Let's be honest...who can resist the allure of swashbuckling pirate flicks? The Jack Sparrow-esque in-land walks, heart-pounding treasure hunts, and edge-of-your-seat sword fights have absolutely kept us glued to our seats for generations. And what better time to celebrate this fascination than on Talk Like A Pirate Day, which falls on September 19th each year?
So to help you join in on the fun, we've rounded up everything pirate-y to bring you the best of terminologies and movies related to this theme. From the most iconic pirate phrases to the must-watch films that capture the essence of piracy, we've got you covered.
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What Is The Talk Like A Pirate Day?
International Talk Like a Pirate Day, celebrated on September 19th, is a parody holiday that encourages people to incorporate pirate phrases and vocabulary into their conversations. The holiday was born in 1995 when two friends from Oregon, John Baur (Ol’ Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (Cap’n Slappy), spontaneously started insulting each other using pirate jargon during a game of racquetball.
The holiday gained significant traction in 2002 when award-winning humor columnist, Dave Barry, featured the creators in one of his articles. Since then, Talk Like A Pirate Day has become an international phenomenon, with enthusiasts from various countries joining in the festivities each year.
Fun Facts About The Talk Like A Pirate Day
Is your friend wondering why you should bother celebrating? Well, shiver me timbers! Here are some fascinating facts about Talk Like a Pirate Day that’ll have even the most stubborn landlubber eager to join the crew!
- Michigan once officially recognized Talk Like a Pirate Day - In 2013, Michigan lawmakers passed a resolution declaring September 19th as Talk Like a Pirate Day in the state. The resolution encouraged residents to celebrate the day by talking like pirates and wearing pirate costumes.
- A popular rum brand once used Talk Like a Pirate Day for a marketing campaign - In 2014, Captain Morgan rum launched a "Captain's Conquest" campaign to coincide with Talk Like a Pirate Day. The brand encouraged fans to share their best pirate impressions on social media for a chance to win prizes.
- Astronauts once celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day on the International Space Station - In 2013, astronauts aboard the International Space Station joined in the pirate festivities by tweeting photos of themselves in pirate garb and speaking in pirate lingo. NASA even got in on the fun by sharing the images on their social media channels. Imagine that! It must have been a fun day in space.
Pirate Words And Phrases
If ye want to truly understand the pirate life, ye gotta talk the talk. In this section, I listed all the pirate words and phrases commonly featured in films and television. by learning some of these, you'll get to appreciate more the gritty, adventurous theme of piracy and its impact on pop culture.
So, hoist the Jolly Roger, and read the table below!
| Pirate Talk | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ahoy | A pirate greeting or a way to get someone's attention, similar to "Hello" or "hey!". |
| Arrr, Arrgh, Yarr, Gar | Pirate slang used to emphasize a point. |
| Avast | Pirate speak for pay attention. |
| Aye | "Yes" |
| Blimey | An expression of disbelief or disappointment. |
| Booty | The treasures and other valuables plundered from the victim ships. |
| Davy Jones's Locker | How pirates reference burials at sea, a watery graveyard. |
| Dead men tell no tales | If the mob says "snitches get stitches", pirates believe that dead men can't tell anyone their secrets. Historians believe this is why pirates were ruthless and didn't spare many survivors. |
| Heave | Coming to a halt or stop. |
| I'll Crush Ye Barnacles | A common pirate threat. |
| Matey | A pirate's friend. |
| Parley | A conference of opposing sides to come to a truce or agreement. |
| Prize | A ship captured by pirates. |
| Run A Shot Across The Bow | Fire a warning shot. |
| Savvy | "Do you understand?" |
| Shiver me timbers | An expression of surprise, usually used after a pirate ship has been hit, when the "timbers" of the ship would shake or splinter from the blows. |
| Walk the plank | Punishment for captives and prisoners who were forced to jump off the ship with hands tied behind their backs, almost certainly visiting "Davey Jones's locker". |
| Weigh anchor | Pirate speak for get a move on, or let's go. |
| Feed the fish | To throw someone overboard. |
| Dead men tell no tales | No survivors left behind. |
Recommended Pirate Movies
Pirate movies have always been about more than just action. They bring to life the idea of freedom, adventure, and rebellion against the establishment. Audiences love these films for their larger-than-life characters and the chance to escape into a world of mystery and danger, far from the rules of society.
So without further ado, allow me to share with you some of the films that laid the foundation for pirate movies as we know them today.
Treasure Island (1950)
Disney’s Treasure Island is one of the most famous pirate films of all time. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, this film set the standard for all pirate movies to follow. It introduced us to characters like Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins, who have become iconic in pirate lore.
Captain Blood (1935)
This is the movie that made Errol Flynn a star. In Captain Blood, Flynn plays a doctor wrongfully convicted of treason, who escapes to become one of the most infamous pirates in the Caribbean. The film is full of daring sword fights, romance, and larger-than-life adventures.
Hook (1991)
Who could forget Hook? This retelling of Peter Pan’s story, with Robin Williams as Peter and Dustin Hoffman as the infamous Captain Hook, gave us a new twist on the classic pirate tale. With imaginative storytelling and heartfelt moments, this movie is beloved by audiences of all ages.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
You can’t talk about pirate movies without mentioning Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow breathed new life into the genre. With its mix of humor, action, and supernatural elements, this film became an instant classic and spawned a whole franchise.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012)
This stop-motion animated film offers plenty of laughs, with a quirky crew of pirates led by the bumbling Pirate Captain. It’s full of witty humor and charming characters, making it a delightful watch for both kids and adults.
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