Accommodation ladder: steps up the side of the ship Aft: rear, back, toward the stern Afterguard: seamen whose assignment is on the quarterdeck Aftersail: a sail behind the main sail Aftmost: furthest to the rear.

Ahoo: 18th century nautical for "chaotic" or "messy"

All stations: an order given for everyone to man their posts Amidships: on or near the middle, or waist.

Answer: 18th century for "serve" or "work"

Armorer: ship's blacksmith.

Arsey-farsey: confused Astern: toward the rear, or off the stern of the ship Aweigh: refers to the movement of the ship; "We'll aweigh" would mean, "We'll depart;" often confused with "away"

Backstay: part of the standing rigging supporting the masts, etc. from the back.

Bairns: Scots for "children"

Bannochbroch: small town in the Highlands, where a skirmish took place Bar and chain shot: shot from a cannon; a bar with round or square ends; a length of chain with a small cannonball at each end Barra Terre: an island in the central Caribbean Bear a hand: "Gimme a hand!" or "Hurry up!"

Bear a weather eye:be alert Bedlam: a hospital for the insane in London Belay: "Stop" Or "Take it easy;" to secure or tie something off Belike: 18th century for "in all likelihood"

Bells: the ship's system of timekeeping, but only with reference to the duration of the current watch; indirectly, the time of day Bending sails: changing or putting up new sails Berth: bed or bunk Between the devil and the deep blue sea:a section under the edge of the deck that was "the devil" to reach for painting; a reference to someone hanging over the edge, or in definite peril Bilboes: leg irons with an iron bar between Bilge: 1) the space beneath the hold's floor; 2) the foul water and other filth that collects in that space Bilge pumps: used to pump out the bilges Bilge rats: 1) the rodents living in the bilges; 2) lowly people Binnacle: a cabinet-like structure in front of the ship's wheel that houses the compass and other navigational necessaries Binnacle list: sick list Bitter end: the end of a rope that is under heavy use; to reach its end can be big trouble Blighter: annoying person; a jerk Boatswain: see bosun Bombay bomber:cockroach Bonneted: covered with canvas Boomtricers: definition needed Bosun: literal pronunciation for boatswain Bottling your tot: saving one's grog ration for later Boucan: the open-pit fires for which "buccaneers" were probably named Bowlines: (BO-luns) the lines securing the windward side of a sail Bowsprit: heavy spar that protrudes from the front of the ship as a support for sails and rigging Braces: the ropes which are used to swing the yardarms, and hence the sails Bracemen: those handling the braces Brailing up her courses:bringing up the lower corners of the main sail to get them out of the way Brighten blades: sharpen and clean Broadside: 1) the side of a ship above the water; 2) a firing of all cannon on one side of the ship at one time Buggering: derogatory; a jerk Bulkhead: inside wall Bulwark: raised part between the rail and the deck Burn: Scots for "river"

Busted gut: hernia Butcher's Bill: casualty list By your leave: 18th century for "I beg your pardon," "Excuse me," "If you'll excuse me..."

Cable: a thick rope, some up to 30" in diameter Cable's length: a measurement in the range of 600-700 feet, depending on the diameter Cable tier:compartment where the anchor cable is stored Cack-handed: literally, left-handed; referring to any matter handled poorly Caning: beating someone with a cane Canny: careful Capstan: heavy-duty winch in which spokes are inserted in order to turn it Captain of the crosstrees:crew chief of some of those who work in the upper rigging Cartouche boxes: a box for musket cartridges Casks: barrels, hogsheads, puncheons Cast him off: to set someone adrift, usually in a very small boat, as a means of banishment Caulk: the stuffing between the planks that kept the ship watertight; a combination of oakum and tar Caulking mallets: hammers used to pound the caulk into the ship's seams Cayo Hueso: a West Indies island Chanty: sailor's song Charqui: strips of dried meat; jerky Chirurgeon: 18th century for "surgeon;" this person was often also the barber Clap on: a command to grab hold, seize, pull, etc.

Clear the braces: a command in preparation to maneuver the ship in some way Coaming: raised edge at the bottom of a doorway that stops water from coming in Cochineal: a highly valued red dye Come about: turn Companionway: stairway inside the ship Company muster: the book listing the members of the crew Comprendes?: Spanish for "Understand?"

