The Collaborative International Dictionary
Roger \Rog"er\, n. [From a proper name Roger.] A black flag with white skull and crossbones, formerly used by pirates; -- called also Jolly Roger and pirate flag.
Wikipedia
Jolly Roger is the traditional English name for the flags flown to identify a pirate ship about to attack during the early 18th century (i.e. the later part of the " Golden Age of Piracy").
The flag most commonly identified as the Jolly Roger today, the skull and crossbones symbol on a black flag, was used during the 1710s by a number of pirate captains including "Black Sam" Bellamy, Edward England, and John Taylor and it went on to become the most commonly used pirate flag during the 1720s.
A Jolly Roger is a pirate flag. Jolly Roger can also refer to:
Jolly Roger (1922–1948) is a deceased steeplechase racehorse who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Usage examples of "jolly roger".
The Jolly Roger might be too obvious, Possum considered in the dark, and Smoke probably wouldn't know what it was.
It's a name he took from the black an' white Jolly Roger flag with the skull an' crossbones, the one pirates flew on their ships in the Caribbean.
The curve of a small skull, resting on crossed thigh bones, a pious version of the jolly Roger.
Looking in the shop mirror, I saw Jolly Roger Rumpole or olack Cap'n Rumpole of the Bailey.