A colorful, versatile word used frequently within the traditional pirate dialect. It carries multiple meanings depending on context and emotion of speaker. At the very worst, it would describe a low-down, scallywag (which is a bad person; a scoundrel.) Midtone use would be to flavor a noun with the connotation of bothersome, or lowly, or rather dirty. But very frequently, it is used as a term of endearment between
pirates as a way to express solidarity (and bromance) without sounding gay about it. By calling one's
crew a swarmy bunch, or
something to that effect, implies an acceptance, a connection with them, validating their common solidarity. Of course, if the same thing is said in anger, it implies the opposite.
Swarmy is similar to a 5 letter word used quite commonly in the
USA which starts with N, has 2 Gs in it, and ends in A, in that it is also exceptionally versatile depending upon context.
Swarmy
may also be used very similarly to how the Brits use the versatile term "
bloody." In fact, it
may be worthwhile to research a possible morphism between the
two.
At it's worst:
"Take that swarmy bastard beneath
deck! He will feel my sword for pilfering my doubloons before I keelhaul the Son of a Bisquit Eater!"
(This amounts to a death sentence.)
Midtone:
"Must I
mop the swarmy
deck again, Captain? I've mopped it twice today already!"
"That's a swarmy lot in the pub. Take heed not to cross them."
"Don't be a swarmy
peg! We agreed to split the treasure 50/50."
"Is it my turn to be in the swarmy barrel already? May I pass, Mateys? My rump is still sore!"
At it's best:
"Here's a
toast to the swarmiest pack of skallywags on the
high seas!"
"I've a ship of swarmy men, and today is glorious!"
"There is nothing I'd not do for the swarmy pack of
dogs I call my crew." *
* Notice how the manly professing of love is disguised in absurdly harsh descriptive
words. Pirates never say, "Matey! I love you!" That just doesn't happen. So you must consider the context and manner of speech to interpret the meaning.