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Tag: #JamaicanProverbs
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Cock Mout’ Kill Cock
When Your Words Become Your Worst Enemy There’s something magnificent about a rooster at dawn. The way he stands tall, throws back his head, and announces to the world that a new day has arrived. His crow carries confidence, authority, the unmistakable sound of someone who believes he rules his domain. But in Jamaica, there’s…
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Ef fish deh a river bottom an’ tell yuh seh alligator deh deh, believe him
When Someone Who Lives the Reality Gives You a Warning Imagine you’re standing by a pristine river on a hot summer day, ready to dive into the cool, inviting water. Suddenly, a little fish surfaces and says, “Friend, I wouldn’t go down there if I were you. There’s an alligator resting on the bottom.” What…
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Mi throw mi corn, mi nuh call nuh fowl
The Art of Speaking Truth Without Starting Wars Picture this: You’re in a team meeting, and everyone knows someone dropped the ball on the big client presentation. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. Your manager takes a breath and says, “Moving forward, let’s all make sure we’re double-checking our work before…
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Fool nuh dead, him jus’ nuh learn
When Life Keeps Teaching… Are You Still Listening? You know that friend who keeps dating the same type of person and wondering why it never works out? Or maybe the colleague who touches the metaphorical hot stove every month, then acts surprised when they get burned? We all have someone like this in our lives.…
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Nuh Buy Puss Inna Bag
Look Before You Leap: The Wisdom of Discernment Introduction: All That Glitters… Might Be a Puss in a Bag You’ve been there. We all have. You buy something online that looks pristine in the photo, only to open the box and find disappointment. Or you rush into a new relationship, a job, a business deal…
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Mi Duck Anuh Mi Duckling
Raising Individuals, Not Reflections: The Myth of the Mini-Me “Why can’t you just be more like your sister?”“That’s not how I raised you!”“Back in my day, we didn’t question everything…” If you’ve ever heard or said anything like that, you’re not alone. We often expect our children to reflect us in looks, behavior, values, and…
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Long Way Draw Sweat. Shortcut Draw Blood
Why Taking the Scenic Route Might Save Your Life The Proverb That Pulls You Back From the Edge “Long way draw sweat. Shortcut draw blood.” It’s the kind of proverb that Jamaicans drop with a slight side-eye and a knowing nod, usually after someone tries to skip a step, dodge a duty, or rush a…
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Wanti Wanti Cyan Getti, Getti Getti No Wanti
The Wisdom of Wanting Less and Appreciating More The Grass Ain’t Always Greener We’ve all done it. Looked across the fence, the screen, or the street and thought, “I wish that was mine.” Maybe it’s the dream car, the promotion, the perfect partner, the luxury vacation. Maybe it’s as simple as a moment of peace…
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Time Longa Dan Rope
Trusting the Process, Holding the Faith, and Waiting Well “Time longa dan rope,” the elders say. It’s not just a proverb. It’s a balm; a quiet assurance for souls tired of waiting. In English, it means time is longer than rope no matter how twisted, tangled, or tight the situation feels, time outlasts it. Time…
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Hog Seh ‘Di More Yuh Look, Di Less Yuh See
Looking Isn’t Always Seeing Jamaican proverbs often use animals to deliver sharp social commentary, and “Hog seh ‘di more yuh look, di less yuh see” is no exception. This pig-inspired gem reminds us that appearances can be deceptive, and the more we scrutinize something without understanding it, the more confused we may become. This post explores the meaning…