The Quirky Saga o’ Talk Like a Pirate Day, Arrr!
Every year on September 19, people from Portland to Paris drop their usual hellos for a hearty “Ahoy matey!”—all thanks to two friends who couldn’t stop laughing on a racquetball court.
Every September 19, offices, classrooms, and social media feeds are filled with “Ahoy matey!” and “Shiver me timbers!” Instead of sounding strange, this playful switch to pirate lingo has become an international phenomenon. The day is more than just a chance to put on your best Captain Jack Sparrow impression; it has roots in a hilarious real-life story. Believe it or not, Talk Like a Pirate Day began as a private joke between two friends in Oregon, and its journey to worldwide recognition is as entertaining as the holiday itself.
A Joke Between Friends
The origins trace back to 1995, when John Baur and Mark Summers were playing a game of racquetball. Like many good friends, they were competitive and liked to trash talk during the match. In the middle of the game, one of them blurted out an exaggerated “Arrr!” in frustration. The silly moment made them both laugh so hard they couldn’t stop. That single growl of pirate talk sparked an idea: what if they dedicated an entire day to speaking like swashbucklers? At first it was just a fun joke to spice up their regular routine, but it planted the seed for something bigger.
Picking the Perfect Date
Every holiday needs a date, and the pair wanted one that would be memorable. After some thought, they chose September 19. Why that day? It happened to be the birthday of Summers’ ex-wife, and he figured it was a date he would never forget. The choice was completely random, but it gave their new “holiday” a specific anchor on the calendar. From that point forward, the friends decided September 19 would forever be Talk Like a Pirate Day in their world.
A Local Secret at First
For several years, the holiday remained a private tradition. Baur and Summers would remind their friends and encourage them to sprinkle in some pirate talk whenever September 19 rolled around. They never imagined it would catch on beyond their small circle. For them, it was a silly in-joke, a way to add some levity to the monotony of everyday life. The holiday lived quietly in Oregon until a fateful twist of luck gave it a much wider stage.
Enter Dave Barry
The turning point came in 2002 when Baur and Summers decided to share their idea with humor columnist Dave Barry. Barry was known across the country for writing about offbeat topics in a witty, relatable style. When he caught wind of their oddball tradition, he loved it immediately. Barry wrote a column about Talk Like a Pirate Day, playfully urging readers to join in the fun. His national platform gave the quirky holiday the boost it needed. Practically overnight, people from coast to coast were chuckling at the idea of talking like pirates—and many decided to try it themselves.
A Worldwide Splash
Once Barry’s article ran, the holiday exploded beyond the borders of Oregon. Radio stations, online message boards, and newspapers began talking about it. The timing was perfect; social media was just starting to connect people across the globe, and pirate memes and jokes spread quickly. What had been a running joke between two friends suddenly became a global trend. By the early 2000s, people in multiple countries were marking September 19 by swapping “hello” for “ahoy” and “goodbye” for “yo ho ho.”
Pirate Talk in Pop Culture
The early 2000s also brought a huge wave of pirate popularity thanks to pop culture. In 2003, Disney released Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Johnny Depp’s quirky Captain Jack Sparrow gave pirates a fresh new appeal. Video games, children’s cartoons, and even sports mascots added to the craze. Talk Like a Pirate Day seemed perfectly timed to ride that cultural wave, reinforcing the idea that pirates weren’t just historical figures; they were fun, larger-than-life characters worth celebrating.
How to Talk Like a Pirate
Of course, the holiday is all about the language. The simplest version is throwing in an “Arrr!” whenever possible, but true enthusiasts go deeper. Classic pirate vocabulary includes greetings like “Ahoy” instead of hello, warnings like “Avast” for stop and pay attention, and playful insults such as “Scallywag” or “Bilge rat.” There are even entire glossaries online devoted to pirate-speak, complete with tips on rolling your R’s and speaking with an exaggerated growl. For many, it is not just about being silly; it is about getting into character and letting go of everyday seriousness. Arrr you ready? A guide to the best Talk Like A Pirate Day lingo
Charitable Twist
Baur and Summers were delighted when their silly holiday grew, but they also saw an opportunity to make it meaningful. Over the years, they encouraged people to use the day as a chance to raise money for charitable causes. Some groups organized pirate-themed events with proceeds going to nonprofits, while others used it as a fun hook to collect donations. The charitable twist gave the day more staying power, showing that laughter could also bring about positive action.
A Global Tradition Today
Now, decades after its creation, Talk Like a Pirate Day has become a tradition enjoyed by millions. Offices encourage employees to drop their usual greetings for a few laughs, classrooms hold pirate vocabulary contests, and friends trade pirate puns all day long. Thanks to the internet, the celebration has gone truly global, with people in Europe, Asia, and Australia all taking part. It proves that no matter where you live, silliness and humor are universal.
The Takeaway
What began as an inside joke during a racquetball game has grown into a lighthearted tradition that spans continents. Talk Like a Pirate Day shows how something small and silly can connect people in surprising ways. On September 19, whether you toss out a casual “Ahoy matey” or fully commit with a tricorn hat and pirate accent, you’re part of a story that started with two friends and a laugh, and turned into a holiday that still makes the world smile.
