Glossary of Jamaican Reggae-Rasta words, expressions, and slang. This is a one of a kind glossary that is complimented by an audio version as well. The audio version is available EXCLUSIVELY with The Rastaman Vibration. Look below to find out how to download your copy today!

A

A (ah)- Means many things from: a, to, is, it, the, will, ECT. ‘A’ is said before action will or has taken place. This is the main Jamaican preposition for nearly everything.

A door (ah do-ah)- Out doors; outside.

A go (ah go)- To go or will go. Mi a go a door. (I am going outside).

Ackee- African fruit introduced in Jamaica in 1778; is Jamaicas national fruit and is the second main ingredient of Jamaica’s national dish combination, ackee and saltfish.

Agony (ah-gon-ee)- Sexual orgasm or sensation of sex.

Ah sey one (ah seh won)- Expression to say that something is really cool and great.

Aile (i’ll)- Oil.

Aks (ax)- Ask.

A lie- Your lying; that is a lie.

All fruits ripe- Everything is just great. All is good.

All di while- All the time; sometimes; the time during. All the while dem depon di bashment. (They are partying all the time.)

An- (ahn) And.

A nuh mi- Means that that’s not me … It’s not me to…I am not one to…A nuh mi fi like it. (I am not one to like that).

Aright (ah-rite)- All right, sure, yes, okay.

‘At- Hot; also hat.

‘At steppa- Hot stepper, a jail breaker and one in trouble with the law.

A true- It is true; I am not lying.

B

Baan- Born. A weh ya baan? (Where were you born?)

Baby madda- Mother of a child.

Babylon (bah-bee-lon)- A Rasta word for the police and the corrupt system.

Backside (bok-side)- Refers to someone else’s self, expressed towards another person. A rude way to refer to someone. Move yu backside. (Move your self).

Badda (bad-da)- Bother. Naa Badda mi. (Don’t bother me.)

Bad like yaz- Expression for saying something is really cool.

Bad man/bwoy- Criminal type guy. A really bad individual. Bad man no flee. (Gangsters don’t run away.) Dat a bad bwoy. (That is a gangster.)

Bag juice- The cheapest fruit punch money can buy.

Bait (be-it)- Scoundrel, punk, scum, and these types of people. Ooman naa like bait. (Women don’t like punks.)

Bald head- A Rasta label for one who is too caught up with the evil system—Babylon. Also is anyone who is a non-dreadlocks; usually white people.

Bandu- A hair band worn by women.

Bandulu (ban-doo-loo)- criminal; crooked activity; also means a fake passport/visa.

Bare (beer)- Only. Is bare pickney yahso. (There’s only children here.)

Bash, Bashy- This is a popular slang term that means cool, awesome, nice stuff, ECT.

Bashment- A great event or happening; dancehall; party. Also the same as bashy above. Dem bashment gyal. (They are girls who like to party.). Wi gwaan hab a bashment time. (We are going to have a great time.)

Batty- Primarily means butt; also signals to homosexuals. ‘Im a battyman. (He is gay).

Beg- To ask; also means to beg. Di man dem beg fa jooks. (The men beg for sex.)

Big up- This is a popular term for saying what’s up and a gesture of tribute. Big up uno dem. (Praise to all of them).

Bill- A basic Jamaican $100 bill. Worth just over two U.S. dollars.

Blessed- A Rasta word; blessing(s).

Bling- Flashy and expensive; necklace or chain. Look pon mi bling. (Look at my chain).

Bloodclot- Strong curse word.

Bloodfire (blud-fiah)- Hell.

Blouse an skirts- Politcally correct version of the curse word bumboclot.

Bly- Favor or chance. Mi mus get a bly. (I must get a chance.) Usually referring to driving on the road.

Bobo dread- A certain sect of Rastas that wear turbans and carry brooms to signify cleansiness. They are of the Bobo Shanti order and are true followers of Prince Emmanuel.

Bodderation (bod-da-ray-shun)- A comical version of “Bother.”

Bokkle (bok-el)- Bottle.

Boots- Condoms; also shoes.

Bout- About. Naa worry bout it. (Don’t worry about it).

