6 Jamaican Expressions that will crack you up

One thing you should know about Jamaicans is that we are extremely descriptive. The way in which we use words and visuals will crack you up.

Here are some popular similes that Jamaicans use on the daily – these are bound to put a smile on your face.

1. Tired like dog

The phrase “like dog” is the punch. Other words could also come before “like dog”. For example: “tief like dog” broke like dog” “hungry like dog.” Jamaicans measure almost everything by comparing it to the actions of a dog. I don’t know what Bruno did to deserve it but he is standard of all
assessments.

2. Ugly like mug
This is usually used to describe someone whom the beholder deems as unattractive.

3. Fat like mudfish
Jamaicans really like to say anything that comes to their mind. I looked up what a mudfish looks like… they don’t seem fat, at least not to me.
However my husband believes they are fatter than normal… What says you? In any case, Jamaicans mean well when they say this.

4. Pretty like money

I’m not sure why money is considered ‘pretty’ but this simile is usually used to describe a clean-skinned (without blemish) person who carries themselves well.

5. Tough like terbit (Turbot fish)
Unlike the mudfish reference, this one is understandable. The turbot fish has an extremely tough skin that has to be completely removed for it to be eaten. A person (usually female) is described as being ‘tough like terbit’ when they are muscular.

6. Long like ‘godhorse’ (walking stick/stick bug)
This reference is usually used to describe a person who is taller than their peers. Don’t know what a godhorse looks like? See below:

And when they have exhausted their usually inexhaustible and colorful vocabulary, they say: You look/favour like mi nuh know wah fi seh (I don’t
know what to say).

Thanks for reading.

Walk Good!