I have to draw special attention to this, via Regret the Error:
In the June 5 "Explainer," Christopher Bonanos made several errors. First, he stated that the pirate's "arrr" originated with Robert Newton. Lionel Barrymore used "arrrgh" in a film from 1934. Second, he identified Dorset as being in the Cotswolds district of southwest England. The Cotswolds are in central England. Third, he asserted that most pirates were from oppressed nations like Scotland and Ireland. Many were, but more came from southwest England than anywhere else. Fourth, he stated that "arrr" is "strictly fiction," and that no one ever walked the plank. West country pirates may well have used the phrase "arrrgh," and there does exist at least one recorded instance of plank-walking.
Arrrrrrgh, verily, this is valuable information! Thank you!
ReplyDelete