Exactly what does "Dead Men Tell No Tales" mean?

Question

I read it in a magazine article and don't really understand what it means. I understand that if you are dead you can't say anything but is there more to it?

Answer 1

It is mainly for mob type guys or people that have done some wrong and if that information come out it would hurt them...

So, the Dead men tell no tales..is literal....If you really dont want the information out...you need to take care of all the business....

Answer 2

In essence, most everyone is correct. It's commonly associated with pirates, and sums up the idea that a dead man cannot testify against you. Another way of phrasing it would be, "The best witness is a dead witness." It also falls back to the saying that 3 men can keep a secret if 2 of them are dead.

Answer 3

http://www.cindyvallar.com/lingo.html

Dead Men Tell No Tales...

Often associated with pirates, this phrase meant a dead victim was better than a live one, because the dead couldn’t testify in court. Whether pirates actually used this phrase is unknown. Charles Ellms, the author of "Pirates Own Book" (1837), used it when describing pirates who hunted in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They murdered sailors and passengers alike “thus obliterating all traces of their unhappy fate, and…by practically adopting the maxim that ‘dead men tell no tales,’ enable themselves to pursue their diabolical career with impunity.”

Answer 4

3 can keep a secret if two are dead.

I believe it originated in a case where a member of a conspiracy/crimanl organization threatened to go to the authorities and a subordinant told their leader that "Jake is gonna tell the cops." to which the leader replied with the quote in question. if he's dead he aint telling anyone, let alone the cops.

for the record I have no clue how old it that is an example of hwat i feel it means

Answer 5

Hello, Well that was a saying from the 17 and 18th centuries but I'm afraid it is a moot point since modern forensics has changed that all. Cheers, Michael Kelly

Answer 6

I don't think so. The phrase would probably be used in defense of killing someone. Say a gangster wants to kill someone they no longer trust. They might justify it saying "Dead men tell no tales".

Answer 7

I'm not sure but I agree with your interpretation.
It may be an invitation to kill someone who you know has evidence against you.
I will ask the "Oracle"
It's clearly associated with pirates - from several sources.

Answer 8

It means dead people cant snitch on u.

Answer 9

basically, it means that a dead person can't talk about you and get you into trouble.

Answer 10

It means exactly what it says, and what you understand it to say.