From: SReidTweed-AT-aol.com
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 22:11:46 EST
Subject: Re:  Re: Re:Person's Unknowna & Jolly Roger



In a message dated 2/16/00 1:30:48 AM, brie-AT-ucsd.edu wrote:

<<the jolly roger was intended to strike fear into the hearts of potential

victims.  when a pirate ship raised their jolly roger, it was an offer of

quarter and a warning of what might happen if the other ship turned down the

offer.  if the crew didn't respond quickly enough, the pirates would raise

their red flag, which meant no quarter given.>>

The name has an interesting history too. Historians are split between three 
possible origins. The first theory is that "Jolly Roger" is a corruption of 
"jolie rouge," French for "pretty red" (a reference to the red flag). When 
the black flag became more popular, the name stuck around. The second theory 
is based on the fact that in the 17th century, "roger" meant "rogue." The 
third theory is that "Jolly Roger" is a corruption of "ali rajah," which 
means "prince of the sea." Prince of the sea is a common euphemism for a 
pirate. 

-Stephen