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. 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. Swearing with terms that refer to clothes are quite common in the Jamaican dialect.
Blouse and skirt is a swear word used by elders!
Equivalent:Damn, Frigging!
Other swear words that mention the use of clothes are bloodcloth, pussycloth, rasscloth, bombocloth (all pronounced clart or claat in Patois).
Blouse and skirt is a swear word used by elders!
Equivalent:Damn, Frigging!
Other swear words that mention the use of clothes are bloodcloth, pussycloth, rasscloth, bombocloth (all pronounced clart or claat in Patois).
by Tropical Rythms December 12, 2021
Get the Blouse and skirtmug. Yo! Dawg! If you style the thing, yah know you in big trouble.
Bob: Eats his slice of cake and goes back to eat his friend's slice.
Peter: Don't try style me, my yute. You already had yours.
Bob: Eats his slice of cake and goes back to eat his friend's slice.
Peter: Don't try style me, my yute. You already had yours.
by Tropical Rythms October 11, 2019
Get the Stylemug. 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
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.
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
Get the Duppy batmug. 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.