national talk like a pirate day

On September 19, it is officially "National Talk Like a Pirate Day". This is one of those holidays that is sheer fun and offers people an opportunity to dress up and/or just talk like a pirate for a day.

With the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy starring Johnny Depp making millions of dollars, the theme of this holiday is one that is catching up quickly to the American masses.

The holiday was started by John Baur and Mark Summers on June 6, 1995. While playing in a racquetball game, the two encouraged each other by talking like pirates. Since the day was the anniversary of World War II's D-Day, the two thought of the idea to make this into a holiday.

Summers decided on September 19, the birthday of his ex-wife. Due to his marriage to someone with that birthday, it would be easy for him to remember. They also decided that Dave Barry, the nationally-syndicated humor columnist, would be the holiday's spokesperson.

Seven years after celebrating it with just a small group of friends, they got in contact with Barry in 2002. After e-mail communication between Barry and the guys, Barry wrote an article in his column about them and the holiday.

Since then, it has been national with people looking for pirate jokes, pirate translations and other forms of pirate lingo. The number of pirate sites with a dictionary, pirate names and sayings has increased.

It is safe to say that "National Talk Like A Pirate Day" has taken the country by storm


Ahoy, for those of you that didn't know, yesterday was International Talk like a Pirate Day. Feeling a little confused? Don't worry, so were we. Apparently, here at King's, we were oblivious to the fact that every year on September 19 you are suppose to speak like a pirate and apparently quote Pirates of the Caribbean lines at every opportune moment.


Sound a little crazy? Perhaps, but it all started on June 6, 1995 when two buddies, John Baur and Mark Summers, were playing a fun and jovial game of racquetball. Story has it that the two were yelling words of encouragement back and forth when one of them supposedly muttered "Arr!" while stretching to make a difficult return of the ball. What ensued was a series of pirate rants for the remainder of the game.


After the match was over the two agreed that the use of pirate lingo actually made for a more enjoyable and exciting game. Right then and there a decision was made that a new national holiday was warranted, and thus, Talk Like a Pirate Day was born. To make a long story short, they eventually sent an e-mail to a popular syndicated columnist and the rest is history.


As for the growing popularity of such a holiday here on the King's campus, that honor goes to science professor Dr. Derrick Boucher. Boucher claims he originally heard of the holiday several years back while listening to a program on National Public Radio. One day while eating lunch with fellow colleague Dr. Joel Shuman, the two chatted about how such a holiday would be a fun thing to encourage. So for the past few years, Dr. Boucher has recognized the holiday and encourages colleagues and students alike to participate by sending out a campus e-mail.

It's nothing major (Dr. Boucher does not walk into his classrooms talking like Captain Jack Sparrow), but he does drop the occasional pirate line on the students.


"Yesterday I walked into class and greeted the students by saying 'Avast! The Captain's aboard!' Half the class knew why I was talking like a pirate and the other half looked at me like I was crazy," said Boucher. "We had a quiz, and when the students finished taking it, a few of them were talking among themselves when I said 'Scupper that talk.' They had no idea what I was saying but they stopped talking."


Dr. Boucher says the holiday has become somewhat of an inside joke and he enjoys watching the students' reaction. In fact, a few years back, the Campus Activities office got word of the holiday and held a showing of Pirates of the Caribbean in the Burke Auditorium. Turnout was good, and several students dressed up in pirate costumes.


"I think affecting an attitude or character and accent has always been fun to me," Boucher remarked. "My hope is that the students will at least go back and reference my e-mail."


For those wanting to get an early start for next year's Talk Like a Pirate Day, check out the holiday's official w
Grab yerself a wench and a grog and drink up, me hearties, 'cuz today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day! What's that ye say? There's only Pittsburgh Pirates here at Ye Olde FanHouse? Well, avast there, mates! It can be Talk Like a Pittsburgh Pirate Day* as well! Read closely and if you'll be at Petco PARRRRRRk tonight listen in as well and remember; last place tells no tales:

"I was saying, 'NO NO NO!' not 'GO GO GO!"
"What part of 'Hit the cut-off man' do you fail to understand?"
"You may be the best player on the team, but we're still going to pay you less than we're paying Jason Kendall this year."
"Hey guys, don't look so down, it's only the first inning! I'm sure we'll score seven runs before this game is over."
"Throwing out attempted base stealers is for suckers."
"How quickly do you think I can make a three run lead disappear?"
"So, can anyone tell me what it's like to be the starting pitcher and actually see the sixth inning from the mound?"
"This is the only organization that will watch you pass through waivers twice, and still call you up a third time! I love it here!'
*These things may have been said by the real Pittsburgh Pirates, or it might just be excerpts from the running narrative in my head during most Pirate games. You can decide.