Types of pirates
To name the sea rovers people usually use several names to call them. The most spread and international denomination is "pirates" that is understandable to everybody. All other terms were used to call different types of national pirates.
Buccaneer was one of the words to call English filibusters. But as the word "filibuster" was too complicated for them, they preferred another word that was buccaneer and didn't quit understand the meaning of this word.
Corsair was the word that appeared in the beginning of 14th century from the Italian word "corsa" and the French one "la corsa". Unlike filibusters corsair always fought for his country or at least one country they always acted in the sea and never had operations in land. This notion is maybe more close to patriot notion as corsair had not only the desire to get the benefits but also to help to his country. During the peace time corsair could be the simple ship owner but during the war he armed the ship on his own money and proposed his service to the government getting the necessary documents.
Caper was the private person that got the governmental licence on the capturing and damaging of the enemy ships and neutral countries in exchange of the promise to share with the hirers. Such licence was called Letter of Marque. This word is rather ancient and entered the use in about 9th century. Caper differs from corsair by the fact that he could fight at the side of another country that gave him the licence.
Vrijbuiter is the word used to call the Dutch pirates in Europe and the USA. This term appeared in the middle of 1570s when the experienced and willed Dutch sailors became very famous al over the world and Holland became the great maritime country.
