Jolly Roger

[ roj-er ]

noun

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

Jolly Roger

noun

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

Jolly Roger

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jolly Roger¹

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

In another image, a sign with “Jolly Roger” on it is in the foreground by a dock; just behind it, a British flag flies.

From Los Angeles Times

“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

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

From BBC

It isn’t until we’re halfway across the large space that I see where Dylan is taking us—the Jolly Roger.

From Literature