Used primarily to describe pirates from a specific historical period and place.

Historical Term

Often romanticized in media and literature, embodying adventure and rebellion.

Romanticized Image

Don't confuse them with modern-day pirates; it refers to an earlier era.

Not Modern Pirates

Use metaphorically to describe aggressive, adventurous behavior in business or life.

Metaphoric Usage

Implies taking calculated risks for potential gains, similar to historical pirate behavior.

Risk and Reward

Can have negative connotations, suggesting unethical or cutthroat tactics.

Cutthroat Connotation

 and to the rest of humanity, and their 20th-century successors were dreaming of harnessing the powers of the River Congo to light up the whole continent. Now only buccaneer capitalists from Europe

Buccaneer