Consort: a ship's sailing companion Coopersmate: barrelmaker's assistant Cordage: ropes, as in those used for the ship's rigging Corvette: a type of ship Cosseted: coddled or pampered Cot: bed Course: mainsail Cross of St. George: the Union Jack Cross-trees: support timbers in the rigging Cumberland: British army commander put in charge of the Highlands after the Stuart Uprising Curate: two-wheeled carriage Cutwater: bow, prow, forefoot Daft: 18th century for "crazy"

Davy Jones: a mythical person who ferried those who died at sea to the afterlife Dawcock: silly or ridiculous person Deadeyes: an eyed block that secures the shrouds to the ship Deck prism: a piece of glass through the deck that allows light to penetrate below Derrick yard: a yard rigged to be used to bring heavy cargo aboard Desire: 18th century for "ask," "wish," "request"

Devil of the Deep: Davy Jones, the ferryman of the dead Dimity: striped cotton fabric Dividers: a navigational instrument used to measure distances Dolt: idiot, fool Double-shot: two balls loaded into a cannon instead of one Douse the tops and lay 'er in irons: a command meant to bring a ship to a halt by way of reducing sail and facing the wind Draughts: the game of checkers Drawing and quartering:a punishment reserved for traitors, which included not only hanging, but cutting out the victim's heart while it was still beating, then cutting the body into pieces and strewing it so that there was no grave, hence damning them Drubbing: beating, usually with some kind of club Duena: Spanish for "governess"

Duff: a steamed suet pudding with currants; often a Sunday treat in the Royal Navy Dunnage: baggage; gear Dutch-built: derogatory for something that is poorly built Eight bells: the number of rings (actually double rings) marking the end of a watch; it can mean either 4 or 8 am, Noon, 4 or 8 pm, or midnight Eight bells of the morning watch: 8:00 am Entry port: opening in the bulwark at the top of the accommodation ladder Etui: a small, often decorative case for sewing needles Ewer: large water pitcher Falkirk: battle during the Stuart Uprising Fancy: 18th century for "like," "prefer," "wish"

Fireship: a ship set afire and then set adrift into an enemy vessel First Watch: 8 pm to midnight Fishwife: annoying, hag-like woman Flips of the glass:time was kept by a 30-minute sandglass throughout the day Flogging sail: flapping Fly-by-night: lightweight sails (sometimes ratty) Fop: an overly ostentatious man; a dandy Forecastle: the raised foredeck Forefoot: leading edge of the keel; the bow Foregallant: one of the higher sails on the foremast Forepeak: furthest point forward in the ship's hold; inside the bow Forestay: supports running forward of the masts; opposite of backstay Fortnight: 18th century for "two weeks"

Fraymaker: disturber of the peace Fuddling: drunken; confused Full cover!: command for sails Fuses 'twixt the fingers:pirate torture method of putting burning slow-match between the victim's fingers Galley: ship's kitchen Gallowsy: fit to be hung, criminally inclined Give ease: 18th century; allow one to relax; calming Give quarter: dating back to the knights, a pledge that if a ship was to surrender immediately, no one would be killed Glass: 1) looking glass; 2) a sandglass, which was a ship's only timepiece; 3) "a glass" meant the period of time lapsed through a glass Go pear-shaped:take a bad turn Go to windward of: be cautious of Go toss yourself:bring oneself off (sexual); hand job Gob: mouth Grates: hatch covers Great cabin: the large aft cabin, usually the captain's cabin Great guns: cannon on a ship Grog: a mix of water, lime juice, and rum, the proportions depending on the ship Gull-winged: when the sails are loosely secured, so that they sag slightly Gunner: a member of the crew of a cannon (usually 6-8) Guns spiked: metal has been broken off in a cannon's touchhole, rendering it useless Gunwale: topmost outside edge of the ship's hull Hanging locker: closet Hauled his wind: ran off Hawley: British army commander during the Stuart Uprising Hawse: heavy cable Head: the crew's privy at the bow of the ship Helm: the ship's wheel, or anywhere in the immediate vicinity Helms a-lee: part of a series of commands when a ship is being turned Helmsman: the man at the helm Hist, now: "Quiet," "shh!"

Hitch: type of knot Hock and heave: a mode of punishment in which the victim's hamstrings are sliced and then he is thrown overboard Hogshead: a cask for liquids Hold: lowest deck of a ship, usually used for storage Holystone: blocks of sandstone used for scouring the decks Hooked on: tied on Horn lamp: lantern with thin sheets of horn for a lens Hove to: surrender 'Hoy: short for "ahoy;" a greeting Hull down: when the sails of a ship can be seen, but not the hull Hull up: the hull of the approaching ship is visible Humours: a reference to the belief that the body was ruled by four fluids: blood, phlegm, choler, and melancholy Irons: 1) shackles; manacles; 2) to "lay into irons" means to stall the ship's motion Iron-sick: when bolts, nails, etc. are severely corroded by salt Jack: man, person, sailor Jib: triangular headsail Jib-boom: long spar extending off the bowsprit to support the jibs and other rigging Jimmy Bungs: often the nickname for the ship's barrelmaker (cooper) Junk: worn-out cables or ropes Kedge: anchors smaller than the Number One Keel: bottom of the ship Keel-hauling: a punishment of dragging a man under the ship from bow to stern.

