Where did the phrase Shiver me timbers originate?

This stereotypically piratical expression found fame in Disney’s 1950 adaptation of Treasure Island , in which Robert Newton’s irascible Long John Silver uttered it in his native west country accent to exclaim shock and surprise.17 Oca 2022

Well, shiver me timbers—I didn’t think you were getting into town until tomorrow! You got cast as a pirate in the play? I bet you have one line—”Shiver me timbers!”

The phrase is based on real nautical slang and is a reference to the timbers, which are the wooden support frames of a sailing ship . In heavy seas, ships would be lifted up and pounded down so hard as to “shiver” the timbers, startling the sailors.