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Tropical Rythms's definitions

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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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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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
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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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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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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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Hell and powder house

(Jamaican)
Any situation that will result in commotion with a person or take a bad turn quickly.
Hmm right now when Jorgy gets back ah hell and powder house. Look how you damaged the crops in the yard.
by Tropical Rythms May 8, 2020
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