shiver my timbers
English · Thesaurus
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shiver my timbers
- /ˈʃɪvə maɪ ˈtɪmbəs/ UK
- /ˈʃɪvɚ maɪ ˈtɪmbɚs/ US
Where it comes from
A reference to a wooden ship being pounded heavily in stormy seas to the extent that its timbers shake, causing awe and fear to the sailors on board.
interjection shiver me timbers
-
A mild oath expressing surprise, disbelief or annoyance, stereotypically regarded as being uttered by pirates.
I was informed I ſhould meet my dear Anna ſomewhere in theſe woods: I have been ſteering all points of the compaſs, but in vain. However, after having given chaſe to an enemy, ſhall I tamely haul my wind when my miſtreſs is in view? No;—ſhiver my timbers if I do. The man who meanly deſerts his King
Similar: shiver my sides, shiver my soul
Translations
Every language
intj mild oath stereotypically regarded as being uttered by pirates
| Português | macacos me mordam |
|---|---|
| Français | mille sabords |
| Italiano | per mille balene |
| Русский | разрази меня гром razrazi menja grom |
Talk about this word "shiver my timbers." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/shiver%20my%20timbers. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. shiver my timbers. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/shiver%20my%20timbers "shiver my timbers." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/shiver%20my%20timbers.Cite this
@misc{shiver_my_timbers_2026,
title = {shiver my timbers},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/shiver%20my%20timbers},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
