Wednesday, January 21, 2015

J/Alphabe-Thursday

A Jolly Roger (aka pirate flag)

J is for JOLLY

The skull and crossbones flag looks ominous to me but I'm pretty sure the flag above was flying just for fun...but I dunno for sure. The term Jolly Rogers for black flags with smiling skulls goes back at least three centuries, and the originals meant business. Serious business.

A Jolly Roger was not flown most of the time but was raised - often accompanied by a warning shot - when a pirate ship was about to take over another ship. It warned the captain on the victim ship to surrender - no harm would be done to anyone on board.  If the victim ship resisted, the Jolly Roger was replaced by a red flag and there would be no mercy.

And now for something completely different

Don't you think this guy looks jolly out for a walk in his cozy coat?

 Not-so-jolly ring-billed gull

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

FYI City Daily Photo bloggers:  The  February 1st theme - If you had to leave forever the city from where you usually post, what would you miss most?  

44 comments:

  1. The dog looks lovely although I think dogs are getting soft these days. Never had coats on in my day! Now the Gull manages beautifully.

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  2. Interesting how you caught the dog in mid-stride.

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  3. A pirate walks into a bar wearing a paper towel on his head. He sits down at the bar and orders some dirty rum.

    The bartender asks, "Why are you wearing a paper towel?"

    "Arrr..." says the pirate. "I've got a bounty on me head!"

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  4. The dogs looks so cute and a great shot of the gull. It looks very cold there, I am a wimp! Have a happy day!

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  5. The Gull and the dog are superb, and skull and crossbones, well, I'll say any more.

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  6. The photo of Sir Jolly Pooch made my day... but does anyone else smell dog poo? Hehe. ;-)

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  7. Oi me hearty.. How very adorable is the doggie in his jolly jumper :)

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  8. That pup sure does look jolly.

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  9. Great flag and I like Andy's joke.

    Darla

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  10. What an adorable puppy! And i love me a pirate flag (or any other pirate reference for that matter!)

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  11. Cute puppy! Great info on the pirate flag and great capture on the gull.

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  12. the jolly pup is Jogging and that is so sweet. the bird with the attitude made me feel jolly

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  13. I've got a couple of variations on the Jolly Roger flag as bandannas. And that dog is so cute!

    The gull seems suspicious of you.

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  14. I love that little guy with his lumberjack plaid coat!!! I wonder if his name is Roger...

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  15. Love the dog with the coat and the pirate flag, a bit less the gull...

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  16. the prancing pup was very cute and the unjolly gull was too funny. i'd not want to encounter a jolly roger on the seas.

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  17. Ah, I agree with Tex -- again! Love the prancing pup! Such a cutie!! That gull does indeed look annoyed by the weather -- or something!! Hope he's having a better day!!

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  18. Yes that little dog is just prancing along. Probably proud of his lovely coat. MB

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  19. I love the pic of the jolly dog out for a walk.

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  20. The JOlly and JAunty pup is my favorite today. We have tourist 'pirate' boats out on the river here .... I guess they do some kind of show for the people as they take a river cruise. They fly that flag and Im pretty sure it is just for fun. But not my cup of tea.

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  21. Pity today's pirates are not very jolly. I much prefer the gulls!

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  22. Funny how so many dogs have clothes these days! ;-)

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  23. By jolly, you got a nice doggy pic and a nice gull pic. I'm curious, though, as to where that pirate flag was flying!

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  24. The small dog is so cute! the Gull seems to be a cruel pirate , jolly or nor this one will have no mercy for ennemies!

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  25. The Ring-Bill looks more like "old cranky pants" to me!...:)JP

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  26. That gull is definitely not jolly!

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  27. I had not clue about the flag/jolly Roger. Just so much that I don't know. And so much I learn through blogging.

    That little doggie is cute...likes like a happy little guy...the gull looks like he is wondering about life.

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  28. Ahhh Art Muse Dog looks so cozy in his coat!

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  29. That wasn't Art Muse Dog! hah! Well, he looks cozy all the same...

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  30. All wonderful 'jolly' photos ~ love your doggie ~ reminds me of artmusedog a bit!

    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  31. Where did you see the pirate flag? LOVE the cute little dog, all dressed up for winter. The gull sure looks mean! He is watching his back for sure.

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  32. Most interesting- I did not know that about the flags. What a cute pup you spotted!

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  33. Three totally different shots, and they are all great for Jolly! All my pirate friends are pretty nice these days.

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  34. I like seeing the critters. Such a cold, frosty land out there.

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  35. Dearest EG; Thank you very much for the information about 'Jolly Roger flag', never knew about the detail :-)
    The gull sure doesn't look jolly mood p;) And Tex taught me the word 'prancing', yes the cute dogie is the one looking jolly♡♡♡

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

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  36. Great choices for letter J...Always enjoy my visit...have a great week♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/java-cup/

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  37. The jolly dog is adorable in his blue plaid jacket. It makes me wonder if he has a British soul.

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  38. Love the dog in it's blue jacket..it looks so cute :)

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