Talk like a Pirate Day - Celebrated once a year on 19th September by pirate fans of all generations.... You may not have come across this celebration before, but this event is growing fans year on year and is now in it's 7th Official Year.
How did it all begin you ask? Two guys. John Baur and Mark Summers. Two very normal guys who wore suits to work and played tennis together. 6th June 1995 they were playing tennis, not very well but doing their best. They started calling out friendly encouragement to each other in pirate slang. One thing led to another and an hour later, the pirate lingo had really taken off, plus the game had been much more fun and the time had breezed by. They decided there and then that what the world needed was a new national holiday - Talk Like A Pirate Day was born.
The date - believe it or not was chosen because it was the only date that Mark could remember - his ex-wife's birthday. For seven years, they celebrated International Talk Like A Pirate Day pretty much on their own, with their friend Brian actually having to remind them that the date was coming up.
Talk Like A Pirate Day takes off - One day in early 2002, John chanced upon Dave Barry's email address - Dave Barry, syndicated columnist, funnyman and author of 6,000 books was vaguely-known by the guys and they introduced themselves by email. He replied in a couple of days and thought it was a great idea, followed by an introduction to a local newspaper and several radio interviews. From that year, the idea grew, the celebrations grew and now there are people from all walks of life who celebrate this event.
But why do we need an International Talk Like A Pirate Day? Because it's fun. It's as simple as that. It gives your conversation a swagger, it cheers everyone up, silliness is the day's best selling point. So what's the point? The point is there is no point. And that's what's fun about Talk Like A Pirate Day.
For more information on this event, go to the official Talk Like A Pirate Day website -
www.talklikeapirateday.com
Tuesday 15 September 2009
Tuesday 16 June 2009
Pirate Party Food
If you want some great ideas for pirate party food, then look no further, we have some great authentic child-friendly suggestions!
When real pirates were on the seas for weeks on end, they did not get a three-course menu every day, they usually had to get used to bread soup or fish, with dried fruits and foul water or beer/rum to drink. Fortunately, you can give your children something slightly better to eat! Here are some ideas for your pirate party ....
When real pirates were on the seas for weeks on end, they did not get a three-course menu every day, they usually had to get used to bread soup or fish, with dried fruits and foul water or beer/rum to drink. Fortunately, you can give your children something slightly better to eat! Here are some ideas for your pirate party ....
- The Pirate Party Food
Fish fingers, Chicken legs or drumsticks......Hot Dogs (you can attach pirate sails to these to make them look like boats), watery soup....bread with cheese or jam... tuna sandwiches.... - Eating Manners
Pirates never used knives and forks....let the children eat with their hands... don't expect them to sit neatly at the table either... a rug on the floor, or outside on some grass will suit them just fine! - Pirate Drinks
Horribly normal water (or get a flavoured version!).... children's ginger beer.... children's punch (made from fruit juices), grape juice (to look like wine). Always best to stay clear of fizzy drinks as children will be excited enough!! - Pirate Tableware
Use paper plates and cups (see our pirate themed tableware selection in our store) or for a more authentic look, use empty coconut shells for drinks. We also sell pirate flag picks and sword picks, which are great for standing in sandwiches or use as cocktail sticks.
Thursday 30 April 2009
How to talk like a Pirate
Oooaarrgghhh me hearties! Avast ye landlubbers!! Shiver me timbers. Want to know how to talk like a pirate? Here we can give you some common sayings and pirate phrases. We have a much more comprehensive selection on our website.
Ahoy! - Hello!
Arrrr! - A piratical grunt that can mean just about anything from "I agree" to "Boo!" to "Hmmm"....
Avast ye landlubbers! - Avast means "Stop" or "Stay" and lubber is a clumsy person, so a landlubber is someone who's as clumsy on a ship as a person who's never been to sea.
Aye! - "Yes, I agree"
Aye-Aye! - "Right away"
Davey Jones's Locker - Davey Jones is a sailor's name for the evil spirit of the deep as well as a term for death. His locker is where unlucky ships or people go when they sink or die at sea.
Dead Man's Chest - An island in the Bahamas where Blackbeard abandoned 15 of his own men.
