Faire Speak: How to Blend in at Faire

You have your costume and you're ready to attend your local RenFaire. But you're still not sure what to say so you look—and sound—the part. Here is an handy guide to get you started learning Faire Speak.

Common Words

Faire Speak	Modern English
Alack	Alas
Anon	​Soon
Carouse	Party
Chide	Scold or nag
E'er	Ever or before
Fie	Ugh
Forsooth	Truthfully
Forswear	Lie
Gramercy	Thank you
Haply	Hopefully
Hither	Here
​Huzzah!	Hurray!
In Faith	​In truth
Mayhap, Perchance	Perhaps, maybe
Morrow	Tomorrow
Ne'r	Never
Nay	No
Oft	Often
Pray tell	Tell me
Prithee, pray	Please
Stay	Stop or wait
Verily	Truly
Wherefore	Why
Yea/Aye	Yes
Yonder	Over there
Zounds! (Short for "god’s wounds")	Wow

Exclamations

Faire Speak	Modern English
As you will	Okay, whatever
By your leave	With your permission
God's teeth	Wow
By my troth	​My word of honor
I cry your mercy	I beg your pardon

Greetings

FaireSpeak	Modern English
Good morrow	Good morning
What ho!	Hello
​Well met	​Nice to see you
​How met?	​How are you?
​Fare thee well	Good bye
​How now?	How's it going?
​May the Lord keep thee	Good bye and stay safe

Common Phrases

FaireSpeak	​Modern English
Thy visage dost takest my breath away.	Your beauty takes my breath away.
Mine eyes doth take interest in thee.	​You look great.
​Seat thyself and have a laugh!	​Sit down and chat!
Didst thou eat most well?	​Did you enjoy your meal?
​Thou art a strapping young lad.	​You're a fine-looking boy.
​Thou art a poxy rogue and a cutpurse!	​You're a bad man and a thief!