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Tropical Rythms's definitions

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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Irish Potato

Irish potato in the Jamaican dialect refers to the solanum tuberosum, a cultivated potato known for its starchy tubers.

Although Irish potatoes are not Irish – they are white potatoes from South America which are forever associated with an infamous potato-disease famine in Ireland.
Yes, girl. Irish potatoes taste wicked in your gravy!

The price of Irish potatoes has skyrocketed. down town.
W
by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021
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Eat-and-left(overs)

Informal- Eat-and-left(overs) in the Jamaican dialect refers to food remaining after a meal.

The over is often omitted in speech.

Standard form - leftovers used in writing.
Eat-and-left(overs) you really a-give me?
Move yah rass!
by Tropical Rythms December 10, 2021
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What's the scheweppes?

Jamaican greeting
Similar to what's up, what's popping or what's happening used with friends in a casual setting.

Origin: from the two grapefruit soft drinks sold in Jamaica, Ting and Schweppes. The term ‘ting’ functions as a brand name and also a slang word meaning ‘thing’. Thus the phrase “you know the ting/schewppes” means “you know how things are/you know the situation”. Given the similarity between the two grapefruit drinks, “Ting” and “Schweppes” are used synonymously.
What's the scheweppes? Heard bare hot gals coming to the party later. You coming, fam?
by Tropical Rythms August 8, 2020
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Vittle

Vittle - (prounced with a hard sound between b and v) refers to food in rural parts of Jamaica.
In some dialect on the island, the tt's become kk.

Origin from (archaic) victuals - food fit for human (or occasionally animal) consumption.

1860: William Carleton, Tales & Stories of the Irish Peasantry
...Balgruntie was bent on makin' the attempt, especially after he heard that the castle was well vittled, an' indeed he was meritoriously joined by his men, who piously licked their lips on hearin' of such glad tidin's.
One thing yah know, Marcia loves the vittle.

Yah go to the nine-nights later? Whole heap of vittle (is) over there.
by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021
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Mix up and blender

In the Jamaican dialect, mix up refers to a mélange or mixture of rumours that's usually defamatory or based on gossip. A blender is often used in the Caribbean to make blended drinks or home-made beverages by mixing stuff together. The expression alludes to rumours blending together in a mess as if a blender were at work.
Bare mix up and blender we talk 'bout over yah.
by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021
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Lion's paw

Jamaican greeting common among Rastas and locals of Jamaica. The salutation represents the strength of the lion of Judah. The fingers are curled like the paw of a lion and then interlocked with the other person's fingers and shook for at least 7 seconds.
Ras Wanye greeted his brethren with a lion's paw.
by Tropical Rythms May 20, 2020
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