Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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“Belly full, pitata ave ‘kin”
Filed under Food, Jamaican LifeOct 14Belly full, pitata ave ‘kin
Translation: When one’s belly is full, potato has skin
Meaning: In times of plenty, people are selective; When we are not in need we find fault with common things
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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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May 4
Quattie bread fill monkey belly
Translation: A quattie’s worth of bread will fill a monkey’s stomach
Meaning: The poor are easily satisfied
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“When plantain wan’ ded, ‘im shoot”
Filed under Food, PersonalityFeb 22When plantain wan’ ded, ‘im shoot
Translation: When a plantain wants to die, it shoots
Meaning: The life of a plaintain tree is over when it has borne a single bunch of plantains. Someone’s greatest accomplishment might be their last.
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“How wata waak go eena pumpkin gut”
Filed under Food, Jamaican LifeOct 5How wata waak go eena pumpkin gut
Translation: How water gets inside a pumpkin
Meaning: Some procedures are difficult to figure out
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Aug 3
Who hab teet’ fe nyam corn, it nuh grow a dem door
Translation: Those who have teeth to eat corn, corn never grows at their door
Meaning: He who has the ability never gets the opportunity
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“Far pass mek ockra pwoil”
Filed under Food, RelationshipsJun 1Far pass mek ockra pwoil
Translation: Far pass makes ockra spoiled
Meaning: Those who live too far apart cannot help each other in time of trouble
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Mar 16
Saltfish siddung pon di counta a wait fi bread and butta
Translation: Saltfish sits down on the counter awaiting bread and butter
Meaning: Lazy people wait for rewards to come to them without any work on their part
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Dec 1
Pudden cyaan bake widout fiah
Translation: A pudding cannot be baked without fire
Meaning: You need the right tools to be successful at any job
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Oct 6
One one coco full basket
Translation: Gathering one coco at a time will fill the basket
Meaning: Success does not come suddenly, it takes time
