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The Codex: C
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ


C[]

Cannibalism[]

"See, the Pelegostos believe that Jack is a god in human form, and they intend to do him the honor of releasing him from his fleshy prison. They'll roast him and eat him."
Joshamee Gibbs to Will Turner[src]
Cannibal Ambush

Cannibals on Isla de Pelegostos.

The act of one individual of a species eating all or part of another individual of the same species as food.

Cannonade[]

"Our ships are in pursuit, and justice will be dispensed by cannonade and cutlass, and all manner of remorseless pieces of metal."
Cutler Beckett to Weatherby Swann[src]

A heavy and continuous attack of gunfire.

Cannonball[]

"They will probably shoot cannonballs at us. Hide in one of the clear spaces. The ship may bounce around. Barrels may topple. Just find the best place, and stay there."
Jack Sparrow to Amenirdis, Tarek, and Shabako[src]

A missile, usually round and made of iron or steel, designed to be fired from a cannon.

Cantina[]

A drinking establishment, often specifically of the type found in Latin America. The Twelve Daggers was a cantina located on the island of Tortuga.

Canvas[]

"We should drop canvas, sir."
"She can hold a bit longer.
"
Joshamee Gibbs and Jack Sparrow[src]

An extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails; also used to refer to the sails of a vessel collectively.

Capstan[]

DMCBlackPearlCapstan

The Black Pearl's capstan

"Man the capstan. Raise the main topyard."
Joshamee Gibbs[src]

A machine that consists of a vertical drum which can be turned so that rope or a cable can wind around it and move or lift heavy weights (such as a ship's anchor.)

Captain[]

"Captain gives orders on the ship."
"The captain of the ship is giving orders."
"My ship, makes me captain."
"They be my charts."
"That makes you 'chartman.'
"
Jack Sparrow and Hector Barbossa[src]

The master of a ship, the captain was responsible for its safety and oversaw its crew.

Captain goes down with his ship[]

"Jack Sparrow, our debt is settled."
"The captain goes down with his ship."
"Turns out not even Jack Sparrow can best the devil!
"
Davy Jones, Palifico, and Maccus[src]

A naval tradition implying the captain holds the ultimate responsibility for both the ship and everyone in it and that if it goes down, he will do his best to save everyone before himself.

Captain's Log[]

Santiagologbook

The log of the Santiago.

"I, Captain Jack Sparrow, being recently possessed of a ship, a crew and a hat, do take it upon me from this day forth to faithfully and truthfully recount our adventures on the high seas and lowly streets in this Captain's Log."
―Excerpt from Jack Sparrow's log[src]

A personal journal kept by the captain of a ship, recounting the crew's exploits and discoveries. Jack Sparrow kept a log aboard the Barnacle.[1]

Carbuncle[]

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your carbuncle?"
Jack Sparrow to Bootstrap Bill Turner[src]

A painful localized bacterial infection of the skin, commonly referring to a red, infected spot. Also a deep-red garnet or precious stone. [1]

Careen[]

Black Pearl Pelegostos Island DMC

The Black Pearl careened on the island of Isla de Pelegostos.

"She'll cut quite a figure, eh, mate?"
"The masts look to be in good shape. We'll need to go over all her canvas."
"First, though, we've got to get her hull shipshape. We'll take her up one of the Calabar's tributaries half a mile, and careen her on one of those nice sandy banks.
"
Jack Sparrow and Robert Greene[src]

Careening a ship is the practice of beaching it at high tide. This is usually done in order to expose one side or another of the ship's hull for maintenance and repairs below the water line when the tide goes out. This practice is also known as to "hove down".

Cargo[]

"I'll haul any cargo you assign me, even powder, dangerous as that can be. But I won't transport slaves."
Jack Sparrow to Cutler Beckett[src]

Material goods carried by a ship. Jack Sparrow was assigned to transport a cargo of slaves by Cutler Beckett.

