The lingo you should know!

These are more or less words that are like everyday language for pirates or any sea-faring person. These will help if you know not what they mean, as I will put the definition right besides the word.


Bilge: The lowest part of the ship used to collect water, which later would be pumped out.

Starboard: The term always used for the RIGHT side of a ship.

Port: The term always used for the LEFT side of the ship.

Stern: The term always used for the REAR of the ship.

Bow: The term always used for the FRONT of the ship.

Galley: The Kitchen, general place to eat.

Grog: Watered down alcohol that all the best Pirates down in insane quantities.

Grapeshot: Small balls of iron fired from a cannon, much like a shotguns buckshot... but deadlier.

Mainsail: Typically the largest sail on the ship which catches the most wind.

Helmsmen: The person who steers the ship.

Hull: The shell of the underside of the ship.

Keel: The structure of the hull.

Jib: The triangular sail at the front of the ship.

Jetsam / Flotsam: Debris floating on the water after a ship sinks.

Knot: Unit of speed in Nautical Miles (IE 1.1508 Miles)

Line: The nautical term for any rope and rigging.

Boom: A spar attached to the foot of the aft sails.

Aft: Toward the stern of the vessel.

Porthole: The small circular windows of the ship.

Mast: The large poles that hold up the sails and the crows nest.

Gunwale The upper edge of the hull.

Hardtack: A long-lasting dry biscuit used as food during long journeys

Gangway: An opening in the Bulwark to allow passengers on board the ship.

Mizzenmast: The third mast of a ship, usually the main mast.

The Hold: The lowest deck, used for storage.

Ox-eye: A weather cloud usually indicating storms ahead.

Ratlines: Rope Ladders lowered from the gangway if the plank cannot be used.

Sextant: An instrument used to measure longitude and latitude.

Spar: Wooden or steel poles used to support the sails and rigging.

Yard: The horizontal spar that holds the larger square sails. Usually right below the Top Sail and Top Gallant.

fo'c'sle (Forecastle): The upper deck, closest to the foremast.

Bowsprit: The long spar at the bow of a ship, supports forestays.

Forestay: The long rigging from the bowsprit that would support the major foresails.


I will add any more that would be used in the game later.