Yuh Tek Mi Fi Journey Jackass

A "Journey Jackass" this is not!
Winter scene in Quebec City

Yuh tek mi fi journey jackass.

It's been a while!  This proverb is from a Guyanese friend, she was lamenting to me on how much her workplace is pushing her to get done even though she was set to retire within a few months, and was already worked well past her normal retirement date.  As always, I got a good belly laugh and immediately asked if I could use it.

Translation:  You are taking me for a journey jackass (strong, faithful, hardworking, loyal, dedicated and docile fool)!

Application:  The boss has been piling on work, you've skipped lunch and stayed late to get it done. The boss piles on more without any consideration as to the personal sacrifice you have made to get it done or the impact the stress and loss of personal time is having on you.  You are talking with your friends and cap off you incredulity with this.

"I don't know what this person take me for, them must tek mi fi journey jackass!"

Yes sah, talk up for yuh self, no mek nobody tek yuh fi nuh journey jackass today!

Miss Sam

Thursday March 21, 2019

Tan Si Nuh Pwile Nuh Daance

Hey, I haven't posted here for a while but when I heard this from my girl Merle I had to share it!

Tan si nuh pwile nuh daance

Translation:  Stand and watch will not spoil a dance

What does this mean? When Merle popped this on me we were having a conversation about just staying quiet and watch a situation unfold, and I was like, what did you just say?

Sometimes it is best not to respond to or comment on an issue, best to stay silent and observe and see what unfolds.  By standing on the sidelines, you cannot influence the conversation or the outcome hence no possibility of "spoiling the dance" and getting caught up in the drama.

Bless up!

MissSam
Thursday December 28,2017

A what yuh tek me fah, kunnumunnu?

Hey my Jamaican Patois enthusiasts, I will now broaden your experience on Jamaican Patois with some commonly used phrases.  One such phrase is kunnumunnu.

I have not idea where this word came from, my guess is that it was made up.  Jamaican life is live comedy on the fly all the time.  People will say this when they feel they are being taken advantage of or being looked on as not so bright, someone that can be fooled.  Usually expressed in an argument or quarrel.

"Ah who yuh tek fi iddiat, weh yuh tink, mi a kunnumunnu?

Cow Itch and Coco

Cow itch scratches mercilessly, look out for these when walking through

overgrown bushes and vines.

Stay kool yuh hear.

MissSam
Friday March 3, 2017

You Wont See This In A Travel Magazine#2

Had the pleasure of spending this past Christmas in the Jamaican countryside.  Such an amazing experience.  Calabash is made out of the Gourd, nature gave this plant to provide bowls for the poor back in the day and for utensils when we go #bushcooking!

Calabash or Gourd

You Wont See This In A Travel Magazine

Had the pleasure of spending this past Christmas in the Jamaican countryside.  Such an amazing experience.  As kids, we had a nickname for this flower.

Caption This!

Tief From Tief God Lauf

Tief from tief God lauf.

Translation:  Thief from thief God laugh.

What does this mean:  This is sort of a sarcasm, mocking someone who is dishonest calling another person dishonest.  In other words if you are a thief you shouldn't be calling another person a thief.

Application:  I can see in my imagination two ladies talking over the fence as neighbours in Jamaica do, talking about someone in the community or commenting about a news headline about politician being dishonest, the convo would go something like this.

"Lawd missis, dem all di same, tief from tief God lauf."


There have been many occasions when I have said this over the past year.

Walk gud you si,

MissSam
Thursday November 10, 2016

Tief Nuh Luv Fi Si Tief A Carry Lang Bag

Chicken Hawke citing, Clarendon, JA.

Tief nuh luv fi si tief a carry lang bag.

Translation:  A thief does not like to see another thief with a large bag.

Interpretation:  Someone who is dishonest will always be envious of another dishonest person who appears to be "hauling in more loot"!

Application:  Just know that a dishonest person will be swift to call another person dishonest!

 Love talking with my #Jamaican #Yardies!  I was talking about the U.S. election with a fellow Jamaican and of course, she loves +Hillary Clinton and was lamenting about +Donald Trump characterizing her as crocked, then she just burst out, "Tief nuh luv fi si tied a carry lang bag!" I had to ask her to repeat it several times, and nearly fell off my chair laughing! #Priceless.

Walk gud yuh si, is Halloween, suh nuh mek no duppy frighten yuh!

MissSam

October 31, 2016