Bow- to perform oral sex; mostly on a woman.

Box- To fight and punch. She box ‘im face. (She punched his face.)

Bredda- Brother.

Bredren- Fellow friends and collegues; brothers in unity.

Browning- Complementing a black person of light skin, and good complexion.

Bruk- Broke, broken, break. Nuh bruk it. (Don’t break it).

Brukout- A climax of pure energy and excitement; to act unruly. Usually at a party.

Buck- To accidentally bump into; to meet by chance.

Bud- Bird.

Buddy- Male genital.

Bulla- Cake.

Bumboclot- King of curse words.

Bun- To get cheated on; also burn, kill, and to smoke. She gi ‘im bun ka im bun whole heap a herb. (She cheated on him because he smokes a whole heap of herb.) Di Rasta dem say, “Bun dung queer!” (The Rastas say, “Burn down (kill) the queers!”)

Bupps- Financially providing for a woman. She bupps im out. ‘Im her bupps. (She played him for money. He is her sugar daddy).

Bush weed- A term for rendering poor quality herb.

Buss- To bust; like to bust a move; burst out; unruly.

Bwoy (b-why)- Boy. This is a common term for anybody—male or female.

C

Ca (cah)- Because. Also can be the word “Can”. Mi ca hab…? (Can I have…?)

Card- To play a joke or trick. Dem play a card pon mi. (They tricked me).

Cargo- A big and heavy gold or expensive chain one wears to show wealth.

Casco (kas-ko)- Imitation, fake designer clothes.

Cat- Female genitals. Mi nuh like fi bowcat. (I don’t like to perform oral sex).

Chaka-chaka- Messy and untidy.

Cha/cho- Expression of surprise. Cha! (What!)

Champion- A person who is extraordinary on the dancefloor and in the bed.

Chalice- The Rasta water bong/pipe that is made from a hollowed coconut.

Chatty-Chatty- Overly talkative to the point of irritation.

Check it deep- Check it out. When mi check it deep, a casco name brand. (When I checked it out, it was a fake).

Chewsday- Tuesday.

Chi chi- Gay, homosexual, queer. Chi-chi man. (Gay man.)

Chuck- Full-size truck.

Clean- Sexual expression for giving a blowjob.

Cock it up- Aggressive sex.

Coil- Term for money when dollars are wrapped in a roll.

Coppa- Copper; a term for a coin valued less than a dollar.

Coo- Look. Coo yah! (Look here!)

Coolie- Jamaican Indian from India.

Coolie hair- Straight hair.

Craven- Greedy. Craven choke puppy. This is a famous line that depicts someone who wants everything but, when they get it, they can’t handle it.

Cris- Slang for cool and instyle. Dat cris. (That is cool.)

Crosses- Problems and misfortunes. Mi always inna crosses. (I always have bad luck.)

Culture (kul-cha)- Reflecting or pertaining to the roots, values and traditions of Rastas.

Cuss-cuss- Shouting fight with bad words.

Cutchie- A clay-fired earth piece that fits into a chalice needed to hold ganja; a cup.

Cutlass- A cutting instrument; a very large knife.

Cutta- Cutter; can opener; cutting tool.

Cut yeye- Cutting your eye at someone by turning the eyes the other way.

Cyar (key-ar)- Car.

D

Dan- Than

Dandimite- Dynamite

Darkers (dah-kahs)- Sunglasses, shades.

Dat- That

Dawta (doh-ta)- Daughter; woman, good woman friend.

Dead- Dead, die, killed, to kill. ‘Im a dead. (He is dead).

Dear- Expensive. Dat cost dear. (That is very expensive.)

Deestant (dee-stant)- Decent.

Dege-dege (deh-geh deh-geh)- Measly or skimpy.

Deh- There—as in place. Also asks where something is. Weh ih deh? (Where is it?)

Deh ‘bout- Nearby, close to.

Dehya (deh-yah)- Here or there.

Dem- Them. Use dem after plural objects. Di gal dem. (The girls.)

Depan (deh-pon)- On; on top of; upon.

Des- Desperate. Im sey im des fi a food. (He said he’s desperate for food).

