Definitions by Tropical Rythms

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.

Batty jaw by Tropical Rythms December 10, 2021

Bona fide 

Jamaican dialect

Refers to something or someone who is genuine or sincere.

Origin

From the Latin bonā fidē, the ablative case of bona fidēs.

She a my bona fide.

That's my bona fide friend right there.

Bona fide by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021

Teach 

Colloquial way of referring to a female teacher in Jamaica.

Hey teach'. Can I drop the work off later?

Whagwan teach, you looking hot today, man!

Teach by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021

Broughtupsy 

Broughtupsy- (Jamaican) refers to upbringing or grooming of a child. The state of having good manners.

Origin - from upbringing or brought up + sy.

A child without broughtupsy is a child whose parents/guardians have failed them.

You need lil' broughtupsy man! Cho! You just stepped past me without saying good morning.

Broughtupsy by Tropical Rythms December 9, 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.

Vittle by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021

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.

A + verb (no gerund) by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021

Yeah, man! 

Affirmation/agreement to something.

No, it's not mon but man. Yeah, man!
Yeah, man! You can link me later.

Yeah, man! by Tropical Rythms December 9, 2021