Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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“A nuh lack a tung mek cow nuh talk”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeMar 11A nuh lack a tung mek cow nuh talk
Translation: It’s not for the lack of a tongue why a cow cannot speak
Meaning: Some things should be kept as secrets
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“Crab eena barrel climb pon one aneda”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeMar 4Crab eena barrel climb pon one aneda
Translation: Crabs in a barrel climb on each other
Meaning: Some people selfishly climb on the backs of others to succeed, yet prevent other people’s progress.
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Feb 25
Yuh get inna daag corn piece
Translation: You have got yourself into a dog’s cornfield
Meaning: Someone getting into serious difficulties by venturing into dangerous territory
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“Nuh buy rancid butta to feed tom-cat”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsFeb 18Nuh buy rancid butta to feed tom-cat
Translation: Don’t buy rancid butter to feed a tom cat
Meaning: Don’t provide for a woman who is giving her favours to another man
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Feb 8
Doah yuh cyaan stop flyin’ crow feader from drop, yuh can ‘inder crow from meck nes’ pon yuh head top
Translation: Although you cannot stop a flying crow from dropping his feathers, you can stop the crow from making a nest on your head
Meaning: Although you may not be able to stop some problems, you can put steps in place to prevent them from having a very negative effect
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Feb 1
When cow can’t get wata fe wash him pickney face, him tek him tongue
Translation: When a cow can’t get water to wash her calf’s face, she uses her tongue
Meaning: A man who cannot earn a living for his family, will beg for them
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“Donkey seh dis yah worl nuh level, hill an gully yah so, hill an gully deh so”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeJan 25Donkey seh dis yah worl nuh level, hill an gully yah so, hill an gully deh so
Translation: A donkey says this world is not level, hill and gully here, hill and gully there
Meaning: Ups and downs are part of life
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“No care how hog try fi hide unda sheep wool, ‘im grunt let im down”
Filed under Animals, PersonalityJan 21No care how hog try fi hide unda sheep wool, im grunt let im down
Translation: It does not matter how much a hog tries to hide under sheep’s wool his grunt will betray him
Meaning: Hiding one’s character is hard to do, the true self always prevails
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Jan 14
Nuh cuss alligata long mout’ till yuh cross riber
Translation: Don’t curse alligator or call him long mouth until you cross the river
Meaning: Used as a retort by a weak person to those who take advantage of him, implying that he is still capable of taking revenge
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Jan 7
Johncrow always tink ‘im pickney pretty
Translation: The John Crow always thinks that his child is pretty
Meaning: Parents always think their children are beautiful
