Talk Like a Pirate Day

Avast ye, matey! - it's that time o' year again - t' day when people around t' world suddenly break out into unintelligible words an phrases. September 19 be "Talk like a pirate day" and this young fellow be all dressed up for t' part. ’Tis time to flap yer jaws like a buccaneer.

Above: Captain Blood

A few words and phrases to help you with yer pirate speak:
Shiver me timbers and binnacle me barnacles,
Hornswaggle .... Thar she blows! .....

"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest--
...Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest--
...Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"

The archetypal pirate grunt is Arrrr - remember to rrrroll your 'r's

How did it start?
International Talk Like a Pirate Day (ITLAPD, September 19) was created in 1995 by John Baur (Ol' Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (Cap'n Slappy) of Albany, Oregon.

Above: Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket

It is said the day came about as the result of an injury playing sport. During a game of racquetball between the two (Summers and Baur), one of them reacted to the pain from an injury with an outburst of "Aaarrr!", and the idea was born. They sent a letter to columnist Dave Barry in 2002 who rather liked the idea and promoted it. It is now celebrated internationally.

Above: The Jolly Roger

Today's quote: Pirate Law: Dousing oneself in beer is a perfectly acceptable replacement for a shower.

And finally, How do you know if you are a pirate? You just "Arrrrrrrr"...