Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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Oct 7
If yuh cuss John-Crow, peel-head turkey wi bex
Translation: If you curse John-Crow, peel-head turkey will vex
Meaning: Someone will resent criticism that is given to another person with similar problems
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Sep 23
When man lib well, ‘im tell cow ‘howdy’
Translation: When a man lives well, he tells a cow, ‘How do you do’
Meaning: A person who has no work to do will go into the pasture and say ‘Good Morning’ to a cow. Used against idle people who waste your time
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“Puss bruk coconut in a yuh yeye”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsSep 9Puss bruk coconut in a yuh yeye
Translation: The cat broke a coconut in your eye
Meaning: Used as a reproach to a bad mannered person
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“A nuh same day leaf drap it rotten”
Filed under Danger, RelationshipsSep 2A nuh same day leaf drap it rotten
Translation: It is not the same day a leaf falls, that it rots
Meaning: Meant as a threat against one who tries to take advantage of another’s misfortune, implying that the unfortunate one is not entirely helpless
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Aug 19
When man dead lie down ‘pon him back, dem put ‘pwoil milk over him head
Translation: When a man is dead upon his back they put spoiled milk over his head
Meaning: People often take advantage of someone who is feeble and unable to defend himself
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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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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
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“De man all honey, fly wi’ nyam him”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsJun 17De man all honey, fly wi’ nyam him
Translation: The man who is all honey, flies will eat him
Meaning: People will take advantage of a good natured person
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May 10
When fiyah an’ wata mek fr’en’ anybody can lib
Translation: When fire and water can make friends anybody can live
Meaning: If two enemies can make up, then everyone can live in peace
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“Fowl nyam done, wipe mout’ a grung”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsApr 29Fowl nyam done, wipe mout’ a grung
Translation: When a fowl is through eating, it wipes its mouth on the ground
Meaning: Some people show ingratitude for hospitality
