Talk like a pirate—or walk the plank

Blimey! Feast your eyes on the battered pirate ship that seems to have washed up on the shore here at New Brighton Beach, in Wallasey, England. The ship, built of driftwood by artist Frank Lund, is nicknamed the Black Pearl. It puts us in mind of the so-called Golden Age of Piracy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, which has long captured our imaginations, and inspired books and movies about swashbucklers on the high seas.

So much do Americans love pirates, that they created a holiday dedicated to blabberin’ like one. Talk Like a Pirate Day was first imagined in 1995 by two Oregon residents who pitched the idea to columnist Dave Barry. From there, it went viral. These days, September 19 is celebrated internationally, with major brands and media personalities joining in the silliness. We’re fans, too. Just picture us typin’ this here with an eye patch, peg leg, an’ pocket full o’ swag doubloons. Arrrrr!

Daily Pic ^09/19/17

A sparrowhawk in Kirkcudbright, Scotland