Video Examines The Swashbuckling History of The Pirate Accent
Ahoy there mateys! It be time to weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen! Tom Blank, the salty sea dog of Weird History, be spinnin' a tale of swashbuckling proportions - the history of the iconic pirate accent!
Arrrr, did ye know that this hearty vocal style was first popularized by legendary actor Robert Newton in the 1950 Disney flick Treasure Island? Newton, who hailed from the West Country of England, used an exaggerated version of his native dialect to portray the infamous Long John Silver.
But beware ye scallywags, for much of what ye think ye know about the seafaring criminals known as pirates is likely to be historically inaccurate! Despite existin' for thousands of years, the image of a pirate has been heavily influenced by portrayals in literature, film, TV, and stage.
So batten down the hatches and set a course for adventure as we delve into the fascinating history of the pirate accent!