Dey (dayah)- They; there, as in to be or exist. Dey nuh odda way. (There is no other way). Nuh milk nuh dey. (There is no milk there). Dey say. (They say.)

Di- The; did, was. ‘Im did dun di ting? (Did he complete the thing?)

Dideh (di-dayah)- Was there or right over there. ‘Im dideh. (He is/was there). Member when wi dideh? (Do you remember when we were there?)

Dis- This.

Disya- This right here.

Don- A term and name for one who is well respected.

Doondoos (dune-deuce)- Referring to an albino.

Downpress- Rasta word for “Oppress”.

Dread- Person who has dreadlocks, greeting to friend, expression of a good idea.

Dreadnut- Rasta word for “Coconut.”

Drop legs- To dance.

Dub- Mixed music of electronicreggae.

Dun- Done, finished, over with; kill. Mi dun feel bad. (I am done feeling bad). Mi dun dweet. (I have finished doing it).

Dun know- Don’t know.

Dung- Down. Come dung. Sidung (Come down. Sit down.)

Duppy (dup-pee)- Ghost.

Dutty- Dirty; also a popular slang expression, as in Dutty yo.

Dutty gal- Tin mackerel. This is common food for the poor.

Dween- Doing.

Dweet- Do it.

E

Ease-up- To relax. Ease up uno self. (Relax yourselves.)

Eat unda sheet- Expression of performing oral sex.

Eaz haad- Ears hard. Means stubbornness or thickskulled; one who doesn’t listen. Yu rass claat haad eaz. (You are damn stubborn.)

Eff- If

Ends- A place. Mi a go pon one ends still. (I am going to one place).

Eveling- Evening

Everything cook and curry- Everything is just fine.

F

Fa- For. Wa mek yu dweet fa? (Why did you do it for?)

Faas- Fast. Tap drive faas. (Stop driving fast).

Facety (fe-ast-ee)- Bad mannered and nasty; acting fresh.

Fambly- Family.

Fass- Nosey.

Favor (fa-va)- Looks like; resembles. ‘Im a fava a dinna pig. (He resembles the size of a pig.) She fava har mudda. (She looks like her mother.)

Feel no way- Not taken in offense; not to worry or care.

Fi (fee)- To. This is the main Jamaican prepostion. Mi naa waan fi do it. (I don’t want to do it).

Fi mi, fi she, fi yu, fi ‘Im- Mine, hers, yours, his. Shows possession. A fi mi cyar. (My car). Fi dem. (Theirs.)

Fiah (fi-ah)- Fire; also used to designate the smoking of ganja. More fiah! (More weed!)

Fit- when used of fruits and vegetables, it means that fruit is ready to pick and is fully grown, though not necessarily fully ripe to eat.

Flim- Film; mostly camera film. Mi need fi buy flim becaa’ no flim in’ai camra. (I need to buy film because there is no film in the camera.)

Flex- To chill and hang out having a time; to plan an activity.

Follow- To travel close to, to follow or seek. Follow back a mi. (Follow me.) Di fly a follow yu head. (The fly is seeking your head.)

Foot- Any part of the entire leg. ‘Im foot a bruk means that his leg is broken.

Forward- Future; to go or to move.

Fren’- Friend.

Frock- Dress. Also an expression, e.g. Fit ‘n frock means everything is good.

Fram- From; since. Mi dehya fram 6:00. (I have been here since 6:00). Fram when mi a pickney mi a dweet. (I have been doing it since I was a kid).

Fresh- Not ready; still bitter or sour. Di juice a fresh still. (The juice is still raw tasting.)

Fuckery (fuk-ree)- A maljustice, something wrong and unfair; this is not considered a bad word. A fuckery dat. (That was a messed up thing).

G

Gaan- Literally means gone. ‘Im gaan. (He is gone.)

Gaan to bed- An expression of loving something very much.

‘Gainst- Against. She fight ‘gainst mi. (She fought against me.)

Galang- Go along.

Ganja- Marijuana.

Gansey- T-shirt.

Gates- Home. Many homes in JA have gates. One’s “gates” is one’s home.