Carina[]

"What be you called?"
"The brightest star in the North gave me my name."
"That would be Carina.
"
Hector Barbossa and Carina Smyth[src]

A constellation in the southern sky. Its name is Latin for the hull or keel of a ship, and it was the southern foundation of the larger constellation of Argo Navis (the ship Argo) until it was divided into three pieces, the other two being Puppis (the poop deck), and Vela (the sails of the ship).

Carpe diem[]

"Quid pro quo, ipso facto, rigor mortis, and carpe diem, as they say."
Jack Sparrow to Roger Mortensen[src]

A Latin aphorism, usually translated "seize the day".

Carpenter[]

"One of the men I’ve used before, Samuel Newton by name, has agreed to sign on for the voyage. He’s never sailed before, except as a passenger, but he was apprenticed to a carpenter, so he’s got a very useful skill."
Ian Mercer to Cutler Beckett[src]

A person who makes and repairs wooden objects and structures. The main job of the ship's carpenter was to care for the hull and well being of the ship.

Carriage[]

A wheeled vehicle, generally drawn by horse power.

Cartridge[]

"I need a full spread, fore and aft. Mr. Stevens, more cartridges!"
James Norrington[src]

A specially prepared sack of gunpowder used for loading cannons and firearms.

Cast[]

To turn the head of a vessel, commonly away from the wind, in getting under way.[2]

Cast off[]

"Cast off those lines!"
Joshamee Gibbs[src]

To throw the mooring lines back onto the dock in preparation for a sailing vessel to get underway.[3]

Cat got your tongue[]

"Wake up, Jack! What is it you English say... has the kitty pulled out your tongue?"
"Huh? Esmeralda, the expression you want goes, ‘Has the cat got your tongue.’"
"Oh! My English is good, but not perfect."
"It’s ruddy good. Better than my Spanish.
"
Esmeralda Maria Consuela Anna de Sevilla and Jack Sparrow[src]

A way to question someone's silence or when they can't respond to a question or situation.

Cat o' nine tails[]

"Me tongue feels like a strip cut from a cat."
"Fur?"
"No, mate, leather. A cat o' nine tails. Used for floggings at sea. Nasty things.
"
Jack Sparrow and Ian Mercer[src]

The cat o' nine tails is a type of multi-tailed whipping device that originated as an implement for severe physical punishment, notably used by pirates and members of the British Royal Navy.

Cat's out of the bag[]

"The cat's out of the bag, Mr. Turner! Your issue will feel its sting, be it by the Bo'sun's hand or your own."
Davy Jones to Bootstrap Bill Turner[src]

Old navy slang meaning the cat o' nine tails has been taken out of its bag, and is undoubtedly going to be used on someone.[2] Also an idiomatic expression meaning a secret has been revealed.

Catholic[]

"I have a report. The Spanish have located the Fountain of Youth. I will not have some melancholy Spanish Monarch—a Catholic—gain eternal life!"
King George II[src]

A member of the Catholic Church.

CBP[]

Abbreviation of The Curse of the Black Pearl, first film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Also TCotBP, CotBP or Curse.

Ceremony[]

"Actually, I, um...I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today."
"The ceremony?"
"Captain Norrington's promotion ceremony."
"I knew it."
"
Commodore Norrington, as he's about to become."
Weatherby Swann and Elizabeth Swann[src]

An event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion.

Chain shot[]

"Load your guns with chain shot! Aim for their rigging -- we must slow them down!"
Jack Sparrow[src]

Two cannonballs or half-cannonballs joined by a chain; fired at an enemy ship to destroy its rigging.

Chapeau[]

"Oh, yes. Chapeau, mate."
―A Jack Sparrow in a hallucination from the real Jack Sparrow in the brig after telling him he successfully arrived aboard the Flying Dutchman as a part of his overall scheme[src]

In French, used to express appreciation.

Chaplain[]

Chaplain

The chaplain of the scuttled ship

A chaplain is a member of the clergy commonly serving a group of people not organized as a mission or church. Chaplains were often attached to a ship's crew. A chaplain served aboard the scuttled ship.[3]

Chest[]

"I care not for cursed Aztec gold. My desires are not so provincial. There's more than one chest of value in these waters."
Cutler Beckett[src]

A large strong box, typically made of wood and used for storage or shipping.

