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Talk Like a Pirate Day

Ahoy, me hearty’s, September 19th is National Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Learn How to Talk Like a Pirate

Talking like a pirate is about embracing the language, the spirit, and the boldness of the romanticized pirate. The idea began sometime in 1995 by a group of friends including John Baur and Mark Summers, who just enjoyed goofing around. When syndicated columnist Dave Barry mentioned the group and their celebration, interest in Talk Like a Pirate Day spread rapidly.

Fans quickly discovered talking like a pirate and using pirate lingo was fun. The choice of September 19th as the date was based on an organizer's ex-wife’s birthday. The event has grown beyond its grassroots beginning as people, advertisers, and even Disney got in on the action to celebrate talking like a pirate (the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean notwithstanding).

According to the International Talk Like a Pirate website, Talk Like a Pirate Day has a viral appeal, having rated the number four buzz position on Twitter in 2009, received major media coverage from:

  • CNN
  • Wired
  • USA Today
  • The Los Angeles Times
  • New York Daily News

The national event also rated a question on the Hollywood Squares, an answer on Jeopardy, and a question in popular board game Trivial Pursuit.

Celebrating National Talk Like a Pirate Day

So how does one celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day? The choices are endless. Social media sites like Facebook allow you to change your Facebook updates and notices to pirate speak while Google will even dress up the Google logo and more as in pirate-esque. So if you are looking for a way to celebrate, let your inner pirate out. Some suggestions include:

  • Dress up like a pirate
  • Update your status as a pirate
  • Converse as a pirate (remember this is Talk Like a Pirate Day!)
  • Bring up famous pirates in history for kids to learn about
  • Enjoy a marathon of pirate films from Cutthroat Island to Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Head to Disney and enjoy their pirates
  • Host a pirate block party where you invite your neighbors to shiver their timbers

Be sure to visit the site’s games and activities sections where you can take a pirate inventory quiz to discover what kind of pirate you are.

Pirate Merchandise

Whether you look at Talk Like a Pirate Day as a novelty event or a true celebration worth your time, you can dress up the day anyway you want. The official home of International Talk Like a Pirate Day has dedicated merchandise from hats to t-shirts. With the celebration falling on September 19th, Halloween costumes are available. Baur and Summers have also written books on the subject to help you explore and appreciate the day with a healthy “Arrr” in your hearts including:

The appeal of pirates is strong across most of western civilization. Pirates are seen as independent spirits, living, pillaging, and sailing the seas as they saw fit. They didn’t have to answer to governments or laws. Instead, they lived by their own personal code of honor.

A talking like a pirate day appeals to the every man and woman because it is an expression of independence and whimsy. This form of escapism, however mild, lets everyone from children to grandparents play.