As a "grandmother child" (i.e. child raised by grandparents), I grew up hearing a lot of Bajan proverbs and sayings that remain with me till this day. We Bajans have some very colourful sayings and here are 10 of my favourites:
10. Every fool got ‘e sense:
No matter how dull and ignorant, everybody is knowledgeable in one area or the other.
9. Cat luck en' dog luck
What one person may get away, may cause problems for another.
8. When yuh en' got horse, ride cow:
Utilize whatever resources you have available.
7. Don’t tek a six for a nine:
Do not misunderstand a person’s real intentions.
6. De berry don’ drop too far from de tree:
Children inherit traits and attitudes from their parents.
5. De higher de monkey climb, de more 'e show 'e tail:
The more you show off, the more your faults are brought to the open.
4. Evah skin-teet en' a laugh:
Not all outward signs of friendliness should be taken as genuine.
3. One smart dead at two smart door:
No matter how smart you think you are, there is somebody smarter than you.
2. Yuh could hide and buy ground but yuh can’t hide and wuk it:
It is impossible to hide your actions all the time.
1. De sea ain’t got nuh back door:
The sea is not that safe a place; take every precaution necessary.
For more proverbs, check Bajanfuhlife.com.
Photo: Roger LaBrucherie
Cheese-On-Bread
ReplyDeleteLove your Blog, both the esthetics and content. I’m not always able to read everything but I check your Blog every day. Today I enjoyed your entry on Bajan Proverbs and quickly penned the following. Please view it at BajanPoetry.com for its presentation. My poetry always has a message down the spine that may not always be the title of the poem. Hope you can enjoy this.
Ten Favorite Bajan Proverbs
The Bajans speak in an unusual way
Expressing philosophically the things they say
Now I have difficulty writing the Bajan slang
Fortunately these were posted for the Blogging gang
A dull ignorant man who you rate as dense
Value this individual cause Every fool got ‘e sense
One man might have escaped but you’d better duck
Realty has it that Cat luck en' dog luck
If resources are defective what can you do now
The Bajans say When yuh en' got horse, ride cow
Even though people help, understand their design
Be sure you Don’t tek a six for a nine
A person may be deceptive but note their pedigree
Just know De berry don’ drop too far from de tree
And the more you showoff the sooner truth will prevail
Note De higher de monkey climb, de more 'e show 'e tail
Peoples’ kindness may not always be on your behalf
Remember for Bajans Evah skin-teet en' a laugh
One day you’ll find someone smarter with tricks galore
Victory dictated that One smart dead at two smart door
Every action has consequences which are soon explicit
Remember Yuh could hide and buy ground but yuh can’t hide and wuk it
Before you risk seaward keep bearings on the shore
Safety always cause De sea ain’t got nuh back door
Khaidji
Hola Bajegirl
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Brazil!
I read your 10 favourites proverbs or saying. I like to read, this kind of wrinting. I always look for quotes when I visit any site.
Congrats and have a very good start of new week.
At last but not the least, I beg you please, if you have a free time to take a quick look on my little site too.
Friendly
Geraldo
Thanks for the comments guys, glad you like.:) Geraldo, you forgot to include the link to your site.
ReplyDeleteKhaidji, thanks again for the widget and well done!
Enjoyed reading this. Much like the Jamaican ones. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I like this blog. Must come here more often. Here is one more Bajan saying that you may add to your list:
ReplyDeleteyuh could hide and buy ground but yuh can't hide and wuk it. LOL
Paterika
http://poetrynest.blogspot.com