IF YU NUH STEP PAN HANS YU NUH KNOA WAH INNA IM BELLY



Going Deep For The Nectar

"If yu nuh step pan hans yu nuh knoa wah inna im belly."


Translation:  If you dont step on an ant, you wont know what's in it's belly.

What does this mean?  You wont truly know what's inside an individual, how they feel about an issue until something comes up that triggers a reaction.  I had a live example this morning, and it was amazing to listen and observe how this individual reacted to something and how they displayed their belief system on the issues discussed without even knowing what's happening.

Application:  (when & how to use this proverb).  Let's say you are having a discussion with an individual who always maintained that they have forgiven someone with whom they held a grudge or bitterness, anger and or contempt.  A topic comes up where reference is made to that individual's behaviour from 20 years ago, and you, the listener said, "well, that's a long time ago, he or she is an adult now, is in a good career with responsibilities so you cant look at him or her the same way", the other party in the conversation freaks out  - and all hell break loose!  This is when you say - man, if yu nuh step pan hans yu nuh knoa wah inna im belly.  

It's been a while since I published a post, I didnt abondon my blog, just took a break - I'm back!

Enjoy,

Miss Sam
Jan 21, 2014

WATCH PAT KAA BWILE




Soup's on, who is hungry?



Jamaican style chicken soup - no those are
not lips, it is a real Jamaican Scotch Bonnet pepper!

"Watch pat kaa bwile."

Translation:  Watch pot cannot boil.

What does this mean?  When you "watch" the pot it seems to take longer to come to a boil, particularly true when you are boiling something that takes long to get tender, like the beef  for the Jamaican beef soup.

Application:  This proverb is about patience!  Everythings has it's time frame.  It will be done when is done, do not be anxious.  "I cant wait for this to happen, or that to happen".  "Life will be good when this or that happens."  Enjoy the process and be patient.  The time passes whether you are anxious or not.  Anxiousness produces unnecessary stress so why not learn to go with the flow!

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon,

MissSam
November 17, 2013

YUNG BUD NO KNO DEEP WATA

BABY KILLDEER , MOMMY THE PROTECTOR IS CLOSE BY



MOMMY KILLDEER

 "Yung bud no kno deep wata"!

Translation:  A young bird does not know deep water.

What does this mean?  An inexperienced person does not fully understand what it takes to be in certain position or situations in life.  It speaks to the inexperienced critic.

Application:  It is typical for young folks, particularly teenagers, to critize their parents.  With all the education and new knowledge that's coming their way, they become puffed up and  now feel they have all the answers, especially if the parents are uneducated.

My mother used to say this to my sister and I all the time, because of course, "she didnt know anything" and we were going to high school.  We were the first in our family to attend high school.  Although neither of my parents finished primary school, they were literate and were the "leader" in their respective families.  When we becaue rude and critized mama,  bless her heart, she would burts into singing and say "yu gwaan, yung bud no kno deep wata!

Wisdom come with age, so now I know my mama is a very wise woman.  Test the water before you dive in, you could end up with brain damage!

Save diving,

MissSam
Sunday November 10, 2013

SORRY FI MAAGA DAWG, MAAGA DAWG TUN ROWN BITE YU



The Most Gorgeous African Violet!



FYI, there is no correct spelling for patois, I try to spell it so the sound is the same as spoken!

"Sorry fi maaga dawg, maaga dawg tun rown bite you".

Translation:  Feel sorry for a meagre dog, that dog could turn around and bite you.

What does this mean:  If you feel sorry for someone in trouble and help them out, that same person can turn on you!  Be careful when helping others so there is no expectation of thankfulness, or grattitude.  Also, there can be no negative reprecussion on your part for helping. 

Sometimes you may help dig someone out of a ditch, figuratively, and once they get going they may surpass you in position, education, or financially.  This same person may snob you, and act as if they didnt get any help along the way.  That is why we are admonished to give without the expectation of receiving a reward otherwise these situations can be very hurtful.

Just a word of encouragement - never, ever allow a situation as explained above to stop you from offering help.  If you do, you will allow other people to rob you of your joy and blessings.

MissSam

October 24, 2013

MAN KAA HAVE DAG AN BALK

I just love it when I'm having a conversation with someone and out comes one of these gems, priceless!  This is usually followed by gales of laughter and really brightens up my day. 

 

A SPECIAL CARD
 

"Man kaa have dag an balk" - I got this one from a Guyanese friend.  Turns out these wonderful proverbs are not exclusive to Jamaicans!

Translation:  Man cannot have a dog and bark.  If you have a dog, the dog should do the barking, not you.

What does this mean?  This proverb is about allowing people to do their jobs, delegating and allowing individuals to do their assigned tasks without interference.  For example, if you have an assistant, and you are constantly doing the tasks or duties that were assigned to the assistant, it causes confusion.  If you keep doing this, out of frustration the assistant could say to you, "man kaa have dag an balk"!

So, if you have a dog, dont be barking today, you hear me!

MissSam

EVERY BADY HAFFI PAGGLE DEM OWN CANNU

October 11, 2013

For all you single ladies, here a folk song to relish your singularity!

Mi nuh haffi worry up mi mine
Mi paggle me own cannu
Mi drink mi rum
Mi smoke mi pipe, an
M cock up mi foot as me like!


TORONTO HARBOUR



"Every bady haffi paggle dem own cannu"

Translation:  Everybody has to paddle their own canoe.

What does this mean?  This proverb is about taking personal responsibility.  Take charge and run your own life!

Application:  Yu mean yu waan mi fi look after yu pickney dem?  No chile, every bady haffi paggle dem own cannu! 

You children are your responsibility, you must take charge and look after your own household.  This proverb is also used in situations were a family member or close friend continually borrow money even though they may have employment but does not use their money wisely.

Have a super Sunday!

MissSam

YU CAAN GI PEEPLE BASKIT FI CARRY WATA

LAKE ONTARIO - FROM DOWNTOWN TORONTO

"Yu caan gi peeple baskit fi carry wata".

Translation:  You cannot give people baskets to carry water.

What does this mean?  If you are assigning a task or have an expectation of someone, make sure they have the right tools, and their capability is in alignment with the expectation.  Do not expect the impossible from another, when it's something that you would not do because you would not want to do that thing; or could not do, because you do not have the skills set to do, something that you know that the person does not have the skill set either.

Application:  This proverb is used a lot in employee/employer or boss situations.  You want me to do what?  How do you expect me to do that when you know I do not have the right training?  Boy, yu caan gi peeple baskit fi carry wata!

Have a sensational Saturday!

MissSam