Freebooter - This term for a pirate is from the dutch language meaning "free plunder"
Grog - A very popular drink made from rum and water, named for Admiral Edward Vernon who got the nickname "Old Grog" from a grogham coat he wore.
Kiss the Gunner's daughter - To be flogged aboard ship.
Me hearty - A friend or shipmate
Sea legs - Sailors get "sea legs" when they've been at sea so long that they never get sea sick.
Scuppers - Holes pierced in the upper deck to give surplus water a place to drain.
Shiver me Timbers - A shiver is a splinter. Timbers are the wood of the ship. If a ship suddenly hit something, it's timber's were shivered! Pirates used this as a term of surprise or shock.
Tip the black spot - To make a death threat by giving someone a piece of paper marked with a black smudge.
Did you know that every year on 19th September, it's International Talk Like a Pirate Day? A huge festival is held in Florida to celebrate the occasion, but pirate wannabes are now celebrating this day all over the world... Talk Like a Pirate Day is gaining new fans each year...
Ahoy! - Hello!
Arrrr! - A piratical grunt that can mean just about anything from "I agree" to "Boo!" to "Hmmm"....
Avast ye landlubbers! - Avast means "Stop" or "Stay" and lubber is a clumsy person, so a landlubber is someone who's as clumsy on a ship as a person who's never been to sea.
Aye! - "Yes, I agree"
Aye-Aye! - "Right away"
Davey Jones's Locker - Davey Jones is a sailor's name for the evil spirit of the deep as well as a term for death. His locker is where unlucky ships or people go when they sink or die at sea.
Dead Man's Chest - An island in the Bahamas where Blackbeard abandoned 15 of his own men.
Freebooter - This term for a pirate is from the dutch language meaning "free plunder"
Grog - A very popular drink made from rum and water, named for Admiral Edward Vernon who got the nickname "Old Grog" from a grogham coat he wore.
Kiss the Gunner's daughter - To be flogged aboard ship.
Me hearty - A friend or shipmate
Sea legs - Sailors get "sea legs" when they've been at sea so long that they never get sea sick.
Scuppers - Holes pierced in the upper deck to give surplus water a place to drain.
Shiver me Timbers - A shiver is a splinter. Timbers are the wood of the ship. If a ship suddenly hit something, it's timber's were shivered! Pirates used this as a term of surprise or shock.
Tip the black spot - To make a death threat by giving someone a piece of paper marked with a black smudge.
Did you know that every year on 19th September, it's International Talk Like a Pirate Day? A huge festival is held in Florida to celebrate the occasion, but pirate wannabes are now celebrating this day all over the world... Talk Like a Pirate Day is gaining new fans each year...
Saturday 4 April 2009
"I've found the lost treasure of Lima"
It is a treasure trove so valuable it would leave Captain Jack Sparrow weak at the knees - and for over 190 years, it's exact location has been shrouded in mystery.
Now, a market trader from Melton, Leicestershire, claims he has succeeded where hundreds have failed. Michael Munroe reckons he has pinpointed the site of the Treasure of Lima, thought to be worth more than £100 million. He has spent 14 years studying historical documents and maps of the Cocos Island, off Costa Rica. Historians say the trove was buried on the notorious pirate island in 1820 by Captain William Thompson, who had been entrusted with transporting the church of Lima's treasure to Mexico. According to legend, Captain Thompson killed the passengers on his brig, the Mary Dear, and buried the loot on the island.
The haul includes a life-size gold statue of the Virgin Mary, 273 jewelled swords, solid gold crowns, more than 1,000 diamonds and chestfuls of precious gems. Mr Munroe said "The Cocos Island has been at the back of my mind ever since I heard about it 25 years ago. "It is a huge list of items we are talking about - something like 100 tonnes of treasure". Adventurers including flamboyant film star Errol Flynn and British racing driver Sir Malcolm Campbell are among those who have embarked on unsuccessful expeditions to recover the treasure.
However, Mr Munroe, 53, claims to have had a breakthrough with research by university academics into the soil types on the island - but does not want to go into further details, so as not to reveal it to other treasure seekers. He said "It was seeking professional geographic help which cracked it. "Since the 1930's, there have been at least 26 expeditions, but nobody has based a search on the soil and sand locations. I have the exact location of the treasure, which is backed up by descriptions of it being buried."
