Ahoy there maties!
Today (September 19th) be “International Talk Like A Pirate Day”. There be a website here and it is infact thee 10th anniversary! Who knew it would catch on ayee!
If ye find yeself wondering ‘ow ‘ard it is to talk like one of us, don’t be shy! Aye, I’ll even help ye with a few starters.
The Basics…
Ahoy! – “Hello!”
Avast! – Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, “Whoa! Get a load of that!” which today makes it more of a “Check it out” or “No way!” or “Get off!”
Aye! – “Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did.”
Aye aye! – “I’ll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over.”
Arrr! -“Arrr!” can mean, variously, “yes,” “I agree,” “I’m happy,” “I’m enjoying this beer,” etc…
Now, if ye think ye ‘ave that done and dusted, ‘ere are a few more…
Beauty – The best possible pirate address for a woman. Always preceded by “me,” as in, “C’mere, me beauty,” or even, “me buxom beauty,” to one particularly well endowed.
Bilge rat – The bilge is the lowest level of the ship. It’s loaded with ballast and slimy, reeking water. A bilge rat, then, is a rat that lives in the worst place on the ship.
Bung hole – Victuals on a ship were stored in wooden casks. The stopper in the barrel is called the bung, and the hole is called the bung hole. That’s all. It sounds a lot worse, doesn’t it?
Grog – An alcoholic drink, usually rum diluted with water, but in this context you could use it to refer to any alcoholic beverage other than beer.
Hornpipe – Both a single-reeded musical instrument sailors often had aboard ship, and a spirited dance that sailors do.
Lubber – (or land lubber) This is the seaman’s version of land lover, mangled by typical pirate disregard for elocution. A lubber is someone who does not go to sea, who stays on the land.
Smartly – Do something quickly.
Now we have learnt ta’ talk again, how ’bout we teach ye a song… Best sung around bonfires, with lots o’ rum… (ye can find thee tune here)
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don’t give a hoot.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we’re really a fright.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re rascals and scoundrels, we’re villians and knaves.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re devils and black sheep, we’re really bad eggs.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
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.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
‘Ow about be get on to some adventurin’ aye?
I found meself, not long afta my 21st year ov livin, bein’ invited on ta me maties ship, free of charge acourse, as long as I bought the rum. ‘Course I did supply several barrels, we hoisted our colours and we drank ’til we hit the horizon and had no more run. Course then me matie wanted to know “where is the rum gone?” Couldnt half speak so I had to wave about fiercly, tryna explain we had consumed it all.
Ayee, a fellow lad on board pillaged a camera from a lass on a near by port, close to home, so we snapped some photas. Take a wee peek aye??
The Ship | On the Harbour | On Deck | Bitta fun in the rigging ayee.. | Belovered Colours
Aye, was thee best adventure I think I’ve ‘ad in a long while. Wasn’t too long afta that though, me old fella n ma thought about takin’ off an a sailing adventure… Course we ‘ad to wear our best sacks as we ‘ad planned to meet thee newly appointed pirate king.. Think ma scrubbed us up al’righ aye?
I best be off on me next adventure aye.. Bring me that horizon!!
… really bad eggs, drink up me ‘arties, Yo ho!
Captain Candice Rackham
CANDICE ASHLEY 