Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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Jul 1
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
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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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“Puss gawn, rat tek ‘ouse”
Filed under Animals, Jamaican LifeJun 24Puss gawn, rat tek ‘ouse
Translation: When the cat is gone, rats take up the house
Meaning: When authority or control is missing, people will exploit the situation
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“If yu fraid a yeye, yu cyaan nyam hed”
Filed under GoalsJun 21If yu fraid a yeye, yu cyaan nyam hed
Translation: If you are afraid of (fish) eyes you cannot eat the (fish) head
Meaning: To achieve a goal, very often you have to experience unpleasant or difficult challenges first
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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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Jun 14
Nuh mine how teacha crass, ‘im mus gi recess
Translation: Regardless of how angry the teacher is, he must give recess
Meaning: In every difficult situation, you will get a break eventually
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Jun 10
Nuh let mudfish tail touch wata
Translation: Don’t let a mudfish’s tail touch water
Meaning: Used as a threat to a troublesome person
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“Tiddeh fi mi, tomorra fi yu”
Filed under Jamaican LifeJun 7Tiddeh fi mi, tomorra fi yu
Translation: Today is for me, tomorrow is for you
Meaning: Everyone will face problems or achieve success in his or her own time
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Jun 3
Nuh one way deh fe hang daag
Translation: There is not just one way to hang a dog
Meaning: There are plenty of ways to accomplish a goal, not just the obvious way
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“Bit bit mek pound”
Filed under MoneyMay 31Bit bit mek pound
Translation: Many bits (approx 4.5 pence) make a pound
Meaning: Small amounts of money saved over time will eventually grow to a larger amount
