Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Talk Like a Pirate Day.
When is Talk Like a Pirate Day?
International Talk Like a Pirate Day is every year on 19 September.
Who invented Talk Like a Pirate Day?
It was invented in 1995 by two friends from Albany, Oregon, John Baur and Mark Summers, who go by the pirate names Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy.
Why is it on 19 September specifically?
The founders picked 19 September because it was easy for them to remember: it is the birthday of one of the founders' ex-wives. It has no deeper pirate significance.
How did Talk Like a Pirate Day become popular?
It stayed a private joke for several years until 2002, when humour columnist Dave Barry wrote about it in his nationally syndicated newspaper column, introducing it to a much wider audience.
Does the pirate accent come from real pirates?
No. The rolling, West Country-style pirate accent most people imagine comes largely from actor Robert Newton's performance as Long John Silver in the 1950 film Treasure Island, not from historical 18th-century sailors.
What are some easy pirate phrases to learn?
Ahoy (hello), avast (stop/listen up), arr (agreement), matey (friend), and landlubber (a land-dweller) will get most people through the day.
How do I walk like a pirate?
Widen your stance, bend your knees slightly, roll your weight from foot to foot as if the deck beneath you is moving, and add a swagger through the shoulders. See our full walk guide for the step by step.
What do I need for a basic pirate costume?
A loose shirt, dark trousers rolled to mid-calf, a sash or wide belt, and a bandana will get you most of the way. An eye patch and a tricorn hat are the two accessories that add the most for the least effort.
Still curious? Read the full history, or jump straight to how to walk like a pirate.