Get- To have, to have had, got, gotten. Mi get fi realize. (I realize or I have realized.) General- A cool and smooth operator.

Ginnal- Trickster, con-person. ‘Im so ginnal. (He is a tricky person.)

Ginnygog- An influential person–derogative.

Gimme- Give me.

Give tanks- A expression of gratitude; a Rasta expression.

Glamity- Womans’ sexual private area.

Gleena- Newspaper; the Jamaican Gleener.

Godeh- Go there. Mi no go deh. (I’m not going there)

Gone- Gone, passed, left. Mi see har di Monday gone. (I saw her the passed Monday.)

Gorgon- Outstanding person and very well respected. ‘Im a don gorgon. (He is a master of situations).

Greetings- An opening greeting used heavily by Rastas.

Grindsman- One who is great in bed.

Grow- To raise. She grow mi. (She raised me.)

Gwaan- Go on. Wa a gwaan? (What’s going on?)

Gwine (gween)- Going. Wi gwine adoor. (We are going outside.)

Gweh- Go away.

H

Hab- Have

Haffi- Have to.

Half eediat (af ee-dee-at)- A very stupid person.

Hanga- Closet; hanger.

Hangle- Handle.

Har- Her

Haste (hee-ase)- To be in a hurry. Mek haste. (Hurry up)

Hat- Hurt

Higgla- A street vendor; comes from the British word higgler.

Hol ih dung- Hold it down. Means keep it steady; make a secret; not to be told.

Honor (hon-nah)- A Rasta word; greeting or good-bye.

Hose- Penis. Mi kyaan lock mi hose off. (I can’t keep it in side; in this case the speaker is stating being excessively sexually active.)

Hot steppa- Hot stepper, which is a criminal; fugitive; escapee from jail.

Hush- Sorry. [Person 1] Ouch! Yu hut mi! [Person 2] Hush. {1} You hurt me! {2} Sorry.

Although, someone saying ‘hush’ to you may make you more angry, just remember that in Jamaican Patois ‘hush’ means to be sorry; an apology.

I

I an I- Rasta speech for me. Me, myself, and I.

I-cense- Rasta word for ganga, which is taken from the Biblical word “Incense.”

I-ditate- Rasta word for “Meditate.”

I-dren- Rasta word for bredren, which is taken from the Biblical word “Brethren.”

I-laloo- Rasta word for “Callaloo”, which is spinach.

I-man / I-mon – Refers to the self. I-man waan dat. (I want that). Rasta for: Me or you.

I-ney- A classic Rasta greeting.

I-ree- Rasta word for “Irie”, which means to be happy.

I-sire- Rasta word for “Desire”

I-tal- Rasta term for “Vital”, which is a strict diet and way of life. Most commonly Rasta food that is pure, unprocessed, and unsalted.

I-tes- Rasta word for “Heights.” The I-tes color for the Rasta is Red. This word is also used as a greeting.

I-wah- Rasta word for “Hour.”

I-yah- Me (I) or you.

Ih (ih or ee)-It. Weh ih deh? (Where is it?)

‘Im- Him

Informa- (in-fah-mah)Informer. One who narcs or tells on others–usually to the police. Informers are not respected.

Inna- In the. This word can also be spelled with only one ‘n’.

Inna di lights- Expression to say tomorrow. See you inna di lights. (See you tomorrow.)

Irie (I-ree)- Means everything is alright. Expression of feeling great and cool.

Iron bird (Irun-buud)- An Iron bird is an airplane. Yu jus come off di ironbud. (You’ve just come off the plane.)

Is- This means it is, it was, or was it? This is can be used to repace the word it; and can also pose a question if it comes first in the sentence. Is ‘im a dweet? (It was him that did it or can mean. Was it him that did it?)

J

Ja, Jamdown, Jamdung- Words for Jamaica.

Jacket- Bastard; a child that is raised by another father. (Usually from the wife cheating on someone else and the father never knowing.)

Jah- Lord. Jah Bless. (God Bless.)

Jah guide- A Rasta farewell and good-bye. Literally says that “God shall guide.”

Jah know- Lord or God knows; an expression of agreement.

