Steady as she goes!

Do you remember these 10 brave fictional captains?

Ahoy, matey! There’s something so alluring about sailing into the open seas. We’ve all daydreamed about the freedom and excitement that only a life aboard a ship can offer. But that doesn’t mean this life comes without responsibilities—especially if you’re bestowed the great honor of being the captain of your ship. One must always be aware of the weather, the ship’s condition, and, above all, maintain the morale of the crew.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to pay homage to some of the most iconic fictional captains out there. These 10 commanders have, on numerous occasions, proved themselves and their leadership skills, often risking their lives to keep their crews safe. So, without further ado, here’s our pick!

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There’s a reason why Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby-Dick is considered a jewel of American literature: it’s not only an exciting retelling of 19th-century sailing, but also a powerful exploration of mankind’s inherent—and ultimately futile—struggle against nature. In that sense, Captain Ahab embodies many of the traits that make a great captain: his sailing prowess and determination are unmatched. Unfortunately, Ahab becomes consumed by vengeance and madness in his desperate quest to hunt the mythical white whale, Moby-Dick.

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As we mentioned before, some of the traits that make a good captain are courage and a stern nature in the face of danger. That said, who’s to say they can’t also be a happy and jovial companion? Created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé, Captain Archibald Haddock is the trusted ally of amateur detective Tintin. While slightly bullheaded and hot-tempered, Haddock has proven time and again to be a wonderful friend and a brave adventurer.

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Created by cartoonist Hugo Pratt in the 1960s, Corto Maltese is a seafaring wanderer who travels the world in search of fortune, friendship, or adventure. Born the son of a fortune-teller and a British sailor, Corto was influenced by the magical arts from a young age. As an adult, his journeys often take him to mystical and lost continents like Atlantis or Mu.

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Who is more trustworthy than a captain you can see every day at the breakfast table? The mascot of the eponymous cereal, Cap’n Crunch is a smiling, elderly naval captain who sports a spectacular mustache and an impeccable Revolutionary War–style maritime uniform. TV commercials depict him commanding the ship Guppy, transporting a cargo of Cap’n Crunch cereal across the world. Fun fact: his full name is Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch.

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It was about time we came across the first pirate on our list—after all, what’s a good pirate ship without its captain? With that in mind, allow us to introduce one of the most terrifying fictional pirates out there: Peter Pan’s nemesis, the dreaded Captain Hook. Well, actually, one of his two nemeses—the other being the crocodile that ate his hand, forcing him to replace it with the metal hook that gave him his famous nickname.

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One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the hit science-fiction show Star Trek was how it highlighted the similarities between space travel and seafaring: both involve traversing the great unknown and discovering new and exciting frontiers. In that sense, the original Star Trek series followed the voyages of the U.S.S. Enterprise, helmed by the daring and brave Captain James Tiberius Kirk. Portrayed by William Shatner, Captain Kirk’s daredevil instincts often proved to be what saved the Enterprise and its crew from certain doom.

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Jules Verne’s groundbreaking novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas introduced us to Captain Nemo, an intrepid adventurer who dared to take his pioneering ship, the Nautilus, where no captain had ever gone before: beneath the waves. Driven by his desire to conduct marine research and expand human knowledge, Captain Nemo leads the Nautilus into the unexplored depths of the ocean.

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As we mentioned before, any pirate worth their salt has to prove their skills as a seafaring captain. With that in mind, Captain Jack Sparrow has shown time and again why he is the stuff of legends. Portrayed by actor Johnny Depp in all Pirates of the Caribbean movies since 2001, Jack Sparrow has taken his trusted ship, the Black Pearl, to the edge of the world.

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Han Solo is many things: a smuggler, a rebel fighter, and a charming rogue. However, above all, he is the captain of the iconic spaceship, the Millennium Falcon. Joined by his best friend and trusted first mate, Chewbacca, Han Solo has commanded the Millennium Falcon across the entire galaxy, hopping from adventure to adventure.

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We'll finish this article with a captain no sailor ever wants to meet. Davy Jones is the name given to the sailor's very own boogeyman, a sinister presence responsible for dragging ships to the depths of the ocean (colloquially known as "Davy Jones' Locker"). Commanding his ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, Davy Jones sails the Seven Seas in search of the souls of damned sailors.

Breezy English

A doddle, a breeze, and a bed of roses. How easy can language get?

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According to the saying, "easy come, easy go," but today, we won’t be focusing on the last part. Instead, we’ll explore the many ways to say something is easy in English. These expressions range from playful rhymes like "easy-peasy, lemon squeezy" to more metaphorical ones like "a piece of cake." But one thing is certain—some things in life are so simple and effortless that they deserve their own colorful descriptions. Don’t worry, understanding these 10 expressions is definitely not rocket science!

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We all have that one recipe we know by heart—the one we turn to whenever we want to impress someone because we know we’ll nail it, right? In fact, we’ve made it so many times that we could do it in our sleep! That’s the essence of this expression.

