So Is It Horse Dead And Cow Fat or Horse Dead And Crow Fat? The Debate About This Jamaican Proverb
Recently, some people have been arguing that the correct version of the popular Jamaican saying is “Horse dead and crow fat” instead of the widely known “Horse dead and cow fat.” However, whether this is true or not remains open to interpretation. Jamaican proverbs often evolve over time, with different meanings attached depending on the […]
Interview: Professor Hubert Devonish, Advocate for Jamaican Patois as a Language
Professor Hubert Devonish of the University of the West Indies has been one of the strongest advocates fighting for Jamaican Patois as a Language. He has created a writing and spelling system for Jamaican Patois. This month we have a conversation with him about Jamaican Patois as a Language. Q: When did you come to […]
Top 10 Most Charming and Hilarious Pick-Up Lines and Compliments from Jamaican Men
As a Jamaican woman who has travelled to several countries, I must say Jamaican men have some of the best pick-up lines—or as we call them in Jamaica, “lyrics.” I may sound biased, but after experiencing countless “checkings” during my travels and hearing pick-up lines from around the globe, nothing compares to the creativity and […]
15 Jamaican Patois Slangs You Should Add to your Vocabulary
While Jamaicans are native English speakers, their heritage and history have molded Patois (the native language) into a unique form of expression. It’s fun, expressive, and integral to the Jamaican experience but can sometimes be puzzling for visitors, especially as it evolves with every generation. With this evolution of the language and the creation of […]
10 ways to apologize like a Jamaican
In Jamaica, pride is a highly-valued personal trait so apologies don’t come easy. Jamaicans have basically mastered the art of saying “sorry” without saying, “sorry”. If you are ever in a situation where you need to apologize but you don’t really want to, here are 10 Jamaican ways to patch things up: “Hush” When a […]
Dictionary of the Jamaican Language Takes You Bak Tu Skuul
Contributed – Joseph T. Farquharson and the DJL team The Jamaican language, popularly referred to as (Jamaican) Patwa, is a significant component of brand Jamaica. However, despite its high international visibility and mounting global interest, it is severely under-resourced in its homeland. The language has benefitted from the work of outstanding linguists such as Beryl […]
Your Guide to Asking for Directions in Jamaican Patois
Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do in Jamaican Patois is to ask for directions then follow them according to what a local instructs you. This is especially true in the rural areas of the island. Unless your roots are from the island and you are able to follow directions without street names […]
Blend into the Jamaican Crowd with These Useful Patois Expressions
If you plan to visit Jamaica soon, you might be wondering how best you can fit into a conversation without being singled out as a ‘foreigner”. You might want to be able to understand what is being said around you, or to even communicate comfortably with a local. Have you considered learning some Jamaican Patois […]
Do Jamaicans Mispronounce Your Name? 31 Names Jamaicans Take Pleasure in Butchering
Jamaicans are known for their special talent when pronouncing names, blending them with the richness of our diverse ethnicity and culture. Jamaicans.com recently conducted a poll to discover the most common of these mispronunciations. It’s no exaggeration to say that Jamaicans possess an exceptional talent for adapting even the most outrageous mispronunciations of words. Now, […]
‘Lef Mi Nuh’, 20 Common Jamaican Patois Sentences You Should Say To Sound Like A Local
Visitors to the island of Jamaica enjoy indulging in lively conversations with locals. It’s an opportunity to learn the Jamaican Patois language, specifically the words and phrases that are commonly said by Jamaican every day. If you’re new to the island or you have a Jamaican friend that you want to impress, colour your speech […]
