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Tropical Rythms's definitions

Fi

Colloquial way of saying for in the Jamaica. Can also be used to replace the word 'to' in a sentence.

In other Caribbean dialects fah, fa etc
How come you still haven't come fi the car?

You have fi call a bit earlier.

Also has/have + fi become haffi in fast spoken speech.

You haffi tell the truth.
by Tropical Rythms December 6, 2021
mugGet the Fimug.

Box

Box - verb

Short form of the expression to box someone's ears etc.

Box - noun

In Jamaica a box can be given anywhere on the face. It's not just limited to the ears.
Might haffi box out your teeth yah know my girl.

He gave me a ratid box on my jaw.
by Tropical Rythms December 6, 2021
mugGet the Boxmug.

Boots

Jamaican slang for condom.

(Only used in plural only) -boots

Origin from boots : Heavy shoe that covers part of the leg.

The third leg of a man is often referred to as his penis and it also has its own boots (a condom).
As a man, you have fi always keep a box of boots in your car
by Tropical Rythms December 12, 2021
mugGet the Bootsmug.

Fish tea

Not a typical tea, but instead a kind of fish broth or soup made in Jamaica.

Origin: From the drinking of tea by the British at events and gatherings on the island. When the tea ran out soup was served at gatherings in tea cups instead ; This lead to the birth of what is known today as, fish tea.
by Tropical Rythms August 8, 2020
mugGet the Fish teamug.

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
mugGet the Hell and powder housemug.

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
mugGet the A + verb (no gerund)mug.

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
mugGet the Meagremug.

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