Page 35 - Pieces Of Jamaica

J AMAICAN TERMS Me Run Tings I’m in charge. 102

Watch Mi Now Look at me. Observe my excellence. 103
As they appear throughout the book: Vibes Up Enjoying life. Full of good vibes. 104
Weh Yuh Ah Seh? What are you saying? 105
INTRO CHAPTER 5
Hug Up Tightly hugging. ii Downtown Meds Having a quiet moment in meditation, downtown. 106
Xaymaca Indigenous Arawak name for Jamaica meaning
“land of wood and water.” vii, 4 Wha Sweet Yuh? Why are you smiling or laughing? 114
Ah Yah So Nice This is a great place. vii, 188 Buy Sump’n Nuh! Please purchase something. 115
Jamrock A colloquial term for Jamaica. 1 Road Wi Seh! Let’s go have some fun away from home. 115
Lean Up Lean against something. 116
CHAPTER 1 Pop Style Showing off. 117, 196
Hol’ A Cotch Maneuvering one’s body into a space. 10 Bredda A man. 118
Good Mawnin` Patois version of “Good morning.” 12 A Different Kettle of Fish Something mentioned is very different
Pum Pum Vagina. 16 from the main topic of discussion. 121
Pan Man The person selling food from a drum pan. 126
CHAPTER 2 Bammy Cassava cakes prepared by frying or steaming. 127
Voodoo An Afro-Atlantic spiritual belief system. 30 Peppa Swims Patois pronunciation of peppered shrimps. 131
Wheel and Come Again Music selector, play that song one more time. 43
Bric-A-Brac A hodgepodge of various items. 45 CHAPTER 6
Hip Whip A trendy motor vehicle. 48 Cooking method with a fried protein and a
Carry Go Bring Come Collect and deliver. 49 Escoveitch spicy scotch bonnet pepper and vinegar sauce. 134
Duppy Ghost or spirit. 53
River Mummas Supernatural women that inhabit river waters. 56
How Much O’Clock? What time is it? 64 CHAPTER 7
One Heap A Cane A whole lot of cane. 66 Rudie Cool or stylish person. 162
Cane Row A row of sugarcane. A style where hair Irie Good, copacetic. 166
is braided into narrow rows. 67
Jamming Enjoying the music and vibes. 167
171
CHAPTER 3 Skankin’ Dancing. 174
A room-temperature Jamaican beer.
Ring Ding An old-time television show featuring Hot Tops
cultural icon Miss Lou. 74 Six Love When someone wins six domino games in a row. 177
One Love Universal love. Love for all. 74
Patois The colloquial language of Jamaicans. 74 CHAPTER 8
To Di Worl` An action meant to reach everyone worldwide. 75 Everyting is Everyting All is as it should be. 188
Not Out The term for a cricketer’s ongoing batting innings. 75 Walk Good Take care of yourself. 189
Emunah “Faith” in Hebrew. 79 Easy Nuh Take your time. 190
Fret Not Do not worry. 80 High Grade The best marijuana. 190
Wash Day The day we do the laundry by washing God’s love. 190
then hanging our clothes to dry. 81 Jah Love
Scrups Scrups Sound made during hand washing of clothes. 81 Tek Mi Picha! Take my picture. 191
Verandah Vibes Relaxing or chilling out on the porch. 85 Ready Fi Orda? Are you ready to place your order? 191
Head Top The top of one’s head. 87 Bless Up Yuhself Wishing you the best. 192
Likkle More See you later. 192
CHAPTER 4 Shellings An action taken to show celebration. 192
24 Bounces, Bluebird, Elder Elderly respected man in the community. 193
Bull Inna Pen Traditional interactive ring games played by a Rastaman Vibrations A spiritual energy based in the Rastafarian faith. 193
group chanting and singing in circular formation. 90 Cross your legs. 194
Dandy Shandy A game where kids between two Cut A Ten Have a deep conversation. 194
throwers try not to get hit with a ball. 90 Hol’ A Reasoning
Schoolaz School-age children. 91 A Jus’ Suh Di Ting Set That’s just the way it is. 194
Yuh Si Mi? Do you understand? 92 Spliff A marijanna joint. 195
Him Sweet Eeh? Isn’t he cute? 94 Ketch Da Style Yah Look at my style. 195
Stop Laugh Afta Mi Don’t laugh at me. 95 Wi Ah Cut An Guh Tru We are actively moving forward with gusto. 195
A Wha Dis, Fadda? What am I seeing? 96 Jus A Do Wi Ting We are doing our thing. Taking care of business. 196
Swing Song A colloquial term for a children’s swing. 97 Squaddie Colloquial name for a policeman. 196
Ketchi, Shubi Grab it, push it out. 97 Hangle Di Ride! Managing the circumstances well. 197
Watch Yah Now! Can you believe this?! 98 Tek Cova Take cover. Shelter from rain. 197
Si Wi Yah Here we are. 99
Skin Teet Smiling broadly. 100 OUTRO
Mi Haffi Big Up
All Mi Friend Dem I have to give my friends “a shout out.” 101 Jus’ Cool A request or instruction to be relaxed and at ease. 204

203