A Pirate Certificate?

[Canoez]

Ok, MIT appears to have gone over the edge. From the Boston Globe (Full story here):
MIT awards pirate certificates to undergraduates

March 03, 2012|By Linda Matchan

CAMBRIDGE - As far as MIT is concerned, Jacob Hurwitz is a pirate.
The sophomore has the certificate to prove it. Hurwitz “is no longer a lily-livered landlubber,’’ the MIT document affirms. “Ahoy, Avast, and finally, Arrrrrr!’’
It’s been an unofficial, underground practice among students at MIT for at least 20 years: Any student who completes courses in pistol, archery, sailing, and fencing is considered a pirate.
But last fall MIT made it official, granting pirate status to six students, with many more expected to follow.
MIT, which requires undergrads to take four physical education courses, is a haven for competitive, unconventional students, and some of them wanted official recognition for their efforts. Carrie Sampson Moore, MIT’s director of physical education, said she is contacted every year by students who want to receive a tangible pirate document.

[Hal Forsen]

[switters]

And I picked Colorado State University, arrrrgghhh!

Long before my interest in pirate history I was interested in archer,y sailing and pistols. Never had a chance to learn fencing.

[Vince Brennan]

.... Never had a chance to learn fencing....

Nothing to it. Main thing is to be sure you've got the posts in deep enough and tamped well hard so that the bobwire doesn't pull them out of plumb when you stretch it.

[dredbob]

There is one simple rule in fencing. Stick 'em with the pointy end

Bob

[Ian McColgin]

Smooting.

[purri]

^ and Hawleying?

[switters]

I took the online test a few years ago and have one of these in the shop.

That was pretty funny Vince, but if it were that kind of fencing they were talking about I should have a masters degree.

[peter radclyffe]

theres a good living to be made trading johny depp videos on the 7 seas