Chief[]

"And then they made me their chief."
Jack Sparrow to Mullroy and Murtogg[src]

A chief was a leader or head of a group of people. Jack Sparrow was the chief of the Pelegostos, a title later given to the Prison Dog.

Choice[]

"But if I might offer an exceedingly simple solution; don't save your father."
"I have to. I can't turn my back on him"
"
Can't is a matter of fact. You can if you want, but you won't. That makes it a matter of choice. That's what life is, boyo: choices. Out of all the things you can do, what will you do? If I might lend a machete to your intellectual thicket...avoid the choice altogether. Change the facts."
Jack Sparrow and Will Turner[src] (deleted scene)

An option; a decision; an opportunity to choose or select something. One selection or preference; that which is chosen or decided; the outcome of a decision. Anything that can be chosen. The best or most preferable part.

Chronometer[]

Carina diary chronometer

Carina Smyth's chronometer.

"There is a blood moon coming. I simply need to purchase... a chronometer. I'll pay you double for selling to a woman."
Carina Smyth to George Swift[src]

A chronometer is a timepiece or timing device with a special mechanism for ensuring and adjusting its accuracy, for use in determining longitude at sea or for any purpose where very exact measurement of time is required.

Cimarron[]

Black slaves who escaped from their Spanish masters and became pirates. Cimarrons were said to account for a quarter of the pirates active in the Caribbean.[4]

Circa[]

"You don't happen to be in possession of two Silver Chalices, circa Ponce de León?"
"No."
"Ha, thought not."
"Why?
"
Jack Sparrow and Angelica[src]

Circa, often abbreviated as ca., ca, or c., rarely as cca. or cir, was a term used to mean approximately, around, near, or about a certain date.

Clap him in irons[]

"I know. 'Clap him in irons', right?"
Jack Sparrow[src]

To suddenly put someone in jail or chains. "Irons" refers to shackles.

Classics[]

"Ye not be very well read in the classics."
Hector Barbossa to Pintel and Ragetti[src]

Another name for the literature of the ancient Mediterranean world, especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity.

Cleaver[]

Cleaver is a squarish, heavy knife used by butchers for hacking through bones.

Clemency[]

"On our return to Port Royal, I granted you clemency. And this is how you thank me? By throwing in your lot with him? He's a pirate!"
"And a good man.
"
Weatherby Swann and Will Turner[src]

Clemency refers to amnesty and pardons; means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation (in whole or in part) of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves.

Cleric[]

"Impersonating a cleric of the church of England."
"Ah, yeah.
"
Port Royal clerk and Jack Sparrow[src]

A cleric, often referred to as clergyman, is a member of the clergy, especially one who was a priest, missionary or other religious professional.

Clerk[]

"Who is that? Captain Sparrow? What’s going on? This is most irregular. You need to make an appointment with my clerk. I’m very busy at the moment."
Benjamin Blount[src]

One who occupationally works with records, accounts, letters, etc.

Close haul[]

"Close haul her! Luff the sails and lay her in irons!"
Jack Sparrow[src]

To trim the sails flat for sailing as close to the wind as possible.

Club[]

"Wait! We can still use them as clubs!"
Pintel[src]

A short staff or stick, usually made of wood, wielded as a weapon.

Clubhauling[]

"They're clubhaulin'! Hard to port! Rack the starboard oars."
Hector Barbossa to Bo'sun[src]

A risky maneuver whereby a ship tacks (turns sharply into the wind) by dropping one of the front anchors, the intent being to snag the anchor on the seabed and use the ship's momentum to swing it around faster than could otherwise be accomplished.

Cobardes[]

"Give it to 'em again lads...Aye, that'll show the bilge rats. Avast, ya scurvy scum! Run up yer white flag!"
"We will never surrender! ¡Cobardes!"
"Very well, then! Give 'em a broadside! Pound 'em lads! Pound 'em!
"
Pirate Captain and Spanish soldiers[src] (pre-2006 revamp)

Cobardes is a Spanish term meaning "coward".

