Tropical Rythms's definitions

Deven

Deven contraction of does not even or don't even in the Jamaican dialect.

She deven like the girl from over Miss Janey's yard.

by Tropical Rythms December 10, 2021

A

In Jamaica a lot of word reduction takes place.

A used like this is usually a reduction from a longer sentence.

The use in non-standard.

A tree.

A one car that? Reduction inversion

Is that (one) a car?
A in most cases is used as a susbtitute for the third person singular- it is, she/he is.

Eg. A tree- Reduction from it is a tree.

A my girl, that. Reduction inversion from she is my girl (that one)
A Shensea. (Introduction)

My name is Shensea. I'm a woman, Shensea.

The I and a woman are removed and one is left with a + the name.

by Tropical Rythms December 7, 2021

Accoutrements

Very used in the Jamaican dialect

The initial ac is usually dropped in fast spoken speech reducing it to coutrements (couchements)
COUNTABLE NOUN usually plural
Accoutrements are all the things you have with you when you travel or when you take part in a particular activity.
humorous, or old-fashioned

Commonwealth spelling of accouterments

An article of clothing or equipment, in particular when used as an accessory.
Synonyms: equipment, gear, trappings, accessory

The yard is full of accoutrements. Daddy can hardly find where to walk.

by Tropical Rythms March 5, 2022

Spinners

Spinners are popular Jamaican flour dumplings consisting of a few basic ingredients ( flour, salt, and water) . The dumplings are traditionally prepared in a long cylindrical shape, resembling a cigarette and spin as they cook from the heat.

Darling, when you make me dinner, drop some spinners in the soup.

by Tropical Rythms August 27, 2020

Whitey

A Jamaican affectionate way to refer to a white person.

Hey whitey, you want any weed to buy?

I man want a real whitey in I man life. Yah nah I mean?

by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021

Wash belly

Jamaican term for the youngest sibling in a family ; the last born.

You see him deh. That's my wash belly. He's 20 years old now. But, I still treat him like my baby.

by Tropical Rythms December 13, 2021

Dwl (dead with laugh)

Dead with laugh is an equivalent of lol used in Jamaica. Both are equally used to represent laughing in an exaggerated manner.

Abbreviation in text dwl
Not used in speech.

Origin: dying from laughter

Could you tell me a joke from your country?

Sure!
Jamaican teacher to student:

Peter, use the word dandelion in a sentence

Peter: Miss the cheetah is faster dan de lion. Dwl (dead with laugh)

by Tropical Rythms December 12, 2021