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

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

 

Mangoose Seh If Yu Nuh Tek Chance Yu A Nuh Man

SNOWSHOEING ACROSS SUSPENSION BRIDGE - SCENIC CAVES

"Mangoose she if yu nuh tek chance yu a nuh man."


Translation:  Mongoose say if you do not take chances you are not a man.

What does this mean?  This proverb is about taking risk.  In my own experience, people used it to justify taking a risk, make excuses for haven taken an over-aggressive risk or trump up the courage to take a chance with something. 

The proverb came out observation of the need for the Mongoose to cross the road from one cane field to another.  The risk here is that the Mongoose might get killed by a vehicle while crossing the road, yet, to get to the other field it is necessary to cross the road.  It can be applied to just about any situation that involves taking a chance, like deciding to pull up stake and relocate in another town, city or even another country.  By taking a chance you show what you are made of - big and tough, or small and weak!

The thing is, without taking risks, you accomplish nothing.  Like the Mongoose, muster up the courage and cross that road!

Look what this Mongoose goes up against!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdg9gkmWsEA


Happy day dreaming today.

MissSam

March 30,2014