WHY WAS THE PIRATE FLAG CALLED THE JOLLY ROGER?

The name "Jolly Roger'' probably came about as a result of a subtle joke, because the pirate flag bearing that name is certainly anything but ''jolly.'' A black flag upon which is pictured a human skull and crossbones doesn't sound a bit jolly, does it?

The age of piracy on the high seas ran from the 1500s through the 1700s. Pirates plundered coastal towns, seized ships and organized gangs that demanded ransom for prisoners who had been kidnapped.

Pirate ships often displayed flags of a wide variety of nations, but only to deceive other ships that were about to be attacked. But once the attack was under way, the true colors of the pirates were displayed: the frightening Jolly Roger sure, although some say it is because so many have the bright yellow color.