YAB a little U.

I personally have a dislike of camouflage-themed clothing for my DS - also anything that is too obviously branded. I also object to all labelling of boys' clothing with "here comes trouble" and the like (equally, labelling of girls' clothing with "little princess").

However, my DS loves pirate-themed things. He has a foam cutlass and hook, a pirate tricorn hat, skull and crossbones flag, etc etc. His birthday is next week, and it will have a loose pirate theme. He adores the Disney Peter Pan film, so his enjoyment of all things pirate come from Captain Hook and Smee (though he definitely recognises that Captain Hook is not particularly nice!) And as a family we have an interest in sailing and boats, so it's all related.

As an aside, if you think back to those seafaring types who helped to make Britain "Great" (Ralegh, Nelson et al), they were probably described as pirates by those they fought against. In centuries past, letters of marque were official permits issued to ships' captains entitling them LEGALLY to perform acts which would come under the heading of piracy these days.

Oy aviatrix!

apostrophe, I started a thread like this many moons ago and got much the same response. Didn't really change my view - maybe it is because I sailed 2 handed off the coast of Afica some years ago and it wasn't Captain Pugwash I was worried about.

(The only pirate I like is molly.)

Astrophe - the name difference doesn't bother me. I can tell us apart at any rate

Missed this thread before. Just posting so my JP nickname can be in the thread.

.... although am a not so "Jolly" Pirate after DS's antics last night.

Ds was genuinely shocked that pirates were bad. He had no idea. His school teacher had done a whole term topic on them without mentioning this fact. He got a book from the older non fiction section and was not impressed at her jolly roger version.

Hi Apostrophe I've seen threads where MNers have got very upset when somebody has a similar name to them and demanded they change...but if it doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother me. And the opportunities for amusing threads like this are good.

children are pirates

lol at accusations of replying to my own posts. If I were tempted to do that, I wouldn't change my name by two letters.

I've never come across Astrophe before (hello - I don't think I'm copying but I only joined Nov 2007 and used to be variations on a Wulf theme)

Oh, and Ive been around for a few years too...