4/2/2015 Rasta/PatoisDictionary

Rasta/PatoisDictionaryandPhrases/Proverbs
Dictionary
Phrases/Proverbs
Sources

Rasta/PatoisDictionary
CompiledbyMikePawka12/92
AddedPhrasesSection11/28/95
Sourcesmovedtotheback01/19/96
LastUpdate4/13/14

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w y z

A : prep.toasin"goashop,"fromSpanish(7)
AGO : auxw/v.goingtodo,asin"Meagotellhim"(7)
ADOOR : outdoors.(5)
n.nameofMaroonwarrior,Capt.Accompong,brotherofCudjoalso
ACCOMPONG :
nameoftown.FromtheTwinameforthesupremedeity(7)
n.Africanfoodtreeintroducedabout1778.FromTwiankyeorKru
ACKEE :
akee(7)
AGONY : thesensationsfeltduringsex(6)
AKS : ask(28)
ALIAS : adj.(urbanslang)dangerous,violent(7)
AMSHOUSE : poorhouse(29)
AN : than(5)
ARMAGEDDON : thebiblicalfinalbattlebetweentheforcesofgoodandevil(1)
ASHAM : n.Parched,sweetened,andgroundcorn.Fromtwiosiam(7)
1.thecorruptestablishment,the"system,"ChurchandState2.the
BABYLON :
police,apoliceman(1)
BAD : good,great(2)
(badboy)1.referingtoaboldmanacompliment2.Onewhohas
BADBWAI :
committedacrime.(rudebwai,ruddy,baddy)(31)
BADNESS : hooliganbehavior,violenceforitsownsake(1)
BAFAN : clumsyawkward(5)
BAFANG : achildwhodidnotlearntowalkthe1st27years.(5)
BAGOWIRE : abetrayer(1)
BAGGY : underpantsforawomanorchild.(5)
n.placewherepocomaniaritesareheld,healingisdone,spellscastor
BALMYARD :
lifted(7)
whiteslavemaster,ormemberoftherulingclassincolonialdays.
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BAKRA : Popularetymology:"backraw"(whichhebestowedwithawhip.)(5)
astraightpersononewithoutdreadlocksonewhoworksforbabylon
BALDHEAD :
(2)
BAMBAYAY : byandby(7)
BAMBU : rollingpaper(1)
apancakemadeoutofcassava,afterithasbeengratedandsqueezed
BAMMY :
toremovethebitterjuice.(5)
bandit,criminal,onelivingbyguile(1)aBANDULUBIZNESSisa
BANDULU :
racket,aswindle.(5)
BANGARANG : hubbub,uproar,disorder,disturbance.(5)
abigbasket,includingthetypewhichhangsoverthesidesofa
BANKRA :
donkey.(5)
BANS : frombandsawholelot,agreatdeal,nuff,wholeheap.(5)
BANTON : astoryteller(50)
BASHMENT : party,dance,session(3)
BAT : butterflyormoth.Englishbat,theflyingrodent,isaratbat.(5)
BATTY : bottombacksideanus.(5)
BATTYBWOY : agayperson(6)
BEAST : apoliceman(1)
BEEF : desirablewoman(53)
BEENIE : little(36)
BEX : vex(verb),orvexed(adjective).(5)
anuncouth,outoffashion,unculturedpersonUse:Weyyuagoinna
BHUTTU(BUHTUH) :
demdehcloze?Yufayvabuttu(12)
Largeandincharge.Superlativeindicatingstatus(power,fame,
BIGBOUTYAH :
money,talent,etc)withinsomesocialgroup(12)
BISCUIT : aparticularlyattractivewoman(46)
BISSY : colanut.(5)
Boopsisaman,oftenolder,whosupportsayoungwomanboopsie
BOOPS/BOOPSIE :
referstoakeptwoman(46)
Tosmokeweed.Likesomenewouldask"YouBlackuptoday?"
BLACKUP :
Meaningdidyousmoketoday?(14)
BLACKHEART
: arascal,ahooligan(38)
MAN
BLOUSEAND
: commonexclamationofsurprise.(29)
SKIRT
BLY : chance,"mustgetably","mustgetachance".(4)
adj.proud,conceited,ostentatious.CombinationofEnglishboastful
BOASIE :
andYorubabosiproudandostentatious(7)
BOASINTONE : Swollenpenisortesticles(13)
BOBO : fool.(5)
arastafariansectbasedontheteachingsofPrinceEmanuelEdwards
BOBODREAD : distinguishedbyturbinlikeheaddresses,flowingwhiterobesand
communalliving(50)

Boderationcomesfromthewordbotherandthat'sbasicallywhatit
BODERATION :
means.Ifsomethingisaboderationthenit'sabother.(29)
BONGBELLY
: agreedychildwhoatetoomuch.(29)
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PICKNEY
BOONOONOONOUS : Meaningwonderful.(13)
BOX : Tosmackortohitintheface.(13)
BRAA : fromBREDDAbrother.(5)
alittleextralikethe13thcookieinabaker'sdozenoranextra
BRAATA :
helpingoffood.Inmusicalshowsithascometobetheencore.(5)
BREDREN : one'sfellowmaleRastas(1)
BRINDLE : tobeangry(6)
BRINKS : titlegiventoamanwhoissupplyingawomanwithmoney(6)
BUBU : fool.(5)
BUCKY : homemadegun(2)slave(29)
BUCKYMASSA : masterovertheslaves(29)
BUD : bird.(14)
BUFUBUFU : fat,swollen,blubberytoobigclumsyorlumbering.(5)
BUGUYAGA : asloppy,dirtyperson,likeabumortramp.(5)
BULLBUCKA : abully(1)
acomonsugarandflourcookieorsmallroundcake,soldeverywhere
BULLA :
inJamaica.(5)
BUMBACLOT,(TO tohaveone'sspouseorgirl/boyfriendcheatononeself,tobecheated
:
GET)BUN outofsomething(6)
RASCLOT,BLOOD
: cursewords(1)
CLOT
BUCKUP : meet(28)
bottombackside.Acommoncurseword,especiallyincombination
BUMBO :
withCLOT(cloth),areferencetothedaysbeforetoiletpaper.(5)
BUTOO : apersonofnoclass(53)
BUN : burn(29)
n.raciallypejorative.Crude,black,ignorant,boorishperson.From
BUNGO :
Hausabungabumpkin,nincompoop(7)
BUNKS : toknockorbumpagainst,from"tobounce"(5)
BUNKSMIRES : catchmyrest,takeanap.(5)
BWOY : Boy(13)
(THE)CAT : awoman'sgenitals(6)
CALLALOU : Aspinachstew.(18)
CARD : tofoolsomeone(6)
CEASE&SEKKLE! : stopeverythingandrelax!(6)
CEPES : (n.)beard(35)
aubiquitousvineusedforboilingmedicinaltea,andforbathing.Itis
CERACE :
proverbialforitsbitterness.(5)
adisdainfulexpletive(1)pshaw!(2)verycommon,mildexplanation
CHA!orCHO! :
expressingimpatience,vexationordisappointment.(5)

CHAKACHAKA : messy,disorderly,untidy.(5)
CHALICEor
: apipeforsmokingherb,usuallymadefromcoconutshell
CHILLUM
orCHALEWA : andtubing,usedrituallybyRastas(1)
CHAMPION : femaleofsexualprowess(53)

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CHANT : (v.)tosing,especiallyculturalorspiritualsongs(35)
CHEAP : justascheap,justaswell.(5)
CHICHIMAN : agayman(6)
CHIMMY : chamberpot.(5)
verycommon,mildexplanationexpressingimpatience,vexationor
CHO :
disappointment.(5)
CLAP : hit,break,stride(1)
1.cloth,anessentialpartofmostJamaicanbadwords,suchasbumbo
clot,rassclot,bloodclot,etc.TheessenceofJamaicancursingseems
tobenastiness,ratherthantheblashemyorsexualitywhichis
CLOT :
characteristicofthemetropolitancountries.
2.tohitorstrikefromtheverb"toclout".(5)
3.literallymeansausedtampon(31)
apotatolikeedibleroot,knownelsewhereasthetaroortheeddo.It
COCO : wasbroughttoJamaicafromtheSouthPacific.Thisiscompletely
distinctfromcocoa,usuallycalledchocolate.(5)
COIL : money(6)
COLDIUP : humiliateorbelittle(29)
COMEDUNG : comedown,getready(astopreparetoplayatune)(6)
COMEEENLIKE : toseemasiftoresemble.(5)
CONTROL : tobeinchargeof,responsiblefor,toowntotake(1)
COO'PON : v.(originunclear)Lookupon!(7)
COOYAH : v.(originunclear)Lookhere!(7)payattention(17)
usuallyusedatatimeofdepartureonalongjourneymeaninghavea
COOLRUNNINGS :
safetrip(31)
thetraditionalJamaicanepithetforEastIndians.ItisneverusedItis
neverusedforChineseJamaicans.Usuallyintheformcooliemanor
COOLIE :
coolieoman.Itisnotconsideredpolitetodayanymorethantheterm
nega,butitisstillusedwidelyinruralareas.(5)
COLLIE : n.(urbanslang)ganja(7)
COMEYAH(cumyu) : comehere.(17)
CORKUP : jammed,filled,crowded(2)
CORN : 1.marijuana2.money3.abullet(1)
verb(cotchup),tosupportsomethingelse,aswithaforkedstickto
balancesomethingorplaceittemporarilytobegsomeoneacotch,can
COTCH :
beaplaceonacrowdedbusseatorbenchoritmaymeantocotcha
while,tostaysomewheretemporarily.(5)
arollofclothorvegetationplacedontopoftheheadtocushionthe
COTTA :
skullfromtheweightofaheadload.(5)
asidefromit'susualmeaning,itisaverbmeaningtoscratchorclaw.
CRAB :
(5)

CRAVEN : greedy(5)
CRAVENCHOKE someonewhowantseverythingbutwhentheygetit,theycan't
:
PUPPY manageit.
meansyoustepitinandthroughoutBabylonwithoutfearcuttin'
CREATION
: edge,livin'ontheedge,fearnofoe.Lookinjusticeintheeyeand
STEPPER
saying,Whatareyoudoin?"!!(29)
CRIS : crisppopularlyusedforanythingbrandnew,slicklooking.(5)
CRISSARS : crisp,brandnew(2)
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CROMANTY : adj.fromCorromantee,BlacksfromtheGoldCoastbelievedtobe
rebellious(7)
CROCUSBAG : averylargesackmadeofcoarsecloth,likeburlap(10)
CROSSES : problems,vexations,trialsbadluck,misfortunes.(5)
CRUCIAL : serious,great,"hard,","dread"(1)
CU : verb,look!(5)
CUDEH! : lookthere!(5)
CUPAN : lookat.(5)
CUYA! : lookhere!(5)
CUYU : Tosay"Lookatyou."Tothepersonyouarereferingto.(14)
CUBBITCH : covetous.(5)
n.nameoffamousMaroonwarriormnbornonMonday,fromFante,
CUDJO :
Twikudwo(7)
reflectingorpertainingtotherootsvaluesandtraditionshighly
CULTURE :
respectedbytheRastas(1)
CUSSCUSS : aquarrelorfracas,withlotsofcursing.(5)
tocutyoureyeatsomebodyisaverycommonmeansofexpressing
scornorcontempt,forexampleonecatchestheotherperson'seye,
CUTYAI :
thendeliberatelyturnsone'sowneyesasaninsult.(5)
Youcanalsocutyoureyeatsomebodyinafriendlyway.(29)
CUTCHIE : pipeforcommunalsmoking.(5)
1.tocare"donkya",don'tcare,careless"nokya"meansnomatter,as
CYA : in"nokyawehimtun",nomatterwhereheturns.
2.tocarry.(5)
CYAAN : can't.(5)
CYAI : tocarry.(5)
CYAN : can.(5)
apersonwhosingsorscatsalongwithdubmusic,sometimes
D.J. :
called"toasting"(2)
DAAL : splitpeas,usuallyathicksoup,fromIndiancuisine,fromHindi.(5)
DADA : father(6)
executivezigzagmovementsonwheels(2)oronfoot(6)toridea
DALLY : bicycleormotorbikewithaweavingmotion,aswhenonesweaves
aroundpotholes.(5)
DANDADA : thehighestofDON'S(6)
DAN : than(5)

DARKERS : sunglasses(6)
abigsoftyamlikeroot,oftenslightlygreyishwhencooked.Itis
DASHEEN :
relatedtothecoco,butoneeatsthe"head"insteadofthetubers.(5)
DAWTA : agirl,woman,"sister,"girlfriend(1)
(theHissilent)=Amanthatcan'tperformsexually.Impotent.(14)
DEADHOOD :
(29)
DEADERS : meat,meatbyproducts(1)
DEESTANT : decent.(5)
DEGEorDEGE adjective,little,skimpy,measly,only,asinatwodegedegebanana.
:
DEGE (5)
DEH : there(place)(6)

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DEY : v.tobe,exist,asin"Noyamnodey".FromEwedeorTwidetobe
(7)
(aux.v.)tobeengagedinactionorcontinuingactivity(35)literally
DEY'PON :
"thereupon"Asin"itdeypondetable".(29)
DI : the(6)
DILDOMACCA : dangerousmaccaorthornthatwillboreyouup(29)
akindoftraditionaldanceatfuneralsor"ninenights"("setups")now
DINKI :
popularamongschoolchildren.(5)
DISorDISYA : this(6)
asaverb,rainadjewasanoun,djewrain.
DJEW :
Itmeansalightrainordrizzle.(5)
DOGHEART : apersonwhoisespeciallycoldandcruel(6)
DOLLY : executivezigzagmovementsonwheels(2)
DON : onewhoisrespected,masterofasituation(6)
DONKYA : from"don'tcare"careless,sloppy,lackingambition,etc.(5)
DOONDOOS : analbino.(5)
DOWNPRESSOR : preferredtermforoppressor(1)
DOTI : "Dutty"meansdirty,dirtorearth(19)(29)
(TO)DRAWCARD : theactoffoolingsomeone(6)
1.apersonwithdreadlocks
2.aseriousideaorthing
3.adangeroussituationorperson
DREAD :
4.the"dreadfulpoweroftheholy"
5.experientially,"awesome,fearfulconfrontationofapeoplewitha
primordialbuthistoricallydeniedracialselfhood"(1)
DREADLOCKS : 1.hairthatisneithercombednorcut2.apersonwithdreadlocks(1)
DREADY : afriendlytermforafellowdread(1)
arootselectronicmusic,createdbyskillful,artisticreengineeringof
DUB :
recordedtracks(2)
Aprereleasecopyofarecord,oftenproducedexclusivelyfora
DUBPLATE :
specificsoundsystem(see"soundsystem").(46)
DUCKANTS : whiteants,ortermites.(5)
DUKUNU : sweetcornmealdumplingsboiledinwrappedleaves.(5)
DUNDUS : analbino.(5)

n.legendaryWestKingstonslumsurroundingagarbagedump,now
DUNGLE :
cleared.(7):FromEnglishdunghill
DUNS,DUNSA : money(1)
DUPPY : aghost(1)
DUTCHY : dutchcookingpot,lowroundbottomedheavypot.(5)
DUTTY : dirty(17)
EASEUP : toforgive,tolightenup(6)
EVERYTINGCOOK
: alliswell,allistakencareof(6)
&CURRY
FALLAFASHIN : Copycat(13)
tobefastwith,meaningtoberude,impertinent,tomeddlewith
FAS' :
sombody'sbusiness,tobeforward,etc.(5)
eczemalikescratchysoresontheskin
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FASSY : alsoaverbmeaningtocauseoneselftobecoveredwithfassyby
scratching.(5)
FAASTI(FIESTY) : impertinent,rude,impudent(35)
tofavour,resemble,orlooklike"fayvalike"alsomeans"itseemsas
FAYVA :
if".(5)
theinfinitive"to"asin"Havefego"(7)
FE(FI) :
"afe"Haveto(28)"fedem"their(28)
FEELNOWAY : don'ttakeoffense,don'tbesorry,don'tworry(1)
FENKYFENKY : (fromfinicky)choosy,proud,stuckup.(5)
v.tofeelphysicaldistress,pain.FromTwifenetovomitFantefena
FENNEH :
tobetroubledLumbafenotofaint(7)
possessive."fime""mine"(7)Canalsomean"for"or"to",asin"Iha'
fi",Ihaveto.
Yunumfidudat=Youarenottodothat.(12)
FeisFiasinfiarmeanshers
FI(FE) :
fiimhis
fidemtheirs
fiyouyours
fimemine(29)
FIESTY(FAASTI) : impudent,rude,outoforder,cheeky.(5)
FIRSTLIGHT : tomorrow(1)
(HIMA)FISH : agayperson(6)
whenusedoffruitsandvegetables,itmeansreadytopick,fullgrown,
FIT : thoughnotnecessarilyfullyripe.(5)alsomeansingoodshape.("You
haffefit!")(31)
FORWARD : 1.togo,moveon,setout2.inthefuture(1)
FRONTA : tobaccoleafusedtorollherb(1)
FUCKERY : wrong,unfair(6)
FULLNESS,TOTHE
: completely,absolutely,totally(1)
FULLNESS
FUNDS : Money(6)

anadverbialphrasefollowingaverboflikingorloving,ithasa
GAANABED :
superlativemeaningCanbeusedinanycontext,suchas"Ilove
hafuyamgaantobed!".(5)meansverymuchasinlikingverymuch
(29)
GALANG : goalong.(23)
GANJA : herb,marijuana(1)
GANSEY : tshirt,anyknitshirt(2)
(TO)GETSALT : tobethwarted,toencountermisfortune(6)
GATES : home,yard(1)
GENERAL : cooloperator(1)
GI : give(28)
GIG : spinningtop.(5)
GILL : unitofmeasurelikepint.(42)
n.trickster,conman,anAmnancyfigureasin"SundayGinnal"a
GINNAL :
preacherorclergyman(7)
GLAMITY : awoman'sgenitals(6)
GOODAS : femaleofimpeccablereputation(53)

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GORGON : outstandingdreadlocks(1)adragon(29)
(DON)GORGON : outstandingdreadlocks,apersonwhoisrespected(2,6)
GRAVALICIOUS : greedy,avaricious.(5)
GRINDSMAN : onewhodisplaysgreatprowessinbed(6)
GROUNATION : large,islandwidemeetingandcelebrationofRastas(1)
GROUND : home,yard(4)
HACKLE : tohassle,bother,worry,trouble.Asanoun,hackling.(5)
HAFFI : tohaveto...(6)
HAIL : agreeting(1)
HARBOURSHARK : "Mr.WantAll"glutton,greedy,someonewhowantsitall.(29)
HARD : excellent,proficient,skillful,uncompromising(1)tough(29)
HARDEARS : stubborn,doesn'tlisten(37)
itch.ManysuchwordscouldbelistedunderH,asinitialHisaddedto
HEETCH :
scoresofwordsatwill.(5)
HEADMAN
: n.albinobuzzard(7)
JANCRO
HERB : marijuana(1)
HIEZHAAD : earshard,thickskulled,stubborn,unwillingorunabletohear.(5)
HIEZ : ears.(5)
higglers,whoareprimarlywomanwhobuyandsellgoodsthatthey
haveimportedintothecountry.Somehigglers,however,donotmake
tripsoutofthecountrytobuygoods,butsellthegoodsthatothers
HIGGLERS :
import.Theconnectionbetweenhigglersanddancehallcultureis
crucialastheyformoneofthestrongestinternationallinksbetween
JA,NorthAmerica,andtheCaribbean.(16)
upperclass,hightone,"stoosh".(5)someonewhopretendstobebetter
HITEYTITEY :
thantheyare(29)
HOMELY : toberelaxed,comfortable,enjoyingyourhomesurrounding.(14)
HOOD : penis.(5)
HORTICAL(DON) : respected,acclaimed(6)
HOTSTEPPER : fugitivefromjailorguncourt(1)
IDREN : (n.)maleRastafarian(35)
IMAN : I,me,mine(1)
INEY : agreeting(2)
IREY : 1.agreeting2.excellent,cool,highest(1)
ISHENCE : herb(1)
vital,organic,natural,wholesomereferstowayofcookingandway
ITAL :
oflife(1)incolors,red,greenandgold(2)
IWAH : hourortime(43)
replaces"me","you","my"replacesthefirstsyllableofseletedwords
(1)IandI,I&I:I,me,youandme,we(1)
Rastafarispeecheliminatesyou,mewe,they,etc.,asdivisiveand
I :
replacessamewithcommunalIandI.IandIembracesthe
congregationinunitywiththeMostI(high)inanendlesscircleof
inity(unity).(3)
IEZHAAD : earshard,thickskulled,stubborn,unwillingorunabletohear.(5)
IEZ : ears.(5)

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ILIE : adj.literally,"highly",valuable,exalted,evensacred(7)
IGNORANT : shorttempered,easytovex,irate.(5)
INNADI
: tomorrow(6)
MORROWS
INNA : Inthe(4)
AGreeting.excellent,cool,highest(1)
IRIE :
adj.powerfulandpleasing(7)
IRONBALLON : expressionforsingerwhohasnotfoundhis/hervoice(54)
praises(11)PraisestothealmightygivenbyRastawhencallingonthe
ISES/IZES/ISIS : nameofJahforstrengthandassistanceforachievingprogressinlife.
(30)
ISMSandSKISMS : negativetermdenotingBabylon'sclassificatorysystems(1)
1.theheights
2.agreeting
3.thecolorred(1)great(2)
ITES :
4.anotherwordforirie.Oryouuseittomean"OK"asinwhen
someoneasksyoutodosomethingforyou,youwouldreply,"Ites."
(29)
IWA : certaintimeorhour(43)
JA,JAMDOWN : Jamaica(1)
JACKASSROPE : homegrowntobacco,twistedintoarope.(5)
JAHKNOW : Lordknows(1)
GodpossiblyderivedasashortenedformofJahwehorJehovah(1)
JahRasTafari,HailleSelassie,KingofKings,LordofLords,
JAH :
conqueringLionofJudahrastasrevereHaileSelassieasthe
personificationoftheAlmighty(2)
Jamaica,"Jam"topressdown"dung"down.Ironicreferencetosocial
JAMDUNG :
andeconomicconditionsofthemasses(7)

JAMMIN : tobehavingagoodtime,tobedancingcalypso/soca(6)
JANCRO : n.literallyJohnCrow,buzzard(7)
JANGA : shrimp,crayfish.(5)
JELLY : ayoungcoconut,fullofjelly.(5)
n.(JohnCanoe).Bandsofelaboratelymaskeddancersappearing
JONCONNU : aroundChristmas.TheyressembletheancestraldancersofWest
Africa,buttheety.ofthewordisunclear.(7)
topierceorstick,aswithathornoralongpointedstick.(5)alsoused
JOOK :
inasexualcontext(29)
JOOKS : hangout,relax(29)
adjective,everydayorordinaryclothesorshoeswornintheyardorin
JUDGIN' : thebush,asin"judgin'boot".Alsoasaverb,tojudge,withasimilar
meaning.(5)
asaverb,rainajuuasanoun,juurain.Itmeansalightrainor
JUU :
drizzle.(5)
KALICOOLY : marijuana(1)
KALLALOO : adark,greenleafyvegetable,verynutritiousandcheap.(5)
n.quarrelorcontention.FromcombinationofEnglishcurseorcuss,
KASSKASS :
andTwikasakasatodisputeverbally(7)
arollofclothorvegetationplacedontopoftheheadtocushionthe
KATA :
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skullfromtheweightofaheadload.(5)
KAYA : seeganja(4)
KETCHUP : grapple(28)getinafight(29)
Itcanbeasexualtermmeaningthemanthrowitandthewomancatch
it!Itcanalsomeanagamelife'sgame,howtoseethroughtodayto
KETCHYCHUBY :
meettomorrowandallthegamesoflifeasin"lifeisjustaketchy
chubygame."(29)
KEMPS : alittlebit,atinypiece,fromskimps.(5)
"skinteeth"tolaughatsomeoneorgivethemaplasticsmile,
KINTEET :
sometimesusedderogatorilyasin"Alittlekinteetbwoy."(29)
KISSMENECK! : commonexclamationofsurprise.(5)
tokissone'steethortosuckone'steethistomaketheverycommon
KISSTEET :
hissingnoiseofdisappoval,dislike,vexationordisappointment.(5)
KOUCHIE : bowlofachaliceorchillumpipe(1)
anoldfashionedmeatrack,hunguphighoverthefiretocatchthe
KRENGKRENG :
smoke.(5)
n.Ecstaticdanceforthepurposeofcommunicatingwithancestors.
KUMINA :
FromTwiakomtobepossessedandanabyanancestor(7)
LABALABA : tochat,gabgossip.(5)
LABRISH : gossip,chitchat.(5)
Dumbactsasifyouhavenocommonsense.Stupid."yudamLagga
LAGGAHEAD :
headbud"(14)
LAMBSBREAD : aformofhighqualitymarijuana(1)
LARGE : respected(6)

LETOFF : payout(28)
LEGGOBEAS' : wild,disorderly,likealetgobeast.(5)
LICK : Tohit(13)
LICKYLICKY : fawning,flattering,obsequious.(5)
LIKKLE : little(29)
LILLYBIT : littlebit,tiny.(5)
LION : arighteousDread(1)agreatsoul(2)
LIKKLEMORE : seeyoulater(2)
(TOO)LIKKY titlegiventothosewholiketoeatanyfoodtheyencounter,without
:
LIKKY discretion(6)
MAAMAMAN : agayperson,aneffeminateman,aweakling(6)
n.frommasterormassa.Nowfreedfromitsclassoriginarespectful
MAAS : formofaddresstoanolderman.(7)chillout,bebyonesselffora
while(24)
MACCA : thorn,prickle.dangerous.(29)
MACCABACK : boneyfishusedtomakefishsoup(29)
MADDA : mother(6)
MAFIA : bigtimecriminals(1)
MAGADOG : mongrel(4)
MAGA : thin(2)(frommeagre)(5)
MAMPI : Fatoroverweight(13)
MANACLES : chains(11)

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MANNERS : underheavydisciplineorpunishment.forexamplewhenKingstonis
under"heavymanners",theyhaveacurfeworcalloutthearmy.(10)
MARINA : aman'sundershirt,guernseyatanktopstyle.(5)
n.freeblackwarriorcommunitieswhichsuccessfullyresistedBritish
MAROON : hegemonyduringeighteenthcenturyandearlynineteenthcentury.
FromSpanishcimmaronuntamed,wild(7)
MASCOT : denotinginferiorstatus(2)
MASHITUP : ahugesuccess(1)
MASHUP,MASH
: destroy(1)
DOWN
MASSIVE : respected(6),usedwithLARGEtoaddemphasis
MATEY : mistress(12)
MEKWE : LetUs.(4)
n.EthiopiannoblemanwhoralliedhistroopstoresistItalian
MENELIK,RAS :
aggression.DefeatedItaliansatAdowa1896(7)
MONKS : amongst.(5)
MORETIME : seeyoulater(1)
Talkofthetown,originallytalkofthefemalessignifyingsomeone
MR.MENTION :
withmanyfemaleconquests
MR.T : theboss(2)
MUSMUS : arat(4)
MYBABY
: themother/fatherofmychild(1,6)
MOTHER/FATHER
n.aformofbenignmagicoposedtoObeah,hencemyalman.From
MYAL :
Hursamayewizard,personofmysticpower.(7)
NAGAH : n.pejorativeforablackperson(7)
n.Yorubaperson,practiceorlanguage.FromEweanagoYoruba
NAGO :
person(7)
NAH : adv.willnot.Emphaticasin"Menahdothat"(7)
NANA : midwifenannyornurse.(5)
"Whatsweetnannygoatagorunhimbelly"isacautionaryJamaican
proverbwhichtranslatedmeans:Whattastesgoodtoagoatwillruin
NANNYGOAT :
hisbelly.Inotherwordsthethingsthatseemgoodtoyounow,can
hurtyoulater...(10)
NASH : femalegenatalia(6)
NATTY,NATTY
DREAD,NATTY : 1.dreadlocks2.apersonwithdreadlocks(1)
CONGO
AncientHebrewmeaningto"separate",consecrated,setapartby
NAZARITE :
choiceanddevotion(1)
topromoteandfosterapositivefeeling.to"niceupthedance"means
NICEUP :
togetthepartygoing(50)
1."deathtoallblackandwhiteoppressors"
2.EastAfricanwarriorswhoresistedcolonialdomination
NIYABINGHI : 3.largeRastafarianmeetingandspiritualgathering
4.referringtoorthodox,traditionalRastas
5.avarietyofdrumming(1)
NIYAMEN : nameforRastasreferringtoNiyabinghiwarriorsofEastAfrica(1)
NOCYA : nomatter,asin"nokyawehimtun",nomatterwhereheturns.(5)
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NOTCH : Donortoprankingbadman(33)
NUH : interrogativeatendofsentenceliterally,"Isitnotso?"(7)
NUHNUTTIN : notabigdeal(17)
NUHTRUE? : isn'titso?(1)
NYAM : toeat.(5)
(TOO)NYAMI titlegiventothosewholiketoeatanyfoodtheyencounter,without
:
NYAMI discretion(6)
NYING'INYING'I : nagging,whining.(5)
ODOKONO : boiledmaizebread.(5)
traditionalAfrican"science",relatingtomattersofthespiritand
OBEAH :
spirits,spells,divinations,omens,extrasensoryknowledge,etc.(5)
aboutto,onthevergeof,asin"ithohtfirain",itisabouttorain,it
OHTFI :
lookslikerain.(5)
Apopulartypeofrhythmpatternusedoncountlessreggaerecords
ONEDROP :
(46)
ONELOVE : apartingphrase,expressionofunity(1)
ONEONE : adjective,onebyone,thusanysmallamount.(5)
ONGLE : only.(5)

PAKI : calabash,gourd.(5)
PAPAA : pawpaw,orpapayamelon.(5)
PASSAPASSA : gossip(53)
PATTAN : pattern,styleandfashion(39)
PATU : owl.(5)
PAYAKA : heathen(11)craven,wantitall(29)
PYAKA : trickyordishonest.(10)
PEELHEAD : baldheaded,usuallycertainchickensorvultures.(5)
PEENYWALLY : akindoflargefirefly,actuallyatypeofflyingbeetle.(5)
PEER : avocadopear.(5)
PHENSIC : JAequivalenttoTylenol,Excedrin,etc.(26)
PICKY,PICKY
: brushhaircut(3)
HEAD
1.finickyorchoosy
PICKYPICKY :
2.Usedofuncombedhairjuststartingtoturnintodreadlocks.(5)
PIKNY : pickaninny,child.(5)
PINDA : peanut.(5)
PIRA : alowwoodenstool.(5)
atypeofverytinyredantwhosebiteissohotandlonglastingit
PITYMELIKL :
resemblesasting.(5)
POCOMANIA,
: christianrevival,distinctdrumrhythm(2)
POCO
POLYTRICKS : politics(byPeterTosh)(6)
POLYTRICKSTERS : politicians(byPeterTosh)(6)
frompuppetshow,itisusedintheidiom,teksmadimekpoppyshow,
POPPYSHOW : whichmeanstomakefunofsomeoneorshamethem,makingthem
lookridiculous.(5)
PUMPUM : awoman'sgenitals(6)
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PUNAANIorPUNNI : awoman'sgenitals(6)
PUPPALICK : somersalt.(5)
PUSSYCLOT : Acursewordref.toawoman'ssanitarynapkin.(14)
PUTTIN'AWAY : apreposition,meaning"exceptfor",or"except".(5)
PYAAPYAA : sickly,weakfeeble,ofnoaccount.(5)
fromspewverbusedofrunningsoresoranythingsimilarlydripping
PYU :
oroozing.(5)
n.peasant,countrybumpkin,coarseandstupidpersonracial
QUASHIE : pejorativegenerictermforblacksoriginallyTwinameofaboy
bornonaSunday(7)
1.nouns(fromsquips)atinypieceoramount.
QUIPS : 2.verb,theJamaicanartofwashingclothesmakinga"squipssquips"
sound.(5)
acommonmildexpletiveofsurpriseorvexation,asin"toraatid!".
RAATID! :
Itislikelyapolitepermutationof"ras",ala"gosh"or"heck".(5)
Astyleofreggaethatusesdigitalrhythmsexclusively.Aterm
RAGGA : sometimesusedinterchangablywithdancehall,sincethelattermusic
hasbecomeheavilydigitizedaswell.(46)
RAGGAMUFFIN : jamaicanghettodweller(46)
RAM : fullup(28)
RAMGOAT : slangforsomeonewhodealswithnuffladies(17)
RANKING : highlyrespected(1)
backside,rumpacommoncurseistorass!orrassclot!atitleusedby
RASorRASS :
Rastafariansmeaning"lord"or"head".(5)
(TO)RAAS : "really?","damn!"(6)
RASTA, afollowerofMarcusGarveywhoworshipstheAlmightyintheperson
:
RASTAFARIAN ofhaileSelassie
RATBAT : bat,thenightflyingrodent.(5)
RATCHET : aswitchbladeknifepopularinJamaica(1)
RAW : unbearablyhungry(53)
RED : 1.veryhighonherb2.mulattocolor(1)
towantanotherpersonsbelonging,envious."Youtooredeye",
REDEYE :
meaning,you'retooenvious.(14)
RAHTID : expressionofsurprise,ortobeenraged.Frombiblical"wrothed"(7)
1.foulsmelling,rawsmelling.
RENK : 2.outoforder,impudent,asinarankimposter."Yutoorenk!".(5)
fiesty(29)
acurseexclamation,similarto"whatthehell"(6)
RHAATID : Torahtid>Exclamination!!,i.eWow!amilderformto
Rass...excitement!!(40)
adj.spirited,vigorous,lively,passionatewithgreatvitalityandforce
RHYGIN : alsosexuallyprovocativeandaggressive.ProbablyaformofEnglish
raging.(7)
RIZZLA : brandofrollingpaper.(3)
ROCKERS : reggaemusic(1)reggaemusicasitisplayedtoday,thelatestsound(2)
1.derivedfromtheexperienceofthecommonpeople,natural
indigenous
ROOTS :
2.agreeting
3.nameforafellowRasta(1)

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ROTI : flatIndianpanbreads.(5)
n.offspringofsomeotherraceandblack,assin"ChineyRial,"
ROYAL,(RIAL) : "coolierial"humorousasin"monkeyrial"(7)

RUDEBOY : acriminal,ahardheartedperson,atoughguy(6)
foodcookedincoconutjuice,obtainedaftergratingthedrycoconut
RUNDUNG :
meatandsqueezingitinwater,thusextractingthecoconutcream.(5)
RUNNINGBELLY : diarrhea(12)
RYAL : royal.(5)
1.dishescookedwithsaltfishormeat.
2.thatpartofthemealwhichisservedwiththe"food"(starchy
food,groundfood).
SAL'TING :
3.bysomestrangeextension,thefemaleorgan,oftensimplycalled
"sal".(5)thefoodthatgoeswiththerice,potatoesorstarchyfoodlike
calalloo,fishandsauce,saucesorgravy(29)

