Jamaicans are very expressive by nature, and simply stating their displeasure or approval is not enough. The use of the word ‘very’ just seems to fall short. There are a few ways Jamaicans may express this to you, and rest assured, they will ensure that you get a clear visual idea of just how they are feeling.
Skipping ‘Very’, Just Double It Up
- Fenkeh fenkeh: (adj.) Cheap or of little worth; weak; puny.
- “A wah kinda fenkeh fenkeh present dat?”
- Doogoo doogoo: (vb.) To engage in secretive sexual intercourse at an age when you shouldn’t be thinking about that.
- “Before yuh go study yuh book yuh a talk bout doogoo doogoo.”
- Placka placka: (adj.) Wet, nasty, unsightly, and generally disgusting in appearance, usually describing food.
- “No sah! Why your dumpling always so sof’ and placka placka?”
Relatable Comparisons
- It’s very big: “Big lacka Martha pun pan.”
- Context: “Pun pan” refers to a very large dutchie our grandparents used for baking puddings.
- You are very selfish: “Mean like star apple.”
- Context: A star apple is a fruit that is very difficult to pick and would rather rot on the tree than fall for someone to eat.
- You look very disheveled: “Look like you and fowl did a fight.”
- Context: This means you look like you were fighting with a chicken and was indicative of a very disheveled beaten down appearance.
References to Past Events
- You are very old: “Old like Methuselah.”
- Explanation: Methuselah is a biblical figure said to have lived for 969 years. Yes, we are sticklers for exaggeration too.
- I have been waiting for a very long time: “Mi a wait from Whappi kill Phillop and all now!”
- Explanation: Whappie and Phillip refer to a very old story, one of Jamaica’s first official homicide cases.
- Your clothes are very old and outdated: “You look like you and Moses did a walk.”
- Explanation: This suggests that your clothes are so old they look like they are from biblical times when Moses walked the earth.
In most cases, these phrases are said with the straightest faces you can find, and not a minute is missed coming up with the perfect comparisons. It’s like a second sense, and while they aren’t always ill-intentioned, you are bound to get the picture and make the necessary adjustments if needed.
This was really cool. I love learning phrases from different parts of the world. You look like you and Moses did a walk is amazing!
This article on 9 Things Jamaicans Say to Replace the Word “Very” is fascinating! I love learning about the unique and colorful expressions that add so much flavor to the Jamaican language. The one for “very selfish” is especially funny!
Such fun reading through the phrases in Jamaican culture. I so enjoy learning the lingo from countries other than my own. I’ll have to come back to this article before our next trip to the island.
Exploring unique and colorful Jamaican expressions, like those replacing the word “very,” has been a fascinating and fun journey that I can’t wait to revisit before our next trip to the island!
Hihi….for a person who loves Jamaica a lot, this is news to me. I will begin practising them a little.
Wow, how interesting. I agree with everyone else it’s pretty cool to be able to learn different phrases from other cultures. I’m bookmarking this.
This post is so interesting. I love reading all the expressions and what they mean . Some are quite amusing.
Aw, it is such a cute post. I love learning new sayings and these phrases made me smile. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the different phrases from Jamaica. Languages are always fascinating and interesting.
I’ve not heard these phrases before. It is interesting to read about the meaning of each.
Very interesting to know Jamaican words haha, I could use these to surprise my Jamaican friend as she knows I have no idea about Jamaican words lol.
Interesting list of Jamaican expressions! Do you have any favorite Jamaican phrases you use often? I love learning about different cultures and their unique ways of speaking. Thanks for sharing!
It is so fascinating how languages differ, and how terms are used and how we have a variety of phrases for things. Fun to read about this!
This is such a cool info. I had no clue about the Jamaican language. I will try some of these phrases with a straight face and see my friends’ responses.
Only goes to show that each culture have their..sort of internal understanding going on. For example, that thing about the chickens, must be because it’s a common sight. Or Methuselah…haha, that’s humor!
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