Glossary
1. doubloons (p.12) – pirate coins used as currency during the 17th – 18th century
2. scallywags (p.23) – a person who behaves badly but in an amusingly mischievous rather than harmful way; a rascal
3. poop deck (p.23) – the aftermost and highest deck of a ship, especially in a sailing ship where it typically forms the roof of a cabin in the stern
– originates from the French word for stern, la poupe
4. galley (p.24) – a low, flat ship with one or more sails and up to three banks of oars, chiefly used for warfare, trade, and piracy; the kitchen in a ship or aircraft.
5. swabbing (p.24) – another word for mopping
6. weighin (p.24) – pirate slang for lowering the anchor
7. settin the rudder (p.24) – setting the direction of the vessel; the rudder is the blade underneath the boat that controls which direction the boat sails in
8. jargon (p.27) – special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand
9. esprit-décor (p.27) – the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group.
10. mizzen (p.29) – a sail located on the lower part of the boat’s mast
11. cutlass (p.29) – pirate jargon for a sword
12. pieces of eight (p.29) – another form of money used during the 16th-18th centuries
13. linguistics (p.33) – the scientific study of language and its structure
14. logistics (p.33) – the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies
15. plunder (p.50) – steal goods from (a place or person), typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder
16. squander (p.50) – waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner
17. mensa (p.50) – an international society whose only qualification for membership is a score in the top 2% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test
18. gale – a very strong wind
19. Jerome Kern (p.64) – an American composer of musical theatre and popular music
20. Rodgers and Hart (p.64) – an American song writing partnership
21. MapQuest (p.65) – a free online web mapping service owned by Verizon Media. It was launched in 1996 as the first commercial web mapping service.
22. cartographer (p.66) – a person who draws or produces maps
23. gazetteer (p.75) – a geographical index or dictionary.
24. jete (p.76) – a jump in which a dancer springs from one foot to land on the other with one leg extended outward from the body while in the air.
25. bourrée (p.76) – the bourrée is a dance of French origin and the words and music that accompany it. The bourrée resembles the gavotte in that it is in double time and often has a dactylic rhythm
26. trite (p.77) – overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness
Pronunciations
1. doubloons (p.12) – dub_bloons
2. Braunschwagger (p.12) – brawn_shhh_wauger
3. verbiage (p.28) – verb_ege
4. uncouth (p.45) – un_cooth
How I Became a Pirate 