Fair warning and fair seas people ... it's the one day of the year when you can say the word wench at work and not get a call from HR. It's that time of year when scurvy is more than just a punchline.

I'm talking about that magical 24-hour period where people can come together under a skull and crossbones and partake in the parlance of piracy.

Yes friends, it be International Talk Like A Pirate Day...mateys.

Since 2002, the world at large has come to know (and in some quarters dread) Talk Like A Pirate Day. Originally created in the mid 90s by John Barr and Mark Summers (not the guy from Double Dare), the holiday took off after Dave Barry wrote about Talk Like A Pirate Day in his column.

And thus, a phenomenon was born.

So today instead of simply asking for that TPS report, why not say "AHOY, Tim, where be my TPS report ya bilge rat!"

If Tim does not respond in kind or offer up the report, you are then obligated to shout "AVAST you scurvy devil" and chase him down with your rusty cutlass, or a stapler.

Here's a pirate party primer with all the things you'll need to get a your ITLAPD festivities underway.

At another Talk Like A Pirate site, they offer some helpful everyday pirate phrases, such as:
"Yarr!" - I see your point, and agree wholeheartedly..."Yarr?" - Excuse me, what did you say?

If that is not useful, try out the pirate translator.

To completely get in the spirit check out this pirate name generator.

This site proves what history (and film) has always taught us - the English do not make good pirates Who is that, "Smilin' Ricky: Boy Pirate?"

Today also seems like as good a day as any to revisit the classic debate of Pirates vs. Ninjas. Who wins? Who's better? I'd also go and check out this short film, a classic love story - pirate girl meets ninja boy. Bloodshed and heartbreak ensue. (Mildly NSFW - contains a few swears.)

So meanwhile here in Vacationland, up at the University of Maine campus, at least one student is encouraging his peers to talk like a pirate today

Which brings me to my final point - what are your plans for Talk Like A Pirate Day?

Will there be plundering and/or privateering off the coast? Will we be storming the islands? Commandeering ships down at DiMillo's? Pirate Party at Dock Fore? Rum drink specials? Free eye patches?

Yarrr?

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