Thank You in Chinese: Xièxiè and 12 Other Thank You Chinese Phrases
Here are 12 of the most important ways to say thank you in Chinese. Because xièxiè is the most spoken “thank you” in the world.
Pirate Lingo: Learn 50+ Pirate Words
Ahoy, maties! Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day 🏴☠️☠️🏴☠️
Ahoy, maties! Avast, ye! Stop what you are doing. If it’s September 19, then it’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day! The perfect excuse to drink industrial quantities of rum, grunt, growl, dress like Jack Sparrow, walk your parrot pet on the shoulder and call everyone you meet a scallywag. Blimey! That sure sounds like a lot of fun. Arr! So let’s walk the plank and see what’s this all about.
Top Pirate Phrases to Use
- Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!
- Ahoy!
- All hands on deck!
- Avast ye! (“stop what you’re doing and pay attention”)
- Blimey!
- Dead men tell no tales (“no survivors left behind”)
- Feed the fish (“to throw someone overboard”)
- No prey, no pay
- Scourge of the Seven Seas (“pirate with a bad reputation”)
- Shiver me timbers! (expression of surprise)
The Origins of Talk Like a Pirate Day
It was June 6, 1995, when John Baur and Mark Summers – later known by their pirate names Ol’ Chumbucket and Cap’n Slappy – played racquetball. The story says one of them got injured during the game and reacted with an outburst of “Arrr!”. Thus Talk Like a Pirate Day was born. Out of respect for the observance of World War II’s D-Day on the 6th of June, the soon-to-be world-renowned pirates decided to choose Summers’ now ex-wife’s birthday, September 19. to celebrate pirate lingo.
At first, Baur and Summers celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day as an inside joke between two friends. However, a few years later, they sent a letter to Dave Barry, a syndicated humor columnist, who liked the idea and released it into the world. The rest… is history.
Over the years, the idea gained a lot of notoriety and is now celebrated internationally by people and brands everywhere. For example, in 2008, to celebrate the day, Facebook introduced a pirate-translated version of its website.
How to Talk Like a Pirate, Perfecting Pirate Accent
Arr! All right, ye’ bilge rat! It’s time to teach ye’ how to talk like a real pirate!
You thought that using the right words would be enough? Not a chance! Pirate talk requires a hearty dose of swagger, a growling voice, and a flair for dramatic gestures. It’s not just what you say but how you say it that makes you truly sound like a buccaneer!
Step-By-Step Guide to Speaking Pirate
- Learn the pirate terms by heart: Memorize key pirate phrases and words so you can recall them instantly when needed.
- Use “Arr” as your go-to pirate exclamation: Make “arr” your signature sound for emphasis and excitement.
- Slur ye’ words as much as possible: Speak with a casual, slurred manner to capture the laid-back pirate drawl.
- Give up g’s and v’s in most words: Drop the endings of words like “sailing” to “sailin’” and “loving” to “lovin’”. Also replace “you” and “your” with “ye” and “yer” for an authentic touch.
- Swap “me” for “I” and “my”: Also use “meself” instead of “myself” to add pirate flair to your speech.
- Avoid modern slang words: Stick to traditional pirate vocabulary and steer clear of contemporary language to maintain authenticity.
- Growl a lot: Add growls and grunts to punctuate your sentences, sound more fearsome and take your pirate talk to the next level.
- Use plenty of insults, ye’ bilge rat: Don’t shy away from colorful insults and jibes; they are part of pirate camaraderie.
- Talk with a raspy voice: Emulate Jack Sparrow’s iconic rasp to give your pirate speech the perfect finishing touch.
Easy peasy, ain’t it?
Fun Facts and Trivia About Talk Like a Pirate Day
You already know the origin story of Talk Like a Pirate Day, but what about the lesser-known details? With so many years of celebration, there must be some intriguing facts about this event!
Indeed! Here are some fun facts and trivia about Talk Like a Pirate Day.
1. A US mayor once sparked a local controversy by issuing an official proclamation for Talk Like a Pirate Day
The mayor’s actions were criticized by the city’s former commissioner, who objected to the association with murderous seamen.
2. Astronauts once celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day on the International Space Station
Imagine that! It must have been a fun day.
3. Barak Obama once marked the occasion with a costumed pirate in the Oval Office
The former US president tweeted an image with the caption, “Arr you in?”
4. Talk Like a Pirate Day is often celebrated with hidden Easter eggs in various games and websites
Examples include Facebook, Reddit, and O’Reilly, the book publisher.