Jake, Johnny, Joe- Terms Jamaicans use to yell and call out when they see white Americans. Hey Jake!

Jancro- John Crow, which is the name for the hated albino buzzard/vulture; also an expression of hate.

Jesum Piece- A soft expresson of aggrivation.

Jester- To joke; kidding. Mi naa jesta. ( I’m not kidding.)

Jook- To pierce or poke; to have sex.

Jus begin fi dead- Expression saying that people were really shocked or amazed, like they could have dropped dead. Dem jus begin fi dead when wi did wi ting. (They almost dropped dead when we did our thing).

K

Ketch- To ketch; to get, to achieve.

Key- Slang for good friend. Similar to “My main man.” Wa’ppun mi key? (What’s up man?) This word also means the normal key we are used to for opening doors.

Kill mi dead- Expression of certainty; I’ll do it at all costs, no matter what. Mi muss a go kill mi dead. (I’ll get there no matter what.)

Kiss teet- A facial expression when the lips are pressed together kissing and the eyebrows up. Makes a hiss. Also is a very rude jesture and sound of the face and mouth.

Ku- Look. Ku pon dis. (Look at this).

Kya (Key-a) Care. Mi nuh kya. (I don’t care.)

Kyaan- Can’t; can not. Note: some spellings have it as “Cyaan” or “Caan”.

Kyaan done- Can’t finish; never ending. Mi lub yu kyaan done. (My love for you can’t end.)

Kyarri (key-ah-ree)- Carry.

L

Laas- Last; or lose.

Labba-Labba- Talking to much. Labba mout. (A chatter mouth.)

Lambsbread- A Rasta term for high-grade ganja.

Lang- Long. Lang time mi a wait. (I’ve waited for a long time.)

Large (laaj)- Very well respected. Dat large. (That’s popular). Also used as a slang term, “Large up!” (Similar to “Big up”—a term of fond greeting and appreciation.)

Lef- Leave, left, passed.

Leggo- To let go; leave, let’s go. She leggo har numba. (She gave out her number.)

Legsus- A spoof on the luxury car, Lexus, but expresses the walking power of the legs.

Liad (li-ad)- Liar. Yu a liad. (You are a liar).

Lickle- Little.

Lickle more- A saying of goodbye.

Light- Power; electricity.

Likky-Likky- One who is greedy about eating everything seen. Yu too likky-likky.

Lilly- Little, tiny.

Link up- Slang for “Hooking up”; getting or meeting together, ect. Mi link yu up layta. (I’ll get with you later.)

Lock up- Closed. Di store dem a lock up. (The stores are closed).

M

Machet- A machete.

Maga- Skinny and slender.

Man juice- Sperm.

Manley- A Jamaican $1000 bill that has former prime minister Michael Manley.

Mantell- Male gigolo; a real player and whore of a man.

Marina- A sleeveless wifebeater T-shirt, commonly netted.

Mas- An old and wise master; a old-timer who deserves respect.

Mascot- Someone who is lame, inferior; can mean gay.

Mash it up- Expression of doing well; like, “Break a leg”; be a big success.

Mek- Let; make. Mek wi dweet. (Let us do it). Mek up yu mind. (Make up your mind). Dat di best eva mek. (That’s the best ever made.)

Memba- Remember.

Mi- Me, I, mine. Mi soon come. (I’ll be there soon). [Can be pronounced Mee or Meh]

Mon- Perhaps the single most important Jamaican word, “Mon” can represent every person in Jamaica—man, woman, and child. Yes mon! (Yes man, woman, or child!)

‘Mongst- Amongst

More time- Popular expression for saying good-bye. This must be said with power and voice. More time! (Later!)

Mos def- Most definitely. An expression meaning, of course, yes, sure, ECT.

Mr. Mention- A real ladies man who is the talk of the town so to speak.

Mudda- Mother.

Muss- Must.

Mussi- Must be.

My yute- My youth. Friendly expression of calling a friend or youger one. Hey my yute. (Hey my friend).

N

Naa- A variation of the word No.

Nanny- A Jamaican $500 bill worth about 11 U.S. dollars.

Neba- Never

Negga (neh-gah)- Negro. See Nyega.

