PICAROON

TileHead’s Word o’ the Day for 19 September 2011

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PICAROON  (v. -ED, -ING, -S)

What this word be a-meanin’:

1. (v.) to act as a pirate or rogue
2. (n.) a pirate, rogue, or vagabond
3. (n.) a small ship of a kind used by pirates
4. (n.) a long pole with a spike or hook, used in logging and fishing
5. (adj.) in the manner of a picaroon: piratical; roguish

Useful to be knowin’ if ye be a game player:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: -S
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: -ED, -ING
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: PICARO (n.), PICARA (n.)

Last words:
Avast, all ye landlubbers!  Every September 19th be declared International Talk Like a Pirate Day, the day set aside for talkin’ like a pirate and lootin’ and pillagin’ and, well, mostly talkin’ like a pirate!  If ye don’t play along, best watch out for the sign of the Jolly Roger, for ye could be walkin’ the plank and endin’ up in ol’ Davy Jones’ locker!

Those with book learnin’ say this one be from a Spanish word, picaron (“rogue, scoundrel”), which also be the source of the related words PICARO and PICARA, masculine and feminine terms for “a rogue or scoundrel.”  Aye, ye be crossin’ paths with plenty o’ that sort on the high seas, matey!

This week’s theme: arrr!

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