scurvy dog
Salty sea scoundrel
A scurvy dog is a contemptible or worthless person.
The phrase evokes pirate speech and seafaring adventure stories, where scurvy (the vitamin deficiency that plagued sailors) served as a general insult meaning low or despicable.
Today it's used almost exclusively in jest or theatrical contexts: Arrr, ye scurvy dog, hand over the treasure!
- pirateMaritime thief or bootlegger
- pirate shipSeafaring raiders' vessel
- scallywagMischievous person, often young
- buccaneerCaribbean colonial-era pirate
- rogueDishonest or uncontrolled agent
sailor · seadog · knave · rapscallion · villain · scoundrel · blackguard · mutineer · walk the plank · cutlass · plank · shipmate · seven seas · barnacle · rum · parrot · pegleg · eyepatch
scurvy dogman of honor
Person of upstanding character
gentleman · saint · hero · stand-up guy · pillar of the community
scurvy doggentleman
Courteous, honorable man
man of honor · saint · true friend · knight in shining armor · salt of the earth