Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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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
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Jun 23
Yuh cyaan plant corn and expec’ peas fi grow
Translation: You cannot plant corn and expect peas to grow
Meaning: Be realistic when setting goals
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“Too much callaloo mek peppa-pot soup bitta”
Filed under FoodJun 9Too much callaloo mek peppa-pot soup bitta
Translation: Too much callaloo makes the pepper-pot soup bitter
Meaning: Too much of a good thing can spoil everything
