The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues [Hardcover]

George Choundas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2007

Ebbry-blastin'-theng ye needs must know-oo to lay tongue liker aargh-thentic pirate, by the devil's twisted tail.

Take a tour through the world of piracy with the only authoritative work on the pirate language. A comprehensive course in pirate vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax, The Pirate Primer contains three centuries of distinctive terms and usages uttered by (and attributed to) pirates in film, TV, literature, and history.

Discover more than 100 pages of threats, curses, oaths, insults, and epithets; 31 types of pirate drink; 60 different pirate terms for "woman"; 67 kinds of pirate torture and punishment; 44 distinct definitions of "aargh"; and more.

Each entry in the Primer is accompanied by an excerpt, so you can see the words and phrases used in proper context by actual pirates. And each linguistic concept is introduced by a related anecdote or narrative account, so you can live the language while you learn it.

Whether you're simply fascinated by the culture of the Brethren of the Coast or you fancy yourself a modern-day corsair, The Pirate Primer is your guide to authentic pirate speak. Should you ever stare down Davy Jones and he demands proof that you're one who flies no flag, despair not.

You'll be able to talk the talk, and no mistake.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Choundas lives and works in New York City. Educated at Emory University, he is a corporate litigator and former FBI agent. The Pirate Primer was inspired by a trolley ride he and his wife took in Key West, Florida during which a coarse shop owner charged after the sightseers on foot, swinging a cutlass and screaming pirate epithets.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (March 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582974896
• ISBN-13: 978-1582974897
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Entertaining, May 14, 2007

By 

David T. Kim "Not another book!" (new york, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues (Hardcover)

A friend of mine (non-pirate) recommended this book, so I leafed through it without much expectation. Not being a fan of the genre, I expected to be none too interested. I was shocked to find that a couple of hours had passed when I looked back up! Really informative and, most importantly, fun to read. Great stuff. I've been recommending it highly to all my friends.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ye'll be a bold scug to say no to the Primer, May 4, 2007

By 

Tobias, Son of Floyd (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues (Hardcover)

George Choundas and the folks at Writers Digest Books have published a handsomely bound book that should grace your pirate library. The look and feel of this book is absolutely fabulous. I'm sure some will wait for a soft cover edition to be printed but if you are one of them you will miss out on one of the joys of this book. The illustrations on the end pages and quality of the paper used for the interior pages make this hard bound first edition a must. If this book comes out in soft cover, it will be impossible to duplicate this fine workmanship.

As the subtitle of the Pirate Primer suggest, the book deals with the language of pirates. However, in discovering the language; you do learn something of the pirate life, both in fact and fiction. Choundas does not limit himself to the language of actual pirates but tackles the language as presented in works of literature, motion picture and television. In every case, the author states the word or phrase, provides a short definition and then provides an example of how the word or phrase is used. Choundas provides a citation for the examples which inform the reader of where they came from.

The book does not stop there. It also includes an entire chapter on the most famous pirate word uttered; that being "arrrgh!" It will come as no surprise to most pirate enthusiasts that are smart as paint that real pirates didn't say "arrrgh!"

The book also includes a lexicon of nautical terms that are sure to please anyone who has ever tried to read a seafaring book. You'll also get a section on food, drink, weapons and women.

If this isn't enough, you'll learn a hundreds of ways to greet your fellow pirate, bid the same adieu, and curse or compliment him/her.

And like a late night TV ad, I have to say "But wait, there's more." The book goes into great detail on how to form a pirate sentence, the use of adverbs and adjectives, positioning verbs, the use of transitive verbs, and other grammar rules as they apply to pirates Choundas actually covers the language as an English teacher would but the difference is you'll actually enjoy this textbook.

Did I mention the collection of Ship's Articles at the end of the book? Yep! You even get ship's articles with the Primer.

All in all, the entire book is a joy to read and joy to look at. Probably the only drawback is the lack of pictures. (That, and Choundas doesn't include any quotes from the movie The Black Swan) But let's face it; most of the pictures found in pirate books tend to be the same ones found everywhere else. In closing, not only will this book get you ready for the next Talk Like a Pirate Day, it will also make you want to rewatch all those old pirate movies and perhaps buy a pirate novel you haven't already read. The book will also act as a handy reference tool for the aspiring pirate author or acotr. Aye matey, This be your book if a pirate you must be.

Tobias Gibson

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Avast ye maties! An excellent read!, April 22, 2007

By 

Patrick L. OConnor (Queens, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues (Hardcover)

Ever wonder how in the world they come up with all that pirate lingo for movies like "Pirates of the Carribbean?" Wonder no more! This book is the definitive guide to pirate-speak. It details everything you would ever want to know about the eytmology, meaning, and use of all that pirate speak you've heard but can never adequate reproduce on your own. It is also filled with little-known facts and interesting stories about the pirating way.

Whether you are an aspirating pirate or an author or screenwriter needing to know the proper use of pirate speak this book is for you. The outline of the book is simple and indexed so well that you can always find exactly the term you need to define or the proper turn of phrase be it oath (burn and sink me), curse (you can up anchor and away to the devil), or respectful address (son of a sea dog). Additionally, the book's beautiful binding and pages (all the pages look like ancient parchment) makes this a great book to set out in your home or office as a facinating topic of conversation.