The modern pirate talk was first heard when actor Robert Newton portrayed Long John Silver in Walt Disney's “Treasure Island.” He was from the West Country, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, to be exact, and knew of the legendary pirates that hailed form there.
He exaggerated his West Country accent to create the famous pirate voice, which stuck for decades to come. From movies, to Disney rides, to video games, Newton's portrayal of the famous pirate fuels imaginations for every generation.
On September 19, 1995, two pirate lovers from Albany, Oregon created Talk Like a Pirate Day. It was a parody holiday, but has really resonated with people all over the world. The state of Michigan and California officially acknowledged the holiday. Krispy Kreme and Long John Silver's gives free food to anyone dressed or talking like a pirate.
Everything has stemmed from a single actor's portrayal of a pirate and is most likely cemented in the culture for all time. Now Dorset, England has something else to be proud of, other than producing some of the most infamous pirates.