Cockswain[]

"All right! Only I knows the route home."
"That would make you -- the navigator."
"Captain."
"Cook?"
"Captain."
"Cockswain?
"
Hector Barbossa and Jack Sparrow[src] (original screenplay)

Cockswain, also spelled coxswain, was a ship's officer who took care of the cockboat, barge or shallop, with all its furniture, and was in readiness with his crew to man the boat on all occasions.

Codpiece[]

"Send this pestilent, traitorous, cow-hearted, yeasty codpiece to the brig."
Jack Sparrow[src]

A pouch, especially a conspicuous and decorative one, attached to a man's breeches or close-fitting hose to cover the genitals, worn in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Coffer[]

A secure box, often watertight, for storing a ship's treasury; a ship's "official" treasure chest.

Come about[]

"Hands, come about! Run out the guns!"
Theodore Groves[src]

To come to pass; to develop; to occur; to take place; to happen. In nautical terms, it means to tack; to change tack; to maneuver the bow of a sailing vessel across the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the vessel to the other; to position a boat with respect to the wind after tacking; to bring the ship full way around in the wind. Used in general while sailing into the wind, but also used to indicate a swing back into the enemy in combat.

Commandeer[]

"Commandeer. We are going to commandeer that ship. Nautical term."
Jack Sparrow[src]

To seize by force, usually for military use.[4] Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner comandeered the Inteceptor.[5]

Consign[]

"I'm losing her, Jack. Every step I make for my father...is a step away from Elizabeth. She was willing to do anything to save you."
"From the fate she consigned me."
"She felt terrible about killing you."
"Yes, she's a prize, that one.
"
Will Turner and Jack Sparrow[src]

Deliver (something) to a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold. Send (goods) by a public carrier. Assign; commit decisively or permanently.

Convent[]

"What were you doing in a Spanish convent, anyway?!"
"Mistook it for a brothel. Honest mistake.
"
Angelica and Jack Sparrow[src]

A religious community whose members, (especially nuns) live under strict observation of religious rules and self-imposed vows. Angelica, the daughter of Blackbeard, spent her early life in a convent.

Convert[]

"Clergyman. On the off chance that this does not go well for me, I would like it noted here and now that I am fully prepared to believe in whatever I must, so that I may be welcomed into that place where all the goody-goodies get to go. Savvy?"
"We have a word for that, Jack. You can convert."
"I was thinking more of an as-needed basis.
"
Jack Sparrow and Philip Swift[src]

A person who has converted his or her religion or who was in favor of something that he or she previously opposed or disliked. Philip Swift once suggested that Jack Sparrow convert after the pirate asked for a way into Heaven.

Cook[]

"Look what I brought for you! Some of Steve Seymour's best beef ragout. His wife is French, you know. Cooks everything with cream and wine."
Jack Sparrow[src]

Cooking refers to the preparation of food, a dish, or a meal, by combining and heating the ingredients in various ways. A person holds the title of "cook" aboard a ship. The cook's principal role is to ensure the preparation and serving of meals for consumption.

Cooper[]

CotBPAttackonPortRoyalAftermath

A cooper's shop (right) in Port Royal.

A person trained to make wooden casks, barrels, vats, buckets, tubs, troughs and other similar containers from timber staves that were usually heated or steamed to make them pliable.

Corporation[]

"We bid 400!"
"We?"
"We formed a corporation.
"
Atencio and the Auctioneer[src]

A company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity.

Corset[]

"I'm gonna teach you the meaning of pain!"
"Do you like pain? Try wearing a corset.
"
Jacoby and Elizabeth Swann[src]

A woman's foundation garment, reinforced with stays, that supports the waistline, hips and bust. Elizabeth Swann once wore a corset for James Norrington's promotion.

CotBP[]

Abbreviation for The Curse of the Black Pearl, the first film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Other abbreviations for The Curse of the Black Pearl include TCotBP, CBP, or Curse.

