is observed on September 19th. On “Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day,” everyone talks as if they were a pirate. For instance, instead of saying something like this…
“The committee has decided to reallocate your time to the filing group. We look forward to the exciting new synergies between these departments.”
...you would say this:
“Aye matey, those scalawags in their fine breeches want ye' to move o'er with the scurvy dogs yonder. If ye' don't come back with some fine booty, we be keelhaulin' you next morn!”
While not as popular as Christmas or Arbor Day, “Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day” is a recognized and heartily celebrated international holiday. On September 19th, people awake transformed: their voices deeper, their usual pedestrian walk replaced by a seaman's swagger, and whenever they speak, they speak with the voice of a pirate. "Aye, 'tis a beautiful morn' t'be jawin' like a Man o'the Sea!"
Founded by John Baur and Mark Summers during a raquetball game and, coincidentally, occurring the same day's as Mark's ex-wife's birthday, “Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day” has become an international phenomenon. The thing just sort of grew, and then took off in 2002 when Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Dave Barry got wind of it and wrote about it in his Miami Herald Column.
Top Ten Things Heard in Corporate America on "Talk-Like-A-Pirate-Day"
10. "Argh, lad, is that Lee Elliott over there - or am I as mad as a salted herring?"
9. "Ye bent my ear with yer lubberly questions WITHOUT tryin’ a reboot first? Arrr! It's the plank for you, ye mangy cur...and thank ye for calling the IT Help Desk!"
8. "Hop to it, dogs: Thar be leftover catering booty in the break room for plunderin'."
7. "I'll be keelhaulin' the next one of ye what leaves ye filthy Tupperware in the break room sink!"
6. "To arms, me lads! The spoils of the snack machine shall be ours, to each in a fortieth share!"
5. "Avast, ya scurvy knave! Brave be ye, for certain, but arrr ye willin' ta die fer that parking spot?"
4. "Ahoy! A Team Builders meeting off our schedule's port bow! Scuttle yer productivity, mateys, and prepare to be bored-ed!"
3. "No increase in me pay? Arrr, boss, let me tell ye where ye can store that hook!"
2. "Twenty paces past the Magic Fountain of Water...bear ye left past the Chamber of Meetin’s...and a minute's voyage down the Great Carpeted Hallway...the unisex bathroom'll be on yer port side."
1. "Arrr, I have made note of yer demands and I have but one question for ye: Will ye be wantin' slivers o' potato fried in the popular French style with that?"
Sing it! -- "I love this song...'Really bad eggs'...When I get the Pearl back, I'm going to teach it to the crew, and we'll sing it ALL the time!..." -- Capt. Jack Sparrow.