Avast, me hearties! International Talk Like A Pirate Day is fast upon us (September 19, to be exact) and if you want to learn the lingo, head to Newquay’s Pirate Quest.
From Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September, the Newquay attraction will become a ‘Pirate Academy’ with the goal of teaching landlubbers their ‘ports’ from their ‘starboards’ and their ‘ayes’ from their ‘arrrs’ on an hour long, walk-through, adventure.
The story will see visitors ‘rescued’ from the sinking Royal Anne by a live pirate, who will then escort them through Cornish coves and streets, to the old town of Towan Blystra where Captain Calico Jack has made port. But before stepping foot onto Captain Jack’s ship, the Neptune, landlubbers will first have to prove that they can talk the talk before becoming a true crewmate and a proper pirate.
Educational elements on the attraction will see visitors learning what buccaneers eat, what rules they have to obey, and obviously, how to talk like a pirate. There will also be a ‘Pirate Academy’ treasure trail – to uncover a secret word and be rewarded with some of Calico Jack’s treasure.
Pirate Expressions to learn:
- Arrrr – general term for almost anything!
- Ahoy – hello
- Avast – Stop
- Aye – Yes
- Bilge Rat – A rat that lives in the lowest level of the ship (used as an insult)
- Grog – Alcoholic drink, usually rum diluted with water
- Lubber (landlubber) – someone who does not go to sea
- Smartly – Quickly
- Hornswoggled – Tricked/deceived
- Doubloon – A Spanish coin accepted in most ports around the world during the 1700s
