Wise Jamaican

“Cow ded him lef’ trouble gi cow-skin”

Cherryl — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:14:51 +0000

“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

“Learn fi dance a yaad before yu dance abraad”

Kerry — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:13:32 +0000

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

“When bull foot bruk, ‘im nyam wid monkey’”

Cherryl — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:09:56 +0000

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

“Play fool fi ketch wise”

Kerry — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:08:47 +0000

Play fool fi ketch wise

Translation: Act foolishly to catch the wise

Meaning: To feign ignorance to one’s own benefit

“Ebry jackass sey ‘im cubby ah race hass”

Kerry — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:06:09 +0000

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

“When cloud shadder come, sun no set”

Kerry — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:04:04 +0000

When 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

“When chicken tie up cockroach want explanation”

Cherryl — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:54 +0000

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

“‘T’ank yuh’ nuh buy ‘alf bit bread”

Kerry — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:54:42 +0000

“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

“Crab nuh walk nuh get fat; walk too much, ‘im lose ‘im claw”

Cherryl — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:43:44 +0000

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

“Anyting tan too long, serve two masta”

Cherryl — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:56:01 +0000

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