Definitions by Tropical Rythms
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.
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.
Meagre by Tropical Rythms December 7, 2021
In Jamaica a lot of word reduction takes place.
A used like this is usually a reduction from a longer sentence.
The use in non-standard.
A used like this is usually a reduction from a longer sentence.
The use in non-standard.
A tree.
A one car that? Reduction inversion
Is that (one) a car?
A in most cases is used as a susbtitute for the third person singular- it is, she/he is.
Eg. A tree- Reduction from it is a tree.
A my girl, that. Reduction inversion from she is my girl (that one)
A Shensea. (Introduction)
My name is Shensea. I'm a woman, Shensea.
The I and a woman are removed and one is left with a + the name.
A one car that? Reduction inversion
Is that (one) a car?
A in most cases is used as a susbtitute for the third person singular- it is, she/he is.
Eg. A tree- Reduction from it is a tree.
A my girl, that. Reduction inversion from she is my girl (that one)
A Shensea. (Introduction)
My name is Shensea. I'm a woman, Shensea.
The I and a woman are removed and one is left with a + the name.
A by Tropical Rythms December 7, 2021
One bag of
One bag of something (non-standard) refers to a huge amount of something, or a whole heap/lot of something in the Jamaican dialect. It's use is not just limited to things. It can be used with people or even animals.
In colloquial speech the word of is elided and becomes identical to 'a/ah.
In colloquial speech the word of is elided and becomes identical to 'a/ah.
One bag of ants outside under the bench.
One bag of unknown numbers keep calling me.
One bag of hungry-belly pickneys live over Miss Janey yard.
One bag of unknown numbers keep calling me.
One bag of hungry-belly pickneys live over Miss Janey yard.
One bag of by Tropical Rythms December 7, 2021
Why chop?
Slang term similar to what's up, what's good ,whagwan? What have you been up to? What's keeping you busy?
Possibly Origin from the culture of scamming in Jamaica.
Scammers are know as choppas and scamming as chopping.
Overlaps with the expression chop chop as in get busy, get the ball moving.
Possibly Origin from the culture of scamming in Jamaica.
Scammers are know as choppas and scamming as chopping.
Overlaps with the expression chop chop as in get busy, get the ball moving.
Why chop? by Tropical Rythms December 6, 2021
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.
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.
Box by Tropical Rythms December 6, 2021