Being the nineteenth day of September tis Talk Like a Pirate Day and I, yer faithful Fourth Dwarf, be here to help ye master the lingo.
As ye'll likely not be sailin' off fer adventure and treasure, but sitting in yer government or corporate meeting chamber, here be the proper piratical way of expressin' yer lubberly thoughts.
Landlubber Talk | Shipshape Pirate Talk |
We have achieved a positive outcome | We’re bung up and bilge free |
We have gained a market advantage over the competition | We’ve sailed to windward and taken their weather guage |
Perform a post-project evaluation | Tally up the butcher's bill |
Dialogue with a stakeholder | Chew the fat with chummy |
We will meet this afternoon | Ye’ll see me when the sun be over the yardarm |
A good candidate for senior management | A right smart upper yardman |
Recruit new human resources | Pressgang a new crew |
We must increase our efforts | We’d best put some wind behind our sails |
Acting contrary to the direction of the chief executive | Crossing the bow of the old man |
Insufficiently prepared for an unforeseen contingency | There’s the devil to pay and no pitch hot |
We shall now adjourn | Hoist the Blue Peter and weigh anchor |
Several staff members are asking policy questions | We’ve a few sea lawyers among the hands |
Intervene in a consultation without an invitation | Shove an oar in |
Reduce quality to increase quantity | Water the grog |
An effective temporary measure | A rum jury rig |
Cost recovery | Flogging the booty |
Reduce overhead to enhance efficiency | Jettison the supercargo |
Our initiative failed to meet its planned targets | We were right scuppered |
Assert our brand identity | Hoist the Jolly Roger! |