The origins of this idiom are unclear, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that something was easy from the start. Instead, it highlights the idea that after repeating the same action over and over, it becomes almost automatic and effortless.

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You’re sitting at home, in need of some fresh air (and a little exercise), so you put on your trainers and take a walk through the nearest park. You return home feeling refreshed, with a clear mind, and happier than before. How easy was that? According to the saying—very!

This expression carries two meanings. First, the reason it made it into this article—it refers to things that are effortless and flow naturally. But beyond that, it also conveys a sense of enjoyment because it requires minimal effort. Who doesn’t love that combination?

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Maybe you’re a rocket science aficionado, and these concepts come naturally to you. But for most of us, rocket science is nearly impossible to understand (even if it’s fascinating) and can be quite frustrating. So, when we say something is not rocket science, we mean the exact opposite!

This colloquial expression is often used to encourage someone to try something new by assuring them that it will be easy. Take a father teaching his child how to drive—it’s really not rocket science! Now, between us, we’re grateful for automatic cars, aren’t we?

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We’ll give you ten seconds to think of things you start or set in motion at the push of a button. Go! How many did you come up with? TV remotes, air conditioners, coffee makers, answering a call—even starting a car! If pushing a button is all it takes to get something working, well, that’s certainly quite easy, don’t you think?

This idiom naturally emerged from the household appliance revolution of the 1920s. Before that, machines and similar devices were often complicated to understand and operate. But as appliances became easier to use, they eventually reached a point where all one had to do was push a button. Voilà!

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Probably the hardest thing about this phrase is saying it quickly a few times in a row. Other than that, this expression playfully describes something that is extremely easy to do or perform.

Now, can you guess where this expression comes from? Of British origin, easy-peasy was first recorded in a 1940s movie, but it actually stems from children’s slang or colloquialisms. The full phrase was later expanded upon in a British commercial for a lemon-scented dish soap called Sqezy. While it would be fun if the brand had used this as a catchphrase, there’s no evidence that they did. If they didn’t—we will!

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Take a trip back to your childhood—you’re on holiday, walking through a forest or maybe along a beach when you spot a fallen tree log just sitting there, waiting for you to walk on it. You climb on and take a step, only to realize that balancing is quite tricky—and falling off is the easiest part. See where we’re going with this?

This expression, which has been around since the 1830s, describes a task that requires no effort and comes naturally to everyone—just like falling off a log when you try to walk on it.

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Have you ever put off a task for so long that it felt like climbing a mountain, only to finally tackle it and realize it took just a few minutes? The British might call such a task a doddle—an unexpectedly simple job.

The term doddle means "something easy to do or fix" and is a British colloquialism with a somewhat mysterious origin. Some believe it comes from the Scottish word doddle, referring to "a small lump of toffee"—something both tempting and easy to snatch. Others suggest it’s linked to dawdle (meaning "to waste time" or "idle") or even toddle (describing the unsteady steps of a toddler).

Regardless of its roots, doddle entered the English language in the early 20th century, bringing with it a touch of whimsy for life’s simplest challenges.

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Think back to the earliest lessons of childhood—learning a few words, identifying colors, counting numbers, and eventually mastering the alphabet. The ABCs are both fundamental and, let’s be honest, pretty easy to pick up.

The phrase "easy as ABC" reflects this simplicity, describing tasks that are intuitive and foundational.

An older version of the idiom, "plain as ABC," dates back to the late 1600s, while "easy as ABC" emerged by the mid-1800s. Both versions compare simplicity to learning the first three letters of the alphabet—a universal starting point for literacy.

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Imagine this: a bed made of roses—a sight you can see, feel, and even smell. Sounds luxurious, don’t you think? Now, picture what it would be like to lie down on such a soft, fragrant bed (as long as we remove the thorns first, of course!).

The idiom "a bed of roses" describes an experience that is both effortless and pleasant. It’s often used to highlight ease or comfort in contrast to more challenging circumstances. For example, someone might say, "My life isn’t exactly a bed of roses," to emphasize their struggles.

This expression originated in the mid-1500s, drawing on the long-standing association of roses with beauty and positive symbolism. Given the rich history of flowers as metaphors, it’s no surprise that the image of a rose garden came to represent an idealized experience.

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When something is described as "no muss, no fuss," you can count on it being quick, easy, and hassle-free. And let’s be honest—we all appreciate that, don’t we? Whether it’s an appliance, a recipe, or a task, this idiom highlights the appeal of simplicity and minimal effort.

The phrase originated in American English in the early 20th century and naturally became a common colloquial expression. "Muss" refers to mess or disorder, while "fuss" suggests unnecessary worry or complication. Together, they emphasize an experience that is smooth, tidy, and efficient. Even the way the phrase sounds reinforces its meaning, don’t you think?