Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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“Beg wata cyaan bwile cow ‘kin”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeOct 21Beg wata cyaan bwile cow ‘kin
Translation: Begged water cannot boil cow skin
Meaning: You can’t beg enough water in which to boil cow skin, so you need look for some for yourself
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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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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 30
If yuh nuh hab good fe sey, nuh sey nuh bad
Translation: If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything bad
Meaning: Keep your mouth shut if you have nothing good to say
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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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“Whatever come light curve round brick”
Filed under Jamaican LifeSep 16Whatever come light curve round brick
Translation: Whatever comes light will curve around a brick
Meaning: Anything that is easily acquired is easily lost
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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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“Hungry mek monkey blow fire”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeAug 26Hungry mek monkey blow fire
Translation: Hunger makes the monkey blow fire
Meaning: When people are in need, they are forced to become resourceful and learn new habits
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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
