A Pyrate by Any Other Name

[Captain Jim]

I ran accross the usage of "Filibuster" in the context of pyracy and, being of curious nature, looked up the etymology, to wit:

fil•i•bus•ter (fĭl'ə-bŭs'tər) n.

1.

a. The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.

b. An instance of the use of this delaying tactic.

2. An adventurer who engages in a private military action in a foreign country.

v., -tered, -ter•ing, -ters.

v.intr.

1. To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body.

2. To take part in a private military action in a foreign country. v.tr.

To use a filibuster against (a legislative measure, for example).

[From Spanish filibustero, freebooter, from French flibustier, from Dutch vrijbuiter, pirate. See freebooter.]

So it would seem that pyracy lends us a word for political wrangling by pirating the floor debate.

Others (ignoring various spellings):

Filibuster

Pirate

Corsair

Freebooter

Buccaneer

Privateer (in the eyes of the enemy)

Rover (used on land as well)

Picaroon

Sea Dog

Sea Robber

Sea Rover

Sea Wolf

Mind you, these are only the English words. Picaroon, for example, is rooted in the Spanish "Picaron"

Anyone else care to contribute? Just quote the list and add to it..

[Monsignor Fitzwell]

Many a name, and many a time they were used historically

Infact the use of several are not interchangeable

or else we need to broaden the use of the word Pirate

However it is a nice list