Talk like a Pirate

Fun phrases, kid-friendly slang, and quick activities for classrooms & storytime.

Ahoy, me hearties! Warm up yer vocal cords—today we’re speakin’ PIRATE. Use these words during read-alouds of Pirate Treasure Hunt! or any swashbucklin’ celebration.

Quick Start: Top 12 Pirate Phrases

  • Ahoy! – Hello!

  • Avast! – Stop and look here!

  • Aye! – Yes! (Strong agreement: Aye-aye!)

  • Arrr! – Pirate cheer/sound of approval

  • Matey – Friend, shipmate

  • Me – My (“me treasure,” “me map”)

  • Ye / Ya – You (“Are ye ready?”)

  • Shiver me timbers! – Wow! I’m surprised!

  • Blimey! – Yikes! Good gracious!

  • Yo-ho-ho! – Jolly singing/celebration

  • Landlubber – Someone who isn’t a sailor

  • Scallywag – A mischievous rascal (playful)

Pirate Pronunciation Cheat Sheet

  • R gets bigger: arrr, harrrd, barrrnacle.

  • You → Ye/Ya: “Are ye comin’?”

  • My → Me: “Where’s me map?”

  • Drop some ending gs: “Swabbin’ the deck.”

  • Sprinkle in sound effects: “Yo-ho-ho!” “Arrr!”

Mini Pirate Dictionary

Aft – Back of the ship
Bilge – Yucky ship water (ew!)
Booty – Treasure
Broadside – A big blast or bold speech
Crow’s nest – High lookout spot
Galley – Ship’s kitchen
Jolly Roger – Pirate flag (skull & crossbones)
Keelhaul – (History term) Very harsh punishment—use as silly exaggeration only
Marooned – Stuck on an island
Plunder – Take treasure
Quartermaster – Pirate who helps lead
Yo-ho-ho – A cheerful chant

(Keep it kind and silly—pirates in our classroom are polite, safe, and book-loving!)

Pirate Grammar for Play

  • Replace my → me: “me hat,” “me book.”

  • Replace is/are → be (sometimes): “The map be missin’!”

  • Swap very → right/proper: “a right fine ship,” “a proper storm.”

  • Add ye questions: “Be ye ready to read?”

  • Build call-and-response:

    • Leader: “Going on a treasure hunt!”

    • Crew: “Going on a treasure hunt!”

Classroom Call-and-Response (1 minute)

Leader: “Ahoy, crew!”
Students: “Ahoy, Captain!”
Leader: “Ready for treasure?”
Students: “Aye-aye!”
Leader: “What be the greatest treasure?”
Students: “BOOKS! AAR-READING!”

Pirate Warm-Up Tongue Twisters

  • “Six sneaky sea serpents sailed the shining sea.”

  • “Peg-leg Pete picked a peck of pirate pebbles.”

  • “Brave buccaneers bounce aboard the big, blue boat!”

Quick Activities

1) Pirate Name Tags
Write your pirate name (use your Pirate Name Generator page) and greet three mateys in character.

2) Treasure-Map Directions (Movement Game)
Teacher calls: “Three giant steps to starboard (right)!” “Two tiny tiptoes to port (left)!” “Freeze—crocodiles!”

3) Pirate Compliments (SEL)
Practice kind pirate talk: “Ye did a proper job readin’!” “A right brave try!”

4) Word Swap Relay
Teams rewrite a normal sentence in pirate style. Example: “Please pass me the book.” → “Pass me the book, matey!”

Safety & Kindness Note

Our pirates are friendly, respectful, and book-loving. No scary talk or pretend weapons—just big imaginations and AAR-reading!