Ahoy Matey: Learn to Talk Like a Pirate101 Pro

Ahoy! In case ye didn’t know,”Ahoy” means “Hello!” Much more Piratey than “Hello,” “Hi,” or “Hey,” wouldn’t ye say? At any rate, ye thinks ye’d like to learn proper Pirate talk, eh? Good on ye, Matey! Within the secret treasure trove of this here list, ye shall discover secret meanings to a true Pirate’s language – ye will find it is in many ways a communication code, so by the time ye finish reading this, ye will be well prepared to talk just like a Pirate – aarrr!

The Basics, Me Matey!

Aarrr!

Speaking of that, have ye ever wondered why it is that Pirates so often exclaim, mutter or growl the sound “Aarrr!”? Well, “Aarrr” is rather a magical Pirate word, to be sure. That’s because it is a great multipurpose or interchangeable type of exclamation.

Allow me to explain, me hearty. When a Pirate says “Aarrr,” he may be simply agreeing with something his captain or shipmate has just said, such as when Eye-Patch Pete says, “Let’s go ashore and seek the treasure!” To that, Stinky Sven (Pete’s shipmate Pirate) might enthusiastically respond:

“Aarrr!”  Translation: “Right, let’s go!”

So it’s a kind of Pirate shorthand, ye see. Another meaning for “Aarrr” might be “I’m happy” or “This chocolate milk tastes positively delicious!” So while it might sometimes sound like a complaint or threat, by and large, “Aarrr” is a very agreeable sound!

Avast, me hearties!

No doubt ye’ve often heard “Avast, me hearties!” but may not have known exactly what the heck it means, is that right? Aarrr. Well, “Avast” by its lonesome means “Hey – listen up!” or “Stop what yer doin’ and pay attention!” As for “me hearties,” that’s sorta like sayin’ “my friends,” “buddies,” “pals,” or, as some like to say in these here modern times, “homies.” So, “Avast, me hearties” can be translated to mean “Hey, check this out, my friends!” Aarrr… now yer gettin’ the hang of the lingo, Matey! (“Matey” is just a nickname for a shipmate or a pal, by the by.)

Me Beauty!

When a Pirate is talkin’ of a fair lady, the phrase “Me Beauty” is one of the highest forms of a compliment. Of course, Pirates may also use this term when talkin’ about a beautiful ship or a chest full o’ gold doubloons!

Yo ho ho!

Pirates are fond of saying “Yo ho!” – usually within a song, like “Yo ho, a Pirate’s life for me.” Probably had that figgered out for yerself! Them thar be some o’ the basics. Now, let’s move on to other Pirate words used in that rollickin’ fun game Pirate101, shall we, Matey?

Now Fer Some Pirate101 Lingo

A “swashbuckler” is someone who’s an excellent swordsman, as Pirates tend to be! Legend has it that “swashbuckler” hearkens back to a time when fightin’ were done with a side-sword and a buckler in the other hand, and there was a lot of “swashing” (sweeping swordplay) and so forth. It’s sort o’ the Pirate equivalent for the Old Western term “gunslinger” – see the similarity? Aarrr!

A “henchman” is someone who carries out yer orders, dastardly as the work may be!

A “privateer” is a top-notch Pirate – a natural-born leader in the world of piracy!

A “musketeer” is an amazing marksman who uses his long-range, powder-charged firearm to wreak havoc!

“Buccaneers” wear the most effective body armor and tote the biggest weapons of any type of Pirate!

“Witchdoctors” are the masters of the arcane, using hoodoo powers to change the outcome of a battle. Though they are weak in direct fights, witchdoctors do not fight fair! Their hexes, blasts of fire, and summoned spirits all work against their enemies.

So practice yer Pirate lingo as much as possible and ye’ll be a full-fledged Pirate talker in no time flat! And ye must have FUN while doin’ so – that be an order! Aarrr!