Worldwide celebrations and other events
- Languages: While the day encourages pirate talk in English, many translations and adaptations have been made, so now you can also speak like a pirate in Spanish, French, and other languages.
- Pirate Names: A fun activity on Talk Like a Pirate Day is to generate your pirate name. Online generators can help you come up with creative and humorous pirate personas.
- Pirate-Themed Events: Museums and libraries often hold special events or educational programs to teach about the history of piracy and maritime exploration.
- Pirate Movies and Literature: The day often inspires marathons of popular pirate movies like “Pirates of the Caribbean” or readings of classic pirate literature such as “Treasure Island”.
- Charitable Aspect: Some groups use the day to raise funds for maritime-related charities, making the celebration not only fun but also beneficial to various causes.
- Cultural Impact: Talk Like a Pirate Day has become a part of popular culture, showing up in TV shows, games, and other media as a quirky and fun way to celebrate pirate history and language.
- Educational Opportunities: Educators use the day as a chance to teach students about the Golden Age of Piracy, including the lives of famous pirates like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny.
50 Useful Pirate Words and Phrases
| Pirate Word/Phrase | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ahoy | Hello |
| All Hands on Deck | Everyone come and help out |
| Avast | Stop; cease and pay attention |
| Aye | Yes |
| Aye Aye | Used by sailors to confirm they understood the orders |
| Bilge Rat | An insult referring to a rat that lives in the worst place on the ship – the bilge |
| Blimey | An expression of surprise or shock |
| Booty | Treasure |
| Buccaneer | Pirate or free sailor known in the Caribbean Sea during the 17th and 18th centuries |
| Bucko | Friend |
| Cat o'nine tails | A whip with nine strands |
| Chantey | Song sung together by pirates while they work |
| Clap of Thunder | Strong, alcoholic drink, like a shot |
| Coffer | Treasure chest |
| Crow’s Nest | Lookout platform on the ship's mast to see long distances |
| Davy Jones' Locker | The bottom of the sea, where dead pirates go |
| Dead Men Tell No Tales | Leave no survivors |
| Feed the Fish | About to die |
| Gangplank | Boarding plank |
| Grog | Rum or liquor diluted by water |
| Hands | Crew members or sailors of a ship |
| Hornswoggle | To deceive or cheat |
| Jacob's Ladder | A rope ladder |
| Jolly Boat | A ship's small boat for various purposes |
| Lad, Lass, Lassie | A younger person |
| Landlubber | A person unfamiliar with the sea or sailing |
| Lend a Hand | To help or assist |
| Marooned | Left stranded on a deserted island |
| Matey | A companion, a close friend |
| No Quarter | No mercy, give no quarter to the enemy |
| Old Salt | Experienced pirate |
| Pieces of Eight | Spanish silver coins used by pirates |
| Pirate Speak | How pirates communicate |
| Poop Deck | The highest deck at the stern of a ship |
| Privatter | Privately owned ship authorized to raid enemy vessels |
| Raise the Jolly Roger | Hoist the pirate flag |
| Scallywag | An insult for a mischievous or dishonest person |
| Scurvy Dog | An insult for a contemptible person |
| Scuttlebutt | Shipboard gossip or rumors |
| Sea Dog | An experienced sailor |
| Sea Legs | The ability to maintain balance and walk steadily on a moving ship |
| Shark Bait | Someone about to become shark food |
| Shipshape | In good order or condition |
| Sink Me | Expresses surprise or amazement |
| Swab the Deck | To clean the ship's deck |
| Take a Caulk | A pause from work |
| Thar She Blows! | Whale sighting |
| Thar She Glows! | When a ship is on fire |
| Walk the Plank | Force someone to walk off a plank on a ship; to accept the consequences |
| Weigh Anchor | Raise the anchor |
| Yo-Ho-Ho | An expression of delight |
Sail Away with the Pirate Spirit
What about you, matey? Will you be celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day this September? While donning a pirate costume and throwing a themed party might be tricky, learning some pirate words and phrases is an easy and enjoyable way to join in the fun.
Let’s face it—talking like a pirate all day long is even better than indulging in World Chocolate Day, aye?
So, dive into the festivities and share this article along with your favorite pirate phrase! 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️
Pirates Have Unearthed a New Treasure
Not gold or silver, but a treasure that’ll expand yer horizons!
If ye’ wish to learn a new language to help you in yer sea voyages, then ye need to check out Mondly.
With its interactive lessons and immersive features, Mondly will have ye speakin’ a new language faster than ye can say “Ahoy!”
