Tropical Rythms's definitions

A + verb (no gerund)

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.

A + verb (no gerund)

We a walk to school.

She a talk to all of them.

When you a leave let me know.

by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021

From my eyes deh at me knees

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

Meagre

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.

Gal, you meagre like a broom stick.

Look pon you too how yah meagre and tough!

by Tropical Rythms December 7, 2021

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

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

Batty jaw

Batty jaw refers to the butt cheeks, arse or buttocks of a person/animal.

Origin from botty (plural botties)

(childish, slang) for bottom.

Clap your batty jaws, them.

You need to wear a better shorts to cover up your batty jaw.

by Tropical Rythms December 10, 2021

Fi

(Coloquial use Jamaica) can be used to replace modal verbs like should, must and have to when giving some advice or talking about something that is necessary to do.

You fi come before 12 man. (Should)

She fi buy you a nice ride for the summer. (Must)

They fi open back school before the end of the month.

(Have to)

by Tropical Rythms December 10, 2021