Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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Jul 29
“Cow ded him lef’ trouble gi cow-skin”
Translation: When a cow dies, he leaves trouble for the cow skin
Meaning: Make sure that you take care of your personal business before you die, so that those you leave behind are not inconvenienced
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Jul 26
Learn fi dance a yaad before yu dance abraad
Translation: Learn to dance at home before you dance abroad
Meaning: Make sure you know what you are doing before you expose it to others
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Jul 22
When bull foot bruk, ‘im nyam wid monkey
Translation: When a bull’s foot is broken, he will eat with a monkey
Meaning: When misfortune overtakes strong people, they will live with persons that they consider their inferiors
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“Play fool fi ketch wise”
Filed under Jamaican Life, PersonalityJul 19Play fool fi ketch wise
Translation: Act foolishly to catch the wise
Meaning: To feign ignorance to one’s own benefit
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Jul 15
Ebry jackass sey ‘im cubby ah race hass
Translation: Every jackass says his cub is a racehorse
Meaning: Parents always think that their children are destined for greatness
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“When cloud shadder come, sun no set”
Filed under Jamaican LifeJul 12When cloud shadder come, sun no set
Translation: When the cloud casts a shadow, the sun has not set
Meaning: Even in dark moments, all is not lost as there is still hope for better times
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Jul 8
When chicken tie up cockroach want explanation
Translation: When a chicken is tied up the cockroach wants an explanation
Meaning: When something doesn’t look right one will become suspicious
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Jul 5
“T’ank yuh” nuh buy ‘alf bit bread
Translation: ‘Thank You’ can’t buy a half bit’s (approx 4.5 pence) worth of bread
Meaning: Applied to one who expresses obligation for a service instead of paying for it
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Jul 1
Crab nuh walk nuh get fat; walk too much, ‘im lose ‘im claw
Translation: A crab which doesn’t walk doesn’t get fat; if it walks too much it loses its claw
Meaning: If you don’t seek out opportunities you won’t be successful, but don’t overdo your activities as you might end up in trouble
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Jun 28
Anyting tan too long, serve two masta
Translation: Anything that stays too long, will serve two masters
Meaning: If you don’t make use of something you have, someone else will want it and start using it
