I’m Kayla, and I’m a sucker for silly jokes. Dad jokes? Yes. Groaners? Also yes. So I spent a whole week telling pirate jokes. At my nephew’s birthday. In our team chat at work. Even at trivia night. You know what? It was a wild, wavy ride.
Let me explain.
If you’d like an even deeper dive into my seven-day swashbuckling experiment, you can read the full log in my pirate-joke diary—complete with every victorious laugh, awkward pause, and surprise “Arrr” along the way.
What Makes a Pirate Joke Work
It’s not just the words. It’s the pause. The grin. And the little “Arrr” that squeaks out like a rusty door. A tiny prop helps too. I kept a paper eye patch in my bag. Classy? Not really. Worth it? Oh yeah.
I learned to slow down on the word “sea.” Folks need a beat before the punch lands. And please—don’t yell “Arrr” like a foghorn. It’s more fun when it’s soft and low, like the ocean at night.
Real Jokes That Got Real Laughs
Here are the exact lines I used. Kids liked them. Grown-ups groaned—but in a good way.
-
What’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
You think it’s R, but it’s the C. -
How much do pirate earrings cost?
A buccaneer. -
Why can’t a pirate finish the alphabet?
He gets lost at C. -
What grades do pirates get?
High Cs. -
Why are pirates good at boxing?
They’ve got a mean right hook. -
What’s a pirate’s favorite veggie?
Arrrtichokes. -
What did the ocean say to the pirate?
Nothing. It just waved. -
Why did the pirate cross the ocean?
To get to the other tide. -
What do pirates buy on Black Friday?
Sails. Lots of sails. -
What’s a pirate’s favorite exercise?
Planks. -
What’s a pirate’s least favorite veggie?
Leeks. -
Where do pirates keep their money?
In the river bank. (Kidding. It’s a treasure chest.)
And two knock-knocks that didn’t bomb:
-
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Arr.
Arr who?
Arr you going to let me in? -
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Sea.
Sea who?
See you later, matey.
Field Test #1: The Birthday Party
Eight kids, a cake shaped like a ship, and a sugar storm. I did five jokes in a row. The “buccaneer” line crushed. The “high Cs” one needed a quick hint—“like the sea!”—then boom, giggles. I kept the jokes short and moved fast. Kids like rhythm. Also, frosting on your sleeve makes you funnier. Science? Probably not.
Field Test #2: Work Slack
I dropped one pirate joke each morning. Day 1 got a line of thumbs-ups. Day 3, someone posted a GIF of a parrot. Day 5, our VP tossed in a “right hook” pun and I nearly spit my coffee. It lightened the room without trying too hard. Tip: one joke a day. Not ten. Don’t be that person.
Field Test #3: Trivia Night
The crowd was loud. I tried the “favorite letter” joke between rounds. A table yelled “R!” I smiled and hit them with “It’s the C.” Laughter rolled like a small wave hitting the dock. Worth it. The bartender gave me a tiny plastic sword. I still have it.
Things I Liked (and a Few I Didn’t)
- Good: Pirate jokes are simple. Clean. Easy to swap for any crowd.
- Good: The wordplay feels cozy. Like a warm hoodie.
- Good: You can carry them anywhere. No slides. No props needed.
- Not-so-good: The “Arrr” bit can get old fast if you milk it.
- Not-so-good: A few jokes confuse little kids. “High Cs” needs a hint.
- Not-so-good: If you push the accent too hard, it sounds off. Keep it light.
Tiny Tips That Helped
- Pause before the punchline. One beat.
- Smile with your eyes first. Then say the line.
- Toss in a soft “matey” now and then, but don’t force it.
- If a joke misses? Shrug and say, “Must be low tide.” Move on.
- Save one ace joke for the end. I saved “You think it’s R, but it’s the C.”
A Quick Seasonal Note
Mark September 19. It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day. International Talk Like a Pirate Day is celebrated annually on September 19. Fun fact: The holiday was created in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers, who chose the date because it was Summers's ex-wife's birthday. People expect corny fun. It’s the one day you can say “Ahoy” at the coffee machine and not get side-eye. I keep two fresh jokes for that day, like snacks in a desk drawer.
My Go-To Mini Set (When Time Is Short)
-
What’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
You think it’s R, but it’s the C. -
How much do pirate earrings cost?
A buccaneer. -
Why can’t a pirate finish the alphabet?
He gets lost at C.
Done. In and out. No barnacles.
Final Take
If you want an even bigger treasure chest of punchlines, check out this trove of pirate jokes to keep the laughter flowing.
As any pirate will tell you, sometimes the real quest is for good company (and maybe a bit of modern-day “booty”). If your own romantic voyage needs a fresh course, set sail toward Jaumo, a top-rated dating app that helps you meet like-minded swashbucklers. The guide breaks down features, safety tips, and insider tricks so you can decide whether it’s worth hoisting your digital sails.
For readers in Washington who’d rather drop anchor near Mount Rainier than roam the high seas, the overview at Backpage Puyallup breaks down the best classified alternatives, safety checks, and local meet-up ideas so you can mingle without getting marooned.
I give pirate jokes 4 out of 5 stars. They’re seaworthy. Just use them with a light touch, like salt on fries. And hey—if someone groans? That’s a laugh in a pirate voice. Close enough.