Mattera loved the language of the pirates, and even found a book dedicated to the subject. Pirates never said “Arrgh” or “Shiver my timbers” (which almost certainly originated, like so much supposed pirate language, in Hollywood movies from the 1950s). They did use terms and phrases such as “Ahoy,” “A merry life and a short one,” and several curses, oaths, threats, and greetings, each of which Mattera enjoyed. He scribbled down these favorites to yell at Chatterton when next he saw him: —Eat what falls from my tail! —Damn your blood! —I’ll cleave your skull asunder! —I’ll cut you in pound
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