PirateQ 
Activities set for Pensacola, Warrington and Milton campuses
By Troy Moon
Pensacola State College
You call yourselves Pirates? Over the last few days I’ve been hitting up numerous PSC Pirates – students, staff, administrators – and asking them to spit out some gruff Pirate talk for a video to promote “Talk Like a Pirate Day” on Monday, Sept. 19.
We need to step up our game, me mateys! Because though you’re all great Pirates and great Pirate ambassadors, your Pirate talk needs a bit of work.
See, there has to be more to Pirate talk than just growling “Arrr.” Otherwise how would Pirates ever have been able to accomplish anything? It would have just been a bunch of fishy-smelling folks yelling “Arrr” at each other which seems a little silly and pointless.
Now, some more seasoned Pirates of PSC were able to be a little more eloquent when queried.
Public safety officer Richard Whatley was able to bellow out a convincing “Walk the Plank!” directive and a few Pirates expressed surprise with a “Shiver me Timbers” or two. But for the most part, it was a lot of “Arrr” – and pronouncing it “Arrrg” doesn’t make it more expressive.
So, me hearties, make sure you learn a few more words and terms before “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” You can even make up your own. I came up with “Sassy up the Fancies” and think it’s a perfect Pirate expression. What does it mean? I dunno. I made it up. Probably something to do with sails or jibs or something. And no, I don’t know what jib is, but I think it’s something kind of boat related.
And if we Pirates can have “Davy Jones’ Locker” – a bottom-of-the-sea Pirate metaphor ─ then surely we can have “Michael Nesmith’s hat.”
(You younger Pirates should have one of the truly elder Pirate graybeards among us to explain the connection.)
International Talk Like a Pirate Day was first observed in 1995 and was conceived by two goofballs known as “Cap’n Slappy” and “Ol’ Chumbucket” during a racquetball game when one of them was injured and cried out “Arrr!”
Sept. 19 was chosen as the official observance because it was the birthday of Cap’n Slappy’s ex-wife and thus, easy to remember. So yes, a noble and reverent holiday.
The PSC “Talk Like a Pirate Day” activities include:
Milton Campus| 8-10 a.m.
- Talk Like A Pirate Day: Swag Grab ‘N’ Go. Be part of the TikTok video of students Talking Like a Pirate. Students who participate will receive a free T-shirt or swag item.
Pensacola Campus| 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
- Talk Like A Pirate Day: Meet Pirate Pete will around the gazebo near the PSC Student Center for pictures with students. Baptist Collegiate Ministries will offer free hot dogs at the group’s weekly free cookout at the gazebo where all Pirates can participate in “Talk Like a Pirate” TikTok video. Students who participate will receive a free T-shirt or swag.
Warrington Campus| 2:30-4 p.m.
- Talk Like A Pirate Day: Swag Grab ‘N’ Go. Be part of the TikTok video of students Talking Like a Pirate. Students who participate will receive a free T-shirt or swag item.
If you want to add to your Pirate vocabulary, here’s a good Pirate Glossary.