Irish Potato

Irish potato in the Jamaican dialect refers to the solanum tuberosum, a cultivated potato known for its starchy tubers.

Although Irish potatoes are not Irish – they are white potatoes from South America which are forever associated with an infamous potato-disease famine in Ireland.

Yes, girl. Irish potatoes taste wicked in your gravy!

The price of Irish potatoes has skyrocketed. down town.
W

by Tropical Rythms December 11, 2021

Kiss me neck

Jamaican miild swear term used mostly out of surprise.

Possibly Origin from kiss my arse (or a body part)

Kiss me neck! The man crashed, now he's dead!

by Tropical Rythms December 12, 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.

by Tropical Rythms December 09, 2021

Inna

Colloquial way of saying in/into in Jamaica.

Possibly Origin in + a

It fell in a bag. It fell inna bag.

The teacher (is) inna the classroom.

How much money you want inna US dollars?
Invest inna you woman.

(I) Me live inna the Bronx.

by Tropical Rythms December 07, 2021

Suck yah mother

Vulgar - very strong curse term in Caribbean cultures.

Go suck yah mother!

Ah fool you take badman for?

by Tropical Rythms December 06, 2021

Pill

Jamaican slang

To persuade or convince someone to do something. To trick someone.

Pill yah try fi pill man?

My girl a pill yah give me! You issa wicked piece of gal.

by Tropical Rythms December 13, 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