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

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

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

Banger phone

Jamaican slang
A cheap phone that cannot access the internet. Or use apps like whatsapp etc.

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.

by Tropical Rythms October 11, 2019

Blouse and skirt

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).

Yo blouse and skirt!leave people pickeney alone

by Tropical Rythms December 12, 2021

Style

To style a person -
Jamaican slang - to disrespect a person/ thing or treat them in an unfair way.

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.

by Tropical Rythms October 11, 2019

Zeen or you see'it?

Origin Jamaican

Bob Marley died from cancer.

Zeen?

Used to confirm that the listener understands what is being said.

Origin from seen

Bob Marley died from cancer. You see'it?

(Do you understand)

French equivalent - quoi filler.

Zeen or you see'it?

The cats died.

by Tropical Rythms March 5, 2022