shiver me timbers (shiver my timbers)
idiomatic expression

- an exclamation in the form of a mock oath usually attributed to the speech of pirates in works of fiction

- a literary device used by authors to express shock, surprise, or annoyance

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PHRASE ORIGIN

“Shiver" in this context means to break or splinter into pieces. This usage of the word comes from the Old English scifrian or Middle English chiveren, which referred to the action of something breaking apart.

"Timbers" refers to the wooden support beams of a ship's structure. When a ship encountered rough seas or was struck by cannon fire, the timbers could break or shiver.

The phrase "Shiver me timbers" (a sailor's exclamation of surprise or shock) was essentially a metaphor for the breaking or splintering of the ship's wooden beams during a storm or a battle.

The phrase became strongly associated with pirates through its use in literature and popular culture, especially with Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island (1883) - Long John Silver, a character in the book, uses the phrase several times.

Nowadays, "Shiver me timbers" is used light-heartedly to express surprise, shock, or annoyance.

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TALK LIKE A PIRATE

Common pirate expressions:

- “Ahoy, matey!” = a friendly greeting to a friend.

- “Aye, aye!" =  a phrase meaning "Yes, I understand" or "I'm following your orders”.

- “Batten down the hatches!” = prepare for trouble or an upcoming storm.

- “Davy Jones' locker" = a metaphor for the bottom of the sea; essentially a sailor's or pirate's grave.

- “Pieces of eight!" = cash in coins (a reference to Spanish silver coins).

- “Splice the mainbrace!" = pour out the celebratory drinks (originally an order to issue a drink ration).

- “Swab the deck!" = an order to clean up a mess (originally used as a punishment).

- “Yo ho ho (and a bottle of rum)!" = an exclamation of high spirits, expressing enjoyment or excitement.

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SYNONYMS

I'll be a monkey's uncle (blowed, darned, jiggered), I'm at a loss for words (floored, gobsmacked, taken aback), I've been blindsided, Lord love a duck, blimey, blow me down, by Jove (thunder), can you believe it, cor blimey, crikey, egad, gadzooks, good grief (heavens), goodness gracious, great Scott, heavens above (to Betsy), holy cow (mackerel, moly, smoke), knock me down with a feather, land sakes, lordy be, oh my days (my goodness, my word), saints preserve us, SHIVER ME TIMBERS, strike me pink, that beats all, well I never (I’ll be, knock me over with a feather, slap my face), what in tarnation (in the world), what on earth, you don't say, you've got to be kidding me

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Well SHIVER ME TIMBERS!… another week has gone by already!”

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