adjective,broke,emptyhanded,lowonfundsorfood,asin"tings
SALT :
salt"or"i'salt".(5)
thecolourbetweenbrownandblacksomeonewhoisacrossbetween
SAMBO :
amullatto(brown)andablack.(5)
SAMFAIMAN : trickster,conman.(5)
SHAMPATA : n.sandalofwoodortirerubber.Span.zapato(7)
Amanipulatordishonestperson.Apersonthatwillsweettalkyou
SANFI :
outofloveandmoney."DamSanfiBitch".(14)
n.religioussongofapaticularlylugubrioustone,sunginthelongor
SANKEY :
commonmeter.FromIraDavidSankey,evangelistandhymnalist(7)
SAPS : aweakling,loser(53)
SATA : torejoice,tomeditate,togivethanksandpraise.(5)
SATTA : sit,rest,meditate(1)relax(6)
(GO)SATTA : claimhowspiritualyouare(11)
SCIENCE : obeah,witchcraft(1)
SCIENTIST : occultpractitioner(2)
SCOUT : denotinginferiorstatus(6)
SCREECHIE : tosneakby(6)
SCREW : toscowl,tobeangry(1)
SEEN : Iunderstand,Iagree(1)
SEEN? : Doyouunderstand?(6)
SHAG : homecuredtobacco,straightfromthefield.(5)
SHAKEOUT : leavewithouthaste,casually(2)
verb,tobother,asin"allshegup",allhotandbothered,ororspoiled
SHEG(UP) :
up(asofwork).(5)
SHEGUP : tobemessedup,ruined(6)
n.leaderofrevivalistcultalsoproprietorofbalmyard,healerand
SHEPHERD :
prophet(7)
SHOOB : toshove.(5)
SIDUNG : sitdown(6)
SIGHT? : doyouunderstand?(1)
SINKLBIBLE : thealoeveraplant.(5)
SINSEMILLA,
: popular,potent,seedless,unpollinatedfemalestrainofmarijuana(1)
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SENSIE
SINTING : something.(5)
SIPPLE : slipperyslimy.(5)
SISTER,SISTREN : awoman,afriend,womanRastafarians(1)
SITTIN' : something.(5)
todancetoreggaemusic(1)tomovewithcunning,ulteriormotives
SKANK :
(2)
SKIL : kiln,asin"limeskil".(5)
SKIN : rollingpaper(1)
SKINYOURTEETH : smile(1)plasticsmile(29)
SLABBASLABBA : bigandfat,slobby,droopy.(5)
SLACKNESS : lewd,vulgarlyricspopularinDJsinging(4)
SLACKYTIDY : unkeptormessy(29)
SLAPWEH : awesome,orgreat.(55)
SMADI : somebody.(5)
SOSO : only,solely,unaccompanied.(5)weak,pallid(6)
notwelldone,amateurishunabletocope(1)
SOFT :
broke,nomoney(2)
usuallyaderogatorywaytorefertotheselecterorotherpersonalityin
anothersoundsystem.Thistermismostoftenemployedinclashes,on
SOUNDBWOY : dubplatesbuiltforclashes,andsoon.Sometimesitisnotusedinsuch
anegativemanner,butmostofthetimeonereferstothesomeonein
thecrewasasoundman,notaboy.(17)
HugemobilestereosetupsmannedbyDJs,whobecamecelebritiesas
SOUNDSYSTEM :
theytraveledJamaicatohostopenairdances(46)
SPLIFF : large,coneshapedmarijuanacigarette(1)
SPRING : tosprout,asofyamsorcocos,makingtheminedible.(5)
STAR : commontermofaffection,camaraderie(1)
STEP : toleave,todepart(1)briskly,quickly(2)
STOOSH/STOSHUS : upperclass,hightone,"hiteytitey".(5)
STRINGUP : amuscialrehearsal(2)
STRUCTURE : body,health(1)
SUSU : gossip,thesoundofwispering.(5)
SUFFERER : apoorpersonstugglingtosurvive(2)
SUPM,SINTING : something(6)
TACK : bullet(2)
n.characterinAnancytales.SaidtobethesonofAnancy.
TACUMAH :
Twin'ticuma(7)
TAKARI/TANKARI : stewedspicypumpkin.(5)
TALL : long(1)
TALLOWAH : adj.sturdy,strong,fearless,physicallycapable.FromEwetalala(7)
TAM : deepwoolenhat,usedbyDreadstocovertheirlocks(1,6)
n.aflailmadefromthewirybranchesoftheTamarindtree,braided
TAMBRANSWITCH :
andoiled.EffectiveandmuchfearedinthehandsofBabylon.(7)
tostandusuallyusedinthesenseof"tobe"."Asoimtan","thatis
TAN' : whatheislike""tandeh!"or"yutandeh!"means"justyouwait!".
"Tantedy",standsteady,means"holdstill".(5)
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TARRAWARRA : apolitewayofexpressingomittedbadwords,averbalasterisk.(5)
n.father.Affectionateandrespectfultitleforanoldman.Frammany
TATA :
africanlanguages.Ewe,Ge,N'gombe(7)
TATU : alittlethatchedhut,oftenmadeofbamboo.(5)
TEETH : bullets(2)
TEIF : atheif,tosteal(6)
THEI : (pron.)you,yourself,yours(35)
THRU' : because(28)

TOAST : (v.)toraporsingspontaneouslyoveradubtrack(35)
TOTO : coconutcake.(5)
TOPANORIS : uptownsnobbyperson.(10)wealthybutmeanbehindit(29)
TRACE : tocurseorspeakabusivelytosomeone.(5)
TRANSPORT : vehicle(1)
TUMPA : fromstump,asin"tumpafootman",aonefootman.(5)
TUNTI : femaleorgan.(5)
youall.(5)pron.you,plural.InusageclosetoAfroAmerican
UNO/UNU :
y'awl.FromIbounu,samemeaning(7)
UPFUL : postitive,encouraging(2)
UPHILL : positive,righteous(1)
UPTOWN : theupperclasses(1)
VANK : (v.)tovanquish,conquer(35)
VEX : togetangry(1)
WADAY : adverbialphrase,theotherday.(5)
WAMEK? : why?
WHAFEDOO : we'llhaveto(make)doorwe'llhavetodealwithit(37)
WAKL : wattle,akindofwovenbambooworkusedtomakehousewalls.(5)
WANGAGUT : hungrybelly.(5)
WARRAWARRA : politelyomittedbadwords,sameas"tarrawarra".(5)
akindoffish,"hailbrotherjohn,haveyouanywenchman?"(from
WENCHMAN :
"RowFishermanRow").(10)
WH'APPEN? : what'shappening?(4)
WHATLEF : What'sleftover(7)
WHEELS : vehicle(6)
WHOLEHEAP : alot(1)
"wine"appearsineveryWestIndiandialect,andisliterallya
WINE :
corruptionof"wind."Itmeanstodance,sometimesseductively.(17)
WINJY : thinandsicklylooking.(5)
WIS : vine,liana,fromwithe.(5)
WOLF : anonrastadeadlocks(2)
WOOD : penis.(5)
YANUHSEE? : youknow?(1)
YA : hear,orhere.(5)
YABBA : abigclaypot.(5)
Dancehallslang.awaytobigupabrethrentoexpressagreetingor
YAGAYAGA :
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attractattention,i.e.yo!oryush!truefriendbonafidebrethren.(9)
YAHSO : here(place)(6)
YAI : eye.(5)
YARD : home,one'sgates(1)tenement(2)
YOUTH : achild,ayoungman,animmatureman(1)
Yushtalkisbadboytalk.Oritcanbeawayofsaying"YO".Inother
YUSH :
wordsitisawayforrudeboystohaileachotherup.(27)

ZION : Ethiopia,Africa,theRastafarianholyland(1)
ZUNGUPAN : zincpan.(5)

PHRASESorPROVERBS
"Mecomeyahfidrinkmilk,menocomeyahficountcow!"(Deliverthatwhichyoupromised,don't
justtalkaboutit!)(15)stayoutoftroubleorgossip.MeansIcamehereto(whateveryoucamefor)not
getinvolvedinpoliticsorgossip.(29)

"CarryGoBringCome"(gossip)(12)

"Asoimtan"(thatiswhatheislike)"tandeh!"or"yutandeh!"(justyouwait!)"Tantedy",stand
steady,means"holdstill".(5)

BunksMiRes(catchmyrest,takeanap)(5)

"yudamLaggaheadbud"(stupid)(14)

