Jolly Roger

American  

[roj-er] / ˈrɒdʒ ər /

noun

1. a flag flown by pirates, having the device of a white skull and crossbones on a black field.

---

Jolly Roger British  

noun

1. the traditional pirate flag, consisting of a white skull and crossbones on a black field

---

Jolly Roger Cultural  

1. A black flag with a white skull and crossbones, flown in past centuries by pirate ships.

---

Etymology

Origin of Jolly Roger

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

One of my earliest codified rules was that, while I would be completely transparent about pirate season and all that it entails, never once would my wife lay eyes upon the Jolly Roger.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2023

“The Jolly Roger... he really didn’t want me to put a skull on that, that was the limit, he didn’t want to see that.”

From The Verge • Jun. 18, 2022

A Jolly Roger pirate flag from a World War Two Royal Navy submarine will go under the hammer later.

From BBC • May 14, 2022

A Facebook page for the Jerry Morgan & Certified Outlaw Band indicates they played the Jolly Roger in 2019.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 28, 2021

“Tom answered,” wrote a delighted Jolly Roger, “with a grunt of something akin to rage.”

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand