Tropical Rythms's definitions
Jamaican dialect usage
Origin
Old English pronoun + verb.
Eg.
We a-walking to school. Reminiscent of Shakespeare's stylistic poetry.
(Extract from an Appalachian English song)
On the Seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me. Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying.
(Extract from a nursery rhyme ca. 1905)
I saw the ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea, and oh!It was all laden, with pretty things for thee!
Influenced modern day Patois slang.
This usage fell into disuse in modern English and is now regional or dialectal. A similarity in usage can be noted in the European Portuguese language structure.
Origin
Old English pronoun + verb.
Eg.
We a-walking to school. Reminiscent of Shakespeare's stylistic poetry.
(Extract from an Appalachian English song)
On the Seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me. Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying.
(Extract from a nursery rhyme ca. 1905)
I saw the ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea, and oh!It was all laden, with pretty things for thee!
Influenced modern day Patois slang.
This usage fell into disuse in modern English and is now regional or dialectal. A similarity in usage can be noted in the European Portuguese language structure.
by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021
Get the A + verb (no gerund)mug. Meagre in Jamaican dialect means having little flesh, thin, slim.
In use since
1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 5, Scene 1, 1843, William Shakespeare, Samuel Weller Singer (notes), Charles Symmons (life), The Dramatic Works and Poems, Volume 2, page 462,
… meagre were his looks; / Sharp misery had worn him to the bones:
Also used in British and Candadian dialects but rare.
Pronounced mahga in the Caribbean.
In use since
1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 5, Scene 1, 1843, William Shakespeare, Samuel Weller Singer (notes), Charles Symmons (life), The Dramatic Works and Poems, Volume 2, page 462,
… meagre were his looks; / Sharp misery had worn him to the bones:
Also used in British and Candadian dialects but rare.
Pronounced mahga in the Caribbean.
by Tropical Rythms December 7, 2021
Get the Meagremug. Some say, it's still good to have a banger phone, even if you have a smartphone.
Digicel just released some new bangers 'pon the market.
Digicel just released some new bangers 'pon the market.
by Tropical Rythms October 11, 2019
Get the Banger phonemug. From me eyes deh at me knees means since someone was a kid. Literally since their eyes were at their knees.
I've been hearing about that old man from my eyes deh at me knees. This expression paints the picture of how you have grown a lot, comparing the height you were as a kid to how you are now.
by Tropical Rythms December 6, 2021
Get the From my eyes deh at me kneesmug. by Tropical Rythms October 12, 2019
Get the Nah gomug. 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)
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)
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
Get the Them (dem)mug. (Jamaican)
Usually refers to a concoction or drink that is believed to help males achieve the ultimate symbol of stereotypical masculinity: virility and sexual prowess.
Usually refers to a concoction or drink that is believed to help males achieve the ultimate symbol of stereotypical masculinity: virility and sexual prowess.
Every weekend, my boo and I make a strong-back drink. We need our alone time to have fun after a long week of work.
by Tropical Rythms August 23, 2020
Get the Strong-back drinkmug.