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

 

Di Langess Liva Si Di Moass

Worth Repeating:  Jamaican Patois is a spoken language, it is phonetic - so I try to write the words so they sound as authentically Jamaican as possible.

This looks like the oldest tree in High Park?

Di langess liva si di moass: 

Translation:  The longest liver see the most or stated another way, the person who lives the longest will witness the most.

How is this used?  When two people hold opposing views and each person is convinced they are right, this proverb is used to break the deadlock.  Each person concedes that time will tell who is right.

Application:  There is a got debate going on in the USA right now as to whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will win the presidential election.  I listed to each candidate's surrogates defend them, as an outside observer, I could say "Yuh can seh anyting yuh want, di langess liva si di moass."


Walk gud, yuh si,

MissSam
Friday October 7, 2016

 

Duppy knoa A Who Fi Frighten

NB:  The Jamaican Patois is a phonetic language, there are no rules for writing or spelling as far as I know.

Inushuk On the Humber - Toronto
An artistic person took the time to
create this and a lot more in the river bed.

Duppy knoa a who fi frighten: 

Translation:  Duppy (Ghost) will know who they are to frighten

What does this mean?  People know who to pick a fight with or take on.  It is usually used in the negative or defensive way rather than the a positive or offensive stance.  For instance, it is said that a bully will find a weak or vulnerable person to pick on but would avoid taking on someone that would pose a real threat.  Sometimes a bully might just pick on someone who appears weak and get the surprise of their life.


Application:  A boss or supervisor may be making what the workers would consider unreasonable demands or expectations on workers, and when the expectation is not met, a punishment or penalty is dished out.  Someone in the group who would take a defensive stance would retort to the fellow workers something like this " Cho, mek him gwaan, yuh tink im can cum to mi wid dat?  Duppy knoa a who fi frighten."


Walk gud yuh hear!

MissSam
Sunday October 2, 2016

 

Tidday Fi Yuh, Tumara Fi Mi

Jamaican proverb:  Tidday fi yuh, tumara fi mi:

Interpretation:  Today for you, tomorrow for me.

 

What does this mean?  This is similar to the English proverb "Every dog has it's day, every puss has it's 4 o'clock", or the karmic phrase "what goes around comes around".

 You would normally hear this proverb when some one feel they have been unjustly treated. They would say this to remind the person things will come around.  Also if someone has a "win" in life and is shamelessly boasting the scorned person would use this proverb to remind the boaster that their turn will come too.

Like this:  Lawd missis, yuh nuh haffi gwaan suh.  Fi mi time wi cum to yuh know.  Tings wi work out fi mi tu man.



Yes, someday my sailboat will come it too!

Smoove sailin yuh hear,

MissSam
September 19, 2016

Wah gaan bad a maaning caan cum gud a evelin

I've had this one in mind for quite sometime now so here we go!

Wah gaan bad a maaning caan cum gud a Evelin:  This is the best example I could find from my picture archives!



This is what I had in mind when I
asked a handyman to build a trellis
for my grape bush



This is what he built!  Had to
dismantle it as it couldn't be
salvaged - so far from desired outcome

     
Translation:  What has gone bad in the morning cannot become good in the evening

What does this mean?  Some situations are just not salvageable!  There are times when a bad start can be turned around but other times no!  Often reached for in a discussion or "post mortem" on a relationship that cannot be reconciled, a mother or trusted friend, in their attempt to comfort the wounded would say something like this:

"Nuh worry yuh self missis, wah gaan bad a maaning caan cum gud a Evelin."  "Nuh mine, yuh wi get ova it."

 

 

Hope all you aspiring Jamaicans "Jafakans" will enjoy this!

 

MissSam

 

Wednesday May 25, 2016 

 

The blog of Proverbs: Beleef Kill Han Beleef Cure

The blog of Proverbs: Beleef Kill Han Beleef Cure: Disclaimer;  There is no correct way to spell Jamaican Patois!  It's all about the sound! Proverb:  Beleef Kill Han Beleef Cure In...

Beleef Kill Han Beleef Cure

Disclaimer;  There is no correct way to spell Jamaican Patois!  It's all about the sound!

Proverb:  Beleef Kill Han Beleef Cure

Interpretation:  Belief kills and belief cures

Me - Hiking Up Dawkins River

What does this mean?  It is all in the power of belief.  Whatever you believe, that is what will happen.

Application:  In Jamaica this proverb is often used in in self-motivation or to encourage someone on if they express a desire to do something big and a friend or parent or neighbour is prodding them along.  For instance, if someone is struggling to make life happen in Jamaica and they feel they would do better in America they might say to the neighbour:

"bwoy, mi a go try fi get a visa fi Merica yu knoa, mi tink tings wi werk out betta fi mi."  Neighbour replies "Try nuh bwoy, if yu tink suh.  Beleef kill han beleef cure."

This proverb is playing out in American politics as I write.  On the one hand some Americans believe Donald Trump is the saviour for the USA and others think the country will be doomed if he wins the presidential election.

Tek care han tink good,

MissSam
Wednesday April 6, 2016

 

Chicken Merry, Hawk Deh Neer

Proberb:  Chicken merry hawk deh neer.




Translation, Chickens happy but the hawk is near.

What does this mean:  When some one is happy - carried away in their own world - they are oblivious to the danger that is at hand.

Application:  As kids growing up in Jamaica, parents used this a lot when they were skylarking, fooling around while our chores remain undone.  Parents used this as a warning that a beating would ensue if the child/children did not smarten up and do their chores.

