In Trinidad, the adjective chupid is used all the time in situations of great consternation. This week the pandemic Corona Virus (COVID-19) has highlighted the lapse in leadership and chupidees in our midsts.

Chupid, chupit (adj): Stupid, unintelligent, without sense

Maybe one of the headmasters in the orphanage bus’ a lash in he head one day and it affec’ he senses. Maybe the boy was just a chupid boy.

Chupidee (n): A stupid person.

Look dat boy so chupidee – he let he cousin take way he marbles.

Chupidness (n): Stupidity; bad behaviour, wrong-headedness; unworthiness.

Allyuh take yuh fight outside. Doh bring this chupidness to me.

Chupid- Caribbean Usage

Chupid, chupidee, chupidness is used in Trinidad and other islands in the Caribbean. It is thought to derive from Creole or Creolized form or structure. Trini’s are able to use all three words in a sentence at once.

It has real chupid people out here acting like chupidees and putting other people in danger by doing chupidness and not adhering to the COVID-19 social distancing recommendation.

Trini Phrases

The various words and phrases from Trinidad & Tobago can be traced back to English, French, African, Hindi, and Spanish origins. Chupid is one such word that has its roots in the French Creole language. Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago is interesting because the slangs can change over time. I have lived in the United States for 20 years now, and every time I travel back to Trinidad and Tobago, I have to reacquaint myself with the words and phrases that have evolved.

Oral Traditions

Trini folklore such as Papa Bois is an oral tradition meant to pass on the stories to the next generation. Other Trini phrases in the vernacular are

Click here now for other Trini expressions and leave us a comment below of phrases you have heard.

Feature Image by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

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