Ayast, me hearties, today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day (ITLAPD).

ITLAPD was started in 1996 by John Baur )Ol’ Chumbucket and Mark Summers (Cap’n Slappy). According to Summers, the day came about during a raquetball game between he and Baur. One of them reacted to the pain with an outburst of “Aaar!”” and the idea was born. The game actually took place on June 6, 1995, but out of respect for the observance of D-Day, they chose September 19, Summers’ ex-wife’s birthday, as it would be easy for him to remember. And today, what once was a goofy idea celebrated by a handful of friends has turned into an international phenomenon.

Lionel Barry more is first believed to have used “arrgh” in the first film of Treasure Island from 1934, and many believe Barrymore created the first archetype of pirate speak.

You can celebrate today by speaking pirate, of course. If you need some pointers, check out How To Be Speakin’ Pirate Like. 

You can switch your language on Facebook to Pirate. You also download the new Talk Like a Pirate Theme for the iPad.

Still need pointers on how to talk pirate? Check out some movies, like Treasure Island, Peter Pan, or my personal fave, Pirates of the Caribbean.

For more information visit talklikeapirate.com or talklikeapirateday.com.

Image from captainsdead.com. http://www.yarr.org.uk/talk/