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Tropical Rythms's definitions

Them (dem)

Jamaican dialect

Used as a susbtitute for the subject pronoun (non-standard) or the Demonstrative pronoun those.

Much like the object pronoun me replaces "I" informally.

It used as a plural marker in some cases but, not always and is used most times when it's replaceable with the subject pronoun they.

Eg.

Me speak whole heap of languages them. (Incorrect)

Me speak whole heap of languages. (Only correct version).

The tires them (dem) in the shed outta front. (Correct non-standard)
The tires, they're in the shed out front. (Correct standard)
Who yah going out with later?

Me friends them (dem). (Short reply exception)

What you going to do later?

Wash me clothes them (dem) (short reply exception)
Them (dem) love jerk chicken you see. (Patois)

They love jerk chicken, you see. (Standard J'can)

The cows (them) dem over deh need feeding. (Not Patois pluralisation)

'Em cows over there need feeding. (Ebonics)

The cows, they're over there. They need feeding. (Standard J'Can)

The mother them (dem) who not coming lemme know. (Patois pluralisation the mothers, those who aren't coming let me know )

'Em mothers who aint coming lemme know. (Ebonics)

Those mothers who aren't coming let me know. (Standard J'can)
by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021
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Patois

Jamaican Patois English-based Creole English or broken English used throughout different strata of the Caribbean islands ranging from Standard English to a non-standard version with different speech vocalization and no fixed orthography.

Origin From French patois 'rough speech'.

A regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard.
Jamaican Patois, Trinidad Patois, Swiss Patois.
When me home with me friends dem me chat patois but when I am work or at school we talk the Queen's English.
by Tropical Rythms March 5, 2022
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Rockstone

Jamaican

Rock especially when used as a coarse building stone.
Rockstone was my pillow back in the days when I used to live in the countryside.
by Tropical Rythms March 5, 2022
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Duppy bat

Sense 1:

The Erebid moth (Ascalapha odorata) which is also known as Black Witch, Sorrow moth, and Mourning moth, is called Duppy Bat in Jamaica.
Origin : circa 18th century. From bvb dupe or Akan adɔpe; a ghost or spirit.

The bat is believed to be the spirit of a deceased person in the manifestation of a bat. It is usually not at rest and has returned as a harbinger or to live in its abode among its old family and friends.

Sense 2: a silly person; an idiot
Nuff duppy bats live in the abandoned house.

Last night a duppy bat flew inside the house. The entire place was turned upside down.

Cho! A duppy bat, that. (That is a duppy bat) sense 2.
by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021
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Bona fide

Jamaican dialect

Refers to something or someone who is genuine or sincere.

Origin

From the Latin bonā fidē, the ablative case of bona fidēs.
She a my bona fide.

That's my bona fide friend right there.
by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021
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Upat

Me come from upat one place called George Town.
If you go upat the supermarket, you can get 3 fi 190 dollars.
by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021
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Redz

A lightskin male in Jamaica.

Female equivalent browning.
Yo, link redz 'bout the bike, bredda.
by Tropical Rythms December 10, 2021
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