Where Does The Pirate Accent Come From?

Prepare to embark on a tale of epic proportions, as Tom Blank of Weird History takes us on a journey into the swashbuckling history of the pirate accent! Did you know that the iconic vocal style was popularized by actor Robert Newton in the 1950 Disney film Treasure Island? Newton, hailing from the West Country of England, used an exaggerated version of his native dialect to portray the infamous Long John Silver.

But beware, me hearties! Much of what ye think ye know about pirates may be historically inaccurate, as the image of a pirate has been heavily influenced by portrayals in literature, film, TV, and stage throughout the years. So prepare to batten down the hatches and set sail for adventure as we delve into the fascinating history of the pirate accent!