Neegle- needle.

Neegle yeye- literally means “Needle’s eye”. Has reference to something very small. Also refers to the female sexual organ.

Nize (niz)- Noise

Nuff- Plenty, too much, many, tons, a lot, ECT.

Nuh- No, now, or know.

Nuh true?- Expression of verifying the truth; Isn’t it so?

Nuh easy- A very popular expression saying one is acting a bit off the wall or uneasy, or when ones manners are not in order. Yu nuh easy!

Nutten- Nothen.

Nyabinghi- The traditional and orthodox Rastafarian movement of black supremacy and visions of the Ethiopian Zion; a Rasta spiritual gathering with drumming and chanting.

Nyam (nee-ahm)- To eat. Mek wi nyam. (Let’s eat.)

Nyami-Nyami- Expression of one who eats too much.

Nyega (nee-yeg-ah)- term for black person; nigger. Dutty Nyega. (Poor and trashy person—same as white trash in the U.S.) White nyega. (Jamaican born white person.)

O

Obeah- The withcraft or spiritual science native of Africa. It is the type of voodoo in Jamaica. She a put Obeah pon ya. (She cast a spell on you.)

Odda (ud-dah)- Other. Dey nuh odda way. (There’s no other way.)

Ongle- Only.

Ooman- Woman.

Ooo- Who. Is fi ooo? (Whose is it?)

Ova- Over.

Ovastan- Rasta word for “Understand”. Literally means “Overstand”.

P

Pear (peer)- Avocado.

Peas- Beans. Rice an peas. (Rice and beans).

Pickney- Child, children, kids.

Poas- Post; to mail.

Priors- Prayers.

Pull- To open. Pull di can a peas. (Open the can of beans).

Pum, Punash, Punaani- Female genitals.

Pussyclot- Curse word.

Pussyhole (pus-swhol)- Curse word.

Pyur (peer)- Only; used in conjunction with things in large quantities. Always remember to say this like peer. Pure gal waan mi. (Many girls want me).

Q

Quashi- a peasant

Quips- a small portion

Quing-up : to compress

Quattie : of no value, the term is derived from the name that was given to the 1/2 penny that was used in Jamaica during Britsh rule.

R

Radda- Rather.

Ragga- The current name of popular regae music. Ragga music relies heavily on a digital equipment.

Raggamuffin- A Jamaican ghetto dweller. Naa mess wit no raggamuffin. (Don’t mess with a ghetto person.)

Rakstone- Rocks, stones. Rakstone inna mi shoe. (I have rocks in my shoes.)

Rass/Raas (rass/rahz)- Common word and expression meaning ass; also it can add intensity to objects or basic words in normal speech. Ending a word with clot makes it a curse word.

Ray Ray- This is a term used when someone is talking too much or telling a story. Similar to saying blah blah.

Ready- A person, usually always a woman, who is sexually attractive.

Red- High or drunk. Also is the color of a person who is not fully Black. E.g. Red Rat.

Red yeye- One who is covetous and jelous of things. Yu yeye too red.

Reespek- Respect. A very popular Rasta greeting that shows courtesy.

Renk- Foul; smelling bad; very rude.

Response- Responsible. Response fi ooo? (Responsible for whom?)

Rest- To relax and settle down. Rest mon! (Calm down!)

Rhaatid (rah-tid)- A mild exclamation of surprise or irritation. Similar to gosh, heck, and damn.

Righted- Correct and with sense. Dat nuh righted. (That was with out sense).

Rockas- Music to “rock” to. Slang for music and enjoying such.

Romp- To mess with or play. Yu wanna romp wit me? (Do you want to mess with me?)

Rope een- To join in or come in on an activity going on.

Rude bwoy (rood bwhy)- A basic slang term. Can be a common greeting to a cool friend or it can describe a tough guy, rebel, or criminal. Wa’ppun rude bwoy? (What’s up man?) ‘Im run di rude bwoy bizness. (He runs the criminal business).

Run a boat- A saying where many people will cook and eat a big dinner.

S

Sa (sah)- Sir.

