LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Long John Silver's is celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept. 19.
According to a news release, Talk Like a Pirate Day began in 1995 when two men were playing racquetball in Albany, Ore. One player reached for a tough shot and exclaimed, "Aaaaarrrr!" Spontaneously, the two began speaking in pirate jargon, complete with accents, and the idea was born. The day is now an annual tradition.
Long John Silver's, which is named after the pirate in Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, is inviting customers to get in on the buccaneer fun by celebrating the increasingly popular holiday.
"Pirates have never been more 'in,' but that's not news to Long John Silver's," said Don Gates, director of marketing for the world's largest quick-service seafood chain. "Long before Johnny Depp embraced his inner pirate by bringing the character of Jack Sparrow to life in 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' we recognized America's love affair with pirates and named our company after one."
The Long John Silver's Web site (ljsilvers.com) includes a special page dedicated to pirates. On the site is a pirate dictionary and famous pirate names.
