eli5 what was the point of the skull and bones pirate flag? why would you give away that you are a pirate?

Question

eli5 what was the point of the skull and bones pirate flag? why would you give away that you are a pirate?

In: 10371

Answer 1

It’s a signal to the ship you intend to rob. It says “This is a robbery. Stop whatever you’re doing and let us aboard to plunder your cargo, or else we’ll attack and kill you and *then* plunder your cargo.”