Pirate Vocabulary

Which weapon is a short, broad bladed, curved sword?

• Cat-o'nine-tails

• Cutless

• Plank

• Gibbet

Which word is a person hired or approved by a government to make attacks on enemy ships and settlements?

• Corsairs

• Pirate

• Buccaneer

• Privateer

Which of the following is one of the favorite ships used by pirates and smugglers because of its ability to move quickly and easily maneuver?

• Sloop

• Galleon

• Mast

• Jolly Roger

Which of the following describes a contract signed by pirates, which stated rules and shares of profits?

• Piece of eight

• Taking prizes

• Articles

• Letter of marque

____________ comprised the punishment by banishing a pirate crew member to an isolated island, where he was forced to struggle for survival.

• The plank

• Gibbet

• Corsairs

• Marooning

What was the title of the elected official who maintained order, settled arguments, and distributed supplies and booty?

• Quartermaster

• Buccaneer

• Pirate

• Corsairs

The ___________ is another name for the flag on a pirate ship. It often included skeletons, swords and hourglasses.

• Mast

• Corsairs

• Jolly Roger

• Gibbet

A _________ was a silver Spanish coin prized by pirates, which was often cut into pieces to make smaller change.

• Cutlass

• Piece of eight

• Quartermaster

• Galleon

This punishment is more legend than truth, as little evidence supports that this was used by pirates.

• Cat-o'nine-tails

• Gibbet

• Corsairs

• The plank

This type of ship was a favorite target of pirates.

• Galleon

• Corsairs

• Sloop

• Buccaneer