Coxwain[]

A coxswain or cockswain was at first the swain (boy servant) in charge of the small cock or cockboat that was kept aboard for the ship's captain and which was used to row him to and from the ship. With the passing of time the coxswain became the helmsman of any boat, regardless of size.

Creole[]

"Ran off with a Creole woman to Madagascar. She was half his age and twice his height!"
Bartender on Jack Sparrow[src]

A person of mixed European, native and/or African ancestry born in the Caribbean and the Americas. From the Spanish "criadillo", meaning "bred" or "brought up".[2] Minuit was a Creole.[6]

Crier[]

Also stylized as Cryer, it is an officer who proclaims the orders or directions of a court, or who gives public notice by loud proclamation; as, a town crier.

Crimp[]

Pirate slang for a swindler or a member of a naval press-gang. [5] Also the name of one of Jack Sparrow's crewmen: Crimp.[3]

Crow's nest[]

Henry crow's nest

Henry Turner in the crow's nest of the Black Pearl.

"Me have one arm and a bum leg."
"It's the crow's nest for you.
"
Crippled man to Joshamee Gibbs[src]

A platform or shelter for a lookout at or near the top of a ship's mast. [6]

Cur[]

"Come on you filthy, slimy, mangy cur..."
Jack Sparrow to Prison Dog[src]

A mongrel dog, especially a worthless or unfriendly one. Also used in reference to a mean or cowardly person. Jack Sparrow once called the Prison Dog a cur. [7]

Curiosity killed the cat[]

"You think you can outsmart Mr. Bleek, you nosy child? You know what they say about curiosity and the cat?"
"Killed it! Killed the kitty!
"
Mr. Bleek and Bartholomew to Carmelita[src]

A proverb used to warn of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation.

OSTBundleofCurrency

A bundle of currency is exchanged.

Currency[]

"No doubt you've discovered that loyalty is no longer the currency of the realm, as your father believes."
"Then what is?"
"...I'm afraid currency, is the currency of the realm.
"
Cutler Beckett and Elizabeth Swann[src]

Money or other items used to facilitate transactions; Paper money; a countable unit which symbolize real value Acceptance or use.

Curse[]

"Curse you for breathing, you slack-jawed idiot!"
Joshamee Gibbs[src]

A curse is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other entity, inflicted by any supernatural powers.

Cut out the middle man[]

"Although, if I kill you, then I can use the compass to find Shipwreck Cove, is it, on my own. Cut out the middle man, as it were."
Cutler Beckett to Jack Sparrow[src]

"Cut out the middle man" is a known phrase, which means to go straight to the source, instead of getting someone to go for you. Cutler Beckett was considering to kill Jack Sparrow in order to use Sparrow's compass to find Shipwreck Cove.

Cutlass

A cutlass

Cutlass[]

"Our ships are in pursuit, and justice will be dispensed by cannonade and cutlass, and all manner of remorseless pieces of metal. I personally find it distasteful to even contemplate the horror facing all those on board."
Cutler Beckett[src]

A cutlass is a slashing sword that is short, thick, and slightly curved. It was often used at sea by sailors and pirates.

Cutlasses were favored by sailors due to their small size and ease of use. The weapon was commonly used for cutting ropes, canvas and wood, and in battle for close quarter combat and boarding actions.

Cutthroat[]

"There be varied insubstantial dangers along the way. Including, but not limited to, zombies, cutthroats, mermaids...you wouldn't be interested joining me, would you. Eh?"
Jack Sparrow[src] (featurette)

A murderer, especially one who cuts throats; also an unprincipled, ruthless person. [8] Cutthroats were known to frequent the Faithful Bride in Tortuga.[1]

Cuttlefish[]

"Cuttlefish. Eh? Let us not, dear friends, forget our dear friends the cuttlefish... flipping glorious little sausages. Pen them up together, and they will devour each other without a second thought."
Jack Sparrow[src]

A swimming marine mollusk that resembles a broad squid, having eight arms and two long tentacles that are used for grabbing prey.

Notes and references[]

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