"Whatsweetnannygoatagorunhimbelly"isacautionaryJamaicanproverbwhichtranslatedmeans:
Whattastesgoodtoagoatwillruinhisbelly.Inotherwordsthethingsthatseemgoodtoyounow,
canhurtyoulater...(10)

"teksmadimekpoppyshow",whichmeanstomakefunofsomeoneorshamethem,makingthemlook
ridiculous.(5)

"Youtooredeye"(meaning,you'retooenvious)(14)

YaNoSeeIt?(youknow?)(1)

"thegalcomewineuponme,"itwouldmeanthatthegirlcameandwasdancinguponme.(17)

"Chickenmerryhawkdeh(is)near",it'saJamaicanproverbwhichsimplymeans,everysilverlining
hasitsdarkcloudEveninthehappiesttimesonemuststillbewatchful.(22)

"FiredeaMusMustail,himtinkacoolbreeze".SetaRat'stailonfireandhe'sthinksthere'sacool
breeze.Usedtodescribesomeoneorsomething(thesystemforexample)thatisclueless.(4)This
characterizesthedelusionalcomplacencyoftheupperclasses.(22)

"Mebleachhardlassnight"ipartiedstraightthroughthenight.(20)

"Apromiseisacomforttoafool".(4)

"coopondatbwoy","lookatthatboy"(17)

"Minocomeyahfihearbouthowhorsedeadancowfat"It'sliketellingsomebodytoknockoffwith
irrelevantdetails.(21)(29)

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"Methrowmecornbutmenocallnofowl"Itevokestheimageofafarmersilentlyscatteringwhois
saying,ineffect:"Don'tcallyourselfachickenjustbecauseyoueatmyfeedIneversaidIwas
endeavoringtofeedthechickens."Thatis,"Youarewhoyoushowyourselftobe,notwhoyoumight
sayyouare."(21)

"Sorryformagadog,magadogturnroundbiteyou".Thismetaphorextendsverywelltoallmannerand
sortofdogoodingandshouldbeconsideredbeforeanyhastyactsofcharity!(22)givinghelpto
someoneandtheyshownosignofthanksandmayevenscornyouforit.(29)

"Mithrowmicorn,butmenocallnofowl".referstotheconversationaltechniqueofthrowingouta
provocativestatement(throwcorn)inanindirectmanner,thusforestallinganyaccusationsofpersonal
insult.(22)

"Sweetnannygoathavearunningbelly".It'sabarnyardanalogyakintothegrassisalwaysgreener,but
muchcoarser,notingthatthesweetfoliageavidlysoughtoutbythenannygoatgivesitdiarrhea
(runningbelly).It'sabluntwayofwarningsomeoneofftemptation.(22)

"cockmouthkillcock"reallycan'tbeexpandeduponanyfurther,norcanthesimilar"Ifafishcoulda
keephimmout'shut,himwouldnevagetcaught".(22)somebodywhochattoomuch(29)

"EverytingCrash".Thetopicissocialchaos.Also,"comebadindemorningcan'tcomegooda
evenin'",andtheevenmorepessimistic"everydaybucketgoawell,onedaydibucketbottommusdrop
out".(22)Mashinupofone'splans(29)

"Wantiwantican'tgetit,gettigettinowantit",i.e.,theHavenotscovetwhattheHavestakefor
granted.(22)

"Troublenosetlikerain",thatis,unlikebadweather,weareoftennotwarnedbydarkcloudsonthe
horizon.(22)remindertobecareful(29)

Jamaicanproverbsconsistentlycounselpatienceandforebearance,asinthebeautifulimage"time
longerthanrope".Thechildmust"creepbeforehimwalk".Andremember,"oneonecocofillupa
basket",takeiteasyandfillupyourshoppingbasketoneitematatime.(22)

"Everymikklemakesamuckle",referstothriftiness,similarto"apennysavedisapennyearned".(22)

"Nocupnobroke,nocoffeenodashwey".Evenifdisasterstrikesyourhomeit'salwayspossiblethat
allmaynotbelost.(22)youdon'tmakeafusstherewon'tbeafight.(29)

"Whaeyenosee,heartnoleap"meansthatsomethingterriblecouldhappenbutifyoudon'tseeit,you
arenotfrightened.(29)

"micomeherefidrinkmilk,minohcomehereficountcow".Aremimdertoconductbusinessina
straightforwardmanner.(22)

"Thehigherthemonkeyclimbsthemorehimexpose".Atrulycomicimageifyou'veeverbeentothe
zoo,andcomfortingtoanyofuswhosebackshavebeenusedasasteppingstoneforsomeoneelse's
success.(22)

"Acityuponthehillcannotbehidden."sameasabove(29)

"Anewbroomsweepsclean,butanoldbroomknowseverycorner".Aprofoundlywittystatementthat
sumsupanynumberofcurrentsituations,includingthestateoftoday'smusic.(22)oftenusedinman
andwomanrelationshipsasin"yournewmanbuffandtingbuttheoldmanknowwhereitsweetyou."
Inotherwords,thenewbroommaylookbetterbuttheoldbroomhasunderstandingbouttings!(29)

"drylandtourist".AJamaicanwho'sneverbeenofftheislandbutstillactslikeabigshot.(10)
Someonewhoactstopanorishandhasnothing(29)

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"noonecyaantest".noonecancompetewith.(24)

"Miagoleftoday"."Iamleavingtoday"(25)

"ImtoohardofAise"."He/Sheistoohardofears"(25)

"Himisbaddathandem""Nobaddami"."Heisworsethantheyare""Don'tbotherme"(25)

"Isbaredogdowninnathatyard"."Isonlydogsinthatyard"(25)

"Nobaddabawlimsooncomeback"."Don'tbothercryinghe'llsoonbeback(25)

"Datisfemibredda"."Thatismybrother"(25)

"Thechuckneedtreenewtyres"."Thetruckwillneedthreenewtire"(25)

"Cuyah,shegwanlikesheniceeee"."Lookatthat,sheactslikesheissonice"(25)

"Choblenuhnice""Yuhinabigchoble"."Troubleisnotnice""Youareinbigtrouble"(25)

"Didyuhseedat?""Awhodat?""Didyouseethat""Whoisthat"(25)

"Yuhnodunyet?"."Youhavenotfinishedyet?"(25)

"Istheduttyduppymandweet"."Thedirtyghostdoit"(25)

"Efyuhchoblehim'immeagohityuh"."IfyoutroublehimIamgoingtohityou"(25)

"Allademamefambly"."Allofthemaremyfamily"(25)

"mekwedweet"."Letusdoit"(4)

"YuhtoofassandFacety"."Youaretooinquisitiveandfresh"(25)

"Galangboutyuhbusiness"."Goalongaboutyoubusiness"(25)

"Mibackahatmi"."Mybackishurtingme"(25)

"AnajusLassnitemidideh"."AnditwasjustlastnighIwasthere"(25)

"LefmiNuh"."Leavemealone."(25)

"Tekdeneegleansowdepieceofclawt"."Taketheneedleandsowthepieceofcloth"(25)

"Howyuhnyamsomuch"."Howdoyoueatsomuch."(25)

"IsMrGardenpickneydem"."ItisMr.Gordonchildren."(25)

"Miwouldradayoutalktomi"Translation:"Iwouldratheryounottalktome"

"Tandytinkseyimagohelpyou.""Standtherethinkingheisgoingtohelpyou."(25)

"Tekyoutimeanmineitbruk"."Takeyourtime,youmightbreakit."(25)

