yo-ho-ho

Seafaring rogue's cry

Yo-ho-ho is a hearty call associated with sailors and pirates, evoking the rhythm of group labor like hauling ropes or raising anchors.

It appears most famously in the sea shanty refrain Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.

The expression now sounds theatrical, used playfully to invoke nautical adventure or pirate culture.

pirate

buccaneer

Caribbean colonial-era pirate

BlackbeardFamous Caribbean buccaneer
Jolly RogerBuccaneer's standard
treasureValued wealth or keepsake

plunder · galleon · cutlass · doubloon · parrot · booty · swashbuckler · marooned · rum · corsair

shanty

sailors

Maritime vessel crew members

seaSaltwater body, not ocean
maritimeOf the sea
nauticalOf ships and sailing

voyage · ship · deck · mast · helm · accordion · fiddle · tavern · ale · crew

exclamation

merry

Cheerful and lively

jovialCheerful and friendly
gleefulFull of high-spirited joy
heartyWarm and substantial

boisterous · revelry · laughter · cheer · merriment · carousing · rollicking · festive · jaunty · spirited

Categories

pirate talkahoy, arr, argh, aye, aye aye
nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed

Opposites

tone/mood

yo-ho-hoalas

Expression of regret

sigh · sob · moan · woe is me · woe

cultural register

yo-ho-hoamen

Solemn spoken agreement

hallelujah · kyrie eleison · requiem · dirge · funeral march

formality/register

yo-ho-hoamen

Solemn spoken agreement

solemnly · hush · moment of silence · prayer · benediction

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G