Salt (saál)- Bad luck, unlucky. Mi get salt. (I was unlucky.)

Samfi (sam-fi)- A trickster and conman out to get money. ‘Im a samfi man. (He is a conman).

Sapps- A man who is controlled by a woman.

Satday, Satnight- Saturday and Saturday night.

Sciecne- A term for the following of the Obeah witchcraft cult practice. She a scientist becaa she follow di Science people dem. (She is an occult practitioner [Obeah] because she follows people of that cult.)

Scenty (sent-tee)- Smelling good; a good scent. Mi put mi turn on perfume an mi scenty. (I put on my “Turn on” perfume [turns on the woman] and I smell good.)

Screw- To be angry. Screw face. (An angry face.)

See it – Slang for “Do you understand or do you see”.

Shorty- This is a slang expression similar to saying ‘chick’ or girl.

Shot- To shoot, shot, to have been shot. Dem shot ‘im dead. (They shot him dead.)

Sidung- Sit down.

Sight- A Rasta term for, “Do you SEE or UNDERSTAND?”

Sistren- A reference or greeting to a group of women—usually formal; sistren are the opposite of “bredren or bredrin”. Hi sistren! (Hi ladies!)

Si’ting (si-tin)- Something; a thing that you don’t feel like calling the proper name. Mi a go get dat sinting. (I am going to get that thing).

Skettle- A ho girl or slut; also means anything really cheap. A skettle name brand dat. (Those are cheap brand clothes.) Sket is a shortened version; also a cheap boxed drink.

Skin teet- Smile. Check yu’self befo yu skin ya teet. Check yourself befor you smile.

Slam/Slap- Slang words for sex.

Slump- The slums or ghetto. Dis a di slump. (This is the slum.)

So- Like that; such as that, like such, ECT. This is just a common expression used to decribed anything. Almost always comes at the end of the sentence. Wa mek yu galaan so?(Why are you behaving like such?) Wa mek yu sweet so? (Why are you so sweet?)

Soon come- Term used for general replies in saying that one will be back. However, it does not mean necessarily that one will actually come promptly. Mi a soon come. (I’ll come soon.)

Spliff- A very large cone-shaped marijuana cigarette.

Speaky-Spokey- This is when a Jamaican tries to speak like an American or Englishman. Usually when a Jamaican returns from a vacation overseas he or she will carry over an accent and a friend will say, Wa mek you so speaky spokey? (Why are you trying to speak like an foreigner?

Stamina- Sexual endurance. Di ooman dem wanna stamina daddy, ya hear. (Women want a man with pleanty of sexual endurance.)

Star- To sport something or an event in style; also slang for “Man”. Yu mus star dem threads. (You have to sport and wear those clothes like you are the king). Wha’ppun, star? (What’s up, man?)

Stay- To leave alone or let be; to wait; the way someone is. Mek it stay. (Let it be.) Jus stay deh. (Just you wait.) See ‘ow yu stay? (Do you see how you are?)

Step- To leave. Mi step out yah. (I am leaving now.)

Stoosh- Any person that is rich; a rich object. Dis computa stoosh! (This computer is “stoosh”!) Mi live inna stoosh place. (I live in a rich place.)

Strong money- Just a saying to denote the superiority of American money. Is a strong money dat a come fram foreign. (It is strong money that comes from the U.S.)

Su-Su (sue-sue)- To gossip and spread rumors. The sound of whispering in one’s ear denotes gossip and backbiting. Nuh su-su pon mi back. (Don’t gossip behind my back.)

Sufferation (suf-fa-ray-shun)- Major suffering, poverty, and trials. A pyur sufferation inna gwaan inna di ghetto. (There is pure suffering going on in the ghetto.)

Sum’ady- Somebody.

Sup’m (sup-hm)- Another way of saying “Something”.

Swaaty- Fatty.

T

Tack- Bullet.

Tall- Long. Har hair tall, ee? (Her hair is long, huh?)

Tallowah- Strong and sturdy.

Tam- A large oval-shaped Rasta hat used to cover dreadlocks.

Tan- Stand, stay, wait and see; also to be as in to be such a way. Tandeh. (Stay there, just you wait). A so ‘im tan. (That’s the way he is).

