Trending Words on Jamaican Patwah

Dyke

Derogatory term used to refer to a homosexual female; it is derived from “batty man”, which is used to refer to a homosexual male

Patois: Mi neva know seh Mary a batty gal until she try fi kiss mi last nite
English: I never knew that Mary was a dyke until she tried to kiss me last night

Suck your mother

A very offensive curse phrase used to disrespect someone while indirectly, also disrespecting their mother. Although the literal meaning of this phrase is to go and suck one’s own mother, the actual meaning is similar to the curse phrase “Go f**k yourself”. Directing this phrase at some Jamaicans is often taken personally and will probably result in a fight.

Patois: P**syhole, go suck yuh madda
English: Motherf**ker, go and f**k yourself

Old man

A pejorative title use to refer to an elderly male

Patois: Dis yah long seed man shoulda kno betta
English: Dis old man should of known better

Dreadlocks Man

Someone who wear’s dreadlocks (may also practice Rastology)

(patois) Di rass deh inna di mango tree
(english) The dreadlocks man is in the mango tree

Up there

Patois: Yuh deh guh up suh likkle more?
English: Are you going up there later?

How are you

This form of greeting is normally used by older people (50+ years old).

Patois: Howdeedo, a lang time mi nuh si yuh
English: How are you? It’s been a long time since I last saw you

I came here to drink milk, I didn’t come to count cows

This is a reminder that we should conduct business in a straightforward manner. It also means that you should deliver what you promise and not waste time talking about it.

Police Officer

Patois: Di squaddie gone inna di house
English: The police officer went in the house

Look at you

An expression of disgust, shock, or disbelief

Patois: Ku paan yuh tu, yuh tink yuh big?
English: Look at you, do you think you're grown?

Not

Means any of the following: no, not, isn’t.

(patois) It nuh di deh
(english) It is not there

Happy Easter

Patois: Happy Eastah mi fren
English: Happy Easter my friend