49 words and phrases · grouped by the lesson that teaches them
| Patois | Cassidy-JLU | English |
|---|---|---|
| ole people seh | uol piipl se | the old folks say (proverb opener) |
| a true weh dem seh | a chuu we dem se | it's true what they say |
| di moral | di maral | the moral, the lesson |
| drop one proverb | jrap wan provob | deliver a proverb |
| chicken merry, hawk deh near | chikin meri, aak de nier | in happiest times, stay watchful |
| cock mout kill cock | kak mout kil kak | your own talk destroys you |
| time longer dan rope | taim langga dan ruop | patience; time settles everything |
| trouble no set like rain | chobl no set laik rien | misfortune comes without warning |
| si an blin, hear an deaf | si an blain, ier an def | discretion; mind your own business |
| tek kin-teet kibba heart bun | tek kin-tiit kiba aat bon | a smile covers a burning heart |
| howdy an tanky no bruk no square | oudi an tangki no bruk no skwier | greetings and thanks cost nothing |
| who di cap fit, mek dem wear i | uu di kyap fit, mek dem wier i | if the cap fits, wear it |
| Patois | Cassidy-JLU | English |
|---|---|---|
| slide | slaid | shift along the continuum |
| speaky-spoky | spiiki-spuoki | affectedly 'proper' English |
| stoosh | stuush | posh, stuck-up |
| read yu audience | riid yu aadiyans | judge who you are talking to |
| yow | yo | yo (street greeting) |
| forward | faawad | come, arrive (urban) |
| bredrin | bredrin | close friend |
| a yaad | a yaad | at home |
| pon road | pan ruod | out and about |
| chat proper | chat prapa | speak formally |
| Patois | Cassidy-JLU | English |
|---|---|---|
| wagwan | wa gwaan | what's going on; hi (also wah gwaan, waguan) |
| yow | yo | hey, yo (chat opener) |
| zeen | ziin | understood, cool, agreed |
| dwl | dwl | dead wid laugh (LOL) |
| kmt | kmt | kiss mi teet (irritation) |
| csl | csl | cyaan stop laugh |
| wbu | wbu | wah bout yuh? (what about you?) |
| dmst | dmst | dat mi seh to (that's what I'm saying too) |
| mnl | mnl | mi naa laugh (I'm serious) |
| yk | yk | yuh know |
| smh | smh | shake mi head |
| link mi | lingk mi | meet up with me, get in touch |
| bless / bless up | bles / bles op | goodbye, blessings |
| mi deh yah | mi de ya | I'm here, I'm good |
| Patois | Cassidy-JLU | English |
|---|---|---|
| a who dis? | a uu dis? | who is this? |
| mi mind jus run pon yu | mi main jos ron pan yu | I was just thinking of you |
| hou di family stay? | ou di fambili stie? | how is the family? |
| wi aright, tank God | wi aarait, tangk Gad | we're fine, thank God |
| seh fi tell yu howdy | se fi tel yu oudi | said to tell you hello |
| yu hear seh...? | yu ier se...? | did you hear that...? |
| mi a plan fi | mi a plan fi | I'm planning to |
| no mus! | no mos! | of course! |
| nyam off mi credit | nyam aaf mi kredit | eat up my phone credit |
| tell everybody howdy | tel evribadi oudi | greet everyone for me |
| likkle more | likl muor | see you later |
| walk good | waak gud | goodbye, travel safe |
| hush | osh | expression of sympathy (not 'shut up') |
| labrish | labrish | gossip, family news |