Ken: Scots for "know"

Kent: Scots for "knew"

Kertch: a large cloth (often decorative) worn around a woman's neck and tucked into her bosom Kevel: sometimes called a "knighthead," an anvil-shaped wood block used to secure ropes Knacker's: 18th century for a boneyard Knot: increment of speed, a little under miles per hour Laggardly: 18th century for "lazy," "slow," "unhandy"

Land in her lee: a point of safety, for the wind is likely to blow the damaged ship ashore Land in our lee: the wind pushed a ship sideways as well as forward, making land downwind (in the lee) a concern Larboard: to the left side of the ship (when looking toward the bow) Larboard quarter astern:to the left side and toward the rear quarter Larbolins: one of two work groups on the crew; see starbolins Lawn: a fine linen fabric Lead lines: used to measure the depth of the water Leddy: Scots for "lady"

Lee: downwind Lee lurch: a sudden sideways motion of the ship Leech: the vertical edge of a sail Leeward: downwind Listing: the lean of the ship from the pressure of the wind on the sails Lobcock: a bumpkin or blundering fool Loch: Scots for "lake"

Loggerhead: iron bars that were heated, then used to melt tar Long live Prince Charlie!:Stuart Uprising cheer Longboats: launches; small boats used for hauling and going ashore Long-jawed cordage: old or worn ropes Lout: bumpkin or blundering fool Luff: 1) flapping of a sail; 2) bring the ship into the wind, often to come to a halt Magazine: powder room Mainmasthead: top of the mainmast proper, topmasts often extending it Manrope: ropes strung simply for safety or convenience Mantua-maker: a maker of a certain type of dress Mark me: 18th century for "mark my words"

Master and commander: a Navy rank; a reference to one who had a title and authority, but no ship Master rogue: an extremely offensive person who threatens harm to others Match: short for slow-match Mess: meals Mess area: where the crew eats Mess number: the assigned seat; to "lose one's mess number" meant to die Mizzen: the aftermost sail Mizzen course: the lowest and larges of the mizzen sails Mizzen shrouds: the ropes that give sideways support to the mizzenmast Mizzen stay: the ropes that support front and back support to the mizzenmast Mizzenmast: the furthest rear mast on a ship Morgan and Bartholomew: the original pirates who established The Pirate's Code Mump: jerk, oaf, idiot Muster book: book listing the members of the crew Mutton-fisted: heavy-handed, awkward about something Muy bien! Habla espanol: "Very good! You speak Spanish."

Night charlies: hired night watchmen Offscourings: scumbags Old Bailey: London Court where many pirates were tried and hung On the down roll:firing a cannon when the ship is on the downward side of a wave, hence firing low on their opponent On the rise:opposite of on the down roll One for the sailmaker's palm: a body ready to be sewn into its hammock/shroud Palm: leather protector worn by swordsmen or sailmakers Pastillas: Spanish for "bricks" or "cakes"

Physick: 18th century for "physician"

Physikan: 18th century for "physician"

Pissdale: an opening along the rail Piss-vinegar: drunk Points (four, two, etc):means to indicate direction, referring to the points on a compass Poop deck: a small raised deck behind the quarterdeck Port: 1) window or opening; 2) a harbor; 3) left side of a ship; 4) a kind of liquor Pottle: two quarts Pounders (sixteen, eighteen, etc.): reference to the size of a cannonball Press-ganged: essentially kidnapped by the Royal Navy Prestopans: one of the battles during the Stuart Uprising Pricking the chart: using the dividers while charting a course Privy closet: bathroom Prize: captured ship or loot Prize Book: a listing of everything taken, so that shares might be figured and kept track of Providence: 18th century for "God," "luck," "fortune," "karma," etc.

Prow: front of a ship; bow; forefoot.

Puddening chains: chains secured around the yards to keep them from coming down if damaged during a battle Pulled: rowed Puncheon: a small cask, of varying size depending on its contents Put a stopper in your gob:"Shut up!"

Quarterdeck: afterdeck, command deck, often atop the great cabin.

Quartermaster: an officer; on a pirate ship, he was often in charge of the plunder Quid: 1) a coin; 2) a portion of something, often tobacco Quimwedge: 18th century for penis Rake: to fire square on to the stern of a ship; most destructive Rain tarpaulin: rain jacket.

