Preparing for September 19

Question

Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few well-chosen remarks should need arise. I'm supposing the default accent to be that of Long John Silver (the Wallace Beery version, I think), but I'm less sure about the vocabulary. Are nautical references enough? Apart from "Aaarr" and "shiver me timbers" and the occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions? Sara?

rzed
(He) had vowed to make her pay for her remark about being over the hill, and he was.
Hugh Holton, Chicago Blues .

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions? Sara?[/nq]
I be thinkin' you'd be needin' the word "be" a lot.

Avoiding modern words is hard enough. I enjoyed "Pirates of the Caribbean" (well, because of Johnny Depp's outrageous character) but I winced when the little girl said "okay" in about the fifth line of dialog. I really doubt that any of the many theories place "OK" in the Caribbean around 1700.

Best Donna Richoux

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... the occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions?[/nq]
1. You may only address people named James, who must be referred to as"Jim me lad".
2. You are permitted to confuse RP speakers by using the words "orphan"and "often" in the same sentence. Once they are totally confused, you must sing with them.

Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 21 years.
(for e-mail, change harvey to whhvs)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the ... planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions?[/nq]
[nq:1]1. You may only address people named James, who must be referred to as "Jim me lad".[/nq]
May I use "me hearties" when addressing a group?
[nq:1]2. You are permitted to confuse RP speakers by using the words "orphan" and "often" in the same sentence. Once they are totally confused, you must sing with them.[/nq]
"With them" or "at them"? In other words, is this a communal exercise or a torture device?
Thank you for your suggestions. I'll take them to hearrt.

rzed

Usenet · Answer

The inimitable "rzed" (Email Removed) stated on 08 Sep 2003:
[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions? Sara?[/nq]
You've got to say things like "Aye, that be true, matey" and "That you be, matey, that you be".

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]May I use "me hearties" when addressing a group?[/nq]
Hmmm..you've presented me with a paradox..a paradox; a most ingenious paradox..
Oh all right, then: go ahead, Jim me lad.
[nq:2]2. You are permitted to confuse RP speakers by using ... Once they are totally confused, you must sing with them.[/nq]
[nq:1]"With them" or "at them"? In other words, is this a communal exercise or a torture device?[/nq]
Definitely a communal exercise it'll make your lot a happy one but it might be one of those tunes where neither side knows the other one's there.

Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmonton for 30 years;
Southern England for the past 21 years.
(for e-mail, change harvey to whhvs)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... the occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions?[/nq]
Don't forget to sing!
http://www.blarg.net/~toucans/Pirate/yoho.html
We're beggars and blighters and ne'er-do-well cads. Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!
Aye! But we're loved by our mommies and dads!
Drink up me 'earties, Yo Ho!

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... make her pay for her remark about being over the hill, and he was. Hugh Holton, Chicago Blues .[/nq]
You'll also need to have to hand a crowbar, a center-bit, a life preserver, a dark lantern and silent matches. Oh, and don't forget a file and a set of skeletonic keys.
You can also go about hailing poetry ... if you really want to.

Tarrantara.
Cheers, Sage

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions? Sara?[/nq]
Go right to the source:
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/howto.html

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the ... what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions? Sara?[/nq]
[nq:1]Go right to the source: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/howto.html[/nq]
Now that is useful! None of that poncey G&S stuff there, 'ey, matey? (1)
I didn't realize the full scope of the disa of the effort. International, is it? Why stop there? It could be interplanetary!
(1) Not that there's anything wrong with that, actually. I rather like PoP, actually.

rzed

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Since September 19th is National Talk-like-a-pirate day here in the U.S., I guess I should be prepared with a few ... occasional reference to dead men's chests and rum and planks, what exactly do pirates have to say? Any suggestions? Sara?[/nq]
To get into character, you should squint with one eye and perch a parrot on one shoulder. Note that if the parrot and squint are on the same side, you're a cispirate, and if they're on opposite sides you're a transpirate.
For maximum verismilitude, lop off one hand and/or leg and replace with a hook or a timbertoe, as appropriate. But the hook will likely be hard on the keyboard.
Don't forget to call everyone "Matey", and mention walking the plank a lot.

Ray Heindl
(remove the X to reply)

Preparing for September 19

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions