Why do pirates say ahoy?

Ahoy. Ahoy is the most versatile pirate word used in movies and books. Sailors use it to call to other ships, greet each other, warn of danger, or say goodbye. The Online Etymology Dictionary says that it probably came from “a hoy” a nautical term related to hauling.
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Why do pirates say Land ahoy?

Land-ahoy definition

(nautical) Interjection shouted by the ship's watch to inform the crew that land has been spotted.
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Why do pirates say ahoy matey?

Ahoy – A pirate greeting or a way to get someone's attention, similar to “Hello” or “hey!”. Arrr, Arrgh, Yarr, Gar – Pirates slang used to emphasize a point. Avast – Pirate speak for pay attention. Aye aye – Confirmation that an order is understood.
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What does ship's ahoy mean?

Interjection. ship ahoy. (nautical) Interjection used to hail another ship or vessel, or to attract attention to the presence of another vessel (most probably close by)
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What is the proper response to ahoy?

The standard responses to “ahoy”, when used in nautical terms, vary depending on who's on the boat being hailed. If you have a commissioned officer aboard, “aye aye” is the correct response. If no officer is aboard, “no no” is the correct response.
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How to Talk Like a Pirate



Do pirates say ahoy?

Ahoy. Ahoy is the most versatile pirate word used in movies and books. Sailors use it to call to other ships, greet each other, warn of danger, or say goodbye. The Online Etymology Dictionary says that it probably came from “a hoy” a nautical term related to hauling.
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What does a pirate call his wife?

matey (or mate)
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How do pirates say yes?

Aye - "Yes" Aye aye - Conformation, taking order from the captain. Belay - Usually means to tie something down but pirates used it to prevent someone to do something.
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How do sailors say good luck?

The use of the expression "fair winds" is used to wish a person a safe journey or good fortune.
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What does Avast ye mean?

Avast Ye: A command meaning pay attention or listen. Aye, Aye: Yes, I understand.
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How do you say no in pirate?

Say 'aye' in place of yes, but don't say "nay" in place of no - not unless you want to talk like a pirate politician.
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Why do pirates say r?

Have you ever wondered why pirates say "Arrr"? We answer this burning question with help from National Geographic and American Profile. Pronounced also as “Yarrr!” and “Arg!”, the word “Arrr!” is traditionally said by pirates when responding "yes" or when expressing excitement.
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What do 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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How do you pick a pirate name?

The key to creating a good pirate name is to start with a simple, yet expressive adjective, such as skinny, big or silly. Then add a similar sounding name after your chosen adjective. For example, Stinking Pete or Silly Shelly.
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What does Scallywag mean in pirate?

Scalawags were Southerners who cooperated, usually whites who had nothing before the war, and were hoping to profit from the situation, at their neighbors' expense. another meaning of scallywag is used to denote a support under the bow of an old Pirate ship in dry dock.
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Why do pirates wear eye patches?

The eye patch could be used to prepare one eye to see in the dark, so when they would go below deck they could swap the eye patch from one eye to the other and see with the eye that has already adjusted to low light conditions. This would allow them to instantly see in the dark.
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Who is the most feared female pirate of all time?

Anne Bonny – At the top of the list is Anne Bonny, probably the most famous female pirate to sail during the Golden Age. She was a member of Calico Jack's crew, along with Mary Read, but it is said that the two women fought with more skill than any man on board the ship.
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What does No Prey No Pay mean?

"No purchase, no pay" (or "no prey, no pay") was a phrase used by pirates and privateers, of the 17th century in particular, to describe the conditions under which participants were expected to join expeditions or raids. The phrase describes a remuneration arrangement similar to a commission.
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Where did ahoy originate?

The origins of 'Ahoy'

Ahoy is a signal word used to call to a ship or boat. The word stems from the Middle English cry “Hoy!”, a greeting derived from the Dutch “Hoi”. Seafarers used the word 'ahoy' in song well before the word's first recorded use in print.
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What country says ahoy?

Ahoj is an informal greeting used in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, both when welcoming and saying goodbye. Etymologists at the Czech Language Institute believe the word entered Czech from the English “hoy”: a word originally used by seafarers.
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What do sailors say when they see land?

“Ahoy!” – sailors would use this exclamation among themselves to call out to each other. “Land Ho!” – an exclamation that a sailor would make when they spotted the land.
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