Pirate Life
The most popular way for pirates to execute someone, even though there is no evidence to support that it ever occurred.
What is walking the plank?
A work which defined much of our modern--faulty-- view of pirates, notably the idea of common buried treasure.
What is Treasure Island?
This pirate often fights Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.
Who is Captain Hook?
An expression of shock or disbelief.
What is "Shiver me timbers!"?
EXTRA: Although common in pirate media this exclamation of shock coming from the idea of masts being shaken during storms was never actually said.
The primary weapon for bringing down other ships, it was large and intimidating.
What is the cannon?
To keep meat from spoiling, Spanish pirates would dry it in small smoking tents called buccans. This led to this popular nickname.
What is a buccaneer?
EXTRA: According to historical sources, Allspice was given the nickname "bucan" by French traders.
This arose from a process known as boucan, which involved using allspice to preserve meat for long sea voyages. The traders called these meat-preserving pirates "boucaniers", giving rise to the name.
This legend first written of in 1751 detailed a hellish afterlife for drowned sailors.
What is Davy Jones's locker?
This pirate is played by Johnny Depp in the Disney movie, Pirates of the Caribbean.
Who is Captain Jack Sparrow?
Pirates wore these to help keep one eye adjusted to night vision for seeing below deck.
What are eye patches?
Pirates really did have pegs on their legs and hooks on their hands. Their amputations were usually the result of this common activity.
What is gun & sword fighting?
Sucker marks found on whales that led to the legend of the Kraken in fact belonged to these large cephalopods.
What are Giant Squids?
This fictional character and the main antagonist in the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. He is most colorful and complex character in the book, being a "massive-shouldered fellow and having a "silver tongue." His prominent parrot is known as Captain Flint.
Who is Long John Silver?
What a pirate might say as a greeting.
What is "Ahoy, matey!" or "Ahoy"?
Often flown on pirate ships, this flag was used to intimate intended victims into surrendering without a fight.
What is the Jolly Roger?
EXTRA: While the skull and crossbones design is most commonly found on it pirates used other variations, such as a skeleton with a weapon or a bleeding heart.
This person was a seaman with a license from their country's government to attack enemy ships in exchange for a share of the profits.
What is a Privateer?
What is The Flying Dutchman?
Inspired by real-life pirate, Jean Lafitte, Jean LaFoote is the mascot of this breakfast favorite.
What is Cap'n Crunch?
According to a pirate, this is where you are sent to die.
What is Davy Jones' Locker?
Although not actually kept as pets Pirates would trade in these colorful birds which led to their introduction to England.
What is a Parrot?
From the mid-17th century to the early 18th century, pirates indirectly and directly helped fund and sustain this budding nation fund by engaging in smuggling, creating illicit trade networks, and contributing to colonial economies by selling plundered goods and providing much-needed labor and supplies.
Who are the American Colonies?
EXTRA: They also helped during the American Revolution, by bolstering the colonial economy and disrupting British shipping.
Portrayed as both beautiful and dangerous, these creatures lured sailors with enchanting songs before dragging them to their watery graves.
What are mermaids?
This historical figure was famous for his wild mane of hair and facial hair. He cultivated a fearsome image by tying ribbons in his beard and, according to some accounts, deliberately attached smoking fuses to his hat to create an intimidating presence.
Who is Blackbeard?
A phrase meaning that a dead man cannot reveal any secret or fact. It was the reason why the pirates didn't like to spare any survivors. (Hint: This phrase is echoed throughout a Disneyland ride)
What is 'dead men tell no tales?'
Often thought of as a modern invention, pirates would throw these small handheld, explosive weapons when they were within close range of another ship. (Hint: This is still used in today's military)
What is a grenade?