piss in a quill

English

Etymology

Reflective of a pirate's lack of interest in formalizing a strict plan, where piss, or urine is filling the quill, or pen, and their perceived worthlessness of a written or signatory agreement.

Pronunciation

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Verb

piss in a quill (third-person singular simple present pisses in a quill, present participle pissing in a quill, simple past and past participle pissed in a quill)

1. (obsolete, nautical, slang) To reach an agreement on a plan.

   He is mad to think all men can't piss in a quill, nor see with his spectacles.

References

• “piss in a quill.” listed in the The pirate's dictionary
• “Weekly Essays” from Broswell, James (1741) in The Scots Magazine.