"Wataliivanbambaie"Leftoversputasidetoeattomorrow(Whatisleftforbyandby).(8)

"goneaforeign"Goneabroad(fromJamaica)(28)

"likemiagomaas"chilout(24)

"gwaangomaas"gocoolyourself(24)
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"miamaasamoney"(oritem),itmeansyou'regoingtoputitawayorputitoneside(24)

"Everyhoehademstickabush."Themeaningofallthatis"toeachhisown"Itliterallytranslatesthat
foreverysizehoethereisastickthatsizeinthebush(orforest)forit.InJAtheyusetoolssimilarto
gardenhoe.Theyuseittomakeyamhillweuseittomakepath.Therearedifferentsizesfordifferent
chores.Soitcanalsomeanthatthereissomeoneoutthereforeveryone.(29)

"tansoback"(standsoback)laidback(31)

"apeerrumorsahgwan""Itspurerumorsthataregoingon"inotherwords"Itsallonlyrumorsthat's
beingspread"(32)

"diddehdeh""Iwasthere"(34)

"Imseydatyuhwastobringting""HeorShesaidyouweretobringthething"(25)

"Sumodytellmiseyyuhdidatalkboutmi""Somebodytoldmeyouweretalkingaboutme."(25)

"Unnucancomewidmi""Youallcancomewithme."(25)

"Idey'ponhaste""Iaminahurry"(35)

"Whocoltdegame"itimpliesthatsomeonemadeawrongmove,deliberately,tochangetheoutcome
oftheplan.Sowhocoltthegame?Babylon!Inotherwords...topreventtheDreadfromsucceeding,
babyloncoltthegame,madea"wrong"moveinregardstothedread(40)

"Whyyufegalangso"?"whymustyoubehaveinsuchamanner?"(41)

"mekmikibbamimouthtorahtid""letmecovermymouth...letshutmymouth.."(40)

"teatartoe"Teatartoeisagamethatusesthreepieces(likebuttonsorstones)andtowinallthree
havetobeinlineandthepiecesarecalledout"tea,tar,toe".Soonecouldsay"Don'tplayteatartoe
withme"tomean"Don'ttoywithme",etc.(29)

"buyoffthebar"theparty'sgoinggoodandalltheliquor'sbeensold!(29)

"Watermorethanflour""timetough."It'slikeyou'remakin'dumplinandyouhaveenoughwaterbut
notenoughflour.(29)

JohncrowfeelcoolbreezeisaveryoldJAproverbthatroughlymeanssomeonewho,muchlikea
johncrow,jumpsatanyopportunitytopreyonsomeoneelse.StephenMarleyusesthelinein"Rebelin
Disguisefromthe"JoyandBlues"album.(44)

Afterthecaneiscut,everythingistakenawayexceptthebrownroot,whichisbasicallyuseless.And
thefieldworkers,beingpoor,wearakindofcheapflipflopcalleda"boogawooga."SoifyouseeMiss
Browndowntownandshe'sgotbrownsugaralloverherboogawooga,itmeansshe'sacanefield
worker.(44)

"Isjustpurealmshouseagwaan".Puretrickerygoingon.(29)

"RataCutBottle".evenaratneedssomebrokenglassforselfdefensewhentimesarereallyrough(4)

"Nocallalligator'longmouth''tilyoupasshim."(44)

"Ifyouwantgood,noseaferun.""Thatmean,ifyou'reworkingintheU.S.orifyouareworking
anywhere,andthenbymultitudeofrain,floodorwinter,youliedowninbedbecauseyoudon'twantto
havearunnynoseyou'regoingtostarve.Soifyouwanttogetanygoodoutdeh,youhavetogoout
dehandgetthatrunnynose.Youhavetobeinthecold.Soyournoseaferun."(45)

"Teksetponyou".whensomebodyjustwon'tleaveyoualone!(29)
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"Nuttin'nahgoright"nothing'sgoingonintherightway.(46)

"'WanWancocofullbaskit"Thebasketcanbefilledbyaddingonecocoatatime.Youmaynotbe
abletoputinallatthesametime.(Cocoisanedibletuberwhichhelpstogivebodytoagoodpotof
soup).Donotexpecttoachievesuccessovernight.(48)

"Miagoleftoday"Iamleavingtoday(49)

"Lefminuh"leavemealone(49)

"Thestonethatthebuilderrefusewillbetheheadcornerstone"Thatwhichwereject,weeventually
embrace(51)

"PoundGetABlow"Jamaicanmoneyusedtobepoundsandwhenitgotchangedtodollars,the
poundisdead(29)

"InnaDiRed"Speakeriscentrallyinvolvedinanyoreverything.Thesayingcomesfromtheanalogy
ofanegg.(56)

"somigosodem"="somigosoden"="somigosothen"Thisphraseisusedinreggae/dancehall
songsandmadepopularbyrecordingartisteSeanPaul,whichheincludesinseveralofhissongssuch
asthesongtitled"LikeGlue".Inthecontextofhissongsitbasicallymeans"Soletmetellyouthis"OR
"Solistentomenow""somigoso"ismorewidelyusedandmeans"SoI'mLike"(55)

SOURCES
1. ReggaeInternational,StephenDavis,PeterSimon,R&B,1982
2. KSBR88.5FM,LagunaBeach,CA.Handout.
3. postedonrec.music.reggae
4. MikePawka,JamminReggaeArchivesCybrarian
5. UnderstandingJamaicanPatois,L.EmilieAdams,Kingston
6. RichardDennison/MichioOgata
7. Glossaryfrom"TheHarderTheyCome"(BoPeterson)
8. NormanRedington
9. TheBeat
10. AllenKaatz
11. JahBill(WilliamJust)
12. ArleneLaing
13. JenniferG.Graham
14. NormaBrown/ZoeUnaVellaVeda
15. RichardV.Helmbrecht
16. NormanStolzoff
17. ChristopherEdmonds
18. LisaWatson
19. Dr.CarolynCooper
20. RasAdam
21. ChipPlatt
22. MichaelTurnerfromanarticlein"TheBeat"
23. Nicky"Dread"Taylor
24. SimreteMcLean
25. TheUnofficialWebSiteonJamaica
26. PaulMowatt
27. CarlosCulture
28. LinerNotesBlood&Firerelease:JahStitch:

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"OriginalRaggaMuffin",presumablySteveBarrow
29. ClintonFearonOriginalmemberoftheGladiators/
BarbaraKennedy
30. ItationsofJamaicaandiRastafari
31. Phil"Bassy"Ajaj
32. KarleneRogers
33. DeanHolland
34. ScottieLake
35. RogerSteffen'sSupersite
36. SaraGurgen
37. KevinRobison
38. ChristopherDurning
39. RonaldE.Lam
40. TrainerAdamsEditorofDubMissivemagazine.
41. KarleneRogers
42. HowardHenry
43. MessianDread
44. RogerSteffens
45. BunnyWailer(relatedtoRogerSteffens)
46. Reggaeblitz.comglossary
47. Jahworks.org
48. JamaicanHandbookofProverbs
49. www.jamaicans.com
50. TheReggaeBoxHipORecords
51. RobertSchoenfeld(NighthawkRecords)
52. TheReggaeScrapbookRogerSteffens&PeterSimon,2007
53. Dennis'Jabari'ReynoldsAuthenticJamaicanDictionary
54. LeonardSweet
55. G.McKenzieslapweh.com
56. UrbanDictionary

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