubber. ---
**Author:** ![photo-guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/858c86/32.png) [@photo-guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photo-guy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/25 "2016-11-26T21:44:11Z")
You’re probably not Lubber as I think you meant… Although you may be a land lover… low not too happy on water…? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/26 "2016-11-26T23:20:50Z")
> [@photo-guy](#): > > You’re probably not Lubber as I think you meant… Although you may be a land lover… low not too happy on water…? 🙂 Back when I used to sail it was strictly fresh water. I’m a lake lubber! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/27 "2016-11-26T23:27:57Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Shiver me timbers an’ walk me plank! > > Avast, ye lubbers! Billy! Show me whar the treasure is, an’ I’ll show ye whar th’ sharrrrrrk bit me! > > (Sorry all, I just had to get that out of my system. Arrrr!) Shiver me timbers refers to cannon fire hitting the wood ships. The splinters became very deadly. Mythbusters tested this with a wooden wall and cannon fire. It was amazing how much damage those splinters caused. Obvious mortal wounds in the test dummies. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/28 "2016-11-26T23:38:07Z")
> [@photo-guy](#): > > Aha… Belay that comes from the use off belaying pins which were stuck i holes along the boat at various points to tie ropes off on… I know I was a little slow coming up with that… 🙂 Arrrr! Ye be a couple of months late for Talk Like a Pirate Day, Matey! A pirate walks into a bar with a ship’s wheel sticking out the fly of his trousers. The bartender says, “Do you know you have a ship’s wheel sticking out the front of your trousers?” And the pirate replies, “Aye, and it be drivin’ me nuts!” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/29 "2016-11-27T01:33:24Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Arrrr! Ye be a couple of months late for Talk Like a Pirate Day, Matey! > … Nay, ya scurvy dawg! He be ten months aaarrrgghly fer’n the next 'un. The aaarrrgghly pirate gets the wench says I ! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/30 "2016-11-27T01:51:49Z")
“Pirate” is not an option on Google translate, but I did find this handy translator page: [http://postlikeapirate.com/](http://postlikeapirate.com/) Here are a few handy common phrases in Pirate: I reckon therefore I be. Property be theft. No scurvy dog be an island. War be th’ continuation 'o politics by other means. Look, matey, I be knowin’ a in-Davy-Jones’-treasure-chest trusty parrot when I spy wit’ ye eye one, ‘n I be lookin’ at one right now. Th’ unauthorized reproduction or distribution ‘o a copyrighted set-the-sails be illegal. Criminal copyright infrin’ement, includin’ infrin’ement without monetary gain, be investigated by th’ FBI 'n be punishable by fines 'n federal imprisonment. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/31 "2016-11-27T02:31:20Z")
> [@aha](#): > > Ok what about “Landlubber”? I am sure that I am one but what the hell does lubber mean? I always took it as just being a pirate-y way of saying “land lover” and didn’t consider the possibility that may not be right. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/32 "2016-11-27T04:43:32Z")
I think most posters are missing the point. On a sailing ship, the sailors would always be hauling on ropes to change the configuration of the sails. ‘Avast’ means stop hauling on the rope and hold it where it is. ‘Belay’ means tie the rope round a fixed object, usually a ‘belaying pin’, in the current position. It means ‘finish off the current task’ with that rope. The terms simply became used in a metaphorical way to apply to other things as well. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/33 "2016-11-27T07:12:49Z")
Sailors also had a habit of morphing words. Forecastle became focsal oar lock raloc Load Board became larboard. I am trying to remember back almost 50 years ago when I had to learn them and what they meant. But I am tired it is late. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/34 "2016-11-27T07:15:57Z")
Well, saw off me starboard leg and salt me for a herring. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/35 "2016-11-27T08:52:52Z")
I think the “Aargh” idea comes from Robert Newton hamming everyone else off the screen as Long John Silver in the 1950 movie of Treasure Island, which he repeated in other performances as pirates. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/36 "2016-11-27T08:54:35Z")
“aaaarrrrhhh” sounds to me like its “avast” yelled out. Its just “stop” in otherwords … “stop because we want you to be think you might survive that way”. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/37 "2016-11-27T14:42:47Z")
> [@aha](#): > > Avast! As in Avast ye mateys! What the hell does Avast mean and where did it come from? So it’s only 15+ years later, but I got this one. ::goes to reference library:: aka: ::Opens powder room door:: ::Picks up [When A Loose Cannon Flogs A Dead Horse There’s the Devil To Pay](https://www.amazon.com/Loose-Cannon-Flogs-Horse-Theres/dp/0070328773) from the [del]shelf[/del] tank lid:: **Avast:** possibly from _basta_ (Italian) / enough. OED cites the derivation as Old Dutch _hound vast_ (to hold fast). Tobias Smollett was among the first to use the word colloquially in his 1748 novel _The Adventures of Roderick Random_. **Landluber:** From the Old English word _londloper_, meaning one who runs up & down the land, the word _landloper_\* was originally applied to a vagabond. \*Yes, first one is spelled with an ‘o’ vs. an ‘a’ [This](http://www.bluewatersailing.com/documents/DictionaryGL.pdf) site matches the above description: > [@PETER’S NAUTICAL TERMS DICTIONARY & GLOSSARY for BLUEWATER SAILING](#): > > LANDLUBBER 1) Sailor’s, often contemptuous, expression or term for green seamen who didn’t know Sail from Sheet Anchor. Opposite of Sailor. From ‘lubber’, clumsy lout or Old English ‘londloper’, one who runs up and down land with ‘loper’ corrupted to lubber… 2) Anyone on board Ship who wishes they were not. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/38 "2016-11-27T15:16:10Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/39 "2016-11-27T16:11:14Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > I think the “Aargh” idea comes from Robert Newton hamming everyone else off the screen as Long John Silver in the 1950 movie of Treasure Island, which he repeated in other performances as pirates. [This article](http://dialectblog.com/2011/05/24/pirate-accent/) traces the “pirate accent” through Newton back to Stevenson–then back to history. _Treasure Island_ begins in the West Country, home of many a British seaman, pirate or not. Newton came from Dorset, so he used that accent. Some of the pirate vocabulary comes from British nautical terms & slang. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506/40 "2016-11-27T17:05:14Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > [This article](http://dialectblog.com/2011/05/24/pirate-accent/) traces the “pirate accent” through Newton back to Stevenson–then back to history. _Treasure Island_ begins in the West Country, home of many a British seaman, pirate or not. Newton came from Dorset, so he used that accent. > > Some of the pirate vocabulary comes from British nautical terms & slang. Yep variations of the West Country accent used to cover a large area of England, covering the whole of the South West and South Central England and parts of the West Midlands and South East England. In fact the West Country accent used to extend as far east as only a few miles from the City of London. This covered some of the major historic ports of England such as Bristol, Southampton and Portsmouth as well as areas like Cornwall, Devon and the Isle of Wight which have strong seafaring traditions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pirate-talk-i-dont-understand/50506.md?page=3)