How did pirates use the bathroom?

Before the late 15th century, sailors would either relieve themselves over the side of their ship, or collect any waste in buckets to be thrown overboard. By the 16th century it was a common practice for individuals to use the bow of the ship for this purpose.
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Did pirates ever shower?

Bathing or washing was pretty much a no-go on a pirate ship as water could not be wasted; those who fancied a shower would have to stand outside in the rain and risk pneumonia! Visiting the bathroom, however, was a much more feasible exercise, thankfully.
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What did pirates call the bathroom?

Waves breaking over the bow would also wash the area and aid in keeping it clean. Modern sailors still refer to the bathrooms on ships as the “head,” which refers to this practice of going to the bathroom at the bow, or head of the ship.
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Where did pirates pee?

The Bathroom Was Just a Hole in the Plank Called 'Head'

Pirate ships didn't have toilets. Instead, they had “heads,” which were basically holes cut into planks that emptied into the water. The plank and hole were usually located at the head of the ship.
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How did pirates Take Baths?

Pirates were very well known for their lax personal hygiene habits, and in fact the term “pirate bath” refers to a quick wash wherein you was only your private parts and armpits with water (in the case of pirates this was often seawater).
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What Was Hygiene Like On Pirate Ships



Did pirates brush their teeth?

Pirates Did Not Brush Their Teeth!

The toothbrush that we use today was not invented until 1938; long after pirates sailed the seven seas. If pirates ever did clean their teeth it would have been using a "chew stick" which was not a very effective way to keep teeth clean and free of plaque.
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What time did pirates go to bed?

Bedtime was set at eight o'clock each night and all lights and candles had to be put out at that time. If any of the crew stayed up drinking, it had to be done up above on the upper deck. All pistols and cutlasses/knives were kept clean and in good working order. No women were allowed on board.
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Why do pirates have yellow teeth?

They didn't brush their teeth.

It wasn't until 1938 that the modern toothbrush was invented. Until then, if pirates cleaned their teeth at all it would have been with a “chew stick” which was less than effective at keeping teeth clean and plaque at bay.
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Do you get wet on pirates?

If you sit in the front row of the ride vehicle, you'll get splashed as you make the first, otherwise non-terrifying drop. You may get wet enough to cause a bad hair day, and you're likely to have a soggy bottom, too.
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How did pirates smoke?

Smoking tobacco through a clay pipe was the most popular form of tobacco consumption found amongst pirates, perhaps due to the simplicity of it, but pirates had other means of ingestion which were used in specific situations.
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What do pirates call their girlfriends?

matey (or mate)
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Did pirates sleep on the floor?

Pirate captains and higher-ranking members had private sleeping quarters, while common sailors had to sleep in one room. Some of them slept on hammocks. Others slept on the floor. It was easier for them to sleep on hammocks because they swayed and rocked with the ship's movements.
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Did pirates have syphilis?

6. Blackbeard probably had syphilis. When he held prisoners for ransom, such as the Governor's son during the week-long Charlestown blockade in 1718, he asked for expensive medical supplies. This included mercury which, when injected through a urethral syringe, was a common (ineffective) treatment for syphilis.
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What disease did pirates get?

Scurvy is a clinical syndrome that results from vitamin C deficiency. Tales from pirates and British sailors made the disease infamous.
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Why are there no female pirates?

On many ships in the Golden Age of Piracy, women were prohibited by the ship's contract (required to be signed by all crew members) due to being seen as bad luck and due to fears that the male crew members would fight over the women.
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Did pirates get drunk?

Strong alcohols such as rum and brandy were often used on long voyages to disinfect stagnant water, and to sweeten the flavour. So you see; pirates were always drunk because even their water had alcohol in it.
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Why does the pirates ride smell?

Pirates of the Caribbean

Instead of chlorine, Disney uses a chemical called bromine in the water, and that scent permeates the air in and around the ride. It smells like pirates up in here.
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Why did pirates not drink water?

During the Golden Age of Piracy, it was very difficult to find fresh and clean drinking water, even on dry land. For pirates on the open sea, it was almost impossible to transport and maintain an adequate supply of fresh drinking water onboard. Because of this, many seamen drank grog, beer or ale as opposed to water.
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How did pirates not get dehydrated?

Back in the day, long-haul pirates and the sailors of the British Royal Navy didn't just use rum for recreation. To keep the crew hydrated, ships typically stored three types of liquid sustenance: water, beer, and rum.
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Why did pirates have black eyes?

Some assume pirates wore eye patches to cover a missing eye or an eye that was wounded in battle, but in fact, an eye patch was more likely to be used to condition the eye so the pirate could fight in the dark.
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Why did pirates have black around their eyes?

Over time, swashbucklers who often found themselves embroiled in combat had learned how to adapt. Of course, the only way to move stealthily through the dark of night was to utilize your eyes to the fullest. By wearing a patch over one eye, pirates could “trick” their vision into adjusting to darkness more quickly.
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Why do pirates have tattoos?

Tattoos have reflected sailors' superstitions, including the belief that certain symbols and talismans could help them. Sailors believed that a nautical star or compass rose would help them navigate, including finding their way back to port or back home.
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How long was a pirates life expectancy?

Many pirates lost their lives during battle, or became ill and passed away. On average, the life expectancy for pirates was no more than two years. Oftentimes, their families never even knew what had happened to them. In addition, pirates were sometimes beaten and threatened with death on board.
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How long was a pirates life span?

Most pirates did not live longer than 5 years after becoming one.
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