In 1759, some pirates bought an island in the U.S. Since then, they’ve spoken such an English version that no one understands them. The Hoi Toider is a living testimony of Ocracoke’s history, reflecting the mix of sailors, pirates, and Native Americans.
Languages (and their dialects) are possibly one of the greatest wonders of our civilization.
For example, there are the Latinos in South Florida who have been mixing English and Spanish for years to create a new language. Not far from there, but centuries earlier, some pirates arrived to introduce something never before seen in the U.S.: Elizabethan English.
Centuries later, no one can understand them.
The Language of Ocracoke
On the remote island of Ocracoke, North Carolina, a unique dialect survives in the U.S.: the Hoi Toider. It’s a blend of Elizabethan English, 18th-century Irish and Scottish accents, and pirate slang from the pirates who invaded the island centuries ago.
This is the only variant of English in the U.S. that is not recognized as American English, a linguistic relic preserved thanks to the island’s geographic isolation and its unique history.
The pirates
Ocracoke, an island covering 24.9 square kilometers, was a haven for pirates, English sailors, and Native American Woccon people for centuries. Together, they formed a community with its own cultural and linguistic heritage.
One of the most notable figures was William Howard, a former pirate and ex-crew member of Blackbeard’s ship. After receiving a royal pardon, he bought the island in 1759 and helped establish a society that, in near total isolation, kept its own dialect intact.
The island’s isolation not only influenced the language but also its way of life.
It wasn’t until 1938 that the island had electricity, and the ferry service only began in 1957. This allowed the community to remain largely untouched by outside changes, preserving its traditional way of life, culture, and dialect.
A language in danger
The Ocracoke dialect, the Hoi Toider, is easily recognizable by its unique phonetics.
For example, the sound “i” is pronounced as “oi,” turning “high tide” into “hoi toide,” the origin of the dialect’s name. It also includes words and phrases from the first British and Irish settlers, like “mommuck” (to bother), “quamish” (dizzy), and “pizer” (porch).
Plus, many terms were brought from Europe, but others were created on the island, like “meehonkey,” a hide-and-seek game named after the sound of geese flying. There’s also “dingbatter,” a term for outsiders.
The problem? The arrival of TV, the internet, and tourism has sped up the potential disappearance of Hoi Toider. Fewer than half of the 676 current island residents speak with the traditional accent, and within a generation or two, it could disappear completely.
Living away from it all
Beyond the language, Ocracoke’s community still maintains a unique, self-sufficient lifestyle.
The island lacks large supermarkets or big-chain stores, so residents depend on small local shops, craft markets, and fishing. Instead of movie theaters, there are outdoor theater groups, and many islanders still work as fishermen, carpenters, and owners of small breweries.
The setting is so picturesque that one of the most famous local traditions is fig cake.
Created in 1964 when a resident replaced dates in a cake with preserved figs, today the cake is a local staple, and every August, the Fig Festival celebrates it with baking contests, dances, and traditional games like meehonkey.
The big question: Change or not?
Ocracoke continues to attract new residents and tourists, sparking a debate about the future of its cultural identity. Some fear that the influx of outsiders will dilute local customs, while others see growth as a natural evolution, much like the diversity the first settlers brought to the island.
Whatever the case, it’s clear that Ocracoke’s community remains a rare example of solidarity and tradition.
No matter how strange it may seem, the people help each other, and even if the dialect fades, the island’s spirit will remain unchanged. “Words may change, but the meaning behind them will always stay the same,” say the islanders.
For now (and as long as this lasts), they will continue to speak their specific English, which the rest of the country still does not understand.