Trinis are a unique lot of people who can be spotted a mile off.
They can be identified by their body language, speech, decorum, taste, and even their judgement of time and space.. They are very defensive when mistaken for any islander other than a Trini. A Trini's choice of words to describe a breadfruit falling from a tree identifies the state of the ripeness of the fruit, and where it fell: A ripe fruit falling to the ground will fall *BLAF*, whereas a ripe fruit falling on a galvanized sheeted roof will fall *BLANG*. A green fruit on the other hand will fall to the ground *BUDUFF*, and the same fruit falling on the same roof will fall *BLADANG*. A door will open, if its hinges need oiling, *KREEKES* and will close *BADAM* or *CLITTICKS* depending on the force used to close it. He describes a horse galloping as *BROOGOODOOK, BROOGOODOOK.* His expressions of surprise are *AHA, O GAWD, BON JAY or WEE FOUTE.* His expression of disgust is *AH CHUT* usually accompanied with stamping of the feet or steupsing. His expression of joy is *OH JEEZANAGES*. His salutations are *WOY, MAN, CHILE, BREDS,* and even *STRANGER*. Trini women call each other *CHILE*, the men call each other *BOY* and the boys call each other *MAN*. If you think that is confusing they refer to any older person of the male sex as *UNCLE* and the female sex as *TANTIE*. When Trinis hang out, they are *LIMING*. When you are a Trini of mixed race you are a DOUGLA. A Trini will *CUFF YOU DOWN* and *KICK YOU UP* Trinis have an interesting list of body parts you won't find in any biology book: *TOTTOTS, BAMSEE, BAM BAM. BUMSEE and NABLE*. A physically challenged person to a Trini is a *BROKOFOOT*, a fat woman is a *BOOBOOLOOPS*. A giddy head is called *BAZODEE*, and if you should fall into a fit of convulsion you are considered to have caught *MALKADEE*. A Trini's punctuality Is atrocious. *NOW* is *LATER. LATER* is *SOMETIME TOMORROW*, and *YESTERDAY*: Well, that propels an attack of amnesia. And as a Trini, we will say *IF AH LIE, AH LIE* The writer did an excellent job articulating many of our words and expressions but I would be remiss in my presentation if I did not mention one of our favorite pronouncements, in which, our usual response to the question: *“Where yuh going?” is “Ah going out to come back jes now.”* *MY ADDITIONS TO THE TRINI DIALECT TREASURE TROVE* •*Kalywampus* (All how/awry) • *Biskangkway* (Twisted up) •*Karkhay* (Forcing as if under strain) •*Mufflerdize* (Hermaphrodite) •*Jagabat* (Prostitute) •*Mamapool* (A mama man) •*Marasmee* (Sickly) •*Obzokee* (Out of shape) •*Never done palette* (Penis) •*Planasse* (To hit someone with the flat side of a cutlass) •*Three canal Indian .38 special* (Cutlass) •*Quailey* (Dried up) •*Ramfle-up* (Wrinkled and unkempt) •*Teeteevay* (Wasting time) •*Dreevay* (To skylark) •*Vamping* (Smelling stink) •*Yampee* (Mucus at the corner of the eyes) •*Snat* (Snot from the nose, usually while suffering from the flu) Can you add others to this list? Source: Virtual Museum of T&T, December 29, 2020
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