Ratlines: stair-like ropes strung between the shrouds, used by the crew to reach the rigging Reef points: ties in the sails used to reduce the size Reefed: reduction of sails by increments Represents: 18th century; "claims" or "says"

Round shot: cannonball Roundhouse: the curved cabin at the stern of a ship, often very ornate Running close to the wind:a ship sailing with the wind almost on her nose Runs: going with the wind Sabe?: Spanish for "Do you understand?"

Salon: the public or working area of the great cabin Salt horse: salted beef Sassenachs: Scots for "English" (derogatory) Score: 18th century designation for groups of 20.

Scrub: same as scug Scug: contemptible person, often engaged in deceit Scuppers: deck drains.

Scuts: coward; spineless; lily-livered person Sea lawyer: one who often questions the captain's authority or stirs up dissent Sharp set: 18th century for "hungry"

Sheet: rope used in controlling the sails Shift: 1) an undergarment; 2) to change one's clothes.

Ship's biscuit: hardtack Shiver: quaking of a sail when the wind is too near the bow Shot garlands: racks along the gunwale that hold cannonballs Show a leg: to swing one's leg out of the hammock; to hurry, hustle; show some initiative Sickbay: area for the treatment of the sick or wounded.

Side tackle: ropes and pulleys on cannons Skipjack: scrub or scug Slab-sided: unseemly, awkward, ugly Slavering: drooling Sloop: a small ship, often with sails triangular sails running fore and aft Slow-match: rope soaked in saltpeter used to ignite the cannons Small ale:watered-down beer Smoke: 18th century for "understand" or "figure out".

Sodding: damned, sodomite, cursed Softtack: bread.

Sot: drunkard Spar: definition needed Sprats: inconsequential, jerk, buffoon Squeaker: youngster.

St'd's'ls: studdingsails St. Agua: Cate's abbreviation for Isla de las Aguas doe los Santos Sedientos St. Elmo's Fire: a natural phenomenon of static buildup, giving the effect of a fire or glow Starboard: right side of the ship, when looking forward.

Starbolins: opposite of larbolins Stays, jump-style: a softer style of women's corset meant for heavy labor Staysails: smaller triangular sails flown in between the larger ones Stern gallery: windows running around the outside of the great cabin.

Stern-chasers: cannon posted at the rear of the ship Stinkpot: crockery jar filled with sulfur, gunpowder, and a fuse, tossed aboard enemy ships Stirling: site of a battle during the Stuart Uprising Stomacher: decorative panel pinned over the laces of a corset's stays Strake: the individual planks making up the hull; "a strake or two" means the ship is heeled over until two of those planks are underwater Stretched rag: worn or old sails.

Swabbers: crewmen who swab or sweep the deck Swaying up: raising.

Swell: rise and fall of the water Swivel gun: a cannon small enough to be mounted on the rail Swivel-tongued: liar, fast-talker T'gallants: topgallants; one of the highest sails.

Tacks and braces:lines controlling the yards Taffrail: rail surrounding the quarterdeck Tampion: wooden stopper in the mouth of the cannon.

Tars: mariners, sailors, seamen Teredo: Spanish for "shipworm"

Time out of mind: 18th century for "forever"

Tops: a generic reference to the highest reaches of the ship Topsman: men who work in the tops Tors: Highland mountains Tortuga: infamous pirate haven off the coast of Honduras Touchhole: spark hole in the cannon Traversing board: a chalk board or system of pegs that indicate times, speeds, and headings Treacle: molasses, or a mix of that and oatmeal Trenchers: square wooden plates.

Triced up: tied up out of the way, secured Trollop: whore, cheap woman, floozy.

'Tween deck: the lower deck Twice-laid: reused Unhung: a criminal worthy of being hung, but not as yet.

Wadding: stuffing between the ball and powder in either cannon, pistol, or musket Waist: middle region of the ship Watch on watch:back-to-back watches with no break Wear/wore around: when a ship turns and goes in the opposite direction.

Weather gauge: the advantage gained by being upwind of an opponent Weather rail: the rail toward the wind, reserved for the captain on most ships since it offers the best vantage point Weather shroud: the shroud on the windward side of the ship Well: bilge, hold Wharf fever: a generic term for any fever that occurs while the ship is in harbor.

Where away?: "where?" or "which way?"

Whips: ropes rigged for loading from over the side.

Windward: the side toward the wind Woad: a blue vegetable dye used mostly by the Celts Won her anchor: the ship pulled up the anchor.

Wood and watering:the activity of a ship bringing fresh water and firewood aboard Worth his three squares: a worthy man; meals aboard a ship were eaten on square plates.

Wrapper: robe.