Tanks- Thanks.

Tan pon it lang- Expression of having sex for a long time.

Ten toe turbo- An funny expression meaning to walk and use your feet. It must be known that the majority of Jamaicans walk for transportation.

Teet- Teeth.

Teif- Thief; to steal. Di teif a teif mi tings. (The thief has stolen my things.)

Tek- Take or get. Tek time. (Take time / slow down).

Tess- Test. Yu waan tess mi? (Do you want to test me?)

Trash an ready- A popular slang expression meaning to be very stylish and fashionable.

Tree- Tree; also the number three. ‘Im a tree bunna. (He cheats “burns” on three women.)

Truu- Truth; true; through; threw.

Truss mi- Trust me.This is an ever-popular expression used when agreeing with some one. Basically means: “Oh yeh, believe me, I know”, ect.

Truut- Truth past tense. ‘Im tol di trut. (He told the truth.)

Tun- Turn. Im tun deh. (He turned there).

U

Unda gal pickney- Expression for what is “Under the girls’ pants”.

Undastan (un-dah-staan)- Understand.

Uno or unno (uh-no)- The plural form of you, you all, the all of you, ECT. Also means all. Uno yu. (All of you.)

Upful- Positive feelings. Yu so upful. (You are cheerful.)

Usband- Husband.

V

Van- Pick-up truck.

Vank- To beat, eliminate, or conquer. Comes from the word vanquish.

Version (ver-shun)- Version; popularly an instrumental version.

Vex- This the key word that is used to mean angry, mad, upset, furious, ECT. Naa mek mi vex, mon! (Don’t make me mad!)

W

Wa (wah)- What.

Wa day-The other day. Memba wa day weh wi dweet? (Do you remember the other day when we did it?)

Wa mek? – Why

Waan- Want; need.

Wanga gut- One who has a fat stomach; one who likes to eat and seems hungry all the time; a hungry-belly.

Wa’ppun- What’s happening? This is the most popular greeting used. Always say this instead of the American, “What’s up.”

Weh- Where; past tense of was; present tense of is; that is.

Wear- To wear; it is worn, worn, wears. Batty ridas still a wear by di gal dem. (Short shorts are still worn by the girls.)

Wheels- Car.

Whole heap- Slang for very large quantities; a lot, a whole heap. Very common to use.

Wi- We, us, our, ours. Naa touch wi tings. (Don’t touch our things). Yu a come wit wi? (Are you coming with us?)

Wicked- Slang for bad or evil. Dat wicked, nuh? (That’s cool, huh?)

Winji- Very thin and unattractive. She too winji. (She’s too thin.)

Wit- With.

Wrap up- Slang for kidding or joking. Mi naa wrap up. (I am not joking.)

Wood- Penis.

Work (wuk)- Slang for sex.

Wutless- Worthless. When used in conjunction with a man it means one who is lousy in bed. ‘Im a wutless bwoy. (He is a worthless, sexually useless, man.)

X

X amount- Countless; many. Mi get x amount a lovin. (I receive plenty of love/sex.)

Y

Ya, Yah- You, here, also can mean yes.

Yahso- Over here; right here.

Ya nuh see it? – Slang for, you know?

Yaad- Yard, place of residence, house, home. Tek mi a mi yaad. (Take me home.) Mi baan a Jamaican Yardi. (I was born a Jamaican.)

Yeh- Yes.

Yeye (yi)- Eye.

Yeyewata- To shed tears, cry.

Yuut- Youth. A popular name for calling a friend; can also refer to someone younger. Also popular using man as ending. Yu a mi bredrin fram yuuts. (You’re my friend from youth.)

Z

Zed- The letter Z. Fram A to Zed. (From A to Z).

Zeen- Understand, you know, you see, okay, yeh, ECT. One of the most popular words, zeen. Zuke a mi lass name, it a begin wit zed, zeen. (Zuke is my last name, it begins with the letter z, you see). Zeen can signal a question or agree with a statement.

Zion- This is the holy land talked about the Rastas, which is in Ethiopia.

Zutopong : someone who low class also zutopeck.

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