Now, Mr Munroe is applying to the Costa Rican government for permission to go to the island - a protected national park - to excavate. If he finds the treasure, the market trader, who makes a living from selling his own paintings, would be entitled to a quarter of it's estimated £100 million worth under international salvage law.
Extract taken from the Leicester Mercury, 30th March 2009
Now, a market trader from Melton, Leicestershire, claims he has succeeded where hundreds have failed. Michael Munroe reckons he has pinpointed the site of the Treasure of Lima, thought to be worth more than £100 million. He has spent 14 years studying historical documents and maps of the Cocos Island, off Costa Rica. Historians say the trove was buried on the notorious pirate island in 1820 by Captain William Thompson, who had been entrusted with transporting the church of Lima's treasure to Mexico. According to legend, Captain Thompson killed the passengers on his brig, the Mary Dear, and buried the loot on the island.
The haul includes a life-size gold statue of the Virgin Mary, 273 jewelled swords, solid gold crowns, more than 1,000 diamonds and chestfuls of precious gems. Mr Munroe said "The Cocos Island has been at the back of my mind ever since I heard about it 25 years ago. "It is a huge list of items we are talking about - something like 100 tonnes of treasure". Adventurers including flamboyant film star Errol Flynn and British racing driver Sir Malcolm Campbell are among those who have embarked on unsuccessful expeditions to recover the treasure.
However, Mr Munroe, 53, claims to have had a breakthrough with research by university academics into the soil types on the island - but does not want to go into further details, so as not to reveal it to other treasure seekers. He said "It was seeking professional geographic help which cracked it. "Since the 1930's, there have been at least 26 expeditions, but nobody has based a search on the soil and sand locations. I have the exact location of the treasure, which is backed up by descriptions of it being buried."
Now, Mr Munroe is applying to the Costa Rican government for permission to go to the island - a protected national park - to excavate. If he finds the treasure, the market trader, who makes a living from selling his own paintings, would be entitled to a quarter of it's estimated £100 million worth under international salvage law.
Extract taken from the Leicester Mercury, 30th March 2009
Monday 16 March 2009
How to make your own Pirate Invitations
The best Pirate Invitations are the original home-made ones. There are lots of great ideas and you can really let your imagination run wild. Here are a few suggestions:-
Invitation in a bottle.
These are great fun to make and will really impress. All you need are some small plastic water bottles. These can be easily found at the local supermarket. Make sure they have screw lids. Empty the water out and leave them to dry off. Once well dry, you can add various beachy items, such as a handful of sand, small stones, shells, and other items like flower petals or plastic coins if you have them. Finally you place your invitation inside, this can be a printed invitation or one you have made yourself. Roll it up and tie it with a ribbon or string, placing it inside the bottle and replacing the lid tightly.
These are great fun to make and will really impress. All you need are some small plastic water bottles. These can be easily found at the local supermarket. Make sure they have screw lids. Empty the water out and leave them to dry off. Once well dry, you can add various beachy items, such as a handful of sand, small stones, shells, and other items like flower petals or plastic coins if you have them. Finally you place your invitation inside, this can be a printed invitation or one you have made yourself. Roll it up and tie it with a ribbon or string, placing it inside the bottle and replacing the lid tightly.
Scroll Invitations
Start with a piece of A4 plain paper, cream coloured or light brown is best but white will do. Write all the details of your party on the sheet (try using a real ink knib pen)!, or use a computer to print out the details in an old-fashioned script typeface. You then can personalise the paper by making it look old. This can be done in several ways. The easiest way is to use cold teabags to stain the corners of the sheet. This will then need leaving to dry. You can also tear the corners to make the paper look old or slightly burn the corners with a match (adult help needed!). Finish by rolling lengthways and tying with thin ribbon or string.
Treasure Map Invitations
This is a variation of the scroll map above. Follow the same instructions but draw a treasure map on the paper with an 'X' marking the spot. You can also draw a map of where your party is and show directions to the event. When you roll up the treasure map, add some sand or powder to add the effect of decades of dust!
Pirate Talk
Add some pirate language to your invitations for a really authentic letter:-
Add some pirate language to your invitations for a really authentic letter:-
Ahoy me Hearties
Cap'n Jack and his trusty crew are sailing into port on 20 July to celebrate his 8th Birthday.
Calling all Land Lubbers to enjoy some swashbuckling fun at his Pirate Party from 4-6.
Cap'n Jack and his trusty crew are sailing into port on 20 July to celebrate his 8th Birthday.
Calling all Land Lubbers to enjoy some swashbuckling fun at his Pirate Party from 4-6.
RSVP Cap'n Jack, c/o The Jolly Roger
Prizes of booty for the jolliest or most fearsome costumes.
For more pirate invitations, see our website store - http://www.piratepartystore.co.uk/
Thursday 12 March 2009
How to make a Pirate Costume
There is no need to buy expensive pirate costumes for your kids. They are so easy to make and the original hand-made costumes are always the most memorable.
- Start by finding a stripey top - Black, navy, red and white stripes work best and look the most nautical. If you have time to be creative, you can paint your own stripes on a plain white t-shirt with fabric paint, using masking tape to help get straight lines. You can also add a skull and bones logo or add an original pirate name for your child.
- Next you need a pair of dark trousers or jeans. If you have an old pair, cut the ends off in a jagged shipwrecked style just below the knee.A thick chunky leather belt looks great around your waist or use a strip of material for a sash around your waist.
- Every pirate needs a bandana, these are easily made from old tea towels or squares of material - use bright colours, or gingham check. Team with one or two old curtain hooks tied onto your ear with thread to make some great pirate earings.
- If you have any black or brown facepaint, paint a moustache or eyepatch onto your face. The outfit is now complete. Accessorize your costume with a pirate telescope, hook or cutlass from our store!
Friday 6 March 2009
How to make a Pirate Hat from newspaper
For anyone organising a Pirate Party on a tight budget, this is a great activity to do with the children, and not only provides everyone with something to wear - it also provides an activity for them to do as well!
All you need is a sheet of newspaper for each child! The hats can be decorated or painted afterwards or just left plain.
All you need is a sheet of newspaper for each child! The hats can be decorated or painted afterwards or just left plain.
Step 1 - Start with an oblong piece of paper (a sheet of newspaper is an ideal 
size).
size).Step 2 - Fold the Sheet of paper in half from top to bottom.
Step 3 - Fold the top corners down towards the centre of the page.
Step 4 - Your paper should look like this.
Step 5 - Lift the front bottom flap and fold it up.
Step 6 - Flip the paper over, then lift the bottom flap and fold it up
Step 6 - Flip the paper over, then lift the bottom flap and fold it up
Your Pirate Hat is now complete!!
If you are looking for proper pirate hats, then we have a huge selection in our store, from bandanas to Captain Jack Sparrow hats. Have a browse in our decks at http://www.piratepartystore.co.uk/
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Reversible Pirate & Princess Costume
I can remember few of my toys as a child, but one thing I do remember from the 1970's was a delightful soft doll with a reversible dress. One side of the doll was a cinderella princess in a gorgeous pink dress, and if you turned her dress inside out, you had another doll in a dull poor pauper's dress. I had many hours of fun with this doll, making up stories about her life from rags to riches.
One of the newest additions to our stock is this delightful girl's pirate costume which can be turned inside out for a totally different look as a princess. As soon as we saw this costume, we knew we had to stock it, and it is fast becoming one of our best selling lines.
The princess costume is in cerise satin with pretty white organza puffed sleeves and a lovely velour and organza bodice inset with iridescent net and pink sequins. The pink satin skirt has a hoop for fullness. For girls who like to change their outfits every few minutes, this pirate princess costume is just made for them.
The pirate side is made from a vibrant red, white and black satin, with a mock buckle belt and a fabulous red and white striped overskirt. Includes a black apron with a skull and crossbones emblem on the bodice. This dress is available in ages 3-8.
What we really love about this costume is the quality and value for money. Not only is this dress fully washable (40 degrees) but you are also buying two costumes in one. If you would like to see more details of this costume, check out our reversible princess pirate dress here!
Tuesday 24 February 2009
Our first Pirate Party
Our oldest son James was just four years old, but he had a classful of new schoolmates and we wanted to give him the best party ever.
Being new to organising parties, we really went overboard but we had the most swashbuckling fun and did as much as we could ourselves.
Our lounge was just about big enough (once we'd moved all the furniture out - yes we really did this...) and we found some old blue and cream sheets and duvet covers which we placed on the floor to represent the sea and a beach. After hunting round in our attic, we managed to source two old inflatable dinghys and some oars, and there we had our first game - when the music stopped, everyone was told to either get on the beach, in the sea, or in a boat - last one there was out! The kids absolutely loved these boats and we used them for several more games - they even wanted to sit in them to eat their food!
We asked everyone to make an effort dressing up and we said we'd give a prize to the best boy and best girl's costume, which encouraged everyone to join in. Pirate costumes are so cheap and easy to make from cut-down jeans and stripey t-shirts. We were well impressed with the turn-out and found it difficult to judge. Nearly everyone had bought along a sword (which we collected together at the beginning for safety reasons!) but we all had great fun and took a picture of each child dressed up on their own, which we later gave them a copy of after the party with the thankyou letters.
Monday 23 February 2009
Credit Crunching Pirate Parties
Today's economic situation is making all parents adjust their weekly spending and while many households are tightening their belts, there are still some things that have to be accounted for. Whilst older children can understand a scaled-down birthday celebration, younger children and toddlers will still expect a huge celebration as normal and for parents, this can be a rather challenging time.
A few months back, most children's parties involved going out somewhere with entrance fees or hire costs, this along with food, catering and entertainers could amount to quite a pricey celebration. Now that money is tight, parents are having to re-think their plans and the traditional party at home is once again becoming popular.
The pirate-themed party is timeless and has always been popular with boys and girls alike. The theme lends itself wonderfully to all age groups, adults included and you can really let your imagination run wild without having to break the bank. Home-made invitations from tea-stained card or invitations posted in a bottle with sand will get everyone's attention, whilst inviting everyone to dress up for the occasion provides real entertainment for all, dads in particular like to join in here. Pirate fancy dress costumes can easily be made up from stripey t-shirts and a pair of old cut-off trousers, all toppped off with a bandana made from an old tea-towel and a face-painted eyepatch.
Pirate themed games and treasure hunt ideas can be gleamed from the internet and then you just need some home-made bunting and a packet of pirate balloons to decorate your room. Even better, hold your pirate party outside and include some swashbuckling games like walking the plank or hiding some treasure.
Expensive party bags are unnecessary - just give your pirates a net of chocolate coins to take home, along with a piece of birthday cake of course. Your pirate friends will hopefully have had one of the best parties ever, the more home-made touches you can think of, the more they'll be impressed...and hopefully, you'll have saved lots of money too!
If we have really got your imagination going, check out the rest of our website - www.piratepartystore.co.uk for lots more ideas and additional items to buy.
A few months back, most children's parties involved going out somewhere with entrance fees or hire costs, this along with food, catering and entertainers could amount to quite a pricey celebration. Now that money is tight, parents are having to re-think their plans and the traditional party at home is once again becoming popular.
The pirate-themed party is timeless and has always been popular with boys and girls alike. The theme lends itself wonderfully to all age groups, adults included and you can really let your imagination run wild without having to break the bank. Home-made invitations from tea-stained card or invitations posted in a bottle with sand will get everyone's attention, whilst inviting everyone to dress up for the occasion provides real entertainment for all, dads in particular like to join in here. Pirate fancy dress costumes can easily be made up from stripey t-shirts and a pair of old cut-off trousers, all toppped off with a bandana made from an old tea-towel and a face-painted eyepatch.
Pirate themed games and treasure hunt ideas can be gleamed from the internet and then you just need some home-made bunting and a packet of pirate balloons to decorate your room. Even better, hold your pirate party outside and include some swashbuckling games like walking the plank or hiding some treasure.
Expensive party bags are unnecessary - just give your pirates a net of chocolate coins to take home, along with a piece of birthday cake of course. Your pirate friends will hopefully have had one of the best parties ever, the more home-made touches you can think of, the more they'll be impressed...and hopefully, you'll have saved lots of money too!
If we have really got your imagination going, check out the rest of our website - www.piratepartystore.co.uk for lots more ideas and additional items to buy.
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