There are some tell-tale signs of Jamaican nationality. In fact, you can expect Jamaicans in the diaspora to say, “I knew he/she is Jamaican” because of certain things”
So let’s test the theory, here is a list of 50 people and things all Jamaicans know. If you’re a true yaadie, this list will connect with the Jamaican part of your cranuim and give you a bellyful of laughter.
1.Baby hair – either you’re born with it or it is artificially created with hair gel, all Jamaicans know what this is.
2.Poppa – an affectionate name for your daddy, grandfather or a respected, elderly man.
3. Mama – affectionate name for your mommy, grandmother or a respected, elderly woman.
4. A JP – Justice of the PeaceYou know many but can never find one when you need a recommendation letter or documents to be witnessed. A JP performs functions similar to that of a notary public in some societies.
5.Yaad clothes – yard clothes or house clothes that are not appropriate for public events.
6. ‘Beg bread’ shoes – a pair of shoes with holes at the front, exposing the toes. Tattered shoes thatneed to be replaced.
7. Trials and crasses – Can refer to unfortunate circumstances but can also describe individuals who turn your life upside down in a short space of time. but the hotter the battle, the sweeter the victory, Amen?
8. Wutliss relative or personal item – someone or something that serves little purpose.
9. A jacket – definitely not referring to clothing; a child who was given the incorrect paternity at birth.
*** P.S. you either claimed one, you know of one or you are one.
10.Baby modda or baby fadda – Usually used to describe unmarried mothers and fathers.
11. A beggy beggy friend or relative This person never has money or resources of their own
12. Rumhead – someone who is terribly addicted to rum-drinking.
13. Sunday ‘dinna’ – usually the best meal for the week, often prepared by the elders in the family or by the best cooks.
14.Sunday Monday – Leftovers from Sunday ‘dinna’ that are used for meals on Mondays or Tuesdays.
15.Church clothes – only to be worn to church on Saturday or Sunday.
16. Sunday best – Clothes worn on special occasions such as graduations, birthdays and awards ceremonies.
17. Granny – another affectionate name for your grandmother or an elderly woman.
18. Nosy neighbour – someone who knows everyone’s business but theirs.
19. Choppa – someone who earns money from illicit means.
20. Badmind – Many are victim of this state-of-mind, but being a perpetrator is the worst thing in the eyes of Jamaicans.
21. Squaddie – another name for a police officer; depending on the Jamaican you are, a squaddie may be your enemy or an ally.
22. An informa’ – someone who reports your wrongdoing or suspicious behaviour.
23. slave driver or witch – A boss or manager from hell
24. A deeply religious friend (most likely a Christian)
25. Con artis’ friend – someone you loosely associate with because you know their mindset.
26. A rude taxi operator – every Jamaican knows one.
27. A strict teacher or school principal
28. A Birth Ser-fi-ticket – A birth certificate
29. Prime Minister – Every Jamaican knows the leader of the country. That person is someone we blame for every problem we encounter on a personal or national level. At the time of the scripting of this list, Jamaica’s prime minister is the Honourable Andrew Holness.
30. Governor General – A political figure who has the ceremonial role of the King of England. At the time of the scripting of this list, Jamaica’s Governor General is Sir Patrick Allen.
31. Ability to speak in parables
32. Ability to point with our mouths
33. Wake or nigh night experience – a celebratory event we inherited from our African ancestors, usually held several days leading up to a funeral.
34. A duppy story
35. Peenie wallie – a firefly
36. A common fowl – a local chicken; they are usually raised in backyard farms in rural Jamaica communities.
37. ‘Kuntry’ – a rural or remote community on the island where relatives, good memories and good food reside.
38. A christening certificate
39.Rundung – and this has nothing to do with the physical act of running. It’s a traditional, coconut-milk based stew – another one we inherited from our African ancestors.
40. Batty rider – very short shorts that expose parts of the buttocks.
41. A strong belief that ‘nuh weh no betta than yaad’ – most Jamaicans believe home is the best and safest place where you’ll find real love.
42. Poor ting – someone you pity because something unfortunate has happned to them that they truly don’t deserve
43. Using the same word twice for emphasis – Repition: A unique feature of the Jamaican language
44. A nickname – Most Jamaicans have a nickname that isn’t on their birth certificate
45. Foreign – All Jamaicans know that foreign refers to geographical places outside of Jamaica. But for the most part, foreign is used to describe, England, Canada and America – the three countries where most people in the diaspora reside.
46. Refer to all news print media as “gleaner” – The Gleaner is the oldest print media entity in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
47. ‘Tuff crackers’ fi buss gas – a pack of water crackers you eat to offer quick relief when you’re hungry.
48. What-not or China Cabinet – household furniture used to store figurines and glassware thatill never be used in your lifetime.
49. A Jamaican flag – The Jamaican banal pride is matchless
50 – Bag juice – needs no explanation.
If you can identify more than half of the items on this list, you have all right to call yourself Jamaican. Wear your “Jamaican-ness” proudly and remember to spread Jamaica love whereever you are today.
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