Wise Jamaican

“A nuh lack a tung mek cow nuh talk”

Kerry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:06:47 +0000

A 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

“Ebery day devil help t’ief, one day God wi’ help watchman”

Kerry — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:12:10 +0000

Ebery day devil help t’ief, one day God wi’ help watchman

Translation: Every day the devil helps the thief, but one day God will help the watchman

Meaning: Even though evil people seem to be succeeding all the time, good people should be not be discouraged because eventually they will win.

“Crab eena barrel climb pon one aneda”

Kerry — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:24:45 +0000

Crab 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.

“Anywey it mawga it bruk”

Kerry — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:20:57 +0000

Anywey it mawga it bruk

Translation: Anywhere it’s thin, it will break

Meaning: When a situation is at its weakest point that’s when it will break. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

“Yuh get inna daag corn piece”

Kerry — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:19:22 +0000

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

“When plantain wan’ ded, ‘im shoot”

Kerry — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:16:27 +0000

When 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.

“Nuh buy rancid butta to feed tom-cat”

Kerry — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:22:28 +0000

Nuh 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

“If I don’t ketch yuh a moonshine I will ketch yuh a dark nite”

Cherryl — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:58:26 +0000

“If I don’t ketch yuh a moonshine I will ketch yuh a dark nite”

Translation: If I don’t catch you at moonshine I will catch you at dark night

Meaning: Implies a threat to someone that they will be caught when they are off-guard

“One han’ cyaan clap”

Kerry — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:10:50 +0000

One han’ cyaan clap

Translation: One hand cannot clap

Meaning: You have to work with others to achieve a common goal, you can’t do it alone

“Doah yuh cyaan stop flyin’ crow feader from drop, yuh can ‘inder crow from meck nes’ pon yuh head top”

Kerry — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:02:43 +0000

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