Mother:  'Mi seh, pickney you nuh hear fi tap skylark an go do yu duty?"  "Hum, chicken merry
hawk deh near!"

Walk good and happy Easter yu here.  And don't eat too much fish an bun & cheese.


MissSam
Friday

 

March 25, 2016

Yu Swap Black Daag Fi Monkey

You swap black daag fi monkey.

Translation:  You have traded a black dog for a monkey!

What does this mean?  This mean that you have traded one problem for another.  In Island and some other folklore, a black dog is bad luck or some such connotation.  A monkey is a symbol of something problematic, hence the phrase "monkeying around". 

Application:  This proverb is most often used in conversations around relationships, be it love, work or play.  For instance, A boss may have fired an employee and hired someone who looked promising during the interview process but no sooner the employment commenced signs of another problem or challenge began to rear it's head.  So, when  his buddy enquired how the new hire was working out the boss hissed his teeth and exclaimed, "boy, mi no know sah, me tink me jus swap black daag fi  monkey"!

 

Walk good,

MissSam

 

November 10, 2014

One One Coco Full Baskit

Cant believe I didn't do this one yet!  And, I cant believe I haven't done a post since June- oh joy - Summer! Saw a video of no other than Miss Louise Bennett this morning and guess what, even way back then, she did what I have been doing, tell the proverb and then give an explanation of the meaning and a story to illustrate and now I am so inspired!

One one coco full baskit.  

                                      

Edoes - a root vegitable

           

Translation: One by one coco  (edoes) will full the basket.

What does this mean:  A little effort diligently applied will yield bit results over time.  This proverb is most often used in conversation around savings or accumulation.  As a Investment Fund Advisor, when reviewing an account of a Jamaican expat who started out by putting away a small amount on a regular basis, I am often taken of guard when they blurt out  something like "good, I am glad I started, after all one one coco full baskit".


The Edoe (Coco to Jamaicans) Plant

Now a personal message to the young, you do not have to win the lottery or make "big" money in order to have money.  Just get in the habit of putting away a portion of your earnings on a regular basis, leave it to grow and over time you will be pleasantly surprised.

Happy gathering,

MissSam
October 25, 2014







+

Wah Drop Offa Head Wi Drop Pon Shoulda

"Wah drop offa head wi drop pon shoulda."

Translation:  What drop off you head will drop or land on your shoulder.

What does this mean?  I was talking to an elder client a few days ago -  I'm mentoring her granddaughter so I asked her if she knew I was mentoring her granddaughter - she answered in the affirmative and thanked me, so I said to her "you do so much for others, you do prison ministry and so much volunteer work, so "wah drop offa head wi no drop pon shoulder"!  She laughed, said she hasn't heard this in a long time.  So, the essence of this proverb is that when you do good, it will flow down to your loved ones!  My niece Nicole and I talked about that just yesterday, she is the most lovely young lady you could meet so I admonished her to continue to be who she is - do good and keep your thinking straight, you will continue to receive favour and blessings.

Do not be weary in well doing because "wah drop offa head wi drop pon shoulda"!

MissSam
June 10, 2014

Puss an Daag Nuh Hab Di Saam Luk

Blue

"Puss an daag nuh hab di saam luk."

Translation:  A cat and a dog does not have the same luck.

What does this mean?  Two people do the same thing, one will get away with it, and the other will get in trouble.  We see this all the time, sometimes showing up as favouritism, turning a blind eye for special people and for those who are not so favoured they get punished or the bitter consequences.

This proverb is often used with workplace issues, taking chances with the law and so forth.  An typical example as pertaining to customs and going to the U.S. on shopping excursions.  Some folks will buy a carload of stuff and never get stopped, others get hassled so often they don't even bother buying anything and so will say "mi nah buy nutton, caah badda wid di hassle, puss an daag nuh hab di saam luk!

Note:  Patois is phonetics, there is no correct to spell,  so I try to write as close to how it sounds speaking it.

May you have the best luck today!

MissSam

Sunday June 8, 2014

 

Habi Habi Nuh Want Ti, Waanti Waanti Caan Get Ti

"Habi habi nuh waanti, waanti waanti caan getti".

Translation:  "Have it have it don't want it and wanty wanty cant get it."

What does this mean?  A person who has something (a job, a spouse) treat it lightly and take it for granted and yet there is someone who desperately want that which is being taken for granted and cannot seem get it!

We see this all the time don't we?  Lesson - treat everything and everyone well and remember that one persons garbage or reject is another's treasure!

Walk good,

MissSam
Sunday May 4, 2014

 

Cock Mout Kill Cock

"Cock mout kill Cock".




This is the Killdeer - I call her the Drama Queen

Translation:  Cock mouth kills the Cock

What does this mean?  Well, the Cock wouldn't be Sunday dinner if it could keep it's mouth shut!  How about that!  Ever having an exchange of words with someone, you're finished and they just keep talking, inadvertently or unconsciously revealing information that works against them?  That's what this mean.

This happened to me recently.  I was locked into a "debate" with someone, I realized long ago that this person never admit an error or know when to stop so I said, we are not going to agree on this, and in the end it is pointless as there is nothing to gain by continuing so let's just stop and agree to disagree.  The person in question continued by email after agreeing to stop (which is the worst because now their communication is in writing) and that
 could be damaging against them.  At that point I recalled this proverb that someone used in a facebook discussion thread!

Know "when to say when", do not let the need to be right or to show how much you know end up costing you your reputation or the respect of your loved ones, peers or boss